Summer 2023 Events Lineup

MAY

Mountain Words Festival – May 25-28

The fourth annual Mountain Words Literary Festival at the Center for the Arts is Crested Butte’s multi-day literary celebration at 9,000 feet, featuring workshops, panel discussions, readings, live theatre, film, children’s events and more. 

Tigers Be Still at the Mallardi –May 25-June 3

The Crested Butte Mountain Theatre presents the comedy, Tigers Be Still, directed by Kristen Joyce. 

JUNE

Colorado Creative Industries Summit – June 1-2

Coming to Crested Butte and the Center for the Arts for the first time! The annual summit is a rendezvous for creatives, featuring exhibits, performances, networking opportunities, speakers, classes and workshops.

Elk Ave. Historic Walking Tours –Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 6 -September 28

Join the Crested Butte Museum for Historic Walking Tours along Elk Avenue on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

KBUT’s 21st Anniversary Friday Night Fish Fry – June 9

“Yeah You Right Gunnison Valley!” KBUT Community Radio invites you to the 21st Annual Friday Night Fish Fry taking place on Friday, June 9 from 4-9 p.m. at Crank’s Plaza in downtown Crested Butte. Join us picnic style for the most delicious Cajun-style fish fry dinner served up with some hot music from Louisiana by our local DJs! Finish off the meal with our Summer Raffle full of fabulous prizes, lawn games and more! Dinner includes fried catfish, crawfish, coleslaw, cornbread, red beans and rice with Andouille sausage, Beignets and dessert! 

CBMR Summer Operations – June 10 – September 4 (From September 9-24, open Saturdays and Sundays)

The Crested Butte Mountain Resort will be open daily all summer long, offering an open Bike Park and bike hauls on the Red Lady Express lift, scenic rides on the Silver Queen, hiking, archery, disc golf, gem panning, bungee trampolines and climbing wall. 

Mt. CB 2023 Community Clean Up – June 10

Help clean up Mt. CB with the annual community clean up! 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., free lunch and local gift cards rewarded to volunteers for participation.

Androgony Pride Weekend Dance Party – June 10

The Crested Butte Mountain Theatre presents a Pride weekend gender-bender dance party at the Mallardi with DJ LLL. 

Pride Concert: Jen Korte – June 11

The award-winning Denver based, all-female, Americana Latin band, Jen Korte & The Loss wows audiences with a winning multi-instrumentalist show that will keep you dancing! At the Center for the Arts in celebration of Pride Month.

Mountain Art Summit – June 15-18

This multi-day event at the Center for the Arts features the art and teaching of several Environmental Advocacy artists with workshops, gallery receptions, live demonstrations, panel discussions, and film screenings.

Juneteenth Celebration on the Mountain – June 17-18

Melanin Mountain Project invites you to join Crested Butte’s annual Juneteenth at the base area for hiking and a celebration of BIPOC artists, musicians and influencers.

Melanin Market – June 19

Join the Melanin Mountain Project for a street fair that centers Colorado BIPOC owned businesses and vendors. The fair will take place on the second block of Elk Avenue. 

Alpenglow Summer Concert Series: Juneteenth/Black Opry – June 19

Alpenglow is the Center for the Arts’ free summer outdoor concert series held Monday evenings. Gather in Town Park at 5:30 p.m. for live music, drinks, food trucks and fun. Bring a picnic, spread out on the lawn and enjoy some great music.

Music on the Mountain, Live! from Mt. Crested Butte presents CHA WA (Mardi Gras Indian funk) – June 21 

Live music at the Red Lady Stage/CBMR Base Area – Gates at 5 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. All ages welcome.

Theatre of the Air – June 22 – July 1

The Crested Butte Mountain Theatre is teaming up with KBUT and its amazing DJs to bring back radio theatre to the Gunnison Valley. We’ll have live performances on the Mallardi Stage as well as broadcast the performance over the air. 

Live Theatre at the Center for the Arts: Misery – June 23

This spine-tingling stage adaptation traps you in the room with Paul as he must outsmart Annie if he hopes to escape. Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, the tense cat-and-mouse game will grip you until the very end.

Field Trips with the Crested Butte Land Trust – June 22, August 7, September 14

Join the Crested Butte Land Trust to visit conserved land and learn about the great work being done with partner organizations, with field trips on the last Thursday of each month. Visit Long Lake, Gunsight Bridge, the Gunsight Processing Area and Lower Loop, and chat with the Land Trust and local organizations about land conservation.

Alpenglow Summer Concert Series: Violet Pilot – June 26

Alpenglow is the Center for the Arts’ free summer outdoor concert series held Monday evenings. Gather in Town Park at 5:30 pm for live music, drinks, food trucks and fun. Bring a picnic, spread out on the lawn and enjoy some great music.

