Things to Do in Aspen This Week

Late December, three nights

String Cheese Incident at Belly Up Aspen

Holiday-week residency at the 450-cap Belly Up. The hardest ticket in town that week; second-stage views from the bar are usually fine.

Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Mid-January, one week

Aspen Gay Ski Week

Week-long event since 1977 with downhill costume competitions at Buttermilk, drag shows at Belly Up, and the Pride Parade down Cooper Avenue. The largest gay ski week in North America.

Ski

Mid-January

Jam Cruise Pre-Party at Belly Up Aspen

A pre-cruise stop on the Belly Up's January calendar. Lineup announced six weeks out; rooms are 90 percent filled by 9pm.

Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Mid-February

Wheeler Opera House: JAS Cafe Series Night

Featured night in the JAS Cafe winter series, held at the 503-seat Victorian opera house on Hyman Avenue. Two sets, table service.

Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Early March

Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race

Skimo race across all four Aspen Snowmass mountains, 25 miles and 10,500 feet of vertical. Start is pre-dawn at Snowmass; finish line is at Aspen Mountain's Sundeck.

Outdoor

Late June into early July

Aspen Ideas Festival

A week of lectures, panels, and well-catered cocktail receptions on the Aspen Institute campus. The badge is pricey but many talks are open to the public via livestream.

Cultural · Photo: aspenideas.org

Last weekend of June

Aspen Music Festival Opening Weekend

Eight-week classical festival's opening at the Benedict Music Tent. The Aspen Festival Orchestra plays Sunday; the tent's open sides mean lawn listening is functionally free.

Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Third weekend of June

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

The publication's flagship event, with tastings, chef seminars, and the famous Grand Tasting tents in Wagner Park. Notoriously expensive, notoriously good.

Food & drink

Mid-June

Theatre Aspen Summer Opening

Opening night of Theatre Aspen's three-show summer tent season at Rio Grande Park. A mainstage musical typically anchors the slate.

Art

July 4

Aspen Fourth of July Parade

Quirky parade down Main Street with the famed Hotel Jerome firetruck and the local plumbers' brass band. Fireworks over Aspen Mountain at dusk.

Seasonal

July 4

Aspen Music Festival: Fourth of July Concert

Free outdoor concert at Harris Hall paired with the town's fireworks over Aspen Mountain. Bring a blanket for the lawn.

Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Mid-July, single concert

Aspen Music Festival: Sunday Chamber Recitals

Featured faculty recital at Harris Hall, programmed mid-festival. Tickets often the toughest of the season because the room only seats 500.

Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Mid-July

Aspen Percussion Ensemble Concert

Annual showcase from the festival's percussion students. Held at Harris Concert Hall, free with festival pass.

Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Mid-August

Aspen Music Festival Closing Weekend

The Aspen Festival Orchestra plays Mahler or similar large-scale repertoire to close the season at the Benedict Music Tent. Single most-attended concert of the summer.

Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash

Late September

Aspen Filmfest

A focused, five-day program of independent narrative and documentary films at the Wheeler Opera House. Lower-key than Telluride and easier to get into.

Cultural

Mid-to-late September

Maroon Bells Peak Foliage Season

Not an event so much as a window: the aspens around Maroon Bells, Kebler Pass, and Independence Pass turn for about ten days. Reservations to drive up to the Bells are required and sell out.

Outdoor