Winter Art and Culture Events to Look Forward to in Aspen
Experience exceptional arts and culture in Aspen, Colorado all season long.
From stage to screen, local organizations host a diverse range of arts and culture, ranging from exhibitions to performances, live music, film and more.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass
Last winter, Jazz Aspen Snowmass opened the Paul JAS Center, a community hub for culture, education, and special events located above the historic Red Onion. The Paul JAS Center will host a range of concerts throughout the winter, including Morgan James, Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and many more, inviting you to enjoy the smooth sounds of jazz in a laid-back, comfortable setting.
Belly Up Aspen
Belly Up Aspen is a local staple for live entertainment, hosting both today's biggest artists and up and coming local talent. Belly Up Aspen offers a full season of live music, featuring artists including Diplo, Sofi Tukker, Neal Francis, Marshmello, Zhu, Umphrey's Mcgee, and many more! Reserve a seat or hit the dance floor and experience your favorite artists up-close.
Plus, the Palm Tree Music Festival returns (February 19th & 20th) to the heart of Aspen for two days of outdoor music produced by Belly Up, Palm Tree, and C3. Headliners The Chainsmokers, Disco Lines, Fisher + Chris Lake, and Hugel will be joined by more incredible performers for an unforgettable weekend of music.
Aspen Music Festival & School
- The annual Winter Music Recital Series kicks off on February 16, 2027 with a new living room style concert format. Onstage seating gives the audience a chance to experience an intimate performance from The Isidore Quartet in Harris Concert Hall. The program will span Mozart, Billy Childs, and Beethoven. The following programs will offer standard seating in Harris Concert Hall.
- On March 2, 2027, violinist, Benjamin Beilman, and pianist, Steven Osborne, come together for a program that explores German Romanticism and the French musical tradition.
- On March 12, 2027, pianist Jeremy Denk closes out the Winter Music Recital Series with performances of works by Beethoven, Hélène de Montgeroult, and Unsuk Chin.
The Wheeler Opera House
The historic Wheeler Opera House will kick off the winter with a festive month of performances, including Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, classic ski films, and Becky Robinson's Holiday Spectacular 2026 Tour. The rest of the season features a full lineup of live music, comedy shows, theater performances, screenings, and much more. John Oates and the Good Road Band, Leftover Salmon, and Brian Regan are just a few of the upcoming performers.
DanceAspen
DanceAspen, a professional dance company, advances contemporary dance through education, creation, and performance, showcasing world-renowned choreographers and creating over 35 world premieres. This winter, DanceAspen is bringing back A Snowy Soirée, a festive, holiday-themed performance complete with post-show cocoa and cookies (December 22, 2026, at the historic Wheeler Opera House).
On February 4, 2027, DanceAspen will present A Sneak Peak at the Aspen Art Museum, introducing the new artists to the community and offering a behind the scenes look with guest rehearsal director, Ching Ching Wong, a Princess Grace Award recipient and Dance Magazine “25 to Watch” artist known for her storytelling and movement.
On February 20 & 21, 2027, DanceAspen presents Take Me Home at the Wheeler Opera House, bringing together John Denver's music and contemporary dance. Seven dancers will take the stage, creating a visual world shaped by Americana costumes and cinematic projections, complemented by John Denver's familiar tunes.
The Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies
The Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies is a museum dedicated to preserving the art and legacy of Herbert Bayer, an influential Bauhaus artist and designer who played a key role in shaping Aspen. This winter, The Bayer Center will provide free hour-long tours of the exhibition Double Take: Recurrent Dialogues in the Art of Herbert Bayer (on display until April 3, 2027). The exhibition traces the evolution of key themes in Bayer’s work across different mediums, from 1920s Germany to 1980s Southern California. Tours are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 pm and Saturdays at 3 pm.
Commemorating Global Design Discourse in Aspen: Posters from the IDCA is on display until April 30, 2026 at Paepcke Galley. For over 50 years, architects, urban planners, landscape architects, industrial and graphic designers, artists, and thinkers from around the globe came together at the International Design Conference in Aspen (IDCA) to explore design's impact on modern life. The exhibition features posters by internationally-acclaimed designers who worked during this period, including Paul Rand, Milton Glaser, Grapus, and more.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
- On December 9th, Anderson Ranch is hosting its annual Holiday Open House. Wander through the art studios, warm up with hot cocoa, s'mores, and other tasty treats, enjoy kids' arts and crafts, and find the perfect holiday gift at the ArtWorks Store, all in a festive holiday setting. The event is free and open to the public; registration is recommended.
- Throughout the season, Anderson Ranch will host a full lineup of Visiting Artist Lectures, inviting contemporary artists across disciplines to work on campus, advance their practice, and engage with the community. Learn more here!
Aspen Art Museum
Don't miss the Aspen Art Museum's upcoming winter exhibits:
Adrián Villar Rojas: First Gods, Lost Animals - July 2, 2026 – April 18, 2027
Kerstin Brätsch: Fossil Psychic Stone Mimicry (Aspen) - May 20, 2026 – March 31, 2027
KOO JEONG A: VACUUMOUSSS - December 11, 2026 – April 4, 2027
Aspen Film
Aspen Film will kick off the season with The Met Opera HD | Live screenings, an award-winning series of live movie theater transmissions that brings opera productions from the Met stage (NY) to theaters around the world. The productions give viewers insight beyond the film, typically including backstage footage, interviews, and intermissions that give context to the film. Looking ahead, Shortsfest, a premier short film festival that gathers talented filmmakers, special guests, and audiences from around the globe, is set to return from April 6-10, 2027.
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Can't make it this winter? Watch the video below to learn about summer arts & culture event programming.
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