What’s New for Summer 2026 in Aspen
ASPEN, Colo., (May 6, 2026) — The Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) is thrilled to share new and returning offerings for the upcoming 2026 summer season. With the nation marking America 250 and Colorado celebrating 150 years of statehood, summer in Aspen is defined by milestone moments: the 50th anniversary of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall, Anderson Ranch Arts Center’s 60th year of art-making and critical dialogue, and the debut of White Elephant Aspen. From signature culinary and cultural festivals to expanded sustainability and accessibility initiatives, fresh hospitality concepts, and new retail arrivals, Aspen is the place to be this season. For more information on all the ways to eat, play, and stay this summer, visit aspenchamber.org.
Summer Event News
The FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen (June 19-21, 2026) returns for its 43rd year as the unofficial kick-off to the summer in Aspen — a spectacular weekend of premier epicurean adventures featuring three days of cooking demonstrations, wine and spirit tastings, and panel discussions led by world-class chefs and beverage experts. Tickets are available at classic.foodandwine.com.
From June 25 - July 1, 2026, the Aspen Ideas Festival returns to the Aspen Institute campus. Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the 2026 Festival takes independence as a guiding lens to examine the forces shaping our world.
NEW | In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th, Aspen’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration expands to a full weekend (July 3-5, 2026) under the theme “1776!” with Olympic Gold Medalist and Aspen local Alex Ferreira serving as Grand Marshal. New this year, a free July 4 Carnival arrives at Rio Grande Park, featuring a 65-foot Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, big slide, dizzy dragon, and more from Brown’s Amusement; entry and rides are free, with games and food available for purchase. Other weekend highlights include the Aspen Saturday Market (Friday), a free Belly Up community concert at Wagner Park, Boogie’s Buddy Race, the Kids on Bikes parade, the Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade through downtown, the Aspen Music Festival and School’s annual free Fourth of July Concert at the Klein Music Tent, an evening Drone Show on Aspen Mountain, and Bluegrass Sundays atop Aspen Mountain on July 5.
In its 35th year, Jazz Aspen Snowmass presents a robust summer program with the JAS June Experience, JAS Café Summer Series, and the JAS Labor Day Experience. The JAS June Experience (June 25-28, 2026) features multiple staggered shows daily across walkable venues including the new Paul JAS Center, Belly Up, Wheeler Opera House, and more. The JAS Café series at the Paul JAS Center returns for summer with a season filled with soul and funk to global grooves, jazz, brass, and more. The internationally recognized open-air JAS Labor Day Experience (Sept. 4-6, 2026) takes place at Snowmass Town Park against the spectacular backdrop of the Elk Mountain Range. The 2026 lineup includes Tim McGraw, Benson Boone, The Red Clay Strays, and more.
Art is integral to the Aspen community, and the city plays host to a number of art fairs and events during Aspen Art Week and throughout the summer season.
The Aspen Art Fair (July 29-Aug. 1, 2026) returns to the historic Hotel Jerome for its third edition under new director Kelly Cornell. Daily from 11am-6pm, the four-day fair will feature dealers and Aspen’s world-class cultural institutions across the property, including traditional art fair booths, hotel room installations, and unexpected activations.
The Aspen Art Museum presents a major summer slate of exhibitions, including Adrián Villar Rojas: First Gods, Lost Animals (July 2-Oct. 18, 2026), Arch Connelly: Straighten Your Wig and Pray (June 12-Oct. 11, 2026), and Kerstin Brätsch’s rooftop commission Fossil Psychic Stone Mimicry (Aspen) (May 20, 2026-March 31, 2027). These exhibitions build upon the conversations and themes of the second installment of AIR (July 27-31, 2026), Aspen Art Museum’s flagship initiative bringing together artists and cultural leaders, with the theme “Figures in a Landscape.” The summer culminates with ArtCrush on July 31, the museum’s largest annual fundraiser, which will celebrate Adrián Villar Rojas as recipient of the 2026 Lewis Family Art Award.
Intersect Aspen (July 28-Aug. 1, 2026) offers an intimate, curated setting for visitors to encounter modern and contemporary art and design presented by galleries from around the world.
Galerie Maximilian approaches its 30th anniversary in the holiday season of 2026-2027. As a teaser for Summer 2026 Art Week, the gallery will present huge-scale original oil on canvas works by UK artist Sarah Graham from her Iris series.
