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 summer, plus a Bavarian Oktoberfest and winter family fun. (2026 dates shown — confirm times & lineups on the official calendar.)
A Bavarian-inspired celebration with German beer, brats, and oom-pah music. Compete in stein-hoisting contests, try the chicken dance and polka lessons, and bring the kids for Kinderfest.
- When: Sat, Sep 5, 2026
- Where: River Run Village
- Admission: Free admission; beer & food for purchase
- Highlights: Stein-hoisting, polka & chicken dance, Kinderfest kids' zone, German fare
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 free summer concerts with spring closing parties and winter competitions.
Mountain-inspired mixology with freshly foraged ingredients, enjoyed alongside sweeping Ten Mile Range views at Aerie.
- When: Sundays — Jul 19, Aug 16, Aug 30 & Sep 6, 2026
- Where: Aerie, Copper Mountain
- Admission: Ticketed experience
- Highlights: Craft cocktails, foraged ingredients, Ten Mile Range views
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, marking the first U.S. stop of the 2026–27 season.
- When: Sat–Sun, Nov 28–29, 2026
- Where: East Village racing venue; festivities in Center Village
- Admission: Free general admission; reserved grandstand & VIP available
- Highlights: Super-G & giant slalom, Festival Village, live-stream viewing party
Breckenridge has the county's busiest event calendar — from the legendary Ullr Fest and Snow Sculpture Championships to a packed summer of food, wine, music, and art festivals.
An open-air market with 70+ Colorado vendors — handcrafted goods, art, fresh produce, and food — every Sunday through the summer at Main Street Station.
- When: Sundays, Jun 7–early fall, 2026
- Where: Main Street Station, Breckenridge
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: 70+ vendors, local makers, fresh food
A Labor Day weekend bluegrass festival pairing top pickers with Colorado craft beer at the Village Plaza.
- When: Sep 5–7, 2026 (Labor Day weekend)
- Where: Village at Breckenridge Plaza
- Admission: Free general admission; beer tasting for purchase
- Highlights: Bluegrass bands, craft beer, late-summer village vibe
Four days of independent film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, panels, and parties at venues across town.
- When: Sep 18–21, 2026
- Where: Riverwalk Center, Backstage Theatre & town venues
- Admission: Ticketed (passes & individual screenings)
- Highlights: Indie premieres, filmmaker talks, awards
The 30th annual celebration of beer and Bavarian culture takes over Main Street with oom-pah bands, brats, pretzels, an expanded Kid Zone, and the famous collectible half-liter steins that sell out every year.
- When: Sep 25–27, 2026 — Fri 2–6 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Where: Main Street, Breckenridge
- Admission: Free to attend; beer via a credit-card wristband system; collectible steins sold separately
- Schedule: Oktoberfest 5K Sat 10 a.m.; Stein Hoisting Fri 4:30, Sat 3:30, Sun (incl. Baby Bjorn) 2:30; beer pour starts Fri 2 p.m., Sat–Sun 11 a.m.
- Highlights: Stein-hoisting contests, live oom-pah music, expanded Kid Zone
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 →
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
- 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 amphitheater and Friday farmers market anchor a lively summer right on the shore of Lake Dillon.
Dillon Amphitheater — tickets & schedule →
A full season of national touring acts at the stunning open-air, lakeside Dillon Amphitheater. 2026 headliners so far include Young the Giant (Jul 31), Trampled by Turtles with Leftover Salmon (Aug 7 & 8), and Thee Sacred Souls (Aug 21).
- When: June–September 2026 (show nights vary)
- Where: Dillon Amphitheater (lakeside)
- Admission: Ticketed per show — tickets at DillonAmp.com
- Highlights: National headliners, lake-and-mountain backdrop, food & drink on site
Dillon Farmers Market — official event page →
Every Friday, Lodgepole Street fills with farm produce, food trucks, artisan crafts, flowers, and live music — all steps from the reservoir.
- When: Fridays, mid-June–early September 2026 (morning into early afternoon)
- Where: Lodgepole Street, Dillon (adjacent to the reservoir)
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Local produce, food trucks, crafts, live music
A free weekly concert series — voted Best Concert Series in Summit County — spanning reggae, folk rock, jam bands, world music, and even classical, every Monday night on the shores of Lake Dillon. 2026 acts include The Crane Wives (Aug 10) and Billy Failing (Aug 17).
- When: Monday evenings, summer 2026
- Where: Dillon Amphitheater
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Free live music, diverse genres, lakeside seating
A free, juried fine art and fine craft show fills historic downtown Dillon beside the reservoir over Labor Day weekend, with roughly 100 Colorado artists.
- When: Sat–Sun, Sep 5–6, 2026
- Where: Historic downtown Dillon, near the Dillon Marina
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: ~100 juried artists, painting, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, lakeside setting
Historic Main Street Frisco packs in free concerts, a fall street party, and a cozy holiday wassail crawl.
A two-day Main Street street festival celebrating late summer in the mountains — a German beer garden (Ein Prosit) benefiting the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, the "Arts at Altitude" art show, live music, and kids' make-and-take art.
