What to Do in Aspen This Summer

Photo by Elle Logan, courtesy of Aspen Chamber Resort Association

Aspen, Colorado is open to visitors for the summer season. Surrounded by stunning mountains with hundreds of miles of trails for walking, hiking, biking and mountain biking, rivers for kayaking, rafting, and fly fishing, Aspen is a perfect destination for the restorative power of nature that is so needed after the past weeks of shelter-at-home.

“After most of the country has been in shelter in place, Aspen is a perfect location to getaway experience the healing power of nature,” says Aspen Chamber Resort Association President and CEO Debbie Braun.  “With so much open space, it will be easy to find yourself alone under Colorado blue sky.”

A maximum group/event size of 50 will be allowed in Aspen as of May 27, but gatherings of more than 10 people must be a county- or municipality-permitted event with a COVID-19 safety plan.

Here, we’ve rounded up 3 events sure to bring some culture and fun to your summer plans.

THEATRE ASPEN

Hurst Theatre. Photo by Mike Lyons Photography

The evolved ALL FOR ONE summer season will now run from July 27 – August 18, and will include audience favorites and new initiatives. The complete season calendar announcement, Aspen Hero nominations, and tickets will be available in June, 2020.

In a year unlike any other, Theatre Aspen wants to cement our commitment to the Aspen Community, offering an “All For One” Season, and introducing the Aspen Heroes program: a salute to the first responders, bus drivers, medical workers and other essential workers who have persevered during the crisis.

Les Miserables

After a public nominating period, voted on by a board of Civic VIPs chaired by Rabbi Mendel Mintz, Founder & Director of the Aspen Jewish Community Center and Nicholas Vesey, Minister at Aspen Chapel, each night prior to the performance, a “Hero” and their guest will be honored at the venue. “Heroes” will also be recognized in the lobby and in other promotional materials throughout the summer.

JAZZ ASPEN SNOWMASS

This summer, The JAS Cafe will hold 24 live, intimate jazz performances at the rooftop of Aspen Art Museum.. Enjoy candlelit performances from some of the greatest jazz artists from around the world alongside delicious food and beverages.

JAS is focused on expanding music education from the classroom to the community, inspiring knowledge in students of all ages and building a future audience for jazz and related forms of music. See the full schedule here.

EXPLORE ASPEN

Photo by Elle Logan

Aspen outdoor activities include hiking and nature walks, road biking and mountain biking, small group rafting/kayaking, horseback riding and more. For additional information on outdoor recreation in Aspen, visit aspenchamber.org.

Photo by Elle Logan

Beginning on June 20, the Aspen Saturday Market will return to downtown Aspen June 13 with new social distancing guidelines. This year’s market will be limited to agricultural and fresh food vendors. The Aspen Saturday Market continues through fall every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.