Aspen Fashion Week returns in August 2026 for its second annual celebration of creativity, innovation, and the fashion industry featuring runway shows, exclusive pop-ups with emerging designers, and curated workshops. Specific dates to be confirmed.
Up in the Sky Music Festival (Aug. 7-8, 2026) returns to Buttermilk Mountain for its second year. Produced by Belly Up Aspen in partnership with C3 Presents, the 2026 lineup features headliners John Summit and Dom Dolla, with Empire of the Sun, Parcels, Leon Thomas, Polo & Pan, and more.
The Aspen Literary Festival (Sept. 25-27, 2026) returns to downtown Aspen for its second annual edition. Presented by Aspen Words, the festival welcomes nationally recognized authors for engaging conversations, book signings, and other literary activities, with public programming including an onsite bookstore, art activations, food trucks, and parties for adults and families alike. The 2026 speaker lineup includes Kwame Alexander, Tayari Jones, Jennette McCurdy, Maria Semple, and more.
Anniversaries | Arts & Culture
This summer, Aspen celebrates several meaningful milestones across its arts and culture community including the 50th anniversary of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall, 60 years of Anderson Ranch Arts Center – a premier destination in America for art-making and critical dialogue – and the second annual AIR at the Aspen Art Museum.
NEW | Mall Fest 50, presented by Aspen Public Art and the Red Brick Center for the Arts in conjunction with the City of Aspen, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall. Programming runs May through October as part of the Colorado 150 celebration and features public art installations including Shifting Light by textile artist Rachel B. Hayes and a bold asphalt mural by a local artist. On June 27, the Art Parade brings an artist-led, people-powered procession of costumes and performances through the downtown core, ending in a block party at Sister Cities Plaza. Visit redbrickaspen.com for more information.
This summer marks Anderson Ranch Arts Center’s 60th year of art-making in Snowmass Village, with a vibrant season of weekly workshops and lectures, including the 2026 Summer Series: Featured Artists & Conversations which runs weekly from July 9-Aug. 6. Ranch Week (July 13-18, 2026) is the Ranch’s signature annual celebration of art, community, and creativity, featuring the Ranch Gala on Wednesday, July 15 honoring artist Marilyn Minter as the 2026 International Artist Honoree, and culminating in the community Ranch Picnic and Auction on Saturday, July 18.
The Aspen Institute’s Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies will open Double Take: Recurrent Dialogues in the Art of Herbert Bayer (June 9, 2026-April 3, 2027). Curated by Adam M. Thomas, Ph.D., the exhibition rigorously explores key motifs in Bayer’s vast output across seven decades from 1920s Germany to 1980s Southern California and his enduring relationship with the Aspen landscape. The Resnick Center remains a cornerstone of the 40-acre Aspen Meadows campus and hosts community programs throughout the summer alongside the Aspen Institute’s flagship gatherings. To celebrate the exhibition opening, the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies will host an Exhibition Open House on Friday, June 12. This community event is open to all ages to join for drinks and a picnic on the lawn, walk through the galleries and connect with staff. To learn more and register, visit aspeninstitute.org.
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) offers a robust summer schedule across its three sites in Aspen, Ashcroft, and Basalt, featuring leading experts and immersive culinary collaborations. ACES’ Farm to Table Dinners return with new formats this summer, featuring CRAVE culinary and Elevated Table. ACES’ new 2026 programming includes two community lectures led by industry experts: “The Generational Challenge of Climate Medicine” with physician-scientist Dr. Mark T. Gladwin, and “Forty Years of Wildlife Filmmaking with Sir David Attenborough” presented by Alastair Fothergill. Summer staples including free daily guided hikes, kids’ summer camps, the annual members’ picnic at Hallam Lake, and Raptor Fair all return for another season.
2026 marks a fitting summer to explore Aspen’s past with Aspen Historical Society (AHS), as the nation and state celebrate America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th birthdays. Brand-new exhibition, Aspen in Excess: The 1980s, opens June 16 at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum and explores an infamous decade and a turning point in local history marked by rapid growth, rising wealth, and global attention. The Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum opens June 13 and debuts special Friday programming this summer at Aspen’s only trailside museum. Docents return to both Ashcroft Ghost Town and Independence Ghost Town while the AHS Archives Building Community Gallery features the photographic display Mountainscapes: The Photography of David Hiser.
