This Week in Aspen

Aspen's Past to Present Tour (Mondays & Thursdays, 10:00 AM, Downtown Aspen) This classic historical walking tour of Aspen tells it’s history from humble mining camp to world famous resort. A casual 12 block stroll through historic downtown Aspen acclimatizes you to Aspen’s energy and possibility. A great experience for both the first time visitor and the regular. This tour visits historic landmarks of Aspen including the Wheeler Opera House, the Red Onion, the Pitkin County Courthouse & the Hotel Jerome among others when accessible. Native Legend, Mining Folklore & Local Tales bring History to life on an entertaining guided walk. 90 minutes long with distance of approximately 1 mile along sidewalks, pedestrian ways and parks of mostly flat terrain. Reservations required - reserve your spot here.

Aspen’s Off the Beaten Path Tour (Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:00 AM, Downtown Aspen) A scenic guided walking tour through Aspen’s West End neighborhood and trails along the Roaring Fork River. Participants will learn the stories behind Aspen’s Victorian & Modern architecture stitched together with hidden gems of nature. Reservations are required. To sign up, click here.

Dr. David Pickering, A Lecture and Performance About the Organ (7:00 PM, Aspen Community Church) Aspen Community Church is delighted to announce a special organ recital featuring acclaimed organist Dr. David Pickering on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:00 pm. Dr. Pickering, known for his masterful technique and expressive interpretations, will present a captivating program showcasing the rich sounds of the church’s historic pipe organ. The evening promises an engaging repertoire, including classical masterpieces and contemporary selections, carefully chosen to highlight Dr. Pickering’s artistry. He will highlight the various voices from an organ through lecture and performance. The Organ at the Aspen Community Church is the largest organ on the Western Slopes of Colorado. This event is open to the public, and music lovers of all ages are invited to experience the vibrant musical tradition in the heart of Aspen. Admission is free, with donations welcomed to support the church’s ongoing music series. Doors open at 6:30 pm. For more information, please contact Aspen Community Church at (970) 925-1571 or click here.

Aspen’s DarkSide Ghost Tour (Tuesdays, Thursday, & Saturdays, 8:00 PM, Downtown Aspen) True stories of Aspen’s tarnished past of Ghosts, Murder & Mayhem from 1879 to today on an entertaining evening walk. This tour visits some of Aspen Colorado’s most haunted places and tells the stories behind them as well as some truly darker happenings. This is a great tour for the whole family or just the adults. Reservations required. Purchase tickets here!

Valley View University - Spine Health: Tips to Prevent Posture Changes From Osteoporosis (6:00 PM, Virtual Event) Join for a free virtual discussion featuring expert tips and live demonstrations on how to keep your spine healthy to prevent posture changes that can happen with osteoporosis. This 30-minute webinar, followed by open Q&A, will be led by ValleyOrtho’s Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician and Clinical Densitometrist, Susan Inscore, M.D. and Valley View’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapist Jessica Galgiani PT, DPT, PhD. To register, click here.

Kevin Morby (7:00 PM, Belly Up Aspen) For Kevin Morby, the “little wide open” is the big sky, the small lives, it’s his origins in the Midwest, and every duty and modesty and familiarity and isolation: the land, the people, and the parts of that inside him. “There’s something unintentionally musical about the Midwest; cicadas chirping in the trees, a train passing, a tornado siren going off,” explains Morby. “If you listen, there are these almost ominous sounds taking place beneath the wide-open sky—its ugliness and its beauty and how the two are often working together simultaneously. And while the Midwest isn’t technically the badlands, it’s my badlands.” Little Wide Open is the title of Kevin Morby’s eighth studio album, produced by Aaron Dessner. In the summer of 2024, Dessner had asked Morby to support The National at their London show in Crystal Palace Park. Shortly after, Dessner—who was on a hot streak, having produced albums for Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Gracie Abrams—reached out to Morby to say he’d love to produce his next album. They began recording at Aaron’s Long Pond Studio in Stuyvesant, NY, early in 2025 and finished in September of that year. The album, which includes a host of contributors such as Dessner—who plays multiple instruments across it—Amelia Meath, Andrew Barr, Justin Vernon, Katie Gavin, Lucinda Williams, Meg Duffy, and more, has been described by Morby as the third in a trilogy of releases, following 2020’s Sundowner and 2022’s This Is a Photograph, which catalogued his time in the Midwest after moving back to Kansas City. This time out, Dessner’s production elevates Morby’s recordings while never losing focus of the songs themselves. There’s a newfound confidence and clarity in both Morby’s writing and Dessner’s production that recalls Tom Petty’s 1994 classic Wildflowers. Now primarily living in LA, the atmosphere that runs through Little Wide Open has changed somewhat from its predecessors. As Rachel Kushner writes of Morby in the album’s accompanying essay: “It’s about time, about feeling like he has shifted from nostalgia and the losing game, losing but beautiful, of holding onto the past. He has accepted that time is ceaselessly flowing, and you can’t stop it. Instead, he feels like he’s riding it. He’s riding passenger with time.” To purchase tickets, click here.

