Aspen’s modern-day founders believed in a community that included arts and culture, kind of a “whole person” town where nature and community could be restorative.
Their efforts to create this began in the 1940s and resulted in the founding of the Aspen Music Festival and the Aspen Institute, and laid the fertile ground for other organizations to start up and thrive in the mountain town of about 7,000 people.
This summer, Aspen is bursting with festivals and annual events that could keep even locals’ heads spinning from the possibilities of how to choose between great thinkers, delicious food, music and more.
Many of the city’s festivals and other events happen each year, but some are new on the scene.
The Aspen Food & Wine Classic
The classic, from June 16 to 18, celebrates its 40th year in 2023. However, it’s sold out already so unless you have a ticket, this is your hint to plan for next year.
The Aspen Ideas Festival
This event was founded in 2005 and is hosted at the Aspen Institute campus. It has been expanded into three parts that span from June 21 to 30.
“I think the festival is really an exciting opportunity for people who are civically engaged and intellectually curious,” said Kitty Boone, executive director of the Aspen Ideas Festival. “It’s a chance to meet people they read a lot about who are changing policy and business, who really have quite a remarkable influence on things happening around us.”
The program starts June 21 with Aspen Ideas: Health, which includes speakers such as U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Anthony Fauci, Chelsea Clinton, Didi Bertrand Farmer, a medical anthropologist, and so many more. Festival 1 is June 24-27; Festival 2 is June 27-30. Speakers will include National Public Radio host Mary Louise Kelly will return this year, Ryan Gellert, CEO of Patagonia is a speaker, Doug Ducey, former governor of Arizona, Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames, actor Rainn Wilson, and others.
“It’s rare that you could sit and listen to these speakers, then walk down a path with them and ask questions, or go on a hike,” said Boone.
Since the programming isn’t intended for children, Boone recommends that families check out one of the many summer camps available through other local arts organizations such as Aspen Art Museum, the Aspen Music Festival, and Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
Aspen Words
Overlapping with the Ideas Festival is the annual Aspen Words program, from June 18 to 23, which is in nearby Snowmass. This is a reading and writing retreat with juried and non-juried workshops.
Aspen Music Festival
The Aspen Music Festival’s summer season goes from June 29 through Aug. 30 with indoor and outdoor concerts by the Aspen Chamber Symphony and special guests such as The National Piping Centre of Scotland, Audra McDonald, Renee Fleming, and more. The Aspen Music School will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass
JAS takes places June 22-25 at different venues around downtown Aspen. There is also the JAS Labor Day Experience to close out summer, Sept. 1-3. The Foo Fighters and The Lumineers are just some of the big names playing this late summer event.
TheatreAspen
TheatreAspen is celebrating 40 years this summer and will have three main shows with “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” from June 22 to July 8; “Doubt: A Parable,” July 14-29; and “Rent,” Aug. 4-26. Their Cabaret Series will have three nights — one each month — at the iconic Hotel Jerome.
And more
Mixed in with these multi-day events are more opportunities to celebrate or enrich your knowledge of the world around you. Check out the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) for programs designed for kids or adults to learn about forest bathing, birding, and more. Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village has visiting artist and guest faculty lectures throughout the summer.
Plus, every summer Saturday morning in Aspen is the farmers market where there are local growers selling fresh baked goods, fruit and vegetables, and booths with clothing and accessories.
For the athletes, schedule your visit to Aspen for the Aspen Valley Marathon on July 15 or the Aspen Backcountry Marathon & Heavy Half on Aug. 5. The Audi Power of Four Race has 10K, 25K, and 50K races on July 15.
If you’re staying in Snowmass, it’s helpful to know that the Snowmass Rodeo is every Wednesday night from June 21 through Aug. 16.
How to fest
So how does the average person navigate lodging, transportation and just choosing between all that is on offer in Aspen (and Snowmass) this summer?
“I would say you have to pick and choose,” said Eliza Voss, vice president of destination marketing for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. “Find your niche and commit to it.”
Voss will spend three days at the Aspen Words Retreat in June, already bought tickets to see “Rent” in August, is considering her options for JAS over Labor Day weekend, and will take her kids to the music festival on the lawn in town at least once.
Boone has advice for attendees of the Ideas Festivals. “What I tell people is to go to something you don’t know anything about,” she said. “We hear from people that they are so grateful to learn about something new.” With over 300 speakers across seven track topics that include We the People, The Edge of Intelligence, Age of Uncertainty: Imagining a New World Order, Life Well Lived, Driving the Economy Forward, Powering the Future, and the Mind, it can be overwhelming for attendees.
Once your decisions for programming are made, it’s time to focus on the logistics. Whether you fly directly to Aspen or drive up from Denver, review the local buses and shuttles available to keep the days free of traffic and parking hassles. The WE-Cycle program in Aspen offers the first 30 minutes of use for free, and there are local bike rental companies too. The Ideas Festival has free shuttles making regular loops along the one mile between their campus and downtown Aspen.
According to the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, the city has “10,300 pillows with hotels, condos, and private homes.” Snowmass, which is about 10 miles away from Aspen, has “just over 9,200 pillows.” There are additional lodging options in Basalt and Carbondale, which are 30 to 40 miles away, respectively.
Bargains are available
In addition to the free shuttles, city buses, and 30 minutes on the WE-Cycle bikes, there are some other deals to attend these events. Also, you might run into–and be able to chat with—any of the guest speakers from the Ideas Festival around town or on a trail, or possibly at another local event.
In Snowmass, there are weekly free outdoor concerts on Thursday evenings from June 15 to Aug. 24, which are kid-friendly.
Although passes to the Ideas Festival are $2,200 to $5,000 each for general admission to a full three days. There are discounts for Society of Fellows members, people under age 40, and students. The real bargains though are the session tickets at $35 each and those individual tickets go on sale on June 14 on the Aspen Ideas website.
“These programs are definitely for people who are curious about ideas and events and issues in our society and it doesn’t mean you have to be an elite to come,” said Boone of the Ideas Festival.
The Aspen Music Festival has free livestreams of eight of their summer programs and in-person performances throughout the summer. Aspen on the Mountain and Library Recital are all free, and throughout the season you’ll find several other free events.
“I think people who might find arts and culture intimidating, might find it feels more approachable in the mountains,” said Voss. “There are ways to dip your toe into these programs for free, like the music festival, which is a great way to be introduced to classical music.”
