Summer Arts & Culture Guide to Aspen & Snowmass Village

Walter and Elizabeth Paepke would be proud. In 1945, the Chicago-based industrialist couple had a vision of Aspen becoming a future bastion of arts and culture in North America. Today, both are a fundamental part of our community. Whether it's seeing young maestros at the Aspen Music School, watching some of the world's best dancers with Dance Aspen, or simply enjoying the world-class art we put on our lift tickets, you will find a depth of expression not found in other ski towns.

Below are many of the organizations and cultural events that will help you enjoy both local and global art while in Aspen and Snowmass Village.

Wheeler Opera House

Aspen's grandest and most historic performing arts venue remains this jewel from 1889. Throughout the year, the Wheeler Opera House hosts concerts, stand-up comedy, film festivals, and other events that draw an audience from far and wide.

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Aspen Music Festival And School

Since its inception in 1949, the Aspen Music Festival and School has made our town a magnet for the world's best classically trained musicians and performers. Each summer brings some 300 individual classical music events, as well as an influx of students from ages 10 to 35, who perform throughout the town in the evenings.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass

What started as a three-day festival in 1991 has blossomed into a year-round cultural event centered on jazz performances as well as music education. In June, catch live shows in downtown Aspen, and in September, get tickets for Labor Day weekend performances in Snowmass, with big-name artists taking the stage in Town Park.

Anderson Ranch Arts Center

Artists from around the globe flock to this art center off Owl Creek Road in Snowmass because of its multi-discipline, contemporary art workshops, master classes, events, artist conversation series, and more. The center recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Aspen Food & Wine Classic

Generally held in the middle of June, the town of Aspen is taken over by the world's top culinary talent as the Aspen Food & Wine Classic kicks into high gear. Considered one of North America's top culinary events, the Classic is tailor-made for serious foodies and wine collectors.

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Pitkin County Library

More than just a library, this local's favorite is a great space to explore your creativity. A friendly staff, a massive selection of books and resources, as well as community events like story time for kids of all ages, book clubs, group tutorials, speaker series and more.

Theater Aspen

Featuring the best of Broadway and beyond, Theatre Aspen is a Rocky Mountain summer tradition. Presenting professional summer repertory musicals and plays at the Hurst Theatre in Rio Grande Park.

DanceAspen

Aspen’s newest and only resident dance company, DanceAspen was founded in 2021 when the dancers of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet came together to continue to bring high-caliber performing arts to the Roaring Fork Valley. With dancers from around the globe, Dance Aspen brings power, grace, and emotion to the stage.

Aspen Art Museum

The Aspen Art Museum features international contemporary art installations in a Shigeru Ban-designed home. Revolving exhibits and education programs (as well as free admission for all) make it an essential stop for culture vultures. The eco-conscious design of the building includes a public rooftop terrace with superb views of Aspen Mountain.

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Aspen Historical Society

Much of Aspen's remarkable history is preserved thanks to the Aspen Historical Society. Pay a visit to the Wheeler / Stallard Museum in downtown, explore the Ranching Museum, or head out of town and tour an intriguing duo of ghost towns — Ashcroft and Independence.

Belly Up Aspen

It's safe to say that Belly Up Aspen is an icon in the live-music industry. How else can you explain the ridiculous concert lineup this small venue downtown draws each year? From electronic music like Flight Facilities to the folk duo James Town Revival, artists of many genres will be performing here this summer.

Aspen Center For Environmental Studies

A long-time partner with Aspen Snowmass, "ACES" (as it is known locally) fosters a connection between the community and nature. Their programs have a special emphasis on eco education.

Aspen Institute

A center for thought-leaders, intellectuals, world leaders and innovators, the Aspen Institute hosts numerous events worldwide. Here in its hometown, its signature event is the Aspen Ideas Festival which brings together dignitaries, business leaders and artists to stimulate conversation on the most pressing issues of our time.

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Red Brick Center For The Arts

This unique arts center in a repurposed red-brick schoolhouse in downtown Aspen presents arts education and experiential arts programs year-round. Enjoy paint-your-own pottery nights, painting classes, local art shows and more.

Aspen Words

Formerly known as the Aspen Writers' Foundation, Aspen Words has become a platform for aspiring writers to hone their craft through special programs, events featuring prominent contemporary authors and poets, and writer-in-residence programs.

Aspen Shortsfest

Aspen Shortsfest, an Oscar®-qualifying festival, is recognized as one of the premier short film festivals in North America. The event is generally held in early April in the heart of Aspen at the historic Wheeler Opera House, with select screenings also showing in Carbondale at the Crystal Theater.

Art in Unexpected Places

Art on the mountain - Elk Camp

Throughout our resort, you will find art installations that celebrate the way Aspen rejuvenates our mind, body and spirit. Whether its the colorful mural at Elk Camp Restaurant (pictured), our annual art on our lift tickets, or Walter Niedermayr's numerous Aspen Series photographic installations, you'll regularly discover "art in unexpected places."

Discover Art in Unexpected Places

2021-2022 Aspen Snowmass Lift Ticket by Paola Pivi – Crimson Bear

Paola Pivi's Lifelike Bears

Melting Art with a Message

Lift Ticket Art