12 Days of Aspen

Activity Event Cultural Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

Celebrate the last 12 days of December during 12 Days of Aspen. Each day, enjoy fun, free, and family-friendly activities. 12 Days of Aspen activities include performances by carolers, photo ops with Santa, holiday crafts, film screenings, live music, cookie decorating, storytime for kids, and more. On New Year’s Eve, check out the torchlight parade and New Year’s Eve fireworks at the base of Aspen Mountain.

Anderson Ranch Holiday Open House

Event Cultural Family Friendly Owl Creek Snowmass Village

A festive community event that gets everyone in the holiday spirit, the annual Anderson Ranch Holiday Open House is a great opportunity to view and purchase artwork by Anderson Ranch artists-in-residence and faculty, tour the beautiful Ranch grounds, and meet fellow art lovers. During the Holiday Open House, the studios are open to all visitors, offering a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse at the art-making process.

Each art-making method has its own large studio space, so from building to building, visitors are immersed in the world of photography, then painting and printing, and then ceramics and sculpture and woodworking.

As the Holiday Open House is usually held in mid-December, the event is the perfect opportunity to do a little holiday shopping, as well as to support local, national, and international artists. Most, if not all, of the artworks on display in each of the studios is for sale. Oftentimes, the artists are in their studio to discuss their work with visitors and interested buyers.

In addition to each of the studios, Anderson Ranch also has a gallery space, so be sure to swing by the gallery building, which is located near the parking lot.

After touring the campus, head over to the Ranch Café for a casual holiday dinner. Enjoy a delicious meal, and chat about all of the incredible artwork that you just saw.

Anderson Ranch is a beautiful place any time of the year, but is especially so during the holiday season. Make the most of this special time of the year by attending the Anderson Ranch Holiday Open House.

For more information on the Anderson Ranch Holiday Open House and other local events, contact Alpine Property. We can also assist you with booking a Snowmass vacation rental. Call Alpine Property at 1-800-543-0839, or send us an email.

Photo: Snowmass Tourism

Aspen Ideas Festival

Event

An annual festival held at the Aspen Institute's Aspen campus, the Aspen Ideas Festival began in 2005. Influential, intelligent people from all over the globe come to Aspen to attend and speak at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Each year, the schedule of programs and sessions feature people and their incredible work and ideas. The Aspen Ideas Festival is an annual event at which the audience is inspired to contemplate deeply and effect positive change in the world based on speakers' intriguing, eye-opening presentations.

Aspen Ruggerfest

Event Summer Outdoor Central Core Summer

The annual Aspen Ruggerfest is held in September at Wagner Rugby Stadium and Rio Grande Park. The Aspen Ruggerfest brings to Aspen the best rugby talent from around the world, including Aspen's own rugby team, the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Football Club. In past years, rugby teams that have competed in the Aspen Ruggerfest have included the US Air Force, Denver Highlanders, Denver Barbarians, Virginia Cardinals, and the Kansas Jayhawks. Rugby matches are always exhilarating and exciting, so check out some of the games during this year's Aspen Ruggerfest.

Free Snowmass Summer Concerts

Event Cultural Family Friendly Nightlife Outdoor Slopeside Mall Snowmass Village

The free Snowmass summer concerts on Fanny Hill are held on Thursdays during the summer season. Fanny Hill is an amphitheater venue at 8500 feet with a 4000 person capacity. Each week, a new band performs a free, outdoor concert, and musicians range from rock 'n' roll to funk to R&B to country. Check out one or all of these free concerts, since there's nothing like spending a beautiful summer evening on Fanny Hill, listening to live music. The Snowmass free summer concerts welcome new names each summer, so you're guaranteed to discover a favorite, new band year after year. 

Concerts are held on the Fanny Hill Concert Stage at the end of the Snowmass Mall. We recommend taking the free RFTA bus service from Aspen and the Intercept Lot, or the free Village Shuttle service throughout Snowmass. It is best to get off at the Snowmass Mall stop.