Courtyard Classical Music Series at the Center for the Arts –  June 27, July, 11, 25, August 8 

Join the Center most Tuesdays for live music in the Feldberg East Courtyard lounge. From classical, to jazz, to bluegrass, enjoy intimate live performances over cocktails from the Black Dragon bar, and stunning summer views.

Crested Butte Public Policy Forum – Tuesdays, June 27 -August 8

The Crested Butte Public Policy Forum is a summer speaker series that promotes civic dialogue, debate and community engagement with distinguished expert speakers on issues of international, national, and local significance in the Gunnison Valley since 2003.

Yoga In The Garden – Wednesdays, June 28 – September 27

Join the Yoga Co-op this summer for a beautiful yoga practice in the pavilion at the Wedding Garden. This free community yoga class is provided by the Crested Butte Community Yoga Co-op (CBCYC). Some materials will be provided, but utilizing your own mat is encouraged! Donations welcome—see you on the mat.

Music on the Mountain, Live! from Mt. Crested Butte presents Kam Franklin (Singer-songwriter) – June 28 

Live music at the Red Lady Stage/CBMR Base Area – Gates at 5 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. All ages welcome. 

JULY

Alpenglow Summer Concert Series: Rapidgrass – July 3

Alpenglow is the Center for the Arts’ free summer outdoor concert series held Monday evenings. Gather in Town Park at 5:30 p.m. for live music, drinks, food trucks and fun. Bring a picnic, spread out on the lawn and enjoy some great music.

Fourth of July Parade – July 4

Watch the country’s biggest small town parade march down our main street! Parade starts at 11, then be on the lookout for our Crested Butte Fire Department rearing up the end and follow them down to our new route off of Belleview Ave for an epic family water fight! Stick around for the 3^rd and Elk Vendor Village, where you can listen to live music, grab some light fare, get your face painted, and be sure to stop by our non-profit booths to learn more about the amazing community of Crested Butte!

Fourth of July Laser Show & Live DJ – July 4 

This year the Town of Mt. Crested Butte is celebrating Independence Day with an environmentally conscious and sustainable laser light show! Celebrate with us from 7 to 10 p.m. with the laser show beginning at 9 p.m. Catch it all at the Red Lady Stage at Crested Butte Mountain Resort! This is an all-ages event and alcohol will be available for those 21+. This show will not be visible from town. Best viewing will be from the Red Lady Stage at the CBMR Base Area.

Music on the Mountain, Live! from Mt. Crested Butte presents North Mississippi All Stars (Rock) – July 5 

Live music at the Red Lady Stage/CBMR Base Area – Gates at 5 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. All ages welcome.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink Songwriter Shuffle – July 6

TETWP’s largest fundraiser event of the year to support cancer prevention and support, featuring Nashville singer songwriters performing at the beautiful Double Top Ranch. Appetizers, dinner, dessert and cocktails provided from local chefs. 

Tony’s Speakeasy: A Black & White Affair – July 7

Join the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum for a 1920’s costume-encouraged fundraiser celebrating finding home in Tony’s Conoco with a live Great Gatsby band, drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Stand-Up at the Mallardi – July 7

The Crested Butte Mountain Theatre and Irwin Brewing present some great stand-up from the big city. 

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival– July 7–16 

The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival is ready to celebrate the return of summer and our spectacular wildflowers! The Festival will be offering 163 events, including a few special Member’s only workshops. The schedule includes many art and photography events in addition to the traditional and amazing hikes among the wildflowers. Learn about geology, birding, butterflies, and the history behind Crested Butte and our wildflowers! 

Starry Evening Gala – July 8

This fundraising event to benefit the Crested Butte Land Trust is full of delicious food and mingling with friends who support conservation in the Gunnison Valley. There will be live music and cocktails along with a silent and live auction.

Stephen Marley at the IBar – July 9

Living Journeys fundraiser with Stephen Marley at the IBar Ranch in Gunnison.

Alpenglow Summer Concert Series: Jacob Larson – July 10

Alpenglow is the Center for the Arts’ free summer outdoor concert series held Monday evenings. Gather in Town Park at 5:30 p.m. for live music, drinks, food trucks and fun. Bring a picnic, spread out on the lawn and enjoy some great music.

Live Music in the Garden – Tuesdays, July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15

Join the Crested Butte Museum for live music in the garden every Tuesday evening.

Hiroya Tsukamoto at the Center – July 12

Japanese guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto is an innovative musician and composer who fuses folk, jazz, and world music. Born and raised in Japan, in 2000 he received a scholarship to Berklee College of music and came to the U.S. Tsukamoto has the unique capability of engaging an audience through a personable and genuine approach that transfixes his audience and transcends his capabilities as a guitarist.

