August in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley is an unforgettable time, filled with summer festivals, live music, art shows, and community celebrations that truly showcase the heart of these mountain towns. Whether you’re strolling down Elk Avenue during a lively art walk or catching a local band under a starlit sky, the sense of connection and small-town charm is undeniable. These events don’t just bring in visitors — they also remind us why so many people choose to put down roots here.
Paint fresh blooms in one sitting with artist Karolina Szumilas using the alla prima technique. Learn bold brushwork, color mixing, and composition in a relaxed, creative setting-great for all skill levels! Click here to learn more.
The 53rd Annual, Crested Butte Arts Festival will return to historic Elk Avenue, August 1st-3rd, 2025. 150 juried fine artist will exhibit in addition to live entertainment, art auction, food vendors and complimentary kids crafting tent throughout the weekend. Click here to learn more.
Calling all caregivers of little ones, bring yourself and your mini crew over to the museum on Monday May 5th from 10am-11am for a free casual, unstructured play hour with other parents and their tots before regular business hours. Geared towards kids age five and younger, but all are welcome. Be sure to bring quarters for the train! Click here to learn more.
Crested Butte became a registered National Historic District in 1974 to preserve our distinctive buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Click here to learn more.
Abbie Gardner is a fiery dobro player with an infectious smile. Whether performing solo or with Americana harmony trio Red Molly, her acclaimed tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, are propelled by her impeccable lap style slide guitar playing. Solo performances feature the dobro as a solo instrument, bouncing between a solid rhythmic backbone and ripping lead lines, all in support of her voice and songs. Click here to learn more.
For the final Alpenglow show of the summer, prepare yourself for an electrifying performance from Chicago-based funk phenomenon Hot Like Mars. Merging soul, funk, and high-energy dance rhythms, Hot Like Mars crafts an unforgettable experience filled with musical excellence and irresistible grooves. Click here to learn more.
Free summer skate night! Roller skates and blades provided. Bring your own helmet. Click here to learn more.
Kick-off the summer grooving to Music on the Mountain. This free outdoor music event is presented by the Mt. Crested Butte Town Center Association and hosted at the Red Lady Stage at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area. Click here to learn more.
The hiking opportunities in Crested Butte, Colorado are endless and the area’s majestic mountain scenery is unmatched. Click here to learn more.
CBMR is hosting even more twilight days this season!
Expanding to Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the season we will now have a total of 16 twilight days. Click here to learn more.
Gunnison Tough looks forward to carrying on local Tough Enough To Wear Pink traditions this summer through a new event… BULL FEST at the Gunnison Fairgrounds. Click here to learn more.
Home to one of the largest annual migrations of field biologists, RMBL provides logistical support for scientists and students, including access to living quarters, research laboratories, and protected research sites. Click here to learn more.
VanSlykes unique combination of accessible, highly listenable tunes with no holds barred lyrics and a refusal to be bound by conventional genres have garnered her a following who are at once enamored and empowered by her bold songwriting and gutsy performances. Click here to learn more.
Calling all ramen aficionados!
Dive into the world of Maishu Ramen every Wednesday evening at Blackstock Bistro, where a diverse array of exquisite ramen awaits. Click here to learn more.
Harmels riding program is based on developing your riding skills. They do this by separating their guests by age and riding skill whenever possible, then matching them up with one of their experienced horses. Click here to learn more.
At an altitude of 8,412 feet and surrounded by 1.6 million acres of the Gunnison National Forest, Harmel’s has a private one-mile stretch of the gold medal waters of the Taylor River. Click here to learn more.
Want to stay cool this summer? Stand up paddling, also known as SUPing, is an exciting and new way to have fun on water. Click here to learn more.
The technical peak options involve using ropes, harnesses, and helmets for safety on the more difficult climbing portions of the route.
Mt. Crested Butte offers an incredible introduction to mountaineering on the Guides Ridge route, and riding a ski lift to over 11,000 feet lets you skip the hiking and focus on the climbing, no experience necessary! Click here to learn more.
This horseback ride from Fantasy Ranch, located at Mt. Crested Butte has a little bit of everything you look for on a mountain trailride. Heading up Snodgrass Mountain, you ride through wildflower fields, cross streams, pass beaver ponds and wind though aspen groves while climbing the mountain. Click here to learn more.
The Visitor Center staff is offering Gothic townsite tours covering RMBL science and mining history twice daily from 11 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 3 pm. Click here to learn more.
Crested Butte is home to dozens of peaks from mild to wild, with summits that reach to 12,000 and 13,000 feet. These peaks range from moderate hikes to technical mountaineering adventures with many secluded summits that are rarely visited. Click here to learn more.
The ATVs can take you deeper and higher into Crested Butte, CO than any other mode of transportation. Click here to learn more.
From outdoor concerts to community triathlons, August offers endless ways to experience the vibrant lifestyle that defines Crested Butte and Gunnison.
If you’re thinking about making this valley your home, these events are the perfect window into the culture and spirit that make living here so special. Let’s connect if you’d like to explore how you can be part of this incredible community, whether it’s a seasonal retreat or a permanent place to call home.
