Events in Aspen, CO

A participant at Aspen Saturday Market is launching their season with an opening show and unveiling many new items. They plan to be there every other Saturday this year, and their spot is on Hyman.

Hiss Golden Messenger, the longstanding project of North Carolina singer, songwriter, and producer M.C. Taylor, brings a sound rooted in modern Americana and shaped by folk, country, soul, and gospel. Over a run of Grammy-nominated and critically praised albums, Taylor has built a reputation for music that feels warm and clear, blending personal reflection with wider themes while keeping the performance intimate and graceful. The forthcoming album I’m People continues that path with songs centered on resilience, community, and everyday hope. Listeners drawn to craft-focused storytelling and the sounds of indie, folk, roots, Americana, and modern country will feel right at home. This event is open to all ages.

This yearly color run follows the Lead King Loop near Marble and includes a stop at Crystal Mill. Participants meet at the City Market in Carbondale before heading out. The plan is arranged to help avoid the crowds on this popular trail.

Explore how neuroscience, mindfulness, and yoga work together to rewire the brain, ease stress, steady emotions, and build resilience through the science of neuroplasticity. Blending concise instruction with movement and guided, hands-on practices, this experience offers practical strategies for long-term wellness.

This all-ages performance spotlights Bombargo, a Canadian international touring band that blends a vibrant splash of soul with a distinctive vintage-pop sound. Their concerts are known for big sing-along moments, double-brother harmonies, and an uplifting message that fuels a lively, crowd-connecting atmosphere. Frontman Nathan Thoen’s high-energy presence has even drawn comparisons to Mick Jagger from Sir Richard Branson, who signed The Rolling Stones to Virgin Records. Bombargo began when Nathan Thoen and guitarist Spencer Chilliak met on a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Sasquatch Music Festival, soon writing Let It Grow and releasing the debut EP Back on Main, later recognized by SaskMusic as one of the Top 10 Saskatchewan albums of 2015. The lineup expanded to a five-piece with Anthony Thoen on guitar, brothers Matt and Sammy Folkersen on keys and bass, and Niall Cubbon on drums. The band’s rise has included Taylor Swift featuring Mr. No Good on her Songs Taylor Loves playlist alongside artists like Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, and Kendrick Lamar, coverage from outlets such as CBC’s q, NME, Exclaim, Fashion, Noisey, People, and Billboard, and the single Oxygen reaching the Canadian Hot AC Top 40. Touring highlights include a 33-date North American Dream Tour, a Roughriders Labour Day Classic halftime performance before more than 33,000 fans, and a much-talked-about US debut at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood with strong Billboard coverage. They have opened for John Butler Trio, Allen Stone, RIPE, and Joel Plaskett, performed on the Okeechobee Festival main stage in Florida to a crowd over 40,000, surpassed 10 million streams and 1 million YouTube views, earned Saskatchewan Music Awards nominations for Pop/Rock Artist of the Year in 2018 and 2019, and appeared in the film Bill & Ted Face the Music. Expect an energized night of vintage-pop grooves, soulful flair, and plenty of sing-along energy.

Friends from around the world gather for the 29th year of John Denver week. This longstanding tradition brings a welcoming community together at Snowmass Mountain Chalet.

A friendly get-together at Snowmass Chapel offers time to reconnect with friends from past years and meet new faces, followed by a campfire. Guests are welcome to bring guitars and be ready to sing. Mike and Gayle will provide hot dogs and hot chocolate. Donations are requested to support the church in appreciation for use of its facilities.

Mark Cormican performs in concert at Snowmass Chapel following the campfire. Additional details will be shared soon.

An easygoing music gathering centered on friendly connections, set up as an informal meetup rather than a formal concert. Attendees may bring their own beverages and snacks, and are asked to carry out their trash. The schedule is loose, with music starting once the musicians arrive.

A singer songwriter event takes place at Snowmass Chapel. Admission is free, and donations of $10 or more per person are appreciated.

A tribute concert at Snowmass Chapel celebrates the life and music of John Denver. Ron Matthews teams up with a few fellow musicians for a two and a half hour set highlighting favorites from Denver’s rich catalog. General admission is available with a donation in any amount, paid in cash at the door in USD. There are no advance sales or reserved seats, and there is plenty of room.

Tom Rush, a seminal voice in the American folk movement, returns with soulful vocals, polished guitar work, and a storyteller’s touch that have long defined his legacy. He helped shine an early spotlight on Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne, underscoring his role in championing new voices. His music links deep folk roots with a contemporary sensibility, blending tradition with fresh insight.

