From Sold Out Classics to Hidden Gems Aspen Has It All
Starting in June, Aspen becomes populated with lanyard-wearing festival-goers on any given week. Between the Aspen Ideas Festival, Food and Wine Classic, Art Crush, and Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival — along with many others — Aspen summer festivals draw high-profile guests and locals alike into grand event tents, intimate salns, and iconic venues like the Aspen Institute. Aspen's marquee summer festivals have become so popular, they sell out nearly immediately. If you can secure tickets to these crème-de-la-crème events, great! If not, we have exceptional alternatives that offer a similar caliber with easier access.
Read on to learn more about Aspen's lesser-known events happening this summer. Once you've found a festival that strikes your fancy, contact our reservations team to book your lodging in a condo or hotel that gives you front-row access to Aspen's best.
Aspen Ideas Festival and Aspen Ideas Health
Each summer in late June, the Aspen Institute campus becomes the gathering place for some of the most influential minds in business, technology, science, public policy, and the arts. The Aspen Ideas Festival is a seven-day event featuring more than 100 unique content sessions including panels, interviews, lectures, and interactive workshops, all designed to explore the critical issues and ideas shaping our world. The festival sells out annually and passes go on sale in the fall, with early registration discounts typically available through the end of the year. Visit aspenideas.org for pass options and program information.
For those who cannot secure a full festival pass, Aspen Ideas: Health is a three-day event that precedes the main festival and focuses on innovation, medicine, and science. It features more than 60 sessions with visionary thinkers and practitioners alongside enriching activities including morning yoga, guided nature walks at the Maroon Bells, and art tours. Pass options for Aspen Ideas: Health are generally more accessible than the main festival and offer a genuine alternative for those wanting to experience the Aspen Ideas spirit without the full commitment.
Aspen Words Summer Words and the Aspen Literary Festival
For writers and readers alike, Aspen Words is one of the most celebrated literary organizations in the country and a cornerstone of the Roaring Fork Valley's cultural identity. Founded in 1976, Aspen Summer Words has hosted over 300 writers who have read, taught, and performed for more than 20,000 audience members and students, earning recognition from USA Today as one of the nation's top ten literary gatherings.
Held each June in Snowmass Village, just nine miles from Aspen, Summer Words is a six-day celebration of words, stories, and ideas set against an idyllic Rocky Mountain backdrop. The conference features juried workshops in fiction, memoir, poetry, personal essay, book editing, and more, each led by acclaimed faculty and limited to ten participants for an intimate experience. Afternoons bring panel discussions, craft talks, and private consultations with agents and editors from leading publishing houses. Evening events include readings, receptions, and the annual Book Ball benefit dinner at the Hotel Jerome. Visit aspenwords.org for workshop descriptions, faculty announcements, and application deadlines.
For those who prefer attending as a reader rather than a writer, the Aspen Literary Festival brings dozens of acclaimed authors to downtown Aspen each fall for dynamic panels, lively parties, engaging conversations, and unexpected delights. Most events are free and open to the public, with ticketed keynote events held at the historic Wheeler Opera House. Visit Aspen Words to join the mailing list and be the first to know when the next season's lineup and tickets are announced.
Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Every third weekend in June, Wagner Park in the heart of downtown Aspen transforms into the epicenter of American culinary culture. The Food and Wine Classic in Aspen has been a cornerstone of the summer season since 1983, growing from a small tasting event into what many call the granddaddy of all food and wine festivals. Over three days, more than 70 of the country's best known chefs and beverage experts lead cooking demonstrations, wine and spirit tastings, and educational seminars, all set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. The Grand Tasting Pavilion is the centerpiece of the weekend, drawing upwards of 5,000 attendees who mingle with culinary icons in a remarkably intimate setting. Passes go on sale in January and sell out within hours. Visit foodandwine.com for tickets and schedule information.
If tickets are sold out, the weekend is still worth experiencing. Belly Up Aspen hosts live music throughout Classic weekend, the Aspen Saturday Market draws a particularly festive crowd with local produce and artisan goods, and the town's restaurants pour some of their finest bottles all weekend long. Aspen's culinary scene elevates the entire weekend for those without a tent pass.
