Mountain Wonderland for Events

With top-notch venues and enthusiastic organizers, Vail Valley’s annual event calendar is brimming with music, cinema, art, food, beverage, Americana and seasonal celebrations. 

WORLD-CLASS VENUES

Conveniently situated at the ski area base in Beaver Creek, Vilar Performing Arts Center is an intimate 530-seat theater that delivers an impressive array of jazz, comedy, dance, film, Broadway productions, opera, rock concerts, family shows and more.

Vail’s Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, named in honor of the late 38th president of the United States who was longtime homeowner in Vail and Beaver Creek, hosts toe-tapping concerts, movies on the big screen and awe-inspiring dance performances.

There also are terrific smaller outdoor venues at Avon Performance Pavilion at Harry A. Nottingham Park in Avon, Little Beach Park & Amphitheater in Minturn, and Eagle Town Park in Eagle.

MUSIC & THE BIG SCREEN

Nothing says summer in the mountains more than outdoor music and movies, and the Vail Valley has plenty! In fact you can catch cinema showings after dusk on Fridays and Saturdays and free concerts on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings.

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is at the heart of the happenings.

  • Pack a picnic and relax on the lawn during the free Hot Summer Nights concerts on Tuesday evenings or purchase food and beverage on-site.
  • For headliner rock, pop, country and bluegrass acts, The Amp is a ticketed concert series booked in collaboration with AEG Presents.
  • For a classic music feast for the senses, Bravo! Vail presents talented orchestras, musicians and soloists throughout the summer.
  • During GoPro Mountain Games, athletes can wind down at free evening concerts during GoPro Mountains of Music. The public is welcome to attend too.

Kicking off in July, Vail Jazz provides a series of performances and educational programs at various Vail Valley venues and concludes with Vail Jazz Party, which showcases well-known artists over Labor Day weekend.

Avon Performance Pavilion features a large terrace overlooking Nottingham Lake, making it a prime place to savor free weekly concerts and movies in summer.

  • AvonLIVE! on Wednesday evenings presents national and regional talent.
  • Lakeside Cinema on Friday nights features movies starting at dusk.
  • SunsetLIVE! on Sunday nights are casual performances by local musicians.

Minturn Concert Series is all about free, family-friendly music on Thursday evenings in July and August at Little Beach Park & Amphitheater.

Also on Thursday evenings, ShowDown Town serves up tunes at Eagle Town Park. You bring the picnic and friends!

AMERICANA & THE WEST

In June, Eagle Outside Festival is a mountain of fun with activities like Eagle’s Got Talent, Colorado Karaoke Championships, live music, bike-in movie nights, group bike rides and clinics, yoga, and a Pajama/Onesie 1K Fun Run.

In 1922, the county seat was filched from Red Cliff and moved to Eagle. Since then, Eagle has celebrated the “relocation” with Eagle Flight Days in June at Eagle Town Park. Join in the merriment, including a pancake breakfast, parade, horseshoe tournament, pushcart race, carnival, concerts and more.

The Vail Valley is no stranger to great Independence Day celebrations that start with preludes of music, kids’ activities, food and beverage on July 2 and 3 and wrap up with all sorts of festivities and fireworks on July 4.

  • Independence Day Celebration – Minturn, Little Beach Park & Amphitheater, July 2
  • Salute to the USA – Avon, Nottingham Park, July 3
  • Vail America Days – Vail Village and Lionshead, July 4
  • Independence Day at Beaver Creek – Beaver Creek Village, July 4
  • 4th of July Celebration – Gypsum or Eagle (trade off hosting each year), July 4

Gypsum Daze is held in mid-July for three days. A pickleball tournament, kids’ zone, fireman’s pancake breakfast, 5K run/walk, classic car show, parade, jalapeño eating contest and concerts reflect small-town spirit.

Also in July, Eagle County Fair & Rodeo is a nod to the area’s rich western heritage at the fairgrounds in Eagle. Expect PRCA rodeos, carnival rides, 4-H shows and exhibits, a junior livestock auction and more.

CULINARY DELIGHTS

It’s hard to beat strolling local farmers’ markets, and Vail Valley has three weekend markets to check out in summer and fall.

  • Minturn Market: Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm
  • Edwards Corner Farmer’s Market: Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
  • Vail Farmers’ Market & Art Show: Sundays 10 am – 3 pm

Foodies also should plan to attend Vail Farmers’ Market Farm to Table Dinners, held outdoors on Willow Bridge Road. Talented chefs from the area create delicious courses from seasonal and local ingredients.

With an impressive array of local chefs, restaurants, breweries and distilleries, it’s no surprise that food and beverage events are standouts on Vail Valley’s calendar.

  • Held in January, Beaver Creek Winter Culinary Weekend gives participants the chance to mix and mingle with local and celebrity guest chefs, enjoy activities and attend Saturday’s Synesthesia: Culinary Showcase and Concert.
  • Taste of Vail and Vail Wine Classic, traditionally held in April and August, showcase the Vail Valley’s finest chefs and restaurateurs alongside top U.S. winemakers.
  • Not only can you choose from hundreds of craft beers, ciders and seltzers in Vail Village during Vail Craft Beer Classic, there are beer pairing lunches, hikes with brewers and more during this June festival.
  • In August, Beaver Creek Wine and Spirits Festival combines local culinary talent, exquisite wines and beautiful outdoor venues for an unforgettable gathering.
  • Enjoy unlimited samples of amazing brews, seltzers, and ciders at the Vail Valley Brew’Au which takes place in August lakeside in Avon.

PAINTBRUSHES & PIROUETTES

ARTWalk on Broadway brings together artists and local businesses to present an outdoor market in downtown Eagle on the second Friday of every month during summer and fall.

Since 1989, the Vail Dance Festival has brought dancers and musicians to Vail and featured new works, collaborations, education initiatives and various other programming. Enjoy exceptional artistry during two weeks in late July and early August at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and Avon Performance Pavilion.

Nottingham Park also becomes a cultural hub on Labor Day weekend in early September with Avon Art Festival showcasing the talent of more than 80 juried artists from across the nation working in a wide range of mediums.

FALL & WINTER FAVORITES

A biergarten, all sorts of contests (e.g., costume, pretzel tosses, bratwurst eating and stein hoisting), kids’ zone and live music are highlights of Beaver Creek Oktoberfest. Next, Vail Oktoberfest provides two full September weekends of beer, music, polka dancing, and activities for adults and kids. Lionshead hosts one weekend and Vail Village the other, with keg bowling, stein lifting and brat eating contests at the heart of the oompah style revelry.

Man of the Cliff is a weekend of lumberjack games and outdoor ruggedness in Avon’s Nottingham Park. Put on your flannel and throw an ax, toss a hammer, shoot an arrow, pitch a keg, drink a beer and enjoy a concert at this classic mountain man festival.

In December, Vail Snow Days helps get the ski season cranked with free concerts at Ford Park, après and after-dark parties, an expo village, early-season specials and more. Spring Back to Vail is a nod to the end of ski season in Vail featuring nightly musical acts, spring-themed activities, and the World Pond Skimming Championships.

 

Insider Tip: It’s likely that when you visit, there is some type of event happening in Vail Valley. Make sure to browse event websites for the latest details. And book your lodging early!