Friday, August 25

Mountainfilm on Tour
Times vary through Sunday, Wheeler Opera House

Mountainfilm’s world tour kicked off its 2017/18 season in Aspen earlier this week, bringing more than 40 documentaries from its banner film festival in Telluride to the Wheeler Opera House screen through Sunday. Along with exceptional documentaries, the festival goes beyond the film medium by bringing together world-class athletes, speakers, change makers and visionary artists for a multi-dimensional celebration of the indomitable spirit. Individual tickets from $25, mountainfilm.org

Aspen Summer Holiday
Times and locations vary through Saturday

Mens Vows and Aspen Chamber Resort Association present the first of its kind, summer mountain week for the LGBT community filled with authentic Rocky Mountain outdoor experiences, art gallery outings, dine-arounds, and late night parties. Its signature event is at the St. Regis on Friday night (8:30 p.m.) featuring a champagne reception, dancing, and runway show benefiting the LGBTQ National Task Force. Individual tickets from $50, aspensummerholiday.com   

Cowboy Up Carbondale
6–10 p.m., 4th Street Plaza, Downtown Carbondale

Celebrate the Roaring Fork Valley's western heritage with a good old fashion dance and BBQ with live music by LeverAction and eats by Slow Groovin' BBQ. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the local non-profit Ascendigo, which helps elevate the spectrum for kids and adults with autism. $5 (food & drinks additional), carbondale.com

Saturday, August 26

Mountainfilm on Tour
Times vary through Sunday, Wheeler Opera House

Mountainfilm’s world tour kicked off its 2017/18 season in Aspen earlier this week, bringing more than 40 documentaries from its banner film festival in Telluride to the Wheeler Opera House screen through Sunday. Along with exceptional documentaries, the festival goes beyond the film medium by bringing together world-class athletes, speakers, change makers and visionary artists for a multi-dimensional celebration of the indomitable spirit. Individual tickets from $25, mountainfilm.org

Aspen Summer Holiday
Times and locations vary

Mens Vows and Aspen Chamber Resort Association present the first of its kind, summer mountain week for the LGBT community filled with authentic Rocky Mountain outdoor experiences, art gallery outings, dine-arounds, and late night parties. Its signature event is at the St. Regis on Friday night (8:30 p.m.) featuring a champagne reception, dancing, and runway show benefiting the LGBTQ National Task Force. Individual tickets from $50, aspensummerholiday.com   

Aspen Saturday Market
8 a.m.–3 p.m.

The best way to spend a summer Saturday morning in Aspen? At the U-shaped farmer’s market in the heart of town, perusing plenty of locally grown produce, handmade crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs. Free, aspenchamber.org

ACES Family Saturdays
10 a.m.–3 p.m., Hallam Lake

Give the little ones some extra motivation for the school year with nature-inspired activities throughout the day at this 25-acre preserve in the heart of town. And don’t miss the popular Eagles, Hawks, and Owls program, followed by a feeding demonstration at 2 p.m. $10 suggested donation per family, aspennature.org

New Moon Stargazing 
8–11 p.m., Top of Independence Pass

Join the Aspen Science Center for the stunning wonder of the cosmos are on display at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 12,095 feet, offering a stunning glimpse back in time and across the universe. Three Rivers Astronomy Club will bring its latest telescopes that will let you see the rings of Saturn and deep into the cosmos where nebulae and novae await. Free, aspensciencecenter.org

The Budos Band
9 p.m., Belly Up Aspen

This nine-man-band brings their afro-beat, soul-jazz, and funk instrumental ensemble sound to the stage with special guest Hanni El Khatib. $18, bellyupaspen.com

Sunday, August 27

Mountainfilm on Tour
Times vary, Wheeler Opera House

Mountainfilm’s world tour kicked off its 2017/18 season in Aspen earlier this week, bringing more than 40 documentaries from its banner film festival in Telluride to the Wheeler Opera House screen through Sunday. Along with exceptional documentaries, the festival goes beyond the film medium by bringing together world-class athletes, speakers, change makers and visionary artists for a multi-dimensional celebration of the indomitable spirit. Individual tickets from $25, mountainfilm.org

Bluegrass Sundays
12–3 p.m., Aspen Mountain

Take a hike up Ajax; once you make the summit, nothing beats a cold beer and a free open-air concert on top of the world as a reward. The roster of local bluegrass bands rotates each week, and if you’re not up for the hike, catch the Silver Queen Gondola ($22), which starts spinning at 10 a.m. Free, aspensnowmass.com 

Basalt Sunday Market
10 a.m.–2 p.m., Downtown Basalt

We love the community and family-friendly vibe at this weekly farmer’s market filled with local produce, unique art, handmade crafts, and freshly prepared foods. Plus, there’s live music. Living or staying up valley? We recommend biking down the Rio Grande Trail in the morning to get there (the bike rack–outfitted RFTA bus can bring you back). Free, basaltsundaymarket.com

Wine & Weave
4–7 p.m., Maker + Place

Taught by two local sisters, learn how to taste a variety of Old World wines alongside their history, plus how to weave on a floorloom. Hillary Zio is a certified sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and holds an advanced certificate in wines and spirits with the W.S.E.T. Clarity Fornell is a trained handweaver with a BA in Fibers from Savannah College of Arts and Design and first artist in residence at Maker + Place. Each participant will take home a woven piece and a bottle of wine. $300, makerandplace.com

WindWalkers Benefit Screening
5:30 p.m. (reception), Hooch & 7 p.m. (screening), Isis Theater

Aspen Film presents the uplifting docudrama Dark Horse, about a group of working-class residents in a Welsh mining town who pool together and buy a race horse. The screening is preceded by a cocktail reception at Hooch, both to benefit WindWalkers, a local therapeutic riding program for kids and adults. $25 (screening), $45 (reception & screening), aspenfilm.org

Live Poetry Night
6:30 p.m., Mountain Chalet

Aspen Poets’ Society monthly series has a new location, which will host guest poets Barbara Ford and Valerie Nuzzo, with and open mic session and live music by Bobby Mason. Free, aspenpoetsociety.com

Live Music with Deltaz
9 p.m., Justice Snow’s

Los Angeles-based brothers John Siegel and Ted Siege will fill the parlour with their wide spectrum of sounds ranging from heavy blues and psychedelic rock to classic country and folk. No cover, justicesnows.com