Colorado’s longest running and largest music festival is set to celebrate a quarter of a century of launching local artists, expanding community initiatives and cementing artists’ legacies.

The 2025 Underground Music Showcase (UMS) will mark 25 years in operation, with this year’s event taking place July 25-27.

The multi-venue festival will feature more than 300 performances across 12 indoor venues and three outdoor stages along Denver’s South Broadway neighborhood.

“25 Years Loud’ is a celebration of the resilience, innovation, and spirit of Colorado’s music landscape,” said Casey Berry, co-owner of Two Parts, which operates the festival alongside Youth on Record, in a news release. “It takes a lot of heart … to keep the UMS legacy alive—and it’s only possible with support from local businesses, local government, and, of course, our fans.”

Tickets for the festival went on sale to the public Thursday and can be purchased online. Weekend passes start at $80 plus fees or $180 plus fees for VIP packages. Artist applications are currently open and will close on March. 2.

Over the years, UMS has helped launch the careers of renowned artists such as Nathaniel Rateliff and DeVotchKa, among others.

According to the organizers, the festival drives economic activity, supports artist development, and fosters community engagement. Initiatives such as sober bars, mental health campaigns, and enhanced accessibility ensure that the event is “inclusive and welcoming to all attendees and artists.”

The festival’s 2023 impact report highlighted some of the specific community initiatives in regard to artist support, community care, and accessibility. Among the 300 performances which took place across multiple venues, 94% of the artists participating were local or regional.

The festival prioritized diversity and equity, with 63% of artists identifying as women or non-binary, 28% as BIPOC, and 46% as LGBTQIA+, according to the report. Additionally, UMS highlighted its efforts in mental health support, harm reduction, and accessibility, citing the distribution over 1,500 doses of naloxone, launching sober bars, and implementing a three-year accessibility plan to improve festival experiences for disabled attendees.

“Don’t sleep on this fest,” said Jami Duffy, executive director of Youth on Record and Co-Manager of the Underground Music Showcase. “Something magical and innovative is happening here — it’s about staying power. This milestone isn’t just about reflecting on our past — it’s about amplifying our future. We’re committed to continuing our legacy, making every year more visible and more vibrant than the last. Our local government agencies, philanthropy, and cultural advocates should take note—UMS is a model of what music festivals can and should be.”