Aspen and Snowmass Village will feature music festivals and live performances against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. From brand-new festivals to long-standing favourites, the 2026 season promises something for every kind of music lover.
MUSIC FESTIVALS AND OPEN AIR SOUNDS
Mountainside Music Festival – Snowmass Village
The season opens on a high note with the debut of the Mountainside Music Festival, a free three-day celebration set on the iconic Fanny Hill Stage. As the sun dips behind the mountains, evenings come alive with a dynamic mix of folk, indie and country, creating a laid-back yet electric atmosphere. Headliners including American Authors, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners and Pecos & The Rooftops with special guest The Talbott Brothers set the tone, alongside local vendors and panoramic sunset views.
Snowmass Free Concert Series – Snowmass Villages
A firm favourite now in its 34th year, the Snowmass Free Concert Series returns to Fanny Hill each Thursday from mid-June through to August. With a diverse line-up spanning rock, bluegrass, Latin and indie, the series captures the essence of a mountain summer evening – think picnics on the grass, dancing under open skies and music drifting across the valley as the sun sets. This year’s stellar line-up includes Low Cut Connie, Black Pistol Fire and North Mississippi Allstars amongst many others.
Up in the Sky Music Festival – Aspen and Snowmass Village
Following a standout debut in 2025, the Up in the Sky Music Festival returns for a second year, bringing two days of live music to the base of Buttermilk. The 2026 line-up leans into an electronic and genre-blending sound, with headliners including John Summit and Dom Dolla, alongside acts such as Empire of the Sun, Leon Thomas and Passion Pit. Expect big energy, high-altitude views and a crowd ready to celebrate summer in style.
JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience – Snowmass Village
Rounding off the summer season, the JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience delivers three days of world-class performances across multiple open-air stages in Snowmass Town Park. Known for attracting legendary names, from Stevie Wonder and Carrie Underwood to Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons and Sting, the festival offers an unforgettable finale to the summer. The sky-high 2026 acts include Benson Boone, Tim McGraw, Red Clay Strays and Shaboozey.
CLASSICAL AND CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
Paul JAS Center – Aspen
Adding a fresh dimension to Aspen’s cultural landscape, the Paul JAS Center, which opened in December, brings a new year-round home to Jazz Aspen Snowmass. Housed within the historic Red Onion building, the space blends a 300-capacity venue with an education hub and community gathering space, deepening the organisation’s commitment to preserving and celebrating jazz. While the centre expands programming beyond the summer months, its signature events – the JAS June Experience and the JAS Labor Day Experience – remain standout moments in the seasonal calendar.
Aspen Music Festival and School – Aspen
For those drawn to classical music, the Aspen Music Festival and School remains a cornerstone of the summer season. Over eight weeks, this internationally renowned festival brings together leading musicians and emerging talent for a programme spanning orchestral concerts, chamber music and opera. Since its founding in 1949, it has evolved into a cultural hub where performance and education intertwine, all set against Aspen’s striking alpine scenery. For families, AMFS offers relaxed outdoor concerts and engaging sessions such as Tunes & Tales, where storytelling is paired with live music performed by local musicians and AMFS students.
