Events
Festivals, concerts, farmers markets, and seasonal celebrations across Summit County and the Vail Valley — browse by town to see what is happening.
Keystone's River Run Village hosts one of Summit County's best free festival line-ups all winter — from a Warren Miller season kickoff and the lighting of River Run to a holiday market and winter family fun. (2026 dates shown — confirm times & lineups on the official calendar.)
The Rocky Mountain premiere of Warren Miller's 77th ski film, "Days Off," hosted by Katie Burrell at Warren Station — the traditional kickoff to Keystone's winter season.
- When: Fri–Sat, Nov 6–7, 2026 (Fri 6 p.m.; Sat 3:30 & 6:30 p.m.)
- Where: Warren Station Center for the Arts, River Run Village
- Admission: Ticketed (~$10–$17); proceeds benefit Dillon Valley Elementary
- Highlights: New Warren Miller film, two nights of showings, giveaways
📖 Read the blog: Keystone Kickoff: Warren Miller's "Days Off" →
Matchstick Productions' 34th ski film, "The Way Out," screens twice at Warren Station as the Keystone Kickoff series continues — Alaska, Japan, Switzerland and B.C. powder on the big screen.
- When: Sat, Nov 14, 2026 (shows 4 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.)
- Where: Warren Station Center for the Arts, River Run Village
- Admission: Ticketed ($10–$17 per show); proceeds benefit Team Summit
- Highlights: New Matchstick ski film, two showings, raffle with every ticket
📖 Read the blog: Keystone Kickoff: Matchstick Productions "The Way Out" →
The Keystone Kickoff series closes with a two-band concert — Summit County power trio CB3 opens and the O'Connor Brothers Band headlines with rock, blues, folk, soul and jazz.
- When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 6–10 p.m.
- Where: Warren Station Center for the Arts, River Run Village
- Admission: $5–$8; free for Keystone/Breck employees with 2026/27 ID
- Highlights: CB3, O'Connor Brothers Band, season-kickoff party
📖 Read the blog: Keystone Kickoff Concert: CB3 & O'Connor Brothers Band →
A free family celebration welcoming the 2026–27 season to River Run Village — crafts, hot chocolate, live music, and visits with Santa, capped by the lighting of the giant River Run tree.
- When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 2–5:15 p.m. (tree lighting ~5:15 p.m.)
- Where: Warren Station & River Run Village, Keystone
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Tree lighting, Santa visits, crafts, hot chocolate, live music
Warren Station's annual holiday marketplace fills River Run Village with handcrafted gifts and artwork from local artists, plus live music and a full bar.
- When: Sat, Dec 12, 2026, 1–5 p.m.
- Where: Warren Station Center for the Arts, River Run Village
- Admission: Free to browse
- Highlights: Local artisan vendors, live music, family-friendly
Warren Station becomes an enchanted woodland garden for New Year's Eve — live band The Goonies, DJ Drake, garden-inspired cocktails and a champagne toast at midnight.
- When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, from 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Warren Station Center for the Arts, River Run Village
- Admission: Ticketed ($30–$640; GA, Champagne & VIP packages)
- Highlights: Live band The Goonies, DJ Drake, garden cocktails, midnight champagne toast
Keystone's signature winter family programming — a massive snow fort, daily activities, parades, scavenger hunts, and Friday-night fireworks throughout the ski season. Consistently rated among the best family ski experiences in North America.
- When: Throughout the winter ski season (roughly Dec–Apr)
- Where: Keystone Resort (Mountain House & River Run)
- Admission: Most activities free with resort access
- Highlights: Giant snow fort, parades, Friday fireworks, kids' activities
Copper's Center Village mixes opening-day turns, free summer concerts, and World Cup-level ski and snowboard competition all winter long.
Copper Mountain targets Nov 6 for the first turns of the 2026–27 season, sharing Summit County opening day with Breckenridge as early-season groomed terrain comes online.