Tasting Table (4:00 PM, MOLLIE Aspen) Join MOLLIE Aspen at their communal tasting table for a relaxed exploration of four wines, each paired with a small bite designed to highlight the specific flavors and aromas in your glass. A sommelier will lead the session, offering context, observations, and guiding questions to help you discover how the pairings interact. Expect modest pours and light bites meant to spark curiosity and conversation. Come with an open palate and a willingness to taste thoughtfully; it’s a chance to slow down and compare notes together. Complimentary for MOLLIE guests | $40 for the public | 21+ Reservations are recommended as space is limited. To purchase tickets, click here.

Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship Celebration (6:00 PM, Wheeler Opera House) The City of Aspen invites the community to a celebration of the 2026 Cultural Vibrancy Fellows, honoring two cohorts of local artists and the creative connections fostered through the program. The evening features the 2026 Fellows sharing and discussing their artistry and sharing their work. The evening will highlight the breadth of creative expression in our community supported by the Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship and reflect the evolving approaches of this year’s cohort. The celebration takes place at the Wheeler Opera House on Thursday, May 14. A reception with light refreshments begins at 5:30 pm, followed by the program from 6:00–7:00 pm. This is a free community event; advance RSVP is encouraged to secure seating. To learn more, click here.

Spritz Fridays (3:00 PM, MOLLIE Aspen) Kick off the weekend at MOLLIE Aspen with a little sparkle at Spritz Fridays, sponsored by Bom Dia Bubbles. Sip your way through a bright, spring-forward cocktail menu while rotating DJs set the vibe with live, feel-good beats all afternoon into evening. The hot tub is open to the public, so bring your suit and soak it all in—literally—while taking in unbeatable views of Aspen Mountain. Bubbly drinks, sunshine energy, music, and mountain views… Fridays don’t get better than this. Come early, stay late, and spritz responsibly. DJs will set the vibes from 5:00pm–8:00pm, with the spa pool & bar open from 3:00pm–8:00pm. This week features DJ Teaj; no tickets required. To learn more, click here.

Roaring Fork Rising (Select Dates from May 15-30, The Vault at the Wheeler) Roaring Fork Rising was launched in 2025 as a new initiative designed to celebrate and support local talent in the Roaring Fork Valley. Hosted in The Vault, this program offers artists from Aspen to New Castle the opportunity to perform original work and connect with the community through live events at the historic Wheeler Opera House. This weekend features Aggie Flores & the Wildflowers (May 15, 2026) and Rai Omri with Abigail Benning (May 16, 2026). To purchase tickets, click here.

LOCALS NIGHT REGGAE - The Know Bodies w/ King David James & The Love (8:00 PM, Belly Up Aspen) The Know Bodies Band is about music and dancing and fearless love of humanity. Grit makes a pearl. A hi hat makes a hip shake. When working class people make music it is this raucous communion. The Know Bodies tip their hats to soulsters of yesteryear, ska looters and shooters, punk rockers, African jazzmen, Celtic bards and rock rolling surfer B-movers and shakers. When asked about their musical influences they simply say.. «Yes, we are under the influence». Mr. J.T. rips bluesy Hammond organ riffs, Innocent Joe injects the hat snare kickdrum dance imperative, Djembe Jessie the authentic, time served African percussion, Curtis Marshall brings the classy horns and flute, Sam « The Sapling » plays a guitar like a stiletto knife, Bass is the place where Rude boy Ryan makes his space « You made us…so now you have to join us. To purchase tickets, click here.

Aspen Parkrun (9:00 AM, Herron Park) Aspen Parkrun is a free community 5k, part of hundreds of Parkrun events taking place every Saturday morning across the U.S and around the world! All levels welcome - run it, walk it, bring the family.... Parkrun is powered by volunteers - no experience needed! Every week participants grab a post parkrun coffee at Swedish Hill at the Aspen Art Museum, 637 East Hyman, Aspen (approx. 800 yards from the finish) - please come and join! To learn more, click here.

