BEYOND Light Show & Meditation

Denver’s BEYOND turns a former church sanctuary into a psychedelic light-and-music experience. Lasers and projected images move across the ceiling and walls while a recorded meditation guides you through the show. The unusual setting is the main event: this is part concert, part art installation, and part quiet reset.

I like the free retro arcade, where you can play classic games before or after the show, and I like the easy one-hour format. You can also browse rotating art, visit the Gandhi Garden, and take photos without paying another admission fee. The main caution is value: $25 feels fair if you use the whole venue, but the light show alone may feel short at about 40 minutes.

Key points

• A 40-minute light show begins at 20 minutes past each hour, so plan to arrive early.
• Lasers, 360-degree projection mapping, guided meditation, and rock music shape the central experience.
• Free arcade games add real value for families, couples, and groups.
• All BEYOND sessions are non-consumption and family-friendly, despite the church’s cannabis theme.
• Your ticket includes the art gallery, movie theater, Gandhi Garden, and lounge, not just the show.
• The $25 price works best when you stay before or after the performance rather than leaving right away.

Inside Denver’s International Church of Cannabis

BEYOND takes place inside the International Church of Cannabis, a venue that uses the idea of a church in a playful, modern way. The name may suggest an adults-only stop, but BEYOND hours are explicitly non-consumption and family-friendly. You do not need to use cannabis to enjoy the experience.

The building has several parts to explore. The sanctuary holds the light show and meditation. Elsewhere, you can find a retro arcade lounge, an art gallery, a movie theater, a gift shop, and the Gandhi Garden. There are also plenty of spots designed for photographs, so you will want to keep a little time before or after the show.

The venue’s tone is relaxed and informal. You might see people playing games, coloring, sitting with friends, or simply looking around. That makes it less like a standard museum visit and more like a casual indoor hangout with a scheduled performance at its center.

The church setting will not appeal to everyone. Some people may find the mix of psychedelic imagery, classic rock, and a former religious sanctuary clever and thought-provoking. Others may feel that the setting and message do not fit together. It is best to know that this is an unconventional art venue, not a traditional place of worship.

What happens during the 40-minute BEYOND show

The main performance begins at 20 minutes past the hour and lasts about 40 minutes. The complete visit is usually around an hour, though the extra rooms make it easy to stay longer.

You enter the sanctuary and take a seat for a guided meditation paired with an audio-visual art installation. As the narration progresses, projected color and moving images spread across the room. Lasers and rock music add a concert-like layer to what might otherwise be a quiet meditation session.

The music leans toward psychedelic rock, classic rock, and indie rock. That choice is important. If you enjoy guitar-driven music, the soundtrack may be one of the strongest parts of the experience. If you expect soft ambient music or a silent meditation, the rock focus may surprise you.

The performance also uses the church itself as part of the show. The ceiling mural and the shape of the sanctuary give the projections a physical surface to work with. The result is broader than watching a video on a flat screen. Images appear around you, and the changing light makes the room feel in motion.

The meditation narration takes a motivational approach. Some people find the spoken guidance useful, especially if they are new to meditation or want a little structure. Others may find parts of it too much like general self-help advice. The tone can also include commentary about personal choices and wider social issues, which may not suit everyone looking for a quiet escape.

The performance is not a conventional laser concert with nonstop flashes. It mixes narration, music, mapped projections, and light effects. That distinction matters because expectations seem to shape the experience. Come for a guided art show with rock music, not a giant nightclub laser production.

The free arcade adds more value than you might expect

The arcade lounge is one of the best reasons to allow extra time. Classic video games are available at no additional charge, and the room gives the visit a social, playful side that the meditation alone would not provide.

You might find yourself playing Mario Kart on a projector, trying skee-ball, or browsing the old-school games and memorabilia. For families, this can make the admission easier to justify. A teenager may not want to sit through a meditation show, but a free arcade gives them something active to do before and after it.

Couples can use the arcade as part of a casual date night. Groups of friends may also get more from the venue than from the main performance alone. The lounge creates a reason to linger instead of treating BEYOND as a quick show with a fixed end time.

The room is also useful if you arrive early. Since the show starts at :20 past the hour, arriving with time to spare lets you check in, look around, and play a game rather than wait in an empty lobby.

The arcade is not a minor perk hidden in the fine print. It changes the shape of the visit. At $25 per person, a 40-minute show can feel expensive if that is all you do. Add free gaming, art, and the garden, and the admission feels more balanced.

Art, photographs, and the Gandhi Garden

The art gallery gives the venue another layer beyond the light show. Rotating installations feature work by internationally known artists, and the church’s permanent art is part of the setting rather than a separate exhibit room.

The main ceiling mural is especially important to the performance. Projection mapping uses that artwork as a visual foundation, so the show is tied to the building instead of being a generic collection of colorful clips. You are seeing light move across a real work of art and a real architectural space.

The venue also offers many spots for photos. The look is intentionally bold and unusual, with colorful surfaces, surreal visual details, and the church’s cannabis-inspired design. If you enjoy taking pictures for social media, plan to walk around slowly rather than rushing straight to the sanctuary.

The Gandhi Garden offers a calmer change of pace. It is included with admission and gives you an outdoor area to visit during your time at the church. The supplied schedule mentions a garden, but it does not promise a particular seasonal display, so think of it as a pleasant part of the venue rather than a full garden attraction.