- When: Fri, Nov 6, 2026 (target date, weather permitting)
- Where: Copper Mountain Resort, Summit County
- Admission: Lift ticket or pass; base-area festivities free
- Highlights: First chair, early-season terrain, Center Village buzz
The men's Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup returns to Copper over Thanksgiving weekend — a super-G and giant slalom finishing on Rosi's Run, plus free concerts and fireworks in Center Village, marking the first U.S. stop of the 2026–27 season.
- When: Fri–Sun, Nov 27–29, 2026 — Fri kickoff party & fireworks; super-G Sat 11:45 a.m.; giant slalom Sun 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.
- Where: East Village racing venue; festivities in Center Village
- Admission: All races and festivities free; reserved grandstand & VIP available
- Highlights: Super-G & giant slalom, free O.A.R. concert Sat 6:30 p.m., Jon Foreman, fireworks Fri & Sat
World Cup halfpipe returns to Copper's 22-foot Superpipe for the event's 30th year, with the world's top snowboard and freeski athletes competing in Center Village.
- When: Thu–Sun, Dec 17–20, 2026 — qualifiers Dec 17 (snowboard) & Dec 18 (freeski); finals Sat Dec 19 (snowboard) & Sun Dec 20 (freeski), noon–2 p.m.
- Where: Copper Mountain Superpipe, Center Village
- Admission: Free for spectators
- Highlights: World Cup halfpipe finals, Olympic-caliber field, free viewing
Copper closes out the year with a free celebration in Center Village — a DJ set at Eagle's Landing, a staff torchlight parade down the slope, and fireworks over the village.
- When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026 (evening; times TBA)
- Where: Eagle's Landing, Center Village, Copper Mountain
- Admission: Free to watch
- Highlights: Torchlight parade, fireworks, DJ set
Breckenridge has the county's busiest event calendar — from opening day and the legendary Ullr Fest to the Snow Sculpture Championships and a packed holiday season.
Breckenridge Ski Resort targets Nov 6 to open for the 2026–27 season, with first chair and early-season terrain on Peak 8 as winter returns to town.
- When: Fri, Nov 6, 2026 (target date, weather permitting)
- Where: Breckenridge Ski Resort, Peak 8 base
- Admission: Lift ticket or Epic Pass
- Highlights: First turns, early-season Peak 8 terrain, season kickoff
Indiana rock band Houndmouth plays the Riverwalk Center on Breckenridge's opening weekend, touring their stripped-back 2026 album "Lordy."
- When: Sat, Nov 7, 2026, doors 7 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Riverwalk Center, 150 W Adams Ave, Breckenridge
- Admission: $60 GA ($65 day of show) + fees
- Highlights: Houndmouth's 2026 "Lordy" tour, opening-weekend concert
Alpine Dance Academy's annual Nutcracker brings Clara, the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy to the Riverwalk Center over Lighting of Breckenridge weekend.
- When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026 (7 p.m.) & Sat, Dec 5 (3 p.m. & 7 p.m.)
- Where: Riverwalk Center, 150 W Adams Ave, Breckenridge
- Admission: Ticketed ($12–$39)
- Highlights: Holiday ballet, local dancers, family matinee, lighting-weekend tradition
Breckenridge kicks off the holidays with a Santa-costumed fun run down Main Street, a Holiday Dog Parade, and downtown aglow under more than 250,000 lights.
- When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026 (town lighting ~5 p.m.)
- Where: Main Street & Blue River Plaza, Breckenridge
- Admission: Free to attend; Race of the Santas has paid registration
- Highlights: Race of the Santas, Holiday Dog Parade, 250,000+ lights
📖 Read the blog: Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas →
FIS World Cup freeski and snowboard slopestyle returns to Breckenridge for the first time in 12 years, opening the U.S. World Cup season on a purpose-built course.