The upcoming summer season of Theatre Aspen marks the company’s 43rd year and features productions of Sylvia (June 15-27), A Chorus Line (July 3-25), and Grease (July 31-Aug. 29). The Summer Cabaret Series returns to Hotel Jerome on June 28, July 19, and Aug. 16, and the seventh annual Solo Flights Festival running Sept. 8-13. Visit theatreaspen.org for more details.
The Aspen Music Festival and School (July 1-Aug. 23, 2026) is a world-renowned classical music festival held annually in Aspen, attracting some of the world’s most talented musicians to perform and teach over an eight-week summer season. Titled “For All,” the 2026 season commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through works by Charles Ives, Aaron Copland, and John Adams while also including the world premiere of Matthew Aucoin’s First Symphony as an AMFS commission, and programming centered on Principal Guest Composer Caroline Shaw. View the full summer calendar at aspenmusicfestival.com.
The Wheeler Opera House announces a dynamic 2026 Wheeler Presents season featuring music, comedy, family entertainment, and documentary film. Summer highlights include Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Tommy Emmanuel, and Pete Holmes.
DanceAspen, returns to the Wheeler Opera House on Aug. 27-28 with CRESCENDO - a music-driven evening of dance featuring Ravel’s Boléro, the timeless charm of Dean Martin, and a Wheeler Opera House world premiere commission of dances to John Denver, brought to life by a live onstage band and DanceAspen’s signature artistry. New for 2026, DanceAspen will offer a free monthly Community Class Saturday Summer Series at the Red Brick Center for the Arts.
Challenge Aspen continues its year-round adaptive recreation and social programming for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with summer 2026 highlights including the Denim & Diamonds Gala at Buttermilk Mountain Lodge (July 17), and the Challenge Aspen Golf Classic at the Snowmass Club (Sept. 14).
Each fall, Aspen Filmfest (Sept. 22-27, 2026) attracts engaging and thought-provoking films from around the globe. In its 47th year, Filmfest continues to provide a consistent platform for the best in independent, documentary, foreign-language, and arthouse cinema.
Lodging & Hospitality
NEW | White Elephant Aspen opens June 15, 2026 at the corner of Main Street and Garmisch Street in Aspen's West End. With luxury hotels along Nantucket Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean, White Elephant Resorts has an established reputation for service excellence, boutique accommodations and awarding winning hospitality. The hotel’s culinary offering will be led by LoLa 41°, the celebrated restaurant originating in Nantucket known for seafood and sushi, along with a speakeasy offering creative cocktails.
This summer, Limelight Aspen introduces Limelight Live Local: five nights a week, Wednesday through Sunday, live music fills the Lounge from 6-9 p.m. with a rotating mix of folk, rock, jazz, and DJs, paired with the Lounge's signature oven-fired pizzas and seasonal specialties.
At The Gant Aspen, guests will discover a fresh lineup of resort programming this summer. Wellness offerings include rooftop Pilates and sound baths, while the Rolling Canvas – Art in Motion artist-in-residence program returns with two additional artists transforming The Gant Vans into moving works of art. The Gant has also partnered with Clean the World to recycle used soap and plastic amenities from guest rooms, diverting waste from landfills while supporting global hygiene initiatives. Beyond the resort, Gant Crafted Experiences, led by trusted local outfitters, range from hiking, rafting, fly-fishing, and jeeping to wine tastings and painting workshops.
MOLLIE Aspen will debut an expanded culinary lineup and a robust calendar of programming designed to bring guests and locals together. Petit Trois will be open for lunch, and offer expanded outdoor seating and seasonal menu additions rolling out after Memorial Day. The Roof Terrace Bar transforms into an Agave Bar for the season, featuring a curated selection of tequila and mezcal alongside snacks. Recurring weekly programming includes the Analog Lounge on Monday nights at the Café & Wine Bar (June 1-Aug. 31), Peak Presence Yoga on the Roof Terrace on Wednesday evenings (June 3-Aug. 26), and acoustic Live Music Nights on Thursday afternoons (June 4-Aug. 27) with rotating local artists. Special programming includes the Sunset Sounds rooftop concert series kicking off June 13 with DJ duo Stables, the rooftop Summer Movie Series on select Sundays (June 14-Aug. 23), Tasting Table sommelier-led wine pairings (June 2, July 14, Aug. 4), and one-off creative experiences with Joon the Artist including Art in Motion (June 5) and Create & Sip (June 6).
