Fall 2023 Events in Aspen

Do you live in the beautiful, upscale community of Aspen, Colorado, or do you plan to visit there this fall? Aspen, one of the premiere snow-skiing destinations in the world, is also home to the Aspen X Games, is a foodie’s dream come true, and has an unrivaled arts and culture scene. This makes it a popular place not only for a trip, but also for a vacation home destination. If you will be in the Aspen/Snowmass Village area as the weather starts to turn, you’re in for a treat. Here are just some of the fall events in Aspen you can look forward to.

If you want to be part of a Rocky Mountain tradition, you need to check out the Snowmass Balloon Festival held September 22-24 at Snowmass Town Park. Celebrating its 48th year, the Festival features more than 30 hot air balloons that launch at sunrise. After witnessing the launch, you can then walk around Base Village or the Snowmass Mall to eat breakfast or brunch and enjoy the beautiful day.

Highwater Farm and PARC Aspen are teaming up to celebrate the harvest moon with a special seasonal dinner on September 29th. Make reservations to enjoy a cozy, intimate gathering at the restaurant and enjoy fresh farm food, including tender baby carrots, heirloom tomatoes, and more that highlight the Farm’s sustainable farming practices. The dinner will be held from 5-9 p.m. at PARC Aspen. Book early, as this event is sure to sell out!

If you want to experience a variety of what Aspen has to offer, including luxury accommodations, world-class cuisine, and outdoor adventure, this one’s for you! The Little Nell 5-star hotel is partnering with wellness retreat specialists Sensei to present a one-of-a-kind experience this October. Scheduled for Monday, October 2nd through Saturday, October 7th, this group retreat will follow some of Aspen’s best trails (led by a highly trained team of guides headed up by a National Geographic-recognized mountaineer) before participants get pampered by five nights at The Little Nell. To enhance their experience, each guest will also be able to create their own unique experience through a private well-being session of their choice.

Though it runs from June to the end of October, there’s no better time to go on Aspen’s Dark Side Ghost Tour than late fall! Held on Saturdays and Sundays from 8-9 p.m., the tour focuses on true stories from Aspen’s past beginning in 1979. It stops at some of Aspen’s most haunted locations, and the tour guide tells stories of the area’s dark happenings. This tour is appropriate for those of all ages and is one of the best fall events in Aspen to celebrate Halloween in the mountains!

Explore history, identity, and culture when you attend Jeffrey Gibson: The Spirits Are Laughing from Saturday, November 4th to Sunday, November 5th. This exhibition and related performance mixes Modernism with indigenous aesthetic histories to present a one-of-a-kind experience. Gibson utilizes sculpture, clothing, video, painting, and more to create an engaging and evolving narrative about what it means to have an identity in this country. Performances include one by Katie Cox, Natalie Harris, Omar Pena, Megan Templeton, Leo Balcer, and Donna Daugherty.

If you’re a fan of film, you need to make plans to attend Aspen Filmfest. Celebrating its 44th year, this popular festival runs from September 19-24 at the Aspen Film Isis Theatre. Each year, the festival attracts films from around the world, including documentaries, comedies, arthouse, and foreign language offerings. You can attend the festival in a couple of different ways. If there is a certain film you’d like to see, you can buy individual tickets ($20 for members and $25 for general admission), or you can buy passes that include access to screenings and events. Members have access to passes that include invites to the opening reception as well as the ability to choose seats 20 minutes in advance.

If you’re a fan of skiing, you need to be in the Aspen/Snowmass area for opening day! Starting at 9 a.m. on November 23rd, the “town mountain” opens for all those who want to take part in what Aspen is known best for. Ride on The Silver Queen Gondola, take in the views on Bell Mountain, and explore the 153 acres of Aspen’s newest terrain, Pandora! You can also take a powder tour, join the mountain staff for an early first run, or try your skills on the NASTAR, a recreational snowboarding and skiing racecourse that features the national standardized timing system.

After you glide down the slopes (or just watch as others do!), you can enhance your experience by dining at one of Aspen's iconic restaurants. Ajax Tavern features dining indoors or on a mountainside patio next to the gondola, while Bonnie’s is a popular spot for brunch and lunch due to their legendary pancakes. If you need a drink after your time in the snow (or if you’re waiting for your companions to get their fill of the mountain), stop into the Limelight Lounge located in The Limelight Hotel. This is the perfect place to celebrate ‘apres,’ the hours from 3-6 p.m. each day when those in Aspen traditionally celebrate ‘after’ skiing.

Fall is a magical time of year in Aspen. As the weather begins to change, the area comes alive with tourists, ski enthusiasts, and locals, all looking forward to opening day. Whether you’re a ski buff or more likely found indoors watching an engaging film or sipping on a drink, you won’t want to miss what this iconic Colorado town has to offer.

Love all the fall events in Aspen but don’t yet own a home here? Reach out to experienced local agent Brittanie Rockhill. She can give you more information about buying in the area and show you what’s currently on the market.