- When: Thu–Sun, Dec 10–13, 2026 (finals Dec 12 & 13)
- Where: Breckenridge Ski Resort
- Admission: Spectators welcome; details TBA
- Highlights: World Cup slopestyle, freeski & snowboard finals, first Breck stop in 12 years
📖 Read the blog: Toyota U.S. Grand Prix (Slopestyle) at Breckenridge →
Breckenridge's quirky tribute to Ullr, the Norse god of snow — a wildly costumed Main Street parade, a longest-shotski world-record attempt, and a bonfire, all to summon a big ski season.
- When: Dec 17–19, 2026 — Thu: crowning 3 p.m., shotski 3:30 p.m., parade 4 p.m., bonfire 5–7 p.m.
- Where: Main Street, downtown Breckenridge
- Admission: Free (parade & street events)
- Highlights: Ullr Parade, shotski world-record attempt, bonfire, costumes
Ring in 2027 as ski & snowboard instructors glide down Peak 9 carrying glowing torches, followed by a fireworks show over the mountain base.
- When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026 — torchlight ~6 p.m., fireworks ~9:30 p.m.
- Where: Peak 9 base; viewable from Blue River Plaza & downtown
- Admission: Free to view
- Highlights: Torchlight parade, fireworks, festive downtown
📖 Read the blog: New Year's Eve — Torchlight Parade & Fireworks →
International teams hand-carve 20-ton, 12-foot blocks of packed snow into intricate sculptures using no power tools, then leave them on display for a week of viewing.
- When: Jan 23 – Feb 2, 2027 (Sculpting Week Jan 23–27; Viewing Week Jan 27 – Feb 2)
- Where: Riverwalk Center lawn, downtown Breckenridge
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: 20-ton snow blocks, hand tools only, evening illumination
📖 Read the blog: International Snow Sculpture Championships →
Dillon's lakeside Town Core lights up for the holidays with a town lighting, a festive market, and giant illuminated sculptures, right on the shore of Lake Dillon.
Dillon switches on its holiday lights and giant illuminated sculptures, then sends families on a Holiday Lights Passport scavenger hunt through downtown.
- When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 4:30–6 p.m.
- Where: Downtown Dillon (check town calendar for start location)
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Holiday lighting, Holiday Lights Passport scavenger hunt, lit sculptures
📖 Read the blog: The Lighting of Dillon & Holiday Lights Scavenger Hunt →
The lakeside Town Core becomes a festive winter marketplace of handcrafted gifts, artisan goods, and seasonal treats, with Santa visits and Dillon's giant illuminated holiday sculptures all around.
- When: Sat, Dec 19, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. & Sun, Dec 20, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Santa & Mrs. Claus ~11 a.m.–2 p.m.)
- Where: Dillon Town Core (check the Town of Dillon calendar for the 2026 venue)
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Artisan gifts, Santa visits, giant holiday light sculptures
Historic Main Street Frisco packs in a Thanksgiving fun run, a cozy holiday wassail crawl, and a full winter of Nordic races and events at the Frisco Nordic Center.
Frisco's 13th annual Thanksgiving-morning fun run — an untimed 5K on the Rec Path and town streets, followed by bakery treats, mini pies and a Chance Auction.
- When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving), 9:30 a.m.
- Where: Old Community Center, 110 S. 3rd Ave, Frisco
- Admission: $35 adult / $20 youth (6–17) / under 5 free
- Highlights: Untimed fun run, dogs & strollers welcome, pies & after-party, FIRC food drive
Skip the Black Friday crowds for a free drop-in stargazing night at Frisco Historic Park — telescopes, astronomers and constellation tours, as a Breck Sky Fest satellite event.
- When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Where: Frisco Historic Park & Museum, 120 E. Main St
- Admission: Free (RSVP required via Breck Sky Fest)
- Highlights: Telescope viewing, astronomer talks, constellation tours
📖 Read the blog: Historic Park Stargazing: Black Sky Friday →
A cozy holiday tradition — sip secret-recipe wassail at a dozen Main Street businesses, fill your "12 Sips of Wassail" card, and redeem it for a commemorative mug at the Frisco/Copper Information Center.
