Immerse yourself in the Aspen experience by attending a variety of special events that take place throughout the year.
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Aspen is well known as a small town with an events calendar to rival many major cities. We have destination-worthy and locally serving events throughout the year and many come back year after year.
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, or seeking out ways to engage your mind, body & spirit in Aspen, discover the annual events that keep people coming back year after year.
Each fall, Filmfest presents engaging and thought-provoking films from around the world. Filmfest provides a consistent platform for the best in independence, documentary, foreign-language, and art house cinema.
Aspen Films’ winter festival is dedicated to showcasing award season hopefuls.
Each April audiences gather in Aspen at one of the premier film festivals in North America. The festival is an industry-recognized event for discovering breakthrough talent.
The first of it’s kind, Aspen Gay Ski week began in the 1970’s, and is still the best LGBTQ+ ski week in the world. The event features friendship dinners, and benefits AspenOUT, providing mental health and other resources to help the diverse LGBTQ+ community in the Roaring Fork Valley thrive.
The Ideas Festival brings thinkers and leaders to Aspen to discuss critical ideas and issues shaping the world through panels, lectures and interactive sessions.
From sidesplitting anecdotes to clever wit, this festival promises an unforgettable experience that transcends boundaries and speaks to a diverse audience, the event takes place at the Wheeler Opera House and features different talent each year.
New in 2025, the Aspen Literary Festival is a 3-day celebration of books and ideas produced by Aspen Words, featuring author talks, panel discussions, book signings and parties.
Offers more than 300 musical events during an eight-week season, including symphony, chamber opera, choral and family concerts.
Locals and visitor honor the nation’s birthday with a parade, kid’s carnival, live music, picnics and more. Guests should not expect fireworks at this event.
From June to October the market takes place every Saturday with Colorado grown produce, crafts and live music.
An annual self-supported ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen is held each March. Racers begin at midnight and cover about 40 miles and over 7,000 vertical feet. The course is based on the mail route that connected the two towns in the 1880s.
Trail runner magazine calls this race from Snowmass Village to Aspen one of the most beautiful in the country. The race begins on Fanny Hill in Snowmass and finishes at Koch Park in Aspen and registration typically sells out quickly.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ annual June festival in downtown Aspen, featuring intimate shows a multiple venues across the downtown core. Artists span jazz, soul, blues, funk and world music.
Three days of world-class concerts on multiple stages, eclectic food, beverages, vendors and more. Takes place in Snowmass Town Park and is easily accessed by free bus from Aspen or Basalt and further down valley.
A long standing Labor Day weekend tradition in Aspen. A variety of different divisions play at sites throughout town.
Ring in the New Year in Aspen with private parties offering over-the-top glitz and glamour, fireworks at 9pm for everyone and family friendly activities earlier in the day.
The winter outdoor concert co-produced by Palm Tree & the Belly Up Aspen. The festival was founded by DJ Kygo and is known for its intimate setting, top-tier artists and premium hospitality, bringing high-energy electronic music to the mountains of Aspen.
This high intensity endurance race challenges athletes with a 24-mile course offering over 10,000 vertical feet of climbing. For mere mortals, a shorter “power of two” option is also available. Athletes skin up and ski down all four of the Aspen Snowmass Mountains beginning with Snowmass, Buttermilk, Highlands and finishing on Aspen Mountain.
The world’s only all-age, full-contact rugby tournament. Champion rugby is on display for four full days, rain, snow or shine.
Established in 1976 Aspen Summer Words is the place to be for anyone with a passion for the written word. Participants attend writing workshops and discussions with award winning faculty, facilitators and authors.
Each summer Theatre Aspen produces 3 main stage musicals with Broadway talent located within Rio Grande Park.
Aspen is a winter wonderland during the month of December, lit up with twinkling lights and a backdrop of snow, it’s hard not to feel festive. Community organizations offer a variety of ways to engage in holiday traditions old and new.
A speaker series hosted by Winter Words that features renowned authors discussion their work throughout the ski season. The program includes moderated conversations with celebrated writers and offers readers a chance to meet their favorite authors and engage during a book signing.
A premier action sports festival held annually at the base of Buttermilk Mountain featuring skier and snowboarders in competitions like SuperPipe, Slopestyle, Bit Air and Knuckle Huck.