Music on the Mountain, Live! from Mt. Crested Butte presents Próxima Parada (R&B/Soul) – July 12 

Live music at the Red Lady Stage/CBMR Base Area – Gates at 5 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. All ages welcome.

123rd Annual Cattlemen’s Days and Rodeo – July 13-15

Since 1900, the people of the Gunnison Valley have celebrated the western way of life with the “Granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos.” Cattlemen’s Days is the oldest continuous ProRodeo in the state that attracts the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls, the best livestock from across the country and more. 

Annual Caddis Cup Fly-Fishing Tournament – July 14-15

Fish the award-winning waters of Gunnison County during this signature event of the Crested Butte Land Trust. The fun kicks off with a party on Friday, July 14 and a fly fishing tournament on Saturday, July 15, followed by an awards dinner. Supports the Land Trust’s efforts to preserve the incredible lands and waters surrounding Crested Butte.

Grin & Bear it Trail Run – July 15

This classic Crested Butte event offers a 25k Loop course, as well as the traditional 15k out-and-back competition. Hosted by the Crested Butte Nordic, the races start and finish in town at Big Mine Park. Runners are treated to a post-race brunch.

Alpenglow Summer Concert Series: The Goonies – July 17

Alpenglow is the Center for the Arts’ free summer outdoor concert series held Monday evenings. Gather in Town Park at 5:30 p.m. for live music, drinks, food trucks and fun. Bring a picnic, spread out on the lawn and enjoy some great music.

Music on the Mountain, Live! from Mt. Crested Butte presents Frenship (Pop) – July 19 

Live music at the Red Lady Stage/CBMR Base Area – Gates at 5 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. All ages welcome.

Wine and Food Festival – July 19-23 

The Crested Butte Wine + Food Festival returns this July for a tour of taste. Explore enlightening seminars, elegant winemaker dinners, exciting tasting events, and the annual Grand Tasting in the wildflower capital of Colorado.

An Evening with David Sedaris – July 19

Join the Center for the Arts for an evening with David Sedaris, one of America’s preeminent humor writers, master of satire and one of today’s most observant writers.

Alpenglow Summer Concert Series: Izcalli – July 24

Alpenglow is the Center for the Arts’ free summer outdoor concert series held Monday evenings. Gather in Town Park at 5:30 p.m. for live music, drinks, food trucks and fun. Bring a picnic, spread out on the lawn and enjoy some great music.

Music on the Mountain, Live! from Mt. Crested Butte presents Kind Hearted Strangers (Rock) – July 26 

Live music at the Red Lady Stage/CBMR Base Area – Gates at 5 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. All ages welcome.

The Trailhead Children’s Museum presents the Okee Dokee Brothers Concert – July 27

Join the Trailhead for a concert and activity-filled evening at the CBMR Base Area / Red Lady Stage. 

Reckless Kelly at the Center – July 28

The Austin-based band were Americana before there really was such a term, combining roots, rock and country influences into an uncompromising musical approach that has earned the Grammy-winning group a very steadfast and loyal following.

Living Journey’s Half Marathon & Summit Hike – July 29

Join us for the annual Living Journey’s Half Marathon and Summit Hike to support people diagnosed with cancer in the Gunnison Valley. New this year includes a 10k trail run. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for Living Journeys. Come out, show your support and send loving vibes to those in our community who need it most.

Alpenglow Summer Concert Series: Mighty Mystic – July 31

Alpenglow is the Center for the Arts’ free summer outdoor concert series held Monday evenings. Gather in Town Park at 5:30 p.m. for live music, drinks, food trucks and fun. Bring a picnic, spread out on the lawn and enjoy some great music.

AUGUST

Music on the Mountain, Live! from Mt. Crested Butte presents Doom Flamingo (6-piece synth beat) – August 2

Live music at the Red Lady Stage/CBMR Base Area – Gates at 5 p.m., shows starts at 5:30 p.m. All ages welcome.

2023 Crested Butte Arts Festival – August 4-6

The Crested Butte Arts Festival will again be the cultural highlight of the summer season presenting a weekend of fine art exhibition intertwined with live entertainment, participatory dance, outdoor film screening, children’s craft tent, art auction, food trucks & picnic lawn.  Patrons are invited to explore the works of 130 visual artists, working across 12 artistic mediums.  

Crested Butte Open – August 6-7

The Adaptive Sports Center hosts this annual two-day event to raise funds for their program, providing life-enhancing adventures for people with disabilities. The fundraiser starts with an evening Gala Dinner on Sunday, August 6 and a Golf Tournament on August 7 at the Club at Crested Butte. There is a silent auction that is open to everyone. 

