NOTE: As these are annual events, the dates change due to scheduling demands. When possible, the confirmed date is included, otherwise the approximate timing is listed.
Roaring Fork Restaurant Week | Stay tuned for 2022
A new winter tradition! For the second year in a row, the Basalt Chamber is excited to partner with The Aspen Times and area businesses to present Roaring Fork Restaurant Week 2020. Restaurant Week is an event where restaurants offer select specials and/or fixed price menus, so customers can try many different types of food and explore new places to eat. Restaurant week appeals to locals and tourists alike, and this is THE WEEK to find your new favorite lunch or dinner spot, while taking advantage of the special pricing. Article
Roaring Fork Conservancy Fryingpan River Clean-Up | April 19-23, 2021
Every Spring, the Roaring Fork Conservancy welcomes the community to help clean up a one-mile section of either the two rivers that flow through Basalt: the Fryingpan River or the Roaring Fork River. Additionally, there are prizes for Best of Trash, Most Useful, Most Unusual Trash. More information can be found on the Roaring Fork Conservancy website. 2021 event details
Roaring Fork Charity Classic | TBD in 2021
A combined effort between the Town of Basalt and the Roaring Fork Club, the long-standing Roaring Fork Charity Classic golf tournament is an opportunity raise money for a Basalt-based non-profit (or group of non-profits), and the beneficiary changes each year. The tournament is also a chance for non-members to play on the beautiful private golf course at the Roaring Fork Club. The 2019 beneficiary was RESPONSE, a non-profit organization that provides assistance for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault within Pitkin and Western Eagle (Basalt/El Jebel) counties.
To find out more about next year’s Roaring Fork Charity Classic and/or to apply to be a beneficiary, please contact the Town of Basalt at (970) 927-4701.
Motors on Midland | TBD
Traditionally Second Saturday in June | Classic cars ranging from hot rods to cool cars and even VW vans take over Midland Avenue in Historic Downtown. The Saturday evening event features live music, a beer garden, and an award for best in show. Organizer: Amy Groom of The Hello Company.
Basalt Sunday Market | June 20–September 26, 2021
The Basalt Sunday Market is organized and managed by the Town of Basalt’s Planning Department, not the Basalt Chamber. The summer farmers market in Basalt can be found on Midland Spur, in front of Basalt Town Hall from mid-June through the end of September. A variety of fairs can be found at this eclectic collection of local vendors. Live music is provided weekly.
More information, including the vendor application, can be found on the Basalt Sunday Market website.
Basalt Chamber Summer Concert Series
Replaced with Wednesday Night Live | Save The Dates: June 23-August 11, 2021
The Chamber’s Wednesday concerts are a tradition, and an evening that our community looks forward to every summer. In 2021, events will continue to look will look a bit different, but hopefully just as much fun! The Chamber has once again partnered with the Town of Basalt and our summer concert series production partner The Arts Campus At Willits (TACAW) to bring you Wednesday Night Live – a series of smaller, spread out street performances (buskers), celebrating all that makes Basalt and the mid-valley special. The street performers will range from musicians to magicians, jugglers and comedians — all disbursed through Basalt’s two main business districts (Historic Downtown and Willits) from 5:30-8:30 p.m. each Wednesday evening. Learn more on the Wednesday Night Live page.
Roaring Fork Conservancy Annual River Float | TBD in 2021
Every year, the Roaring Fork Conservancy offers Roaring Fork Valley residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the Roaring Fork River first-hand. Spend a morning with Roaring Fork Conservancy staff and river ambassadors as they float the Roaring Fork River (from Carbondale to Glenwood Springs). After the float, join them at Coryell Ranch for a cook-out, music, and the opportunity to try stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, fly rods and the latest gear from local outfitter shops. More information can be found on the Roaring Fork Conservancy website.
Basalt Half Marathon | June 6, 2021
First Saturday in June | Arguably the fastest & most scenic half marathon on the Western Slope, the Basalt Half Marathon boasts a fun, downhill course traveling along the acclaimed Frying Pan River. The course begins 13.1 miles from Basalt on the Frying Pan Road (paved) at the base of Ruedi Reservoir. Runners will be transported to the start line from Basalt Middle School. The race will finish on Midland Ave at Lion’s Park adjacent to the Town of Basalt office building.
Roaring Fork Conservancy River Rendezvous | TBD in 2021
Now it its 20th year, the annual River Rendezvous started with the idea of creating a fundraising dinner party. The proceeds from the lively and scenic River Rendezvous allows Roaring Fork Conservancy to inspire people to explore their watershed, educate more children to adults about their rivers and streams, and protect the natural splendor for the next generation. Conservancy programs include watershed conservation, research, land conservation, water quality monitoring and education. More information can be found on the Roaring Fork Conservancy website.