Ride for the Pass (10:30 AM, Winter Closure Gate - Independence Pass) The Ride has two finish lines: The first at Weller Lake turnout, just over two miles from the starting line for families and recreational riders, and the second at the Independence ghost town site ten miles from the start. All riders doing the ten mile Independence route are timed and included in the competitive category for their respective age groups; all Weller riders are untimed. In addition, E-bikes—category 1/pedal assist ONLY—are welcome to ride. They will be in their own, untimed category, starting 10 minutes after the timed riders, and will NOT be eligible for prizes associated with placing. Winning race times to Independence are usually around 40 minutes, with most riders finishing in less than two hours. There are aid stations and turnaround sites at various points along the route. The Ride is followed by a barbecue at the starting line and a fantastic raffle with prizes donated by Roaring Fork Valley businesses. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR WITH QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT RIDE COORDINATOR, KRISTEN HEATH, at 970-618-3309 or kristen@aspencyclingclub.org To purchase tickets, click here.

Highlights of Aspen Tour (Saturdays & Sundays, 12:00 PM, Downtown Aspen) Embark on a leisurely stroll through town, where intriguing historical narratives, enchanting storytelling, and fascinating tidbits effortlessly blend together. This 60-minute scenic walk not only acquaints you with the local heritage but also grants you a genuine sense of belonging, acting as a splendid springboard to fully indulge in the abundant wonders that Aspen has to offer. To reserve a spot, click here.

An Evening with Easy Jim (8:30 PM, Belly Up Aspen) “Settle back easy, Jim…” The words of Robert Hunter in the song “Althea” seemed to fit the mold of the band when it began in the fall of 2018. The laid back group of musicians from Gunnison and Crested Butte, Colorado found a common love for the music with one another and a desire to learn and perform the material. The six piece ensemble features the same instrumentation as the Grateful Dead including two drummers and four part vocal harmonies. Easy Jim is known for their exciting original improvisations, high energy performances, and attention to detail. No two shows are ever the same and it’s always Easy Jim’s mission to provide a visceral concert experience that pays tribute to one of the most infamous rock ‘n’ roll bands, The Grateful Dead. To purchase tickets, click here.

Social Ride (9:30 AM, Jaffe Park) No drop ride- meaning no one is left behind This is exactly what ACC is all about. Racing is a big part of what they do—but rides like this are just as important. It’s about showing up, riding together, sharing a few miles (and a few laughs), and building the connections that make this community so strong. Woody Creek Tavern post ride! Route: Aspen area Loop ride idea with views: https://www.strava.com/routes/... Distance: ~ 23 miles with some climbing and descending (~2200′) To learn more, click here.

Leisure Hike (Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 AM, East Aspen Hunter Creek) This light hike connects trails, hidden neighborhoods and nature paths east of town along the Roaring Fork River and the Hunter Creek. The majority of the hike is adjacent to tranquil flowing bodies of water. A great beginner to intermediate hike full of scenic views. Register here!

Explore the Aspen Art Museum (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Tuesday - Sunday, Aspen Art Museum) Located in the heart of downtown Aspen, the Aspen Art Museum brings the community together through art, hosting critical dialogues, exhibitions, and events. One exhibition is currently on display: Keith Mayerson: My American Dream (Rocky Mountain High). Learn more here!

Annual Fly Fishing Gear Swap (2:00 PM, Aspen Outfitting Company) Are you ready to get rid of that extra fishing gear cluttering up the closet? Are you looking to get into fly fishing at a low cost? If you answered YES then mark your calendars for Sunday, May 17th to participate in the Annual Fly Fishing Gear Swap! There will be all kinds of great used gear, as well as FREE food, music and lots of wonderful, fishy people! What could be better? This will be the largest assembly of consigned fly fishing equipment in the Roaring Fork Valley! Great deals will be had on used Rods, Reels, Waders, boots, and other fly fishing gear. Aspen Outfitting Company will accept gear at the shop starting March 1st, so start setting aside any equipment that has been collecting dust! To learn more, click here.

Aspen's Past to Present Tour (Mondays & Thursdays, 10:00 AM, Downtown Aspen) This classic historical walking tour of Aspen tells it’s history from humble mining camp to world famous resort. A casual 12 block stroll through historic downtown Aspen acclimatizes you to Aspen’s energy and possibility. A great experience for both the first time visitor and the regular. This tour visits historic landmarks of Aspen including the Wheeler Opera House, the Red Onion, the Pitkin County Courthouse & the Hotel Jerome among others when accessible. Native Legend, Mining Folklore & Local Tales bring History to life on an entertaining guided walk. 90 minutes long with distance of approximately 1 mile along sidewalks, pedestrian ways and parks of mostly flat terrain. Reservations required - reserve your spot here.

Valley View University - Spot It Early: Skin Cancer Prevention (12:00 PM, Virtual Event) In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, join for a free virtual discussion exploring skin cancer prevention and early detection strategies, as well as the diagnosis of skin cancer and treatment options. This 30-minute webinar, followed by open Q&A, will be led by Calaway-Young Cancer Center’s Oncologist and Hematologist Aaron Alizadeh, MD. To learn more, click here.