- When: Sep 5–6, 2026
- Where: Main Street & Frisco Historic Park
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Beer garden, art show, live music, kids' activities
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
- Where: Main Street businesses, Frisco
- Admission: Free to stroll; wassail tastings per shop
- Highlights: 12 Sips card, commemorative mug, holiday shopping & lights
A family-friendly early New Year's Eve at Frisco Historic Park — live music and a fireworks finale so you can celebrate the new year well before midnight.
- When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026 (evening)
- Where: Frisco Historic Park, Main Street, Frisco
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Live band, early countdown, fireworks finale (bring a blanket)
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 (evening)
- Where: Frisco Bay Marina, Frisco
- Admission: Free; snacks & beverages for purchase
- Highlights: Giant bonfire (~300 trees), fireworks over Frisco Bay, benefits Summit Nordic Ski Club
📖 Read the blog: Spontaneous Combustion Bonfire & Fireworks →
Silverthorne leans into the arts with free First Friday parties, Sunday art strolls, and a busy performing-arts venue on the Blue River.
A heartfelt, character-driven mainstage production from Theatre SilCo, part of the professional company's 2026 season at Silverthorne's modern performing arts center.
- When: Sep 15–27, 2026 (select performances)
- Where: Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, 460 Blue River Pkwy
- Admission: Ticketed
- Highlights: Professional mainstage theatre, riverfront venue
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 (art market continues Sat, Dec 5)
- 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 (select performances)
- Where: Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, 460 Blue River Pkwy
- Admission: Ticketed
- Highlights: Two-actor holiday comedy, dozens of characters, quick changes
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 festivals all summer — adventure sports, symphony, dance, and free concerts at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
One of Colorado's largest and most beloved farmers markets takes over East Meadow Drive every Sunday all summer, turning Vail Village into an open-air street fair of fresh food, art, and live music.
- When: Sundays, Jun 14–Oct 4, 2026, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Where: East Meadow Drive, Vail Village
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: 155+ vendors, fresh local produce, artisan goods, a juried art show, live entertainment & kids' activities
Free, world-class live music on select Tuesday nights at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater — a Vail Valley summer staple since 1987.
- When: Select Tuesdays, Jun 16–Sep 15, 2026 (gates ~5:30, music ~6:30 p.m.)
- Where: Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (The Amp)
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Free concerts, lawn seating, mountain sunset
Vail Jazz's Thursday-evening summer series brings a rotating lineup of national jazz artists to an intimate open-air tent at Vail Square in Lionshead — the Thursday-night anchor of Vail's summer music scene.
- When: Thursdays, Jul 2–Sep 3, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
- Where: Vail Square, Lionshead Village, Vail
- Admission: Ticketed (weekly & season passes via Vail Jazz)
- Highlights: Weekly national jazz headliners, open-air tented venue, summer-long series
Two weekends of Bavarian fun — Lionshead Village (Sep 11–13) and Vail Village (Sep 18–20) — with bratwurst-eating and keg-bowling contests, oom-pah music, beer, pretzels, brats, and strudel.
- When: Sep 11–13 (Lionshead) & Sep 18–20 (Vail Village); Fri–Sat 12–10 p.m., Sun 12–6 p.m.
- Where: Lionshead & Vail Village
- Admission: Free; food & beer for purchase
- Highlights: Keg bowling, brat-eating contest, Bavarian music & food
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 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 →
Upscale Beaver Creek balances family rodeo nights and art festivals in summer with World Cup ski racing in winter.
Beaver Creek's free Thursday-evening concert series brings national touring artists to the Rink Stage in the heart of the village, with mountain views and a relaxed summer vibe.
- When: Thursdays, Jun 18–Sep 17, 2026, 5:30–7 p.m.
- Where: Beaver Creek Rink Stage, Beaver Creek Village
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Free live music from national touring acts, village setting, mountain views
Family-friendly rodeo nights with mutton bustin', barrel racing, roping, and bull riding in a classic Western setting near the village.
- When: Thursday evenings in summer, 2026
- Where: Beaver Creek rodeo grounds (near the village)
- Admission: Ticketed
- Highlights: Mutton bustin', bull riding, family Western fun
A juried fine-art show filling Beaver Creek Village with painters, sculptors, photographers, and jewelers.
- When: Summer 2026 (typically a weekend)
- Where: Beaver Creek Village
- Admission: Free to browse
- Highlights: Juried artists, village setting, live music
Bavarian music, beer, brats, and games in the heart of Beaver Creek Village.
- When: September 2026 (a weekend)
- Where: Beaver Creek Village
- Admission: Free; food & beer for purchase
- Highlights: Oom-pah music, beer garden, games
Live blues, craft beer, and barbecue throughout Beaver Creek Village to close out the summer.
- When: Labor Day weekend 2026
- Where: Beaver Creek Village
- Admission: Free admission; food & beer for purchase
- Highlights: Live blues, craft beer, BBQ, family activities
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
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 races Dec 3–6, women's races Dec 11–13
- Where: Birds of Prey & Raptor race courses, Beaver Creek
- Admission: Free spectator admission; premium & VIP hospitality available
- Highlights: Two downhills each, super-G, giant slalom, finish-area festival
📖 Read the blog: Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup →
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