Aspen Valley Marathon • Half Marathon • 5K | October 16, 2021
Traditionally Second Saturday in July | A Boston qualifier, the Aspen Valley Marathon is a beautiful and scenic run along the Rio Grande trail (a rails to trails path, that is 80% paved trail and 20% hard-packed dirt). Throughout the marathon, the runners travel from Aspen to Basalt, with a decrease of 1,418 feet in elevation (it is a net downhill race). If 26.2 miles is too much, there is also the half marathon and 5K races to test your endurance.
National Night Out | August 3, 2021
First Tuesday in August | National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign to promote strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work. In Basalt, National Night Out is focused on enhancing the relationship between neighbors, law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders while bringing back a true sense of community. It provides a great opportunity to bring together neighbors and those who protect our community under positive circumstances. The Basalt Chamber of Commerce assists the Basalt Police Department, the Roaring Fork Fire and Rescue Authority, and other first responders in the valley with the community block party and cookout. The family-friendly event also showcases the different emergency vehicles, including police cars, fire trucks and more.
Basalsa | August 14, 2021
Basalsa is back! Originally conceived by Pete McBride in 2008, Basalsa events have occurred on and off since then. TACAW is excited to play host to this family-friendly event this year. Our friends at Mezclas Social and Dance are bringing Fafa Keta-Boy and his partner, Amina Bisous, to teach salsa lessons early and then spin the very best Salsa tunes. TACAW will have activities for the kiddos so you can stay on the dance floor as long as you like.
pARTy at The Art Base | TBD in 2021
Third Saturday in August | The annual gala for The Art Base features a specialty cocktail reception, fine wine and dining, live music, an exclusive silent auction of over 100 10” x 10” artworks donated by esteemed Colorado artists, as well as award presentations. The theme of the silent auction is “name unseen”—artists are instructed not to sign their names on the front of their 10 x 10 work, so the creator’s identity remained secret until after the auction.
Taste of Basalt | Early November 2021
First Saturday in November | The annual Taste of Basalt is a fund drive for the Basalt Education Foundation (BEF), and is traditionally held at the Roaring Fork Club. Food samples, wine tasting, dancing, a silent auction and more make for a great night. The proceeds from this event help to enhance education in the Basalt Public Schools. More information can be found on the Basalt Education Foundation website.
2021 update (as of 10/21/2021): The BEF Board has made the difficult decision to delay the 2021 Taste of Basalt event, formerly scheduled for November 6th at the Roaring Fork Club. This decision was not easy, but as a board we feel it is best to postpone any indoor, in-person event that poses —school age children who cannot yet receive vaccinations. An exciting announcement is that we will continue to host a bigger-than-ever online silent auction, starting November 5th. It will feature a number of unique and carefully curated items from generous donors, creating the perfect opportunity to buy local goods for the holiday shopping season.
Emma Schoolhouse Christmas Bazaar | November 12-13
For over 40 years, the Emma Schoolhouse Christmas Bazaar has been the unofficial kickoff to holiday shopping in the midvalley. Located in the historic Emma Schoolhouse, the bazaar features all handmade food and gifts made by local artists. It’s magical how this beautiful little Schoolhouse transforms into a Rockwellian holiday boutique for the holidays. The bazaar is typically held in the first half of November (before Thanksgiving) and is open early evening on Friday (2021: 1–7 p.m.) and through the day on Saturday (2021: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.).
The 45th Annual Emma Schoolhouse Bazaar will return in 2021 as a two-day event on Friday, November 12, from 1–7 p.m. and on Saturday, November 13, from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. There will be 14 vendors, both yearly favorites and new talent. The donation item this year is organic mint, with all sale proceeds going to local charity A Way Out.
Details about the event can be found on the official Emma Schoolhouse Bazaar Facebook page.
Holiday Tree Lightings | December 3, 2021 (Light Up Willits) & December 10, 2021 (Merry on Midland)
The Town of Basalt hosts two different evenings to get into the holiday spirit with Light Up Willits and Merry on Midland. Both events include horse drawn carriages, caroling, s’more roasting, a tree lighting, and of course – Santa and Mrs. Claus. The evenings are family-friend and a wonderful opportunity to get out, enjoy the community and do a little holiday shopping. Additional details available on our Holiday celebrations page as well as the Town of Basalt’s website (updated 2021 links coming soon).
Menorah Lighting | November 28, 2021 (First day of Hanukkah)
The Town of Basalt, in collaboration with the Aspen Jewish Congregation, hosts a menorah lighting ceremony on the first day of Hanukkah. The Aspen Jewish Congregation can provide additional details about the event, which are available in the weeks leading up to the Festival of Light. Additional details available on our Holiday celebrations page.