Things to Do on the Western Slope: April 24-26, 2026
From a classical symphony and a sing-along film screening to a food and drink festival and a benefit gala, the Grand Valley has a full weekend ahead.
– 6 min read
The Western Slope is heading into a weekend packed with options: live music across multiple venues, a signature charity gala, a gravel bike race in the desert canyon country near Fruita, and a closing choral concert that caps a full symphony season. Events span Grand Junction, Fruita, Montrose, and Ouray, and several raise funds for nonprofits doing meaningful work in the region.
Thursday, April 23
Austin Snell at Warehouse 25sixty-five
Country and Americana artist Austin Snell kicks off the live music stretch at Warehouse 25sixty-five with a sound rooted in honest storytelling and road-worn songwriting. A good opening note for a weekend with more live performances than usual across the valley.
- When: Thursday, April 23, 7:00 PM
- Where: Warehouse 25sixty-five Kitchen + Bar, 2565 American Way, Grand Junction
- Tickets: warehouse2565.com
Friday, April 24
Home Loan Taste of the Grand Valley
The United Way of Mesa County brings back its annual outdoor food and drink festival, with samples from local food trucks and caterers, pours from regional breweries and wineries, and live music. All proceeds support the 25-plus nonprofit programs United Way funds across Mesa County, making this one of the more feel-good ways to spend a Friday evening. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the gate; children under six are free.
- When: Friday, April 24, 4:00-7:00 PM
- Where: Historic Lowell School Building, 310 N. 7th St., Grand Junction
- Tickets: Zeffy ticketing page
Wine and Whiskers Benefit -- Roice-Hurst Humane Society
Roice-Hurst Humane Society's reimagined annual gala returns at the Art Center of Western Colorado, pairing the humane society's community mission with one of the Grand Valley's most prominent cultural spaces. A strong option if you want to support local animal welfare while enjoying an evening out.
- When: Friday, April 24, 5:00-9:00 PM
- Where: The Art Center of Western Colorado, 1803 N. 7th St., Grand Junction
- Tickets and info: rhhumanesociety.org/benefit
Shadow of Intent at Mesa Theater
Connecticut-based metal band Shadow of Intent plays symphonic deathcore: dense, technically demanding, and orchestrally layered, with a dedicated following in the heavy music community. If heavier music is your thing, this is the weekend's best option on that front.
- When: Friday, April 24, doors 7:00 PM / show 8:00 PM
- Where: Mesa Theater, 538 Main St., Grand Junction
- Tickets: From $26.50 at mesatheater.com
Marfa at Warehouse 25sixty-five
Live music at Warehouse 25sixty-five on Friday night for those who want a more low-key late evening option.
- When: Friday, April 24, 8:00 PM
- Where: Warehouse 25sixty-five Kitchen + Bar, 2565 American Way, Grand Junction
- Info: warehouse2565.com
Fly Fishing Film Tour: Benefit for the Uncompahgre River – Ouray
The 10th annual Benefit for the Uncompahgre River brings together conservation funding, community, and fly fishing films in one evening at the historic Wright Opera House in Ouray. Organized by the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, the night includes a fly tying competition, door prizes, a silent auction, and a cash bar – all raising money for the health of the Uncompahgre River. A genuine community event for anyone in Montrose or Ouray counties who cares about local waterways. Tickets are $27 in advance and $30 at the door.
- When: Friday, April 24, 5:00-9:00 PM
- Where: Wright Opera House, 472 Main St., Ouray
- Tickets and info: Ouray Ridgway Events
Saturday, April 25
Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra: Heaven Meets Earth
The GJSO closes Season 47 with Duruflé's Requiem, a luminous 20th-century choral work built on Gregorian plainchant and rendered through rich orchestral and vocal harmony. Contemplative, moving, and accessible to listeners new to classical music just as much as longtime symphony-goers. The full Grand Junction Symphony and Chorus perform together, making this one of the more ambitious productions of the season. A Sunday matinee is also available (see below).
- When: Saturday, April 25, 7:30 PM
- Where: Avalon Theatre, 645 Main St., Grand Junction
- Tickets: $23-$89 at gjso.org
Surfer Girl at Mesa Theater
Carter Reeves, former frontman of hip hop and pop group Aer, performs as Surfer Girl, blending indie pop, reggae, surf rock, and hip hop into a sun-soaked, melody-driven set. A lighter-feeling counterpoint to Friday's heavier Mesa Theater show.
- When: Saturday, April 25, doors 7:00 PM / show 8:00 PM
- Where: Mesa Theater, 538 Main St., Grand Junction
- Tickets: From $42 at mesatheater.com
Desert Gravel Bike Race – Fruita
TransRockies Desert Gravel sends riders into canyon and high desert terrain along the Colorado-Utah border, with the start and finish at Civic Center Park in downtown Fruita. The 2026 race is sold out for participants, but the start and finish are free to watch and worth the trip if you are already in the Grand Valley.
- When: Saturday, April 25 (morning start)
- Where: Civic Center Park, downtown Fruita
- Info: desertgravel.com
Colorado Trout Unlimited Spring Rendezvous -- Montrose
The statewide CTU gathering brings TU leadership to the Ute Indian Museum for a day of conservation training and chapter planning. That evening at Shelter Distilling, the City of Montrose and Ed's Fly Shop co-host a free public film screening at 7:30 PM: a New Fly Fisher episode focused on the Uncompahgre River. The film screening is open to everyone and is a low-barrier entry point for any Montrose resident curious about local river conservation.
- When: Film screening Saturday, April 25, 7:30 PM (free, public)
- Where: Shelter Distilling, 947 Mayfly Dr., Montrose
- Full Rendezvous info: tu.myeventscenter.com
Western Slope Young Chautauqua Spotlight – Central Library
Youth performers bring notable historical figures to life through first-person character performances at Mesa County Libraries. A free, all-ages event that connects civic education with live performance in a way that tends to resonate across generations.
- When: Saturday, April 25, 1:00-3:00 PM
- Where: Central Library Community Room, 443 N. 6th St., Grand Junction
- Admission: Free. Info at mesacountylibraries.org
Southwest Arbor Fest
📅 April 25 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
📍 Lincoln Park, Grand Junction
One of the region’s largest Earth Month celebrations, Arbor Fest combines environmental education with a full day of entertainment and activities. Residents can take home free tree seedlings, participate in sustainability programs, explore educational exhibits, and enjoy food trucks and live music throughout the day. The event also includes recycling opportunities and tree-related workshops, making it both practical and celebratory.
👉 Event details: http://gjpr.org/swaf
Sunday, April 26
The Sound of Music Sing-Along -- Avalon Theatre
The Avalon's "Back to the Big Screen" series presents a family sing-along screening of The Sound of Music with on-screen lyrics. At $13.60 per ticket, it is one of the most affordable events of the weekend and a natural choice for a family Sunday afternoon.
- When: Sunday, April 26, doors 2:00 PM / film 3:00 PM
- Where: Avalon Theatre, 645 Main St., Grand Junction
- Tickets: $13.60 at avalontheatregj.com
More This Weekend
This is a selection of what is happening across the Western Slope from April 24 through 26. Additional events, markets, and community gatherings are taking place throughout Mesa, Montrose, Garfield, and Delta counties. Check directly with individual venues and organizations for the most current ticketing and schedule information.
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