Alpenglow Summer Concert Series: Madeline Hawthorn – August 7

Alpenglow is the Center for the Arts’ free summer outdoor concert series held Monday evenings. Gather in Town Park at 5:30 p.m. for live music, drinks, food trucks and fun. Bring a picnic, spread out on the lawn and enjoy some great music.

Rhythm Future Quartet at the Center – August 9

The virtuosic foursome, named for a Django Reinhardt tune, offers up a newly minted sound, influenced by the classic Hot Club of France, yet wholly contemporary. The quartet performs dynamic and lyrical arrangements of both Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions that draw upon diverse international rhythms and musical idioms.

Music on the Mountain, Live! from Mt. Crested Butte presents The Sensational Barnes Brothers (Blues) – August 9

Live music at the Red Lady Stage/CBMR Base Area – Gates at 5 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. All ages welcome.

KBUT’s Kampout with Leftover Salmon – August 11-12

Join KBUT this summer for the Kampout, a music and community festival FUNdraiser at the I Bar Ranch in Gunnison on August 11-12.  Enjoy music from Ozomatli and local Gunnison Valley bands as well as dancing, food, fun activities, morning yoga with live music, and camping under the stars in the Rocky Mountains! Ozomatli has been an international touring band for 25+ years playing a unique blend of salsa, hip-hop, reggae, rock, merengue and funk.

Feast in the Field – August 12

This annual farm-to-table event hosted by Mountain Roots Food Project is an opportunity to celebrate the flavors of the season. 

Pickin’ a Food Truck Competition & Festival – August 12 

The free community event at the Snowmass Parking Lot features a food truck competition and a trio of live Bluegrass music by Still House String Band, Clay Street Unit and The Tejon Street Thieves. All ages welcome. 

Alpenglow Summer Concert Series: Shakedown Street – August 14

Alpenglow is the Center for the Arts’ free summer outdoor concert series held Monday evenings. Gather in Town Park at 5:30 p.m. for live music, drinks, food trucks and fun. Bring a picnic, spread out on the lawn and enjoy some great music.

Outerbike – August 18-20

Come demo mountain bikes at Crested Butte Mountain Resort for this premiere mountain bike demo event!  

Adaptive Mountain Biking World Championships – August 18-20

Adaptive mountain bikers from around the country gather in beautiful Crested Butte, Colorado for a multi-stage, multi-discipline race with advanced to recreational categories.

Bridges of the Butte – August 27 – September 10

Show your love from near and far by participating in our annual peer-to-peer fundraiser! Starting on August 27, compete in challenges for fun prizes, share your personal fundraising webpage (free with registration), and ride for good from wherever you are! Join us on September 10th in Crested Butte for the annual Townie Tour starting at Noon, and an after party starting at 4 p.m.

SEPTEMBER

Montane Grand Traverse Run & Bike – September 2-4

The Summer Grand Traverse, presented by Crested Butte Nordic, is scheduled for September 2-4, with a trail run from Mt. Crested Butte to Aspen on September 2, and a mountain bike race from Aspen to Mt. Crested Butte on September 4.

People’s Fair – September 2-3

The Paragon People’s Fair is a non-juried arts and crafts festival that helps regional Colorado artist showcase their artwork. It is a two-day event held down the middle of Elk Avenue on Labor Day weekend.

Watchhouse at the Center – September 3

Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) is an Americana/folk duo based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina will be live in the Center’s Steddy Theater!

Dance Aspen at the Center – September 7

Dance Aspen has risen as a new collective of professional dancers from the former Aspen Santa Fe Ballet – breathing new life and resiliency into the arts community across the Centennial State. The company will present innovative new works from their burgeoning and impressive repertoire at the Center for the Arts.

Mt. Crested Butte Chili and Beer Festival – September 9

Kick off fall with the 25th Annual Mt. Crested Butte Chili & Beer Fest. Enjoy the best of Colorado craft beers, ciders and seltzers alongside homemade chili from top local cookers and live music on the mountain. It’s the perfect weekend to enjoy what fall in the Rockies is all about: crisp air, warm sun, good beer and no shortage of fun.

See It All Tour with Devon Allman and Donavon Frankenreiter – September 10

Rock n Roll recording artists and globe trotting journeymen, Devon Allman and Donavon Frankenreiter have their sights set on the Guinness Book of World Records with their new See It All Tour 2023 where they will attempt to play 50 shows in 50 states in less than 50 days. Live at the Center for the Arts. 

Crested Butte Film Festival – September 27 – October 1

Five days of films and filmmakers from all over the world, with screenings, conversations, panel discussions, parties and as always, the Townie Bike Ride. Film schedule released September 1.