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 Conservancy Fryingpan River & Beyond Clean-Up | April 22, 2024
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.
Roaring Fork Charity Classic | May 7, 2024
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 2024 beneficiary is 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. Applicants must be a Basalt-oriented charity or a public group which sponsor a public project that benefits the Town of Basalt. Applications are posted in January each year.
Motors on Midland at Willits | May 18, 2024, 4–7 p.m. | Register a car
Traditionally held on a Saturday evening in the late Spring | NOTE: Due to the construction tied to the Midland Ave Streetscape project, the 2024 event will be held in Willits Town Center at TACAW. Same great cars, new location!
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. The 2023 event will benefit the Basalt Education Foundation. Details and car registration are here. Organizer: Amy Honey, BEF Board member – ahoney@basaltedu.org | 970.922.8630
Crown Mountain Park Summerfest Series | May 31 • June 13 • June 27 • July 11, 2024
The Crown Mountain Park Summerfest Series is the ultimate celebration of summer, bringing the community together for a series of unforgettable events. The first event will include watching The Goonies in the park under the stars. The series will also feature live music and free activities for kids of all ages.
Willits Local Vocals | May 31-September 6, 2024
New for 2024! In addition to the Wednesday night concert series, Triangle Park will be home to Willits Local Vocals, a series of eight intimate live music performances occurring every other Friday night during the summer. The venue will be used both as a location for local artists to headline their own evening as well as serve as an incubator for new talent building their skills for the big stage. See the Town of Basalt’s website for more details.
Basalt Half Marathon | June 1, 2024
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 17th Annual River Float | June 8, 2024
Every year, the Roaring Fork Conservancy offers valley residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the Roaring Fork River first-hand. Spend the morning with RFC staff and river ambassadors as they float the middle Roaring Fork River with Blazing Adventures and Blue Sky Rafting. After the float, meet at the River Center for lunch catered by Slow Groovin. For more information and to register for the event, visit the Roaring Fork Conservancy website.
Basalt Sunday Market | June 16–September 29, 2024
Traditionally every Sunday from mid-June (starting on Father’s Day) through the end of September | 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 fares can be found in this eclectic collection of local vendors. Live music is provided weekly.
The 2024 Basalt Sunday Market will be held every Sunday in downtown Basalt, along Midland Spur and Lions Park (the original Market location), from June 16th through September 29th, rain or shine. The Market is open to the general public from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Organizer: The Town of Basalt. Please direct any questions that you have to the Market Manager at sundaymarket@basalt.net. More information, including the vendor application, is available on the Town’s website. Vendor applications will be accepted through Monday, February 19, 2024, at 5 p.m. MST. Applications received outside of that period will be considered based on available space and the vendor’s product.
Basalt Summer Concert Series | June 19– August 28, 2024
A long-standing Basalt tradition, the Basalt Summer Concert Series has been showcasing a wide variety of musical genres with performances across town for over 30 years. The free concerts are held during the summer months on Wednesday evenings from 5:30–8:30 p.m., at the Basalt River Park in Downtown. Bring a blanket, chairs, and a picnic, and enjoy free live music all summer long. Be sure to support area businesses by stopping in for dinner or happy hour afterward.
The 2024 Basalt Summer Concert Series will return this summer with 10 Wednesday concerts from June 19 through August 28, 2024. NOTE: there will not be a concert on July 3, 2024. For the band lineup and more information, details are at basalt.net/concerts.
The 2024 Basalt Summer Concert Series Sponsorship deck is available here. Sponsorship inquires should be directed to Michelle Thibeault.
All 2024 booking inquiries should be directed to the Town of Basalt at Events@Basalt.net.
Organizer: The Town of Basalt.
TACAW Annual Gala | June 27, 2024
This gala is TACAW’s biggest fundraising event of the year, hosted on its spectacular indoor/outdoor campus. The evening features live music, comedy, cocktails, a seated dinner, and a festive after-party. There will also be a number of performative surprises throughout the night from the creative community. All proceeds support the nonprofit’s mission to elevate the growing artistic community in the Roaring Fork Valley. TACAW is home to an ongoing presentation of artists, musicians, speakers, authors, and comedians. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit TACAW’s website.
Basalt River Jams | July 6, 2024
New for 2024! On Saturday, from early afternoon until the evening, the Basalt River Park will come alive with a special event featuring performances from five bands, including a few favorites from the 2023 Basalt Summer Concert series lineup. The Town of Basalt is collaborating with The Art Base and the Basalt Regional Library for Basalt’s first annual Boat Parade. Participants will put in upstream at Fisherman’s Park, float past the Basalt River Park, finishing the parade at Duroux Park boat launch area. Details about the new river park event and how to participate will be available on the Town’s website and its social media.
Aspen Valley Marathon • Half Marathon • 5K | July 13, 2024
Traditionally the Second Saturday in July | The Aspen Valley Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K. A Boston Qualifier, the marathon is a beautiful and scenic run along the Rio Grande trail (80% paved trail/20% hardpacked dirt). Throughout the marathon and half marathon runners descend from Aspen to Basalt, a net downhill that is prime for a Personal Record or a BQ.
National Night Out | August 6, 2024
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.
pARTy at The Art Base | August 17, 2024
The annual gala for The Art Base, every third Saturday in August, supports the nonprofit’s mission to foster creative expression in the visual arts for all ages and abilities. The evening features a specialty cocktail reception, fine wine and dining, live music, an exclusive silent auction of over one hundred 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 remains a secret until after the auction.
Basalsa | August 24, 2024
Join us for the annual summer tradition that is Basalsa! (The name is a blending of “Basalt” and “Salsa”). Originally conceived in 2008 by Pete McBride, Basalsa is a one-day dance festival featuring workshops, social dancing, and performances for the whole community to enjoy. Since 2021, TACAW has hosted this family-friendly event in partnership with MEZCLA SOCIALS DANCE. The fun salsa celebration features multiple esteemed instructors, kid’s activities, food trucks, and live music at the evening social. And it is all free!
Taste of Basalt | November 2, 2024
The annual Taste of Basalt is a fund drive for the Basalt Education Foundation and is traditionally held at the Roaring Fork Club on the first Saturday in November. Food samples, wine tasting, dancing, a silent auction, and more make for a great night. The proceeds from the event help to enhance education in the Basalt Public Schools.
More details to follow
Emma Schoolhouse Christmas Bazaar | 2024 Dates to Follow
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
Details about the event can be found on the official Emma Schoolhouse Bazaar Facebook page.
Basalt Turkey Trot | November 28, 2024
Come burn the bird AND support Basalt schools on Thanksgiving morning at the annual Basalt Turkey Trot! Choose your own holiday fitness adventure – run or walk the traditional 5K or the one mile fun run. Enjoy music, concessions, a raffle, and prizes for first place adult, kid, and best costume. Gobble gobble!
More details to follow
Holiday Tree Lightings | December 6, 2024 (Willits) & December 13, 2024 (Historic Downtown)
The Town of Basalt hosts two different evenings to get into the holiday spirit with one event at Triangle Park in Willits and another in Downtown in the Basalt River Park. Both evenings are family-friendly and a wonderful opportunity to get out, enjoy the community, and do a little holiday shopping. Each night includes caroling, a tree lighting, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. Updated 2024 links and information will be available closer to the event.
Menorah Lighting | December 25, 2024 (First day of Hanukkah)
The Town of Basalt, in collaboration with the Aspen Jewish Congregation, annually hosts a menorah lighting ceremony on the first day of Hanukkah at Triangle Park in Willits Town Center.
The Aspen Jewish Congregation will have more details available closer to the holiday.