Snowmass Wine Festival at Snowmass Town Park in September
If you prefer bottles to brews, the Snowmass Wine Festival is one of the most enjoyable and community-spirited events of the Aspen Snowmass summer season. Hosted each September by the Rotary Club of Snowmass Village, this beloved two-day event brings together more than 30 tables of wine and craft spirits from around the world, cuisines from local Snowmass restaurants, live music, and a silent auction — all set against the golden early-fall scenery of Snowmass Town Park at the base of the mountains.
The festival kicks off Friday evening at Viceroy Snowmass with an exclusive reception and four-course wine dinner featuring carefully selected wine pairings. Saturday afternoon brings the Grand Tasting at Snowmass Town Park, an open-air celebration where attendees explore hundreds of wines and spirits while sampling food from local restaurants in one of the most stunning outdoor settings in Colorado.
Every dollar from ticket sales benefits nonprofit organizations across the Roaring Fork Valley and charitable causes worldwide, making it as meaningful as it is memorable. Free shuttles run throughout Snowmass Village and from Aspen via RFTA, making it easy to get there and back without a car. Visit snowmasswinefestival.com for current tickets and event details.
Snowmass Rendezvous Craft Beer and Spirits Festival
If you prefer hops to grapes, the Snowmass Rendezvous is the summer event for you. Held each June across multiple locations throughout Snowmass Village including Fanny Hill at the end of the Snowmass Mall and the Base Village Events Lawn, the Snowmass Rendezvous brings together breweries, wineries, and distilleries from near and far for an afternoon of tastings set against the peaks of Snowmass Mountain. Tickets include bottomless pours of craft beers, hard seltzers, cocktails, and more, with outdoor gear pop-ups and lawn games rounding out the experience. A free live music concert caps the afternoon at the Rock Garden stage at the end of the Snowmass Mall, making it a full day of mountain fun for the 21 and older crowd. Free shuttles run throughout Snowmass Village and from Aspen via RFTA, making it easy to get there and back without a car. Visit gosnowmass.com for current tickets and event details.
ArtCrush Gala and Aspen Art Week at the Aspen Art Museum
Each summer in late July and early August, Aspen becomes one of the most important gathering places in the contemporary art world. ArtCrush is the Aspen Art Museum's largest annual fundraiser, featuring a live auction conducted by Christie's, an online auction, artist honorees, cocktails, dinner, music, and dancing at a gala that regularly raises more than four million dollars in support of the museum's exhibitions and educational programs. The ArtCrush Auction Exhibition opens at the museum in mid-July in the weeks leading up to the gala, allowing visitors to view works before the event. Tickets are available at aspenartmuseum.org.
For those who prefer a more accessible art week experience, Intersect Aspen takes place simultaneously at the Aspen Ice Garden, bringing dozens of leading galleries from across the country together in a 16,000 square foot exhibition space. Free and open to the public, Intersect Aspen is one of the best opportunities of the summer to experience world class contemporary art without a ticket. The Aspen Art Fair at Hotel Jerome is another art week highlight, featuring an intimate gallery-style format in the storied hotel's ground floor spaces.
Alternatives to Aspen ArtCrush
Intersect Aspen Art and Design Fair at the Aspen Ice Garden
With over 30 of the country's preeminent art galleries presenting in this art fair dedicated to contemporary art, Art Aspen will surely provide something for everyone. Pieces ranging from 1950 to present will occupy the Aspen Ice Garden for three days July 25 – 28, 2019 for collectors and patrons to explore.
For contemporary art lovers, Intersect Aspen Art and Design Fair is one of the summer season's most exciting events and one of the most accessible art experiences in the valley. Held each summer in late July and early August at the Aspen Ice Garden in downtown Aspen, Intersect transforms the historic 16,000 square foot venue into a sweeping gallery experience featuring dozens of leading galleries from across the United States and around the world. Works span modern and contemporary art, photography, sculpture, design, and mixed media, with something to engage collectors, first-time art buyers, and curious visitors alike. In addition to the gallery experience, Intersect features a full program of VIP previews, opening night receptions, artist talks, panel discussions, and curated tours throughout the run of the fair. General admission tickets are available daily and VIP access passes unlock early entry and exclusive programming. Visit Intersect Aspen for current exhibitor information, tickets, and event details.
