Gunnison Valley Events Calendar

Explore events and things to do in Gunnison and Crested Butte, from weekend festivals and live music to outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or planning a longer stay, there’s always something happening in the Gunnison Valley. Find events happening today, this weekend, and throughout the year across every season. Use this guide to plan your trip and make the most of your time in Gunnison and Crested Butte.

Looking for events this weekend? Browse upcoming happenings below.

  • 2026 Crested Butte Arts Festival

    Elk Avenue Crested Butte

    The 54th Annual, Crested Butte Arts Festival will return to historic Elk Avenue, July 31 - August 2, 2026. The outdoor event presents 150 exhibiting fine art vendors in addition to - live entertainment stage, silent art auction, food vendors and complimentary kids crafting tent throughout the weekend.

    FREE
  • Alpenglow: Hand Turkey

    Center for the Arts Crested Butte 606 6th Street, Crested Butte, CO

    Denver-based band Hand Turkey delivers high-energy, groove-driven tunes designed to keep audiences on their feet. Originally formed in 2020 as a quartet of high school and college friends, the group has since grown into a dynamic seven-piece ensemble featuring powerful lead vocals, punchy horns, and a dexterous rhythm section. Drawing from diverse musical backgrounds-from jazz […]

    Free
  • Art of Alignment

    Terrible Mountain Gallery 409 Main St, Pitkin, CO, United States

    In the heart of the Quartz Creek Valley, where the echoes of history meet the stillness of the wild, we invite you to find your center. Held within the walls of a historic 1898 saloon turned fine art gallery, The Art of Alignment is more than a yoga class-it is a weekly sanctuary for those […]

    $20
  • Summer Classics in the Courtyard: Cowboy Songs

    Center for the Arts Crested Butte 606 6th Street, Crested Butte, CO

    Art Song Colorado presents a new musical experience, taking classic Western songs to tell an original story inspired by Western films. With new song arrangements by Denver composer, Cherise Leiter, and classic arrangements by Oscar Fox, experience a classical music cowboy show unlike any other!

    Free
  • The Crane Wives

    The Live from Mt. Crested Butte (presented by the Mt. Crested Butte Town Center Community Association) series returns! The Crane Wives will take the stage on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Join us at the Red Lady Stage in the Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area for free live music. Local opener at 5:30 pm. All […]

    Free
  • Steve Earle

    Center for the Arts Crested Butte 606 6th Street, Crested Butte, CO

    Steve Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protŽgŽ of legendary writers Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, he became a master storyteller in his own right, with songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and many others. His 1986 breakthrough album Guitar Town […]

    $65
  • Exhibit Opening Reception

    Terrible Mountain Gallery 409 Main St, Pitkin, CO, United States

    Join us for an evening celebrating the distinct visions of artists Carol Connor and Sarah Schmidt in the Ascent & Confluence Exhibit Rooms at Terrible Mountain Gallery. *Charcuterie Provided

    Free
  • 4th Annual MTCB Pickin’ a Food Truck Competition

    Get ready for one of the tastiest events of the summer! Join the Town of Mt. Crested Butte for the 4th Annual Pickin' a Food Truck Competition-an afternoon and evening packed with incredible food, live music, family-friendly fun, and community spirit. Sample bites from competing food trucks, cast your vote, and help crown this year's […]

    FREE
  • Local Vocals Concert with Chris Coady

    Gunnison Arts Center 102 South Main St, Gunnison, CO, United States

    Local Vocals Concert Saturday, August 8th | 7:00-10:00 pm. Experience a unique concert as local singer-songwriters take to the stage to combine their stories, inspiration, music, and talent, featuring 4 to 5 local songwriters including Chris Coady, Bill Dowell, Eliza Thorp, and more! Presented by Chris Coady and High Nowhere Productions, hosted by the Gunnison […]

    $20 – $25
  • Alpenglow: Chantil and The Dukes of Art

    Center for the Arts Crested Butte 606 6th Street, Crested Butte, CO

    Chantil Dukart is an award-winning contemporary jazz pianist and vocalist with roots in the Tsimshian and Sugpiaq tribes of Alaska. Dukart has performed with leading voices in contemporary music, including Esperanza Spalding, Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce, Dumpstaphunk), Michael Pilot (Hamilton) and Guggenheim fellow Nicholas Galanin, at notable venues including the Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian, Kuumbwa Jazz […]

    Free
  • Art of Alignment

    Terrible Mountain Gallery 409 Main St, Pitkin, CO, United States

    In the heart of the Quartz Creek Valley, where the echoes of history meet the stillness of the wild, we invite you to find your center. Held within the walls of a historic 1898 saloon turned fine art gallery, The Art of Alignment is more than a yoga class-it is a weekly sanctuary for those […]

    $20
  • Summer Classics in the Courtyard: Junwen Liang

    Center for the Arts Crested Butte 606 6th Street, Crested Butte, CO

    Junwen Liang is a Chinese pianist celebrated for performances marked by poetic refinement, intellectual depth, and remarkable sensitivity at the keyboard. Praised by Richard Goode as a "very gifted pianist and a musician of great sensitivity," Liang has earned growing recognition as both a soloist and collaborative artist, with appearances alongside orchestras including the Central […]

    Free

Annual events in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Gunnison Valley is also host to several beloved annual events. A classic winter event is The Alley Loop, a Nordic ski race that doubles as a costume contest. In fall, Mt. Crested Butte hosts the famous Chili and Beer Festival. Every summer in Gunnison, a crowd gathers to watch America’s fourth-oldest rodeo, Cattlemen’s Days. There are also festivals in Crested Butte that celebrate local art, music, wildflowers, and more. Attending an annual event is a good way to connect with the culture of the Gunnison Valley. You might even create a new tradition for you and your family and friends!
View Annual Events

Nordic skiers race in two lines dressed in costumes on a snowy downtown street