- When: Nov 28–Dec 6, 2026 (kickoff Sat, Nov 28: carolers 5:45 p.m., tree lighting at Historic Park 6 p.m., fireworks)
- Where: Main Street businesses, Frisco
- Admission: Free to stroll; wassail tastings per shop
- Highlights: 12 Sips card, commemorative mug, kickoff tree lighting & fireworks, Breakfast with Santa (Dec 5)
A candle-lit evening ski along a groomed 2.5k course at the Frisco Nordic Center, gliding between four bonfire stops with snacks and drinks — benefiting the Team Summit Nordic Program.
- When: Sat, Feb 6, 2027, 5:30–9:30 p.m. (timed entries from 5:45 p.m.)
- Where: Frisco Nordic Center, 616 Recreation Way
- Admission: Ticketed (~$35–$75); no pets
- Highlights: Candle-lit trail, four bonfire stops, snacks & drinks, dessert
Colorado's longest-running Nordic event (55th annual) brings classic and skate ski races at 5K, 10K, and 23K to the Frisco Nordic Center, with a lively finish-line celebration.
- When: Sat, Feb 13, 2027, races begin 10 a.m.
- Where: Frisco Nordic Center, 616 Recreation Way
- Admission: Paid race registration; free to spectate
- Highlights: 5K/10K/23K classic & skate, commemorative head band, food
Frisco's midwinter tradition sets hundreds of recycled Christmas trees ablaze in a giant community bonfire at the marina, capped by a fireworks show over Frisco Bay.
- When: Sat, Feb 13, 2027 — bonfire 6 p.m., DJ 6–8 p.m., fireworks 8 p.m.
- Where: Frisco Bay Marina (Marina Rd & Summit Blvd); no marina parking — park on Main Street
- Admission: Free; snack & drink sales benefit Mile High Behavioral Healthcare
- Highlights: Giant bonfire (~300 trees), DJ, fireworks over Frisco Bay
📖 Read the blog: Spontaneous Combustion Bonfire & Fireworks →
A winter fat bike race on the groomed trails of the Frisco Nordic Center, open to adult and youth riders of all abilities, with a post-race celebration.
- When: Sat, Feb 20, 2027, 3–6 p.m.
- Where: Frisco Nordic Center, 616 Recreation Way
- Admission: $50 adult / $40 youth (includes racer gift & post-race food)
- Highlights: Fat bike racing on snow, adult & youth divisions, post-race food
A beer festival on Nordic skis — ski or snowshoe the Frisco Nordic Center trails between Colorado brewery tasting stations, in costume, then celebrate at the after-party.
- When: Sat, Mar 13, 2027, 2–5 p.m.
- Where: Frisco Nordic Center, 616 Recreation Way
- Admission: $55 adult (21+) / $25 youth; registration opens Dec 1, 2026
- Highlights: Trailside beer tastings, costumes, after-party, benefits Friends of the Dillon Ranger District
Silverthorne leans into the arts with free First Friday parties, holiday lighting, and a busy performing-arts venue on the Blue River.
Silverthorne's November First Friday honors Día de los Muertos at the Pavilion with live mariachi, baile folklorico dancing, a local mercado, kids' crafts, and traditional foods.
- When: Fri, Nov 6, 2026, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
- Where: Silverthorne Pavilion, 400 Blue River Pkwy
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Mariachi Las Dahlias, baile folklorico, mercado, Pan de Muerto
📖 Read the blog: November First Friday — Día de los Muertos →
Summit County's favorite improv troupe performs a fully unscripted hour of long-form comedy built from audience suggestions — no two shows alike.
- When: Fri, Nov 13 & Fri, Dec 11, 2026, 7 p.m.
