Events & What’s Happening
One of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world, featuring concerts, open rehearsals, and free student performances across multiple venues in Aspen.
💡Free student ensemble concerts in the Benedict Music Tent lawn are ideal for kids — bring a blanket and snacks and let them enjoy the music without the pressure of a seated hall.
A globally recognized gathering of thinkers, leaders, and innovators with public lectures, panels, and community events held throughout Aspen.
💡Some public and community sessions are free and accessible; check the schedule for family-friendly afternoon talks and outdoor programming.
A premier culinary event hosted by Food & Wine magazine featuring Grand Tastings, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, and seminars on food and drink trends.
💡The Grand Tasting tents are adults-only, but the festive atmosphere around Wagner Park is fun for families walking through town during the weekend.
An acclaimed independent film festival showcasing documentary, short, and narrative films from around the world, held at venues across Aspen and Snowmass.
💡Check the programming for family-friendly documentary screenings; the intimate venues and fall foliage make it a memorable outing for older kids.
Aspen's official holiday season kickoff featuring tree lighting in Wagner Park, carolers, hot cocoa, and Santa's arrival by gondola or sleigh in downtown Aspen.
💡Bundle up well and arrive at Wagner Park 30 minutes early to get close to the tree; kids love watching Santa descend the mountain.
One of Colorado's oldest winter festivals celebrating Aspen's ski culture with torchlight parades down Ajax mountain, fireworks, cardboard classic races, and live music in Wagner Park.
💡The torchlight parade and fireworks viewed from the base of Ajax are a highlight for children — arrive early to claim a good spot on the snow.
ESPN's flagship winter action sports competition held at Buttermilk Mountain, featuring snowboard and freeski events including halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air.
💡General spectator access on the mountain is free; kids are thrilled by the athlete performances and the energetic festival village at the base.
Free weekly story time for young children held at the Pitkin County Library, featuring picture book readings, songs, and simple craft activities led by library staff.
💡Ideal for children ages 2–6; arrive a few minutes early as seating fills quickly, especially during peak ski and summer visitor seasons.
Weekly open-air market in the Galena Plaza area featuring local farmers, artisan food vendors, crafts, live music, and prepared foods from regional producers.
💡Go between 8:30 and 10am before crowds build; kids enjoy the prepared food stalls and the live acoustic music that often plays near the entrance.
Aspen Mountain Gondola operates select days in summer offering scenic rides to the summit for hiking, wildlife spotting, and panoramic views of the Elk Mountains.
💡Older kids love the hike back down the summer trail; bring layers as the summit sits above 11,000 feet and temperatures drop quickly even on warm days.
Public skating sessions at the Lewis Ice Arena in the Aspen Recreation Center, offering an affordable family activity with skate rentals available on-site.
💡Skate helpers and walkers are available for young beginners; weekend afternoon sessions are popular so arrive 15 minutes early to rent skates without a wait.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡The Maroon Bells road requires a timed-entry reservation between mid-June and mid-October — book your entry slot at recreation.gov months in advance, as weekend slots sell out in hours. The mandatory shuttle departs from Aspen Highlands and costs about $16/adult, kids 12 and under are free.
- 💡ACES at Hallam Lake offers free family nature walks on select mornings in summer — check the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies calendar (aspennature.org) for dates, as these guided tours by naturalists are popular and genuinely engaging for kids ages 5 and up.
- 💡The free Aspen summer gondola on Aspen Mountain (Ajax) runs daily late June through Labor Day — ride it to the Sundeck restaurant at 11,212 feet for lunch and a panoramic view of the Elk Mountains without paying for a hiking guide or trail fee.
- 💡Buttermilk Mountain offers the most manageable beginner ski terrain in the four-mountain network, and the Powder Pandas ski school program for ages 3–6 has a dedicated learning area separate from general traffic — enroll at least 2 weeks in advance during holiday weeks or it sells out.
- 💡The RFTA bus between Aspen and Snowmass Village is completely free and runs every 15–20 minutes during ski season — families staying in Snowmass can skip parking fees entirely and ride directly to the Rubey Park Transit Center in downtown Aspen.
- 💡Rio Grande Park on the north edge of downtown has a free skate park, open grass fields, and is directly adjacent to the Rio Grande Trail — a paved recreational path that follows the Roaring Fork River and is completely flat, making it ideal for young kids on bikes or balance bikes.
- 💡Explore Booksellers on East Hopkins Avenue has a well-stocked children's section and regularly hosts author readings — it's a good rainy-day or altitude-rest-day option, and the staff genuinely curate books about mountain ecology and Colorado history for kids.
- 💡Altitude sickness is a real risk at Aspen's 7,908-foot elevation, especially for families flying in from sea level. Build in a low-activity first day, keep kids well-hydrated, and avoid strenuous hikes on day one — the Aspen Valley Hospital urgent care on Castle Creek Road sees altitude-related cases daily during peak season.