An often-heard phrase about Aspen is ‘people come for the skiing but stay for the summer.’ Having sold luxury real estate in Aspen for almost 35 years, I know this is only partly true; in fact, I tell people that Aspen is a ‘summer camp for adults.’
From hiking and biking to enjoying nature during a day of fly fishing, to the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, to many, many more activities and events, the unique opportunities for summer recreation and enjoyment in Aspen are limitless. With pristine views, trails twisting through the trees, and bountiful wildflowers, Aspen’s homes are ideal for those wishing to revel in a memorable summer vacation.
Following are several Aspen summer events that I have found to be the most popular. Get oriented with this special guide for your summer in Aspen, broken down by date.
- The Aspen Fringe Festival, July 5–8, brings exceptional performing arts and artists to Aspen and provides opportunities for local performers, artists, and audiences to collaborate with them and be stimulated by their work.
- Held June 9–Aug. 16, the Snowmass Village Free Summer Concerts feature a wide variety of musical genres, ranging from reggae to classical jazz on Fanny Hill in Snowmass Village.
- Every Wednesday night, June 13–Aug. 22, rain or shine, the Snowmass Rodeo brings Western tradition to Snowmass Village. If you have a young child, enter him/her in the Mutton Busting (riding) contest. The photos will be priceless.
- The Aspen Food & Wine Classic, a premier culinary event consisting of three incredible days of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and panel discussions by world-class chefs and wine experts, takes place June 15–17.
- The opening segment of the annual Aspen Ideas Festival, the June 21–24 Spotlight Health — Aspen health conference features an exceptional mix of inspiring and provocative experts who dive into topics of medicine and health.
- The Aspen Ideas Festival, June 21–30, is 10 days of hundreds of fascinating discussions with more than 3,000 attendees.
- Held June 21–30 and Aug. 31–Sept. 2, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience has a mission to present and preserve jazz and related forms of music through world-class events, performances, and education programs.
- Opening June 22, the Lost Forest Adventure Park in Snowmass Village includes a mountain coaster, zip line canopy tour, ropes challenge course and climbing wall.
- The Aspen Music Festival and School, taking place June 28–Aug. 19, is regarded as one of the top classical music festivals in the U.S., known for both its concert programming and its musical training of mostly young adult music students.
- Aspen’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration on July 4 features many events including Boogie’s Buddy Race, Kid’s Parade Bicycle Decorating, the 18th Annual “America's Birthday Carnival,” the Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade, AVSC July 4th Community Picnic, Aspen Music Festival & School's free Fourth of July Concert, Ragtime, Aspen Volunteer Fire Department & ACRA Block Party, and Belly Up Aspen. Get to downtown Aspen early on the 4th to get a prime viewing spot along the parade route.
Aspen’s summers are a magical time to relive and share your fondest summer camp memories. If owning a summer home in Aspen is in your future, call Gary Feldman.