Singer songwriter Ellen Stapenhorst appears in concert at Snowmass Chapel, sharing a blend of newly written pieces and earlier songs. The program grows out of her ongoing writing and recording, with an emphasis on peace and love, and a spirit of fun throughout.

An intimate tribute to John Denver brings his beloved songs to life with warmth, candor, and an uplifting spirit. The program features Mack Bailey and Chris Nole, two artists closely connected to Denver’s legacy. Bailey, an acclaimed singer songwriter with an expressive tenor and a past role in The Limeliters, previously shared the stage with John. Nole toured and recorded with Denver throughout the 1990s and continues to perform and collaborate widely. Expect stories, memories, and the classics that resonated around the world, presented with heart and authenticity. Tickets are on sale.

Riders gather at the Sunlight parking lot for a flexible group ride showcasing the peak fall colors in Babbish Gulch. All experience levels are encouraged, and each person can decide how much to ride, from a short spin to a longer route. The focus is on enjoying the scenery while traveling at a comfortable pace.

The world premiere of Matchstick Productions’ The Way Out arrives at Center for the Arts Crested Butte with two screenings and a chance to meet the athletes. Attendees can enter giveaways for prizes from sponsors, including skis, outerwear, and eyewear. Special VIP tickets offer premium seating along with gift packages from partners. As the 34th annual ski film from Matchstick Productions, The Way Out celebrates the culture and lifestyle of skiing, plunging into steep Alaskan spines, deep Japanese powder, and classic Swiss mountain settings while highlighting both renowned veterans and emerging talent. The cast features Mark Abma, Chris Rubens, Eric Hjorleifson, Jake Hopfinger, Logan Pehota, Xander Guldman, Craig Murray, Lucy Leishman, Tonje Kvivik, Janelle Yip, Ben Richards, Marcus Goguen, Dylan Siggers, Manon Loschi, Indy Boyer, Alex Armstrong, Bobby Brown, Dennis Ranalter, Jonathan Rollins, Finn Bilous, Sam Kuch, Adam Kuch, Nikolai Schirmer, Karl Fostvedt, Martin Birkelund, and Tobias Kronborg. Featured locations include Whistler, BC, CMH Monashees Lodge, BC, Mike Wiegele Heli-Skiing, BC, Haines, AK, Myoko, JP, Arolla, CH, Northern Escape Heli-Skiing in Terrace, BC, and Hemmelig, NO, affirming that the spirit of skiing thrives wherever snow falls.

Nearly three decades after John Denver’s passing, his songs still inspire, uplift, and bring people together. This tribute concert focuses on the music that shaped a generation and continues to resonate today. Award-winning tribute artist Chris Collins brings a warm, authentic vocal presence that channels the spirit of Denver’s live shows. He performs with Boulder Canyon, a seasoned ensemble that includes Berklee College of Music alumni, adding depth, energy, and polish to every arrangement. The program features beloved favorites such as Rocky Mountain High, Annie’s Song, Sunshine on My Shoulders, and Take Me Home, Country Roads, along with more timeless hits. Recognized by audiences across the United States and abroad, Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon are a leading tribute to John Denver’s enduring legacy. Tickets are on sale now.

Vermont-raised and now living in New Orleans, singer and songwriter Hans Williams draws on the records he grew up with, from Al Green and Tracy Chapman to Steely Dan, James Brown, Tower of Power, and Funkadelic. He blends soul, folk, and groove into lyrically personal songs that channel emotion into melody. With his band, the introspective core widens into rhythms that get the room moving, balancing reflection with momentum. Onstage he fosters a conversation with the crowd, letting shared energy elevate the feeling without losing the weight of the words. He has played across the United States and Europe, toured alongside The Revivalists in North America and Hazlett in Europe, and wrapped a 26-date North American tour with most shows sold out. This show welcomes all ages.

