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" →
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
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, 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
World Cup halfpipe returns to Copper's Superpipe as the first stop of the domestic World Cup season, with the world's top snowboard and freeski athletes competing in Center Village.
- When: Sat–Sun, Dec 19–20, 2026
- Where: Copper Mountain Superpipe, Center Village
- Admission: Free for spectators
- Highlights: World Cup halfpipe finals, Olympic-caliber field, free viewing
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
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 Town Core lights up for the holidays with a festive market and giant illuminated sculptures, right on the shore of Lake Dillon.
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: Dec 19–20, 2026 (Santa ~11 a.m.–1 p.m. both days)
- Where: La Riva Del Lago, Dillon Town Core
- Admission: Free
- Highlights: Artisan gifts, Santa visits, giant holiday light sculptures
Historic Main Street Frisco packs in a cozy holiday wassail crawl, an early New Year's party, and a full winter of Nordic races and events at the Frisco Nordic Center.
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)
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 (evening, ~6 p.m.)
- 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 →
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
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 →
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 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 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 festive New Year's Eve and a signature winter culinary weekend.
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 →
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
A four-day celebration of food and wine woven into a weekend of skiing — cooking demonstrations, winemaker dinners, on-mountain lunches, and a Saturday Grand Tasting benefiting C-CAP.
- When: Thu–Sun, Jan 21–24, 2027
- Where: Beaver Creek Village & on-mountain restaurants
- Admission: Ticketed (per event)
- Highlights: Grand Tasting, winemaker dinners, Ski.Eat.Ski, Sunday brunch
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