[Travel Advice] Phish Shakedown

Phish-mas is my favorite time of year

Random Observation/Comment #852: Phish-mas is a 4-day festival where I can sleep in my own bed.

Phish comes to Dick’s Sporting Goods Arena every labor day weekend for a Thurs-Sunday 4-day extravaganza. It’s a religious experience every time. Shakedown Street (or “Shakedown” or “the lot”) is the dirt parking lot filled with custom clothes, grilled cheeses, fresh beers, and “ice cold” whatever you’re looking for. If it’s your first time at the show, this experience is a part of the package.

Things to Know About Shakedown

• You can pretty much buy anything you want at Shakedown. It’s a hippie flea market with all sorts of hippie things.

• Shakedown vendors aren’t doing it for a profit (although they probably make more money on the food than the trinkets). For the most part, I’ve just found some incredible people who are passionate about the community of Phish heads.

• There are staples of the community like Sarge and Harry Perry who gives us all the warm fuzzies. Most of them don’t have tickets to the show because they need to watch their merch, so you could probably hang out with some of them outside while Phish plays.

• Visit Sarge for some fresh and cold Heady Toppers and Orange Julius (by Treehouse. Tip him for his journey! $20 for 2 is a good deal.

• It’s a cash economy (although most also accept Venmo). The service is a bit shit with all those people though.

• The gyro and rocky mountain slices truck are solid food options.

• It’s most popular from 5-7PM. Doors for getting into the venue this year opened at 6PM. We usually get on the line around 7PM. Phish comes on at around 8PM. Show ends around midnight.

Some Shakedown and Phish Show Tricks

• You can bring in sealed water bottles to the concert. Water in the small bottle is usually $1. Metal bottles are not allowed in.

• You can bring in a small backpack in case you want a blanket to sit on.

• Dick’s venue allows a handful of glow sticks per person.

• Bring cash - I usually spend around $40-60 just for some beers and shenanigans

• Wear sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Denver is super sunny.

• Wear closed toe shoes (unless you want to go full wookie). The dust is crazy, so hope it isn’t too windy.

• There are water fountains for refills (but they get super crowded). Definitely worth the wait.

• For the show, definitely get field tickets and stand on the right side by the mic. Sounds so much better.

• If you’re looking for a spot that will free up, I suggest standing near people who are sitting down. They will stand up during the show and things will loosen up.

• Remember to stretch! I think we stood for 8 hours straight on Friday.

~See Lemons Love Phish