Anderson Ranch Summer Series in Snowmass Village
Nestled on a historic five-acre campus in Snowmass Village, Anderson Ranch Arts Center is one of the most respected visual arts institutions in the country and home to one of the summer season's most compelling free public programs. The Anderson Ranch Summer Series brings together internationally celebrated artists, critics, curators, and cultural leaders for a series of in-depth conversations held on the Ranch campus each summer from July through early August. Sessions are free and open to the public, drawing art lovers from Aspen, Snowmass, and beyond for candid dialogue with some of the most vital voices in contemporary art. Past speakers have included painters, sculptors, photographers, filmmakers, and performance artists whose work is shaping the global conversation around culture, identity, and the environment. No tickets are required for most sessions — simply arrive at the Anderson Ranch campus in Snowmass Village and take a seat. Visit Anderson Ranch for the current summer lineup and event schedule.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival as the Summer Finale
As the Aspen summer season draws to its most spectacular close, Jazz Aspen Snowmass delivers its signature finale over Labor Day Weekend at Snowmass Town Park. The JAS Labor Day Experience is a three-day open-air celebration of popular music, R&B, rock, funk, blues, soul, and world music set against the Elk Mountain Range with some of the most breathtaking sunset views anywhere in Colorado. Since 1991 the festival has drawn legendary performers to the mountains for a weekend that feels equal parts concert, community gathering, and mountain celebration. General Admission passes include full festival access and entry to the JAS Village featuring food and beverage vendors, artisan goods, and live music lounges. For a more elevated experience, Deck Passes and VIP Donor Packages offer premium viewing, lounge seating, and curated dining. Passes sell out every year and go on sale in the spring. Visit jazzaspensnowmass.org for the current lineup, ticket tiers, and availability.
Alternatives to Jazz Aspen Snowmass's Labor Day Festival
Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience in Downtown Aspen
Can't make it to Aspen for the Labor Day Festival? The JAS June Experience delivers the same world class music spirit in a format that many regulars argue is even more exciting. Held each year in late June across up to ten intimate venues in the walkable heart of downtown Aspen, the June Experience is a four-day multi-venue celebration of jazz, blues, funk, soul, world music, and more. Rather than one large concert stage, attendees move freely between venues throughout each evening, discovering new artists and sounds at every turn. Past host venues have included the Belly Up, the Wheeler Opera House, the Rooftop at the Aspen Art Museum, the Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and the Paul JAS Center, Jazz Aspen Snowmass's permanent home above the historic Red Onion in downtown Aspen.
General Admission passes include entry to all participating venues each night, while VIP passes add nightly dinners, open bars, and exclusive late night performances at the Paul JAS Center. The festival traditionally closes on Sunday with a New Orleans Jazz Brunch at the VIP tent, complete with bottomless mimosas, a Bloody Mary Bar, and a French Quarter inspired menu. Passes go on sale in the spring and sell out quickly. Visit Jazz Aspen Snowmass for the current lineup, venue list, and ticket availability.
Aspen Music Festival and School All Summer Long
Running for eight weeks each summer from late June through late August, the Aspen Music Festival and School is one of the most prestigious classical music institutes in the world and one of Aspen's greatest cultural treasures. More than 400 events take place across the season at the Benedict Music Tent, Harris Concert Hall, and intimate venues throughout town, featuring performances by world class faculty, celebrated guest artists, and the next generation of classical musicians. Many events are free or low cost, making it one of the best values in Aspen for culture seekers. Visit aspenmusicfestival.com for the full season schedule and ticket information.
For those who want to experience the festival without purchasing tickets, Bluegrass Sundays at the top of Aspen Mountain offer free outdoor music every Sunday afternoon for anyone who purchases a gondola ticket. The weekly free concerts are a beloved summer tradition and pair beautifully with a mountaintop lunch at the Sundeck.
Plan Your Aspen Summer Festival Vacation Rental with Frias Properties
Ready to experience Aspen's world class summer festival season? Aspen and Snowmass vacation rentals book out fast during festival weekends so reserving early is strongly recommended. Browse our full selection of luxury vacation homes and condominiums in Aspen and Snowmass Village or contact our reservations team today to find the perfect property for your group. Our concierge team is standing by to help with dining reservations, activity bookings, and airport transportation.