Golden Leaf Half Marathon

Event Outdoor Aspen

The Golden Leaf Half Marathon is a popular backcountry foot race between Snowmass and Aspen, starting in Snowmss Village. Since the half marathon is held when the aspen leaves normally turn from green to gold, the race brings partcipants through beautiful  stands of golden aspen trees. In years past, the race start has been located at Fanny Hill on Snowmass Mountain, and the race finish has been located at Koch Park. Both of these places are great for cheering on the race partcipants. If participating in the backcountry run sounds more fun, the Golden Leaf Half Marathon is certain to be a challenging, fun, and rewarding experience. See the event website or visit the Facebook page for more information.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) Labor Day Experience

Event Outdoor Snowmass Village

With three days of outdoor concerts in beautiful Snowmass Village, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) Labor Day Experience is the best way to spend Labor Day weekend in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Over the years, the JAS Labor Day Experience has brought to the Roaring Fork Valley some of the biggest names in music. Past performers at the Labor Day Experience include the Allman Brothers Band, Elvis Costello, the Black Eyed Peas, Keith Urban, Train, Sugarland, Wilco, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Black Crowes, Kid Rock, Michael Franti, Mumford & Sons, and more. Plan to attend the JAS Labor Day Experience, and get ready for a weekend filled with lots of live music, sunshine, and dancing.

Motherlode Volleyball Classic

Activity Event Aspen Central Core

Playing beach volleyball in Aspen over a long Labor Day weekend sounds like our brand of fun. What better way is there to celebrate the end of summer than by soaking up the sunshine in Aspen, and enjoying your favorite sport with fellow fanatics? The Motherlode Volleyball Classic is an annual Aspen event that draws volleyball players and fans from all over the US and Canada.

Professional athletes and amateur players join the open tourney, which features over 15 divisions of play. The Motherlode tournament is accessible to volleyball players of all skill levels, which makes it a great event to learn from the sport’s top athletes. And with the Motherlode attracting pro talent, the tournament is also the perfect opportunity for top amateur players to move up to the pro level.

The divisions of play are Men’s Seniors 45s, 50s, 55s, and 60s. There is also a Women’s Seniors bracket for 45s and over. The tournament has a Women’s Masters 35s and over and a Men’s Masters 37s and over. Then, there’s the Men’s and Women’s A, BB, and B divisions, plus the Standard and Reverse Co-ed A, BB, and B divisions. There’s also a Men’s and Women’s Open. On top of all of the playing and watching, the Motherlode hosts two parties at local restaurants for players―a welcoming party and a players’ party―offering players more opportunities to mix, mingle, and be merry.

Old Fashioned Aspen 4th of July

Event Aspen Central Core

Aspen is the place to be if you’re looking for fun, small-town Fourth of July festivities. The Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration in Aspen features patriotic activities, like a parade on Main Street, community picnics, a festive carnival, and a fireworks show on Aspen Mountain. There’s no better place to celebrate America’s birthday than in Aspen and Snowmass.

Each year, the Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration includes:

America’s Birthday Carnival at Paepcke Park – This kids’ carnival features classic carnival games, face painting, and balloon animal making. There’s also live music and a bake sale.

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade – Grab a spot on Main Street to view the parade. The Old Fashioned Parade has colorful floats, patriotic music, and smiling paraders clad in red, white, and blue.

AVSC 4th of July Picnic – A fun and welcoming community gathering, the AVSC picnic is an opportunity to support a worthy local organization, and to spend time with family and friends. Play volleyball, and enjoy a cold beverage in the park on a hot summer day.

Aspen Music Festival and School 4th of July concert  – Head to the Benedict Music Tent for this free 4th of July concert. Listen to your favorite patriotic compositions performed by the talented musicians of the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Fireworks on Aspen Mountain – Other fireworks displays pale in comparison to the spectacular show on Aspen Mountain. From the Gondola Plaza or downtown Aspen, watch colorful bursts illuminate Ajax.

Owl Creek Chase

Event Outdoor Aspen Owl Creek Snowmass Village

The Owl Creek Chase is a cross-country ski race in Snowmass Village, CO. The first race took place in 1985. The race starts at the Snowmass Cross Country Center and ends at the Aspen Cross Country Center. The Owl Creek Chase course is 21 kilometers of fun skiing and beautiful views.

Owl Creek Chase offers a classic race and a skate race, with prize money awarded for the classic race.

