Vail, Colo. – Summer 2023 – Vail offers a calendar of events that entertains, engages and challenges visitors in the summer and fall seasons. From world-class performers to world-class athletes, Vail sets the stage for some of the most exciting events in the high country. There also are a number of participatory activities where athletes of all ages and abilities can test themselves.
Whether it’s participating in the Adidas Terrex 10K Spring Runoff during the GoPro Mountain Games or listening to world-class music from the New York Philharmonic during the Bravo! Music Festival, the line-up ensures guests have a wide variety of events to choose from no matter when they visit Vail. Following are a few highlights of the 2023 schedule.
The Vail Comedy Festival entertains visitors Memorial Day Weekend May 26-28. More than 30 comedians including Leah Bonnema, Rob Haze, Dustin Chafin and Carmen Lagala will entertain throughout the three-day event. New in 2023, is the addition of a Comedy School on May 25 with comedian Christie Buchele and special guests.
The GoPro Mountain Games takes place June 8-11. Each June the GoPro Mountain Games brings athletes, art, music and mountains together in Vail to create the best all-around mountain experience available anywhere in the world. Founded in 2002, the family-friendly event sits at the intersection of adventure sports, music, art and the outdoor industry. The Mountain Games now hosts more than 3,000 pro and amateur athletes in 12+ disciplines and 30+ events, as well as a robust Sponsor Village, live art and three nights of concerts at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
The 7th Annual Vail Craft Beer Classic returns June 16-17 featuring more than 50 breweries and beverage makers who will be pouring their top craft beers, seltzers and ciders. The event also includes live music, keg bowling and more.
The Vail Farmers’ Market & Art Show takes place Sundays, June 18 to Oct. 8. The Vail Farmers’ Market is one of the largest in the state and showcases Colorado’s finest locally grown produce, international dishes, fresh baked goods and wine. The Art Show feeds travelers’ creativity offering everything from beautiful clothing and jewelry to handmade home items.
The Moe’s Original BBQ Hot Summer Nights annual free concert series returns this summer to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail. Featuring eight without-charge concerts June 20-Sept. 7, Hot Summer Nights take place on select Tuesdays and Thursdays this summer and will be capped off with the VVF Community Concert, presented by Discover Vail. This year’s lineup includes a variety of genres including hip-hop/grooves, country, bluegrass and folk/rock, along with a David Bowie tribute, Jimi Hendrix/Grateful Dead tribute and an Allman Brothers tribute.
Amp Summer Concerts is a season-long music series that brings big acts and a wide range of genres including rock, pop, country, bluegrass comedy and more to the stage at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater aka The Amp. Shakey Graves kicks off the summer series on June 21 followed by a concert by Big Head Todd and the Monsters & Blues Traveler on July 6. Other concerts already announced include:
- Thievery Corporation with Special guest Boombox- July 15
- Old Crow Medicine show – July 16
- CAAMP – July 17
- Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Ziggy Marley – July 24
- Chicago – August 11
- The Head and The Heart X Father John Misty – August 15 & 16
- Joy – August 19
- Pixies and Modest Mouse with Special Guest Cat Power – September 2
- Tash Sultana – September 3
- Bert Kreischer – October 5
The Bravo! Vail Music Festival returns for its 36th season June 22 to Aug. 3 with more than 80 concerts throughout Colorado’s stunning Vail Valley. The six-week festival presents four internationally acclaimed resident orchestras—Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic—alongside renowned chamber ensembles showcasing a rich schedule of inspiring guest artists, classical and pops programming and new music.
Celebrate the Fourth of July with Vail America Days, which is one of the mountain town’s most popular holiday celebrations. The morning kicks off with a parade through town, followed by live music throughout Vail Village, a patriotic concert at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and a stunning fireworks display at night.
The 29th Annual Vail Jazz Festival is one of destination’s iconic summer events July 9 to Sept. 4. The festival includes a rousing kickoff party, seven ticketed Thursday evening “headliner” performances under the Jazz Tent, seven free club-style shows at “Howard’s Hangout” in the Tavern, four free Sunday afternoon community concerts on the Solaris Plaza, and the ever-popular grand finale of the Festival, the Vail Jazz Party over Labor Day weekend.
The outdoor splendor of the Colorado Rocky Mountains is the perfect backdrop to artistic brilliance and each summer the unique mountain town of Vail plays host to the world’s finest dancers. Now in its 35th year, the Vail Dance Festival has developed into a treasured celebration of dance, renowned for its artistic excellence and unparalleled programming. Under the artistic direction of Damian Woetzel, the 2023 summer season, which runs July 28 to Aug. 7, will bring together world-renowned dancers, musicians, composers, and choreographers for 12 performances and multiple events throughout Vail and the surrounding communities.
The Vail Wine Classic, the high country’s premier food and wine festival that brings wine and adventure enthusiasts together at the foot of Vail Mountain, returns August 10-12. This three-day wine event of the year includes mountainside tastings of hundreds of high-end wine, spirits, and tasty bites amid Vail’s fresh air and rugged beauty. A portion of proceeds of all ticket sales will go to Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance (VVMTA) and its mission to build trails and conserve the natural environment of Eagle County and public lands.
The Kids Adventure Games returns to Vail Aug. 10-13 kids ages 6-14 a race of a lifetime featuring river tubing, zip-lines, cargo nets, obstacles, rappelling, mud-pits, hiking, biking and more. The only adventure race of its kind in the nation, Vail’s race has seen more than 1,000 teams of two compete, learn self-reliance, grit and resiliency.
Vail Oktoberfest returns for two weekends in September taking place in Lionshead Sept. 8-10 and Vail Village Sept. 15-17. Emulating the more than 200-year-old celebration known by millions around the world, Vail’s Oktoberfest will delight guests for two whole weekends with Bavarian music and dancing, traditional fare, yodeling, alpenhorn blowing, beer and much more.
The Vail Automotive Classic is a multi-day, annual automotive event, hosted in Vail that draws a diverse group of automotive enthusiasts from across the United States Sept. 15-17. Entries range from contemporary supercars and sports cars to vintage collector cars and motorcycles at this multi-day event that provides viewing opportunities throughout Vail Village.
For guests who want to stay and play in Vail this summer, lodging rates begin at $159 this summer based on dates and availability. For more information on summer lodging options, adventures, dining and more in Vail, please visit DiscoverVail.com.
Discover Vail in the spring, summer and fall. There’s no place like Vail for year-round recreation, outdoor pursuits and cultural experiences in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Nestled at the foot of Vail Mountain just two hours west of Denver, Vail’s fresh air, rugged beauty and charming pedestrian villages await visitors. Discover quaint Bavarian villages where outdoor activities abound and the performing arts flourish. Matching the incredible winter mountain experience, Vail from May through October is characterized by a rich culinary scene, family activities, world-class events and everything in between.
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Media Contacts: Kristin Yantis or Amanda McNally, Malen Yantis Public Relations,
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