- Where: The Henry Studio, Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, 460 Blue River Pkwy
- Admission: $18
- Highlights: Long-form improv, audience suggestions, local cast
Silverthorne's annual holiday tree lighting pairs with a big holiday art market at the Pavilion — live music, carolers, hot chocolate, and a visit with Santa.
- When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 4:30–8:30 p.m. (art market continues Sat, Dec 5, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.)
- Where: Silverthorne Pavilion, 400 Blue River Pkwy
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Tree lighting, holiday art market, carolers, Santa
📖 Read the blog: December First Friday — Holiday Lighting & Art Market →
Theatre SilCo closes its 2026 season with a fast-paced holiday comedy in which two actors play dozens of quirky characters from the fictional town of Tuna, Texas.
- When: Dec 4–23, 2026, 7 p.m. (1 p.m. matinees Dec 13 & 20; dark Dec 7, 14, 17 & 21)
- Where: CVA Flex Theatre, Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, 460 Blue River Pkwy
- Admission: Ticketed (from $59); ages 12+
- Highlights: Two-actor holiday comedy, dozens of characters, quick changes
The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra presents Denver pianist Tom Amend's quartet in a one-night holiday jazz concert at the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center.
- When: Thu, Dec 17, 2026, 7 p.m.
- Where: CVA Flex Theatre, Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, 460 Blue River Pkwy
- Admission: Ticketed ($45–$62)
- Highlights: Holiday jazz, Tom Amend Quartet, intimate venue, one night only
Concerts, theatre, comedy, and community events at the Silverthorne Pavilion and the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center on the Blue River.
- When: Year-round (calendar varies)
- Where: Silverthorne Pavilion (400 Blue River Pkwy) & Performing Arts Center (460 Blue River Pkwy)
- Admission: Varies by event
- Highlights: Live theatre, concerts, riverfront venues
Just over Vail Pass in Eagle County, Vail hosts world-class events year-round — a beloved summer farmers market, a season-opening ski day, a festive New Year's Eve, and a premier spring wine & food festival.
Vail Mountain is scheduled to spin its lifts for the 2026–27 season on Friday, Nov 13 — one of the earlier Colorado openings, with first chair and a season-kickoff buzz in the village.
- When: Fri, Nov 13, 2026 (target date, weather permitting)
- Where: Vail Mountain (Vail Village & Lionshead)
- Admission: Lift ticket or Epic Pass; village atmosphere free
- Highlights: First chair, early-season terrain, season-kickoff energy
Vail's day-after-Thanksgiving holiday kickoff — the Lionshead tree lighting, a free figure-skating exhibition at the Arrabelle Ice Rink, live music and Santa.
- When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 6 p.m.
- Where: Lionshead Village (tree by the welcome arch)
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Tree lighting, free skating exhibition at the Arrabelle rink, live music, Santa
Vail celebrates the re-opening of the renovated Dobson Arena with a $20 Americana double bill — Trampled By Turtles and Old Crow Medicine Show, with Lindsay Lou opening.
- When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, doors 5:30 p.m., show 6 p.m.
- Where: Dobson Arena, Lionshead, Vail
- Admission: $20 GA + fees, all ages
- Highlights: Trampled By Turtles, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lindsay Lou, renovated arena
Vail's holiday-week figure-skating tradition — a 90-minute show of elite skaters, with past casts including National Champions and Olympians — in the renovated Dobson Arena.
- When: Wed, Dec 23, 2026, 6:30–8 p.m.
- Where: Dobson Arena, Lionshead, Vail
- Admission: Ticketed (reserved on-ice & GA bleachers); typically sells out
- Highlights: Elite figure skaters, holiday music, renovated arena, family-friendly
Vail Ski & Snowboard School instructors descend Golden Peak in formation holding flares, followed by a valley-wide fireworks show — an early-evening celebration that's free to watch.