If you don’t want to race, you can sign up for the Owl Creek Chase Tour. It’s the same course, but without the competitive element. You get to enjoy all of the race amenities, like aid stations and a free shuttle from Aspen to Snowmass after the race.

Schneetag

Event Family Friendly Outdoor Snowmass Village

What better way to close out the end of a spectacular ski season than by watching, or participating in, an outrageous on-mountain event involving DIY watercraft and a pond? Schneetag, which is German for "snow day", has become a popular closing day activity on Snowmass Mountain. The activity involves teams barreling down a run on Snowmass Mountain in a homemade watercraft. Sometimes, these fun DIY watercraft make it over the pond, but there are also times when engineering fails the participants, and leaves them swimming their way out of a chilly man-made pond. Check out Schneetag during all of the Snowmass Mountain closing day festivities!

Snowmass Mardi Gras Celebration

Event Outdoor Slopeside Mall Snowmass Village

In Colorado, there are lots of places to ski and party, but few places are like Snowmass during Mardi Gras. In Snowmass, you get the best of both worlds. The Snowmass Mardi Gras celebration is like having a little piece of New Orleans right in the heart of the Rockies. A 38-year tradition, Snowmass will celebrate all the Fat Tuesday traditions in late February! See the full Mardi Gras schedule.

Snowmass Rendezvous Craft Beer Festival + Concert

Event Slopeside Mall Snowmass Village

Kick off the summer with a craft beer tasting in Snowmass! Similar to the Chili Brew Fest and Mammoth Fest that came before it, the Snowmass Rendezvous Craft Beer Festival + Concert is all about starting off your summer on the right foot, with your favorite ice-cold beverage in hand, lots of sunny weather, and fun with friends.

Before the grand tasting, which takes place on Fanny Hill and in the Snowmass Village Mall, you can get your heart pumping during the Snowmass Craft Beer Rendezvous 5K run. And after running and sampling, stick around for a free concert, part of the free summer concert series on Fanny Hill in Snowmass.

Snowmass Wine & Golf Festival

Event Cultural Snowmass Village

We know you appreciate wine; do you also enjoy playing golf? The Snowmass Wine & Golf Festival offers the best of both worlds! Combine the excitement of a golf tournament and fine wines at The Snowmass Wine & Golf Festival! The tournament is held at the Snowmass Club surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of Snowmass. Play golf, enjoy fine wine and snacks paired with music by DJ Boogie Down Light & Sound.

Winter X Games Aspen

Activity Event Nightlife Outdoor Aspen Buttermilk / Tiehack

Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado is the main stage of the Winter X Games. The mountain has hosted the action sports competition for over a decade now.

Held in late January, X Games Aspen attracts huge crowds to Aspen Snowmass. And in the past few years, the annual event has grown to include a festival village and musical performances. Past artists include Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Skrillex, Chromeo, Tiësto, Phoenix, Axwell, and Matt & Kim.

X Games Aspen offers free admission to all of its sporting events. And that means, anyone can watch 200+ talented athletes compete at their highest caliber, day and night.

X Games Aspen has welcomed the athletes listed below to compete for medals and purses.

• Jamie Anderson
• Gretchen Bleiler ― Snowmass local
• Bobby Brown
• Kelly Clark
• Simon Dumont
• Heath Frisby
• Arielle Gold
• Tucker Hibbert
• Gus Kenworthy
• Levi LaVallee
• Colten Moore
• Iouri Podladtchikov
• Mike Schultz
• Shaun White
• Torin Yater-Wallace ― Aspen local

Get pumped for this year’s Winter X Games Aspen. Learn more about the event by visiting the X Games Aspen site.

The Winter X Games Aspen is a popular event, and often leads to sold-out accommodations. The sooner you reserve an Aspen or Snowmass vacation rental, the better.

Have questions about the right Aspen Snowmass vacation rental for you?

Give us a call ― 1-866-209-1540, or send us an email. We'd be delighted to review our rental inventory with you.

Wintersköl

Activity Event Cultural Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

Wintersköl is a unique Aspen celebration of winter that began in 1951. This nordic festival includes a canine fashion show, a snow sculpting competition called Wintersculpt, a torchlight parade, fireworks show on Aspen Mountain, and lots of other activities and events happening around town.