Miriam Horn sits down with Jon Waterman to talk about Homesick for a World Unknown, her new book and the first ever biography of George Schaller, the founding father of wildlife science and conservation. Horn is a bestselling author, environmental advocate, journalist, and filmmaker whose previous books include Rebels in White Gloves, Earth: The Sequel, coauthored, and Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman. She has produced two documentary films, including one that premiered at Sundance. Before focusing on books, she worked at the Environmental Defense Fund and the US Forest Service, and contributed to magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times. She lives in Colorado in the South San Juan Mountains. Jon Waterman’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, Wild Bird, Outside, Men’s Journal, Adventure, and Sailing World. His sixteen books include Into the Thaw, In the Shadow of Denali, Kayaking the Vermilion Sea, and National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks. His recognition includes a Literary Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts, three Best Adventure Book Awards from the Banff Book Festival, an Emmy, a National Park Service Special Achievement Award, and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. He lives in Carbondale, Colorado.

49 Winchester delivers a modern country sound rooted in Appalachian storytelling, blending country, rock, and folk into something unmistakably their own. Formed by childhood friends Isaac Gibson and Chase Chafin in Castlewood, Virginia, the band has grown from front porch beginnings to sold out venues and an international following through persistence and authenticity. Their latest album, Change of Plans, recorded in eight days with Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb, finds them fully hitting their stride, pairing grit with refinement and exploring themes of change, growth, and perseverance through both high-energy tracks and reflective songwriting. This performance welcomes all ages.

A bilingual musical celebration of remembrance and family comes to the Wheeler stage, following young Vita Flores as a lively sugar skull companion leads her into colorful realms filled with Mexican song, dance, and folklore. Through their journey, she discovers the traditions that illuminate the meaning of Día de Muertos.

Craig Robinson takes the stage at the Wheeler Opera House with a show that combines stand-up comedy and live music. Known to many as Darryl Philbin from The Office, he also leads Peacock’s Killing It as both star and executive producer, and his film credits include Knocked Up, This Is the End, Hot Tub Time Machine, and Dolemite Is My Name. A fixture on the comedy scene since his breakthrough at the 1998 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, Robinson weaves sharp storytelling with musical performance and often appears with his band The Nasty Delicious. His work spans television, film, and the stage, including the sitcom Mr. Robinson, roles in Ghosted and The Masked Dancer, and ongoing collaborations with prominent comedy creators. With training from Chicago’s Second City and earlier experience as a public school teacher, he brings versatility, groove, and a strong rapport with live audiences to every set.

Now in its eighth edition, the Shining Mountains Film Festival will be hosted at Wheeler Opera House. Filmmakers are invited to submit both feature-length and short films. Submissions can be sent by email to dvitrackessler@gmail.com or through FilmFreeway.

National Geographic Explorer and award winning photographer Kiliii Yüyan shares Indigenous wisdom for today through stories grounded in generations of ecological knowledge and his firsthand work with communities whose lives remain closely connected to the natural world. Of Siberian Yupik and Chinese heritage, he has traveled alongside sea ice hunters, reindeer herders, and other Indigenous peoples, bringing audiences into their traditions and perspectives. Drawing on his acclaimed book, Guardians of Life, Yüyan explores how Indigenous stewardship has sustained coral reefs, rainforests, and the Arctic tundra over centuries. Through evocative storytelling and powerful imagery, he reflects on lessons in resilience, adaptation, and shared responsibility in a rapidly changing climate. Presented as part of the Changemaker Speaker Series and in association with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, this program considers how knowledge carried by Elders and shaped by place can guide a healthier future for the planet and for everyone who depends on it.

A community potluck centers on The Mountain Baker: 100 High-Altitude Recipes for Every Occasion by Mimi Council and Kimmy Fasani, two bakers well versed in mountain life. The cookbook features recipes built for elevation, making it a natural fit for kitchens around Crested Butte, whether the goal is post-ski sweets, leisurely brunch plates, or everyday loaves and confections. Participants sign up to bring a dish, prepare a high-country recipe, and share it with the group. Copies of the book are available at Townie Books or can be borrowed for this gathering. The event highlights the pleasure of baking in Crested Butte, where thin air meets big flavor.

Manual Cinema’s The 4th Witch is a new production inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth, centered on a young girl who flees an advancing army and disappears into a dark forest. Left without family and cast out, she is sheltered by a witch who becomes both protector and teacher. As her abilities deepen, so does her determination to confront the warlord whose violence altered her world. The story is told without spoken words through shadow puppetry, live silhouette performance, and an original score, blending cinematic technique with inventive stagecraft and clear emotional focus. It reflects on grief, war, conflicts across generations, and the way cycles of violence can continue long after fighting is over. With handcrafted imagery and the company’s distinctive visual style, the work reimagines Macbeth from the viewpoint of those who are unseen and displaced, illuminating quieter narratives that linger at the edges of legend and history. The New York Times described it as dark yet life affirming. The piece premiered at Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston and was co-commissioned by Spoleto Festival, CalPerformances, Arts Emerson, and Wisconsin Union Theater.