- When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026 — torchlight ~6:15 p.m., fireworks ~6:25 p.m.
- Where: Golden Peak, Vail Village (visible across the valley)
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Torchlight parade, valley-wide fireworks, family-friendly timing
📖 Read the blog: New Year's Eve — Torchlight Parade & Fireworks →
The valley's premier spring wine and food festival pairs the region's restaurants with national and international winemakers across four days of signature tastings, chef demos, and seminars.
- When: Tue–Sat, Mar 31 – Apr 3, 2027
- Where: Vail Village & Lionshead
- Admission: Ticketed (Signature Pass or single events)
- Highlights: Grand Tasting, Mountain Celebration lunch, Apres Tasting, seminars
Upscale Beaver Creek pairs World Cup ski racing with a Thanksgiving-weekend tree lighting, holiday theater at the Vilar, a festive New Year's Eve, and the expert-only Talon's Challenge.
Beaver Creek is scheduled to open for the 2026–27 season on Wednesday, Nov 25 — timed to Thanksgiving week, with first turns on its famously groomed terrain and the resort's signature end-of-day cookies.
- When: Wed, Nov 25, 2026 (target date, weather permitting)
- Where: Beaver Creek Resort / Beaver Creek Village
- Admission: Lift ticket or Epic Pass; village activities free
- Highlights: First turns, Thanksgiving-week kickoff, fresh-baked cookies
Beaver Creek's opening week brings a Thanksgiving-weekend Holiday Market and the village's 40-plus-year tradition, the Tree Lighting & Ice Spectacular with skating performances.
- When: Fri–Sat, Nov 27–28, 2026 (tree lighting Sat, Nov 28)
- Where: Beaver Creek Village
- Admission: Free village events; times TBA
- Highlights: Tree lighting, ice-skating performances, Holiday Market, opening-week festivities
📖 Read the blog: Beaver Creek Tree Lighting & Ice Spectacular →
The largest Birds of Prey in event history — seven World Cup races across two weekends, with both the men's and women's fields racing the legendary Birds of Prey and Raptor courses.
- When: Dec 3–13, 2026 — men's downhills Dec 3 & 4, super-G Dec 5, giant slalom Dec 6; women's downhills Dec 11 & 12, super-G Dec 13
- Where: Birds of Prey & Raptor race courses, Beaver Creek
- Admission: Free spectator admission; premium & VIP hospitality available
- Highlights: Two downhills each for men & women, super-G, men's giant slalom, finish-area festival
📖 Read the blog: Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup →
A faithful touring stage version of Dickens' holiday classic — Scrooge, Marley and the three Ghosts of Christmas, with carols, puppets and projected Victorian London.
- When: Wed, Dec 23, 2026, 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Vilar Performing Arts Center, 68 Avondale Lane, Beaver Creek
- Admission: Ticketed (reserved, student & 4-pack tickets)
- Highlights: Dickens classic, Victorian London projections, carols, puppets
📖 Read the blog: A Christmas Carol at the Vilar Performing Arts Center →
Beaver Creek rings in 2027 with a 200+ skier ski down the mountainside followed by two fireworks shows, plus light-circus street performers and village ice skating.
- When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026 — ski down ~6 p.m.; fireworks ~6:15 p.m. & ~10 p.m.
- Where: Beaver Creek Village & base-area slopes
- Admission: Free to watch in the village
- Highlights: 200+ skier ski down, two fireworks shows, light-circus performers
Beaver Creek's signature expert challenge — ski 14 of the resort's toughest black and double-black runs in a day, now tracked with leaderboards and awards.
- When: Sat–Sun, Feb 20–21, 2027
- Where: On-mountain, Beaver Creek Resort
- Admission: Lift ticket or pass; registration typically required
- Highlights: 14 toughest black & double-black runs, leaderboards, awards, Helly Hansen
📖 Read the blog: Talon's Challenge presented by Helly Hansen →
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