12 Days of Aspen

Cultural Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

Celebrate the last 12 days of December during 12 Days of Aspen. Each day, enjoy fun, free, and family-friendly activities. 12 Days of Aspen activities include performances by carolers, photo ops with Santa, holiday crafts, film screenings, live music, cookie decorating, storytime for kids, and more. On New Year’s Eve, check out the torchlight parade and New Year’s Eve fireworks at the base of Aspen Mountain.

Aspen Ruggerfest

Outdoor Central Core

The annual Aspen Ruggerfest is held in September at Wagner Rugby Stadium and Rio Grande Park. The Aspen Ruggerfest brings to Aspen the best rugby talent from around the world, including Aspen's own rugby team, the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Football Club. In past years, rugby teams that have competed in the Aspen Ruggerfest have included the US Air Force, Denver Highlanders, Denver Barbarians, Virginia Cardinals, and the Kansas Jayhawks. Rugby matches are always exhilarating and exciting, so check out some of the games during this year's Aspen Ruggerfest.

Motherlode Volleyball Classic

Aspen Central Core

Playing beach volleyball in Aspen over a long Labor Day weekend sounds like our brand of fun. What better way is there to celebrate the end of summer than by soaking up the sunshine in Aspen, and enjoying your favorite sport with fellow fanatics? The Motherlode Volleyball Classic is an annual Aspen event that draws volleyball players and fans from all over the US and Canada.

Professional athletes and amateur players join the open tourney, which features over 15 divisions of play. The Motherlode tournament is accessible to volleyball players of all skill levels, which makes it a great event to learn from the sport’s top athletes. And with the Motherlode attracting pro talent, the tournament is also the perfect opportunity for top amateur players to move up to the pro level.

The divisions of play are Men’s Seniors 45s, 50s, 55s, and 60s. There is also a Women’s Seniors bracket for 45s and over. The tournament has a Women’s Masters 35s and over and a Men’s Masters 37s and over. Then, there’s the Men’s and Women’s A, BB, and B divisions, plus the Standard and Reverse Co-ed A, BB, and B divisions. There’s also a Men’s and Women’s Open. On top of all of the playing and watching, the Motherlode hosts two parties at local restaurants for players―a welcoming party and a players’ party―offering players more opportunities to mix, mingle, and be merry.

Old Fashioned Aspen 4th of July

Aspen Central Core

Aspen is the place to be if you’re looking for fun, small-town Fourth of July festivities. The Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration in Aspen features patriotic activities, like a parade on Main Street, community picnics, a festive carnival, and a fireworks show on Aspen Mountain. There’s no better place to celebrate America’s birthday than in Aspen and Snowmass.

Each year, the Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration includes:

America’s Birthday Carnival at Paepcke Park – This kids’ carnival features classic carnival games, face painting, and balloon animal making. There’s also live music and a bake sale.

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade – Grab a spot on Main Street to view the parade. The Old Fashioned Parade has colorful floats, patriotic music, and smiling paraders clad in red, white, and blue.

AVSC 4th of July Picnic – A fun and welcoming community gathering, the AVSC picnic is an opportunity to support a worthy local organization, and to spend time with family and friends. Play volleyball, and enjoy a cold beverage in the park on a hot summer day.

Aspen Music Festival and School 4th of July concert  – Head to the Benedict Music Tent for this free 4th of July concert. Listen to your favorite patriotic compositions performed by the talented musicians of the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Fireworks on Aspen Mountain – Other fireworks displays pale in comparison to the spectacular show on Aspen Mountain. From the Gondola Plaza or downtown Aspen, watch colorful bursts illuminate Ajax.

Wintersköl

Cultural Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

Wintersköl is a unique Aspen celebration of winter that began in 1951. This nordic festival includes a canine fashion show, a snow sculpting competition called Wintersculpt, a torchlight parade, fireworks show on Aspen Mountain, and lots of other activities and events happening around town.