Let's Celebrate the Seasons: Keystone’s Annual Events

Set amidst the majestic Colorado Rockies, Keystone is a premier destination offering breathtaking alpine scenery, world-class skiing, and a wide range of year-round outdoor adventures. Whether you're seeking thrilling mountain activities or a peaceful retreat, Keystone is the perfect playground for your Colorado experience.

But do you know how to make your visit to Keystone even more fun? Pair your trip with one of the fantastic annual events held in this must-visit ski resort in Colorado. Throughout the year, Keystone is home to exciting festivals that bring music, friendly faces, local treats, and incredible performances to the stunning mountain landscape.

In this blog, we’ve curated a list of the best annual events in Keystone, CO so you can plan ahead and combine your visit with one of these amazing celebrations.

Before we start, a little about us…

At Great Western Lodging, we offer a superior selection of luxury properties, including ski-in/ski-out options and downtown lodgings, some of which are pet-friendly. In our destination blog, we've covered extensive information about Keystone and its surroundings. And soon enough, more interesting content awaits you with great tips to make your travel experience even better.

Ready to celebrate with the locals? Let’s dive in!

Keystone Winter Events

Kidtopia Holiday Spectacular (December) 

Kidtopia Holiday Spectacular is a true winter extravaganza featuring fun activities like ice skating, snow tubing, fireworks, and visits from Santa. Typically held in December, the festivities spread across locations like River Run Village, Dercum Mountain, Keystone Lake, and Adventure Point.

The most anticipated attractions of this family-friendly event include the stunning fireworks display set against the beautiful mountains, ice skating at Keystone Lake, snow tubing at Adventure Point, and outdoor craft stations where kids can enjoy hands-on activities while you browse for lovely Christmas gifts.

Keystone Mardi Gras (February/March) 

The vibrancy and festive vibes of Mardi Gras transform River Run Village in Keystone into a lively party, typically around February or March. Expect colorful parades, lively music, stunning beads, and delicious Louisiana cuisine. The combination of New Orleans’ vibrant spirit with the breathtaking mountainous landscape creates a truly unique experience.

One of the event’s highlights is the Mardi Gras parade, featuring floats, performers, and plenty of beads tossed to the crowd. Live music is a big part of the celebration, with New Orleans-style brass bands, jazz, zydeco, and funk performers setting the upbeat tone.Food is another essential part of Mardi Gras in Keystone, with vendors serving authentic Cajun and Creole dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, and beignets.

Don’t miss the après-ski parties, where venues throughout the village host themed events, live DJ sets, and festive celebrations perfect for adults looking to extend the fun!

Keystone Spring Events

Slush Cup (April)

The Slush Cup is a lively, fun-filled event marking the end of Keystone’s ski season, typically held in April. It’s part of the resort’s spring skiing celebrations, where participants and spectators come together for a day of playful competition and festivities.

The highlight of the event is the Pond Skimming Competition at the base of Dercum Mountain, where skiers and snowboarders attempt to glide across a man-made pond of icy water. Contestants often wear costumes, adding to the light-hearted atmosphere as they try to make it across the water without taking a plunge. The day is filled with live music, DJ performances, and emcees keeping the energy high. Food and beverage vendors are also on-site, offering snacks, hot drinks, and craft beers.

While the event has a party vibe, it’s family-friendly, with plenty of kid-friendly activities and viewing areas. The colorful costumes and big splashes are always a hit with younger spectators.

Keystone Summer Events

Keystone Bacon & Bourbon Festival (June)

This lively festival celebrates all things bacon, paired perfectly with bourbon tastings and plenty of entertainment. The Keystone Bacon & Bourbon Festival, a beloved annual summer event held in June, brings together two crowd favorites—bacon and bourbon. Spend a fun, food-filled weekend in the mountains, indulging in creative bacon dishes from local chefs, sipping on bourbon tastings, and enjoying live music from regional and national bands playing everything from rock to country, all set against the lively backdrop of River Run Village.

Be sure to try the festival’s famous Bacon Bloody Marys and explore booths featuring unique crafts, goods, and bacon-themed souvenirs from local artisans. For families with little ones, the festival offers kid-friendly activities like face painting and games. For bacon enthusiasts, the event also features interactive seminars and workshops, where chefs and distillers host demonstrations on cooking with bacon and pairing bourbon with food.

