Keystone fills the calendar with unforgettable celebrations. Winter sparkles with fireworks and family fun, summer hums with music and flavor, and fall brings Bavarian cheer to the Rockies.

Keystone is a fantastic destination offering breathtaking alpine scenery, world-class skiing, and a wide range of year-round outdoor adventures.

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

Take a little peek behind the scenes:

1. Kidtopia Holiday Spectacular (December): Family-favorite winter event with skating, snow tubing, fireworks, and Santa visits.
2. Keystone Mardi Gras (February/March): Parades, live jazz, Cajun food, and mountain-style celebrations in River Run Village.
3. Slush Cup (April): End-of-season bash with pond skimming, costumes, and plenty of laughs at Dercum Mountain.
4. Bacon and Bourbon Festival (June): Bacon-inspired dishes, bourbon tastings, and live music all weekend long.
5. Wine and Jazz Festival (July): Two days of smooth jazz, wine tastings, and gourmet bites under the summer sun.
6. Bluegrass and Beer Festival (August): Local craft brews and bluegrass bands set against the Rocky Mountain backdrop.
7. Mountain Town Music Festival (August): Free live concerts, food vendors, circus acts, and vibrant small-town energy.
8. Keystone Oktoberfest (September): Bavarian food, beer, music, and family fun fill the village with alpine cheer.

At Great Western Lodging, we specialize in premium, boutique-style vacation rentals, taking pride in creating a true mountain escape where comfort meets adventure.

As locals, we know Breckenridge, Frisco, and Keystone like the back of our hands, and our blog is packed with insider tips for your next mountain getaway. Visiting our region for the first time? Planning a ski trip? Into summer mountain thrills? We've got you covered!

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

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

Keystone Winter Events

1. 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.

Highlights

• Ice skating at Keystone Lake with a picture-perfect winter backdrop.
• Snow tubing adventures at Adventure Point.
• Fireworks lighting up the mountain sky.
• Visits and photo ops with Santa.
• Outdoor craft stations and holiday shopping in River Run Village.

2. 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.

Highlights

• Colorful parades with floats, costumes, and plenty of beads.
• Live brass bands, jazz, funk, and zydeco performances.
• Authentic Cajun and Creole bites like gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets.
• Après-ski parties with DJs, themed events, and dancing into the night.
• A mountain-meets-Mardi-Gras vibe you won't find anywhere else.

Keystone Spring Events

3. 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.

Highlights

• Pond Skimming Competition at the base of Dercum Mountain.
• Skiers and snowboarders dressed in colorful, creative costumes.
• Live music, DJs, and lively emcees keeping the crowd entertained.
• On-site food stalls with snacks, hot drinks, and craft beers.
• Family-friendly fun with great viewing spots for kids and parents alike.

Keystone Summer Events

4. Bacon and Bourbon Festival (June)

This lively festival celebrates all things bacon, paired perfectly with bourbon tastings and plenty of entertainment. The Keystone Bacon and 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.

Highlights

• Creative bacon dishes crafted by top local chefs.
• Bourbon tastings from distilleries across the country.
• Live performances from regional and national bands.
• The famous Bacon Bloody Marys, a festival favorite.
• Artisan booths with crafts, local goods, and bacon-themed souvenirs.
• Interactive cooking and bourbon-pairing demos by chefs and distillers.
• Family fun with face painting, games, and kid-friendly activities.
  
  

5. Wine and Jazz Festival (July)

Every July, Keystone comes alive with the sounds of smooth jazz and the taste of fine wine at the Wine and 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.

Highlights

• Two days of live jazz performances by talented regional musicians.
• Wine tastings featuring a wide variety of reds, whites, and sparkling selections.
• Insights and pairing tips from wine experts and vineyard reps.
• Gourmet bites from local restaurants and food vendors.
• Scenic mountain backdrop and festive village atmosphere.
  
  

6. 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.

Highlights

• Lively bluegrass performances from regional and national bands.
• Tasting sessions with dozens of local and regional craft breweries.
• Delicious food from local vendors that pair perfectly with the beer lineup.
• Relaxed outdoor setting surrounded by Rocky Mountain scenery.

7. 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. 

Highlights

• Free live performances by local and national artists
• Genres spanning folk, rock, bluegrass, and country
• Multiple stages throughout River Run Village
• Exciting shows by Salida Circus with acrobats, stilt walkers, and magicians
• Delicious food from local vendors, plus craft beer and cocktails

Keystone Fall Events

8. Keystone Oktoberfest (September)

Labor Day weekend in Keystone turns the mountains into a slice of Bavaria. The village fills with the scent of sizzling bratwursts, the sound of polka, and the cheer of locals and visitors clinking steins under the crisp Colorado sky. From hearty German dishes to cold craft brews and lively contests, Oktoberfest is Keystone's most spirited celebration of the season.

Highlights

• Classic Bavarian eats: bratwursts, pretzels, schnitzels, and sauerkraut.
• Wide selection of craft and imported German beers.
• Live polka bands and traditional dance performances.
• Fun contests like stein-holding and yodeling competitions.
• Kinderfest area with crafts, games, and family-friendly entertainment.

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 even better?

At Great Western Lodging, we offer a superior selection of luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings in Breckenridge, Frisco, and Keystone.

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