W Aspen serves as a vibrant home base for guests and locals alike this summer. Highlights include the Memorial Day Weekend Pool Party (May 24), the Hidalgo Summer Reopening Night for Aspen Locals (May 29), Barrels & Beats — a Food & Wine Weekend rooftop spirit tasting (June 19), the Fourth of July Tiki Rooftop Party in honor of America’s 250th (July 4), Bring Your Pet Rooftop Brunch (July 19 and Aug. 16), Comedy Night in Hidalgo (July 23), and the Up in the Sky Music Festival After Party (Aug. 8). From early-season kickoffs to late-night festival finales, W Aspen meets the summer with rooftop views, DJ sets, and a robust event calendar.
Dining and Entertainment
NEW | LoLa 41°, the celebrated Nantucket restaurant known for inspired seafood and sushi specialties drawing from destinations along the 41st parallel, will make its Western debut at White Elephant Aspen along with a speakeasy offering creative cocktails.
Retail News
NEW | Foundrae Aspen opened its fine jewelry boutique at 520 E. Hyman Avenue in Jan. 2026, with interior design taking inspiration from a stately library for an intimate yet elevated aesthetic.
NEW | Chanel opened a new seasonal boutique in Feb. 2026 at 516 East Hyman Avenue — a 2,693-square-foot, two-level space in the heart of Aspen.
NEW | Marfa Stance opened its first long-term pop-up store in Aspen, running through July 31, 2026.
NEW | Oliver Smith Jeweler opened an OMEGA watch boutique in Aspen, with a permanent location set for fall.
Arc’teryx opened its doors at the new U.S. mountain store at 534 E. Cooper Ave. in November 2025. The store serves as a hub for the local community, hosting events and sharing local knowledge and stoke for the mountains.
Destination and Sustainability News
The Colorado Green Business Network of Aspen program, launched in 2024, empowers local businesses to adopt sustainable practices, reduce their environmental impact, and contribute to a greener future for Aspen. CGBN of Aspen offers technical assistance, recognition opportunities, and a supportive network to help businesses implement environmentally friendly practices. In addition to being recognized at both the local and state level, the CGBN of Aspen offers benefits including fostering connections and networks, providing free technical assistance and operational assessments, features on City of Aspen and ACRA websites, and connecting businesses to funding opportunities. CGBN of Aspen participants include Mountain Flowers of Aspen, The St. Regis Aspen Resort, BOSQ, PARC Aspen, Empyrean Laser, Aspen Community Church, Alpine Bank, Wheeler Opera House, Aspen Hospitality, Sashae Floral Arts & Gifts, and iTrip Aspen Snowmass.
In Oct. 2025, it was announced that the Aspen Chamber Resort Association will participate in the Colorado Tourism Office’s Accessible Travel Program alongside Snowmass Tourism. The Accessible Travel Program advances accessible tourism in destinations across Colorado in partnership with Wheel the World, a travel platform specializing in accessible tourism. Through the program, ACRA and Snowmass Tourism will work with the Colorado Tourism Office and Wheel the World to assess accessibility in the community, provide training for local businesses, and highlight accessible experiences through marketing channels.
MICHELIN Guide News
The inaugural MICHELIN Guide to Colorado was launched in September 2023. In 2025, Bosq Aspen retained its one star — remaining the only Colorado mountain town restaurant with a Michelin star. Element 47, Mawa’s Kitchen, and Prospect are recommended restaurants in the guide, and Nick Heileman of Bosq was awarded MICHELIN Guide Colorado 2025 Sommelier of the Year.
The MICHELIN Keys recognize exceptional hospitality experiences. Recognized One Key hotels in Aspen include Hotel Jerome, The Little Nell, and MOLLIE Aspen.
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Media Contact:
Jessie Vandenhouten
acra@backbone.media
About ACRA:
Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Aspen’s business community and enhancing the visitor experience. ACRA is a unique blend of a traditional chamber of commerce and a visitors’ and convention bureau made up of approximately 750+ local businesses, a strong, diverse board of directors, and a dedicated staff. ACRA’s four departments which support the Aspen business community are Destination Marketing and Group Sales, Membership, Special Events, and Visitor Services. For more information visit www.aspenchamber.org or call 970-925-1940.