Wine & Jazz Festival (July) 

Every July, Keystone comes alive with the sounds of smooth jazz and the taste of fine wine at the Wine & Jazz Festival. For two days, River Run Village transforms into the perfect spot to savor exquisite wines, enjoy live music, and take in the scenic beauty of Keystone.

Explore a diverse selection of wines from various vineyards and wineries, ranging from reds and whites to sparkling options. Wine experts and representatives are often on hand to share insights and enhance your tasting experience. Talented local and regional musicians provide the soundtrack, filling the air with smooth jazz, blues, and other styles.

Local restaurants and food vendors also participate, offering gourmet dishes that perfectly complement your wine of choice. From artisan cheeses and charcuterie to fresh, local produce and desserts, this festival will surely be a highlight of your Keystone trip.

Bluegrass and Beer Festival (August)

Typically held in August in River Run Village, this festival is one of Keystone’s most anticipated summer events. It celebrates the lively bluegrass music scene while showcasing a wide variety of craft beers from local and regional breweries. It's a perfect gathering for music lovers and beer enthusiasts visiting Keystone during the summer.

Enjoy performances from multiple bands throughout the event, explore the extensive selection of craft beers available for tasting, and savor delicious bites from local food vendors that perfectly complement your drink. All this takes place in a beautiful outdoor setting, surrounded by the stunning Rocky Mountains.

Mountain Town Music Festival (August)

August brings a celebration of the vibrant mountain town music scene, local food, community spirit, and breathtaking mountain vistas in Keystone.

The festival showcases a diverse lineup of free musical performances, featuring local bands and well-known national artists. Genres range from folk, rock, and bluegrass to country, ensuring there's something for every musical taste. Performances are spread across multiple stages in River Run Village.

Adding to the entertainment, you'll also enjoy captivating performances from Salida Circus, including acrobats, stilt walkers, and magicians. A variety of food vendors offer delicious eats, craft beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages, making this festival a perfect summer event for all.

Keystone Fall Events

Keystone Oktoberfest (September) 

Labor Day weekend in Keystone is synonymous with Oktoberfest, bringing Bavarian tradition to the mountains with German-style beers, authentic food, and live polka music.

Savor delicious German treats like bratwursts, pretzels, schnitzels, and sauerkraut, and indulge in a selection of craft beers, including local Colorado brews and authentic German varieties. With a beer in hand, dance to lively polka rhythms and other music that captures the Oktoberfest spirit. Fun competitions, like stein-holding and yodeling contests, add to the festive atmosphere.

For families, Kinderfest offers plenty of kid-friendly activities, including crafts from The Frosted Flamingo mobile art studio, dance performances, and polka lessons from the Alpen Auerhahn Schuhplattlers.

Why Local Events Matter

Experiencing local events and festivals will certainly make your visit to Keystone unique and unforgettable. Attending these local celebrations brings much more benefit to your trip than you can imagine. Here are some reasons why you should experience local events while on the road.

• Cultural Connection: Festivals often showcase the unique culture, traditions, and values of a community, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in local customs and lifestyles.

• Community Engagement: Attending local events fosters a sense of belonging and connection with the community. It creates opportunities to interact with locals, building relationships and friendships.

• Support for Local Economy: Festivals often feature local artisans, vendors, and food producers, helping to boost the local economy and support small businesses.

• Unique Experiences: Local events provide memorable experiences that can't be replicated elsewhere, offering a chance to try regional foods, hear local music, and participate in traditional activities.

• Fun and Entertainment: Festivals are a great source of entertainment, featuring live music, performances, games, and activities for all ages, making them perfect for family outings or gatherings with friends.

• Discovery and Exploration: Participating in local events encourages exploration of the area, revealing hidden gems such as parks, shops, and attractions that visitors might not have discovered otherwise.

How can you make your trip to Keystone, CO even better?

While in town, it's a great idea to stay in style with the breathtaking backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. At Great Western Lodging, we offer a superior selection of luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings.

Staying in one of our properties, we guarantee you'll have nothing less than a 5-star experience during your trip to Keystone.