The movie theater and media room add another indoor option. The exact film or program can vary, so do not build your entire visit around a particular screening unless you confirm it in advance.

Choosing the right time to go

BEYOND runs throughout the week, with the published schedule listing 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays through Mondays and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Tuesday through Thursday. Another operating-hours notice lists daily hours from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., so the safest approach is to confirm the available time when booking.

Shows begin 20 minutes after the hour. That unusual start time is easy to miss. If you book an 8 p.m. time, for example, do not assume the performance begins exactly at 8. The listed performance lasts about 40 minutes.

I would arrive before the scheduled start rather than walking in at :20. You will want time to check in, see the arcade, and locate the sanctuary. Arriving early also helps if you are visiting with children or a group.

The experience is offered in English. Since guided narration is part of the show, English comprehension affects how much you get from the meditation portion. The visual effects and music still carry much of the performance, but the spoken material is not incidental.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. The venue is near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, most people can participate, and the venue is dog friendly according to the supplied information.

Is $25 a fair price?

At $25 per person, BEYOND sits in the range of a short entertainment attraction rather than a full museum or concert. The price makes the most sense when you treat the ticket as admission to the entire church complex.

The light show itself runs about 40 minutes. One person may consider that too brief, especially if the meditation narration does not appeal to them. A solo visitor who comes only for the sanctuary performance may find the cost high.

I see better value for families, couples, and friends who will use the arcade and spend time exploring. Free games can keep a group entertained before and after the show, while the gallery, movie room, garden, and photo spots give you several ways to fill out the visit.

The low-cost comparison is part of the appeal. This is not priced like a major theme-park projection show, and it does not offer the scale of a large concert production. But it also does not charge separately for every activity inside. If you want an unusual Denver stop without committing to a full evening, the price is reasonable.

Use the venue as a small outing, not just a performance. Arrive early, play a few games, see the art, attend BEYOND, and take another walk through the building afterward. That approach gives you a fuller hour and makes the admission easier to defend.

Who will enjoy BEYOND most

I would recommend this for people who like unusual venues, psychedelic art, classic rock, or relaxed group activities. It works particularly well for a date, a family outing, or a rainy-day stop when you want something indoors that is not a standard museum.

Families should appreciate the non-consumption schedule and the free games. The experience can work for children and adults, though younger children may not care about the guided meditation. The arcade gives them a useful outlet.

Couples can make it a simple date with music, visual effects, games, and a walk through the garden. Solo visitors can enjoy the gallery and meditation, but the value depends more on personal interest in the show because the arcade and group atmosphere may be less important.

You should be comfortable with the venue’s cannabis-related identity, even though consumption is not part of BEYOND. You should also be open to a former church being used as an art and entertainment space. If that idea feels distracting or uncomfortable, the setting may overshadow the performance.

This is not the right pick if you want a traditional meditation class, a quiet spiritual service, or a long, high-intensity laser show. The narration can be motivational, the music is rock-centered, and the overall mood is playful rather than solemn.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Book a time that lets you stay afterward. The show is short enough that you can easily add the arcade and other rooms without making the outing feel rushed.

Arrive before the :20 start. A little extra time helps you handle the mobile ticket, find your way around, and see the public areas before the lights go down.

Wear something comfortable for sitting. One person specifically found the seats less comfortable for meditation and suggested more relaxed seating. The available seating may work fine for a 40-minute performance, but do not expect a full recliner or meditation cushion.

Keep your expectations clear. The light show uses custom projection mapping, lasers, music, and guided narration. It is not simply a series of internet videos, but it is also not a nonstop flashing-light spectacle.

If you are sensitive to bright light, ask staff for practical guidance before the show. The supplied information confirms lasers and strong visual effects, though it does not give a formal warning or describe a specific accessibility setup.

Remember that the ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Choose your time carefully before paying, especially if your Denver schedule is tight.

Should you book BEYOND?

Book it if you want a distinctive, family-friendly Denver activity with more to do than the advertised light show. The combination of free arcade games, art, music, a garden, and a 40-minute performance gives the $25 ticket solid value for the right audience.

I would be more cautious if you are paying mainly for meditation or expecting a major laser spectacle. The narration is motivational rather than deeply contemplative, and the show may feel short if you do not use the rest of the venue.

My practical call: choose BEYOND for a relaxed group outing, a playful date, or an unusual stop between other Denver activities. Arrive early, stay after the performance, and treat the church as a small entertainment complex. That is when the experience makes the most sense.

FAQ

How long does the BEYOND experience last?

The experience is listed as approximately one hour. The main light, music, and meditation performance lasts about 40 minutes.

What time does the light show begin?

Shows begin 20 minutes past the hour. Arrive early so you have time to check in and find the sanctuary.

How much does BEYOND cost?

The listed price is $25 per person.

Is cannabis consumption part of the experience?

No. All BEYOND hours are non-consumption and family-friendly.

What is included with the ticket?

Admission includes the guided meditation, audio-visual art installation, and musical laser light experience. You also receive access to the retro arcade lounge, art gallery, movie theater, Gandhi Garden, and other public areas of the church.

Is the experience suitable for families?

Yes. The BEYOND sessions are described as family-friendly, and most people can participate.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.