The Vienna Boys Choir, a renowned ensemble of young singers, carries a tradition that spans more than six centuries. Celebrated for radiant tone, singular charm, and a wide-ranging repertoire that moves from medieval works to contemporary and experimental pieces, they continue to captivate audiences around the world. The choir is part of four touring groups drawing members from many countries, and together they present more than 300 performances annually across the globe. Critics from the Fort Worth Star Telegram, The Washington Post, and the San Francisco Chronicle have praised their exceptional polish, the balance of youthful freshness with refined control of breath and phrasing, and the striking clarity of their sound. Presented in collaboration with Aspen Music Festival & School.

Silkroad brings together artists from many cultures to show how collaboration across differences can create resonant, purposeful music. In that spirit, this event features composer and instrumentalist Kaoru Watanabe, clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh, and Celtic harpist and vocalist Maeve Gilchrist. Kinan Azmeh is internationally recognized for a voice that moves easily among genres. His album Uneven Sky with the Deutsches Symphony Orchestra received the OPUS KLASSIK Award in 2019. He has appeared at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, the UN General Assembly, and the Royal Albert Hall, and has performed with leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. A longtime collaborator with Silkroad, he is featured as clarinetist and composer on the ensemble’s 2017 Grammy-winning album Sing Me Home. He serves on the United States National Council for the Arts by presidential appointment. Edinburgh-born Maeve Gilchrist expands the possibilities of the Celtic, or lever, harp as both performer and composer. She tours internationally, is a member of the GRAMMY-nominated Silkroad Ensemble and Arooj Aftab’s GRAMMY-winning Vulture Prince Ensemble, and collaborates widely across musical worlds. Her compositional work spans folk and classical settings, from an original harp concerto to a Samuel Beckett-inspired piece premiered at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival in 2018. She is a visiting artist at Berklee College of Music, has published instructional books, and her album The Harpweaver has earned international acclaim, including a five-star review from the Irish Times. She also serves as co-music director of A Christmas Celtic Sojourn and co-artistic director of the Rockport Celtic Music festival. Kaoru Watanabe creates music rooted in Japanese tradition, shaped by jazz, improvisation, and experimental approaches. His collaborative projects include work with André 3000, Yo-Yo Ma, Wes Anderson, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Laurie Anderson, Jason Moran, and Japanese National Living Treasure Bando Tamasaburo. A trained jazz musician, he became the first American to perform with and direct the pioneering taiko ensemble Kodo. In 2024, he launched Bloodlines Interwoven, a multifaceted project and ensemble that celebrates heritage, immigration, and diaspora through music, cuisine, and storytelling. Together, these artists reflect Silkroad’s commitment to creative exchange and inclusive artistry, offering an evening shaped by virtuosity, curiosity, and collaboration.

Blippi brings a new live stage experience with the Be Like Blippi Tour, created to spark curiosity in young fans. Blippi and Meekah lead an interactive journey that gets kids moving, playing, and exploring, all set to energetic music and playful surprises. Enjoy singalongs to favorites such as The Excavator Song, Monster Truck, Dino Dance, and Curious Like Me. Blending play, learning, and exploration, the show invites families to sing, laugh, and dance together while encouraging kids to be like Blippi. Attendees are even encouraged to break out their orange Blippi glasses and celebrate the curiosity that lives in everyone.

Set in 1886, this piece by K.D. Carlson follows William James, often considered a founding figure of American psychology, as he welcomes two mediums with sharply contrasting approaches to his home for a weekend devoted to exploring the paranormal. James seeks to apply scientific rigor to phenomena that defy measurement, while the women gathered there, including his wife and the household maid, pursue a different aim. They work to assert personal agency and claim independence of body, mind, and spirit within the narrow bounds placed on their lives. The story traces these parallel quests, where empirical inquiry and the search for self-determination move forward side by side.

The Black Angels bring a special set celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Passover, performing it from start to finish alongside favorites from across their catalog. The lineup features Alex Maas on vocals and bass, Christian Bland and Jake Garcia on guitars, Stephanie Bailey on drums, and Misti Hamrick on bass. Formed in Austin, Texas, the band has been a defining force in modern psychedelic rock, drawing on influences like Syd Barrett, Roky Erickson, Arthur Lee, and The Velvet Underground to craft a sound that is hypnotic, heavy, politically charged, and fully immersive. Their impact reaches beyond the stage as founders of Austin Psych Fest, a key gathering for psychedelic, experimental, and underground music. With releases including Death Song and Wilderness of Mirrors on Partisan Records, they continue to evolve while staying unmistakably themselves. This event is open to all ages.

A live tribute brings Karen Carpenter’s clear, warm vocal legacy back to the stage, created by the team behind The Simon & Garfunkel Story. With a full band and guided storytelling, the performance spotlights the artistry of Karen and Richard Carpenter and the craft behind their music. Signature songs such as “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Close to You,” and “Rainy Days and Mondays” are presented with careful attention to tone, arrangement, and musical nuance. The program traces the duo’s rise and lasting appeal, blending performance and narrative to honor a precise, heartfelt sound that continues to resonate across generations.

Foy Vance takes the stage on The Wake World Tour with songs from The Wake, his seventh studio album shaped over many years. The Northern Ireland singer and songwriter channels a life influenced by his preacher father and time spent between the American South and the Scottish Highlands, delivering intimate stories through a gravelly, soulful voice. Produced by Brit Award winner Ethan Johns, a collaborator of Paul McCartney and Ray LaMontagne, the album weaves folk, soul, and Southern blues into reflections on loss, fatherhood, time, and hard-earned acceptance. In performance, these songs unfold as a personal, living songbook that honors the past while remaining rooted in the present.

Grammy Award winning artist Suzy Bogguss brings A Swingin’ Little Christmas to the Wheeler with a holiday program full of warmth, wit, and classic charm. Celebrated for her clear voice and nuanced delivery, she first gained wide attention with platinum albums and hits such as Outbound Plane and Someday Soon. Drawing from her acclaimed seasonal album, this concert blends jazz tinted arrangements with beloved carols and retro inspired favorites, creating a sound that nods to a graceful past while staying fresh and intimately personal. With a career that seamlessly connects country, swing, and Americana, Bogguss showcases musicianship and storytelling that capture the spirit of the season.

Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog kick off a club to teach 21 spirited baby frogs how to make comics, and the frogs’ wild ideas and constant squabbles send their creations amusingly off course. Flippy, their fish dad, is thrilled at first, then flips his lid when the chaos mounts. Whether the club can hang together and whether creativity can calm the waters becomes the heart of the story. Based on Dav Pilkey’s Cat Kid Comic Club, the spin‑off of Dog Man, this high energy musical brings the books’ humor and heart to the stage. Written by Kevin Del Aguila and Brad Alexander, the team behind Dog Man: The Musical, with direction and choreography by Marlo Hunter. The New York Times praised the show for being hilarious, ingenious, and inventive. It celebrates collaboration, self‑expression, and the joy of making something as a group. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Banjo innovator Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon teams up with pianist Erik Deutsch of The Black Crowes for an intimate night of original music shaped by years on stage together. They first connected at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado in 2016, and the partnership has deepened through Leftover Salmon shows across the country. Their set brings banjo and piano into open acoustic spaces, mixing bluegrass foundations with jazz inflection, folk narrative, and a touch of classical color. Thorn’s lyrical, restrained style, recognized from his viral “sunrise fox” moment, meets Deutsch’s versatile piano voice, refined through work with artists such as Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, Phil Lesh, and The Black Crowes. The program centers on original pieces and close musical dialogue, with improvisation that balances spontaneity with thoughtful design.

The Wooten Brothers offer a cross-genre performance shaped by decades of innovation from siblings Regi, Roy "Future Man," Joseph, and Victor. Emerging as standout young musicians in 1966, the family group has earned 10 Grammy Awards and 26 nominations, signaling a career that moves beyond any single category. Their music grows from R&B and blends jazz, funk, classical, soul, and rock, with Victor, named by Rolling Stone among the ten greatest bassists, anchoring the sound. Roy showcases his pioneering Drumitar, Joseph draws on his work with the Steve Miller Band, and Regi brings the perspective of a globally recognized educator. Together they create performances that are technically exacting, highly collaborative, and sonically inventive, connecting traditions across generations. Presented in partnership with Jazz Aspen Snowmass.

Author Amy Irvine and poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer gather at Explore Books for a conversation about Irvine's memoir, Almost Animal, and Trommer's poetry collection, The Wonderment. The discussion brings both writers together to share perspectives on these works.