Friday, December 29

26th Aspen Film Academy Screenings
2, 5 & 8:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House

Catch up before awards season at this film series (select dates through January 1), which highlights 29 acclaimed films actively campaigning for Academy Award consideration. Free to voting members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, British Film and Television Arts, and associated guilds, this annual tradition on Aspen’s holiday calendar is also open to the general public. $20 (general admission), $15 (members), aspenfilm.org 

Ullr Nights
5-9 p.m., Snowmass

Bundle up and ride the Snowmass gondola ($10) to some family-friendly snow play, including the new Breathtaker mountain coaster and lift-served tubing ($49 for a two-hour activities pass to access both; reserve in advance), free ice skating, free snowshoe tours with a guide from the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (6 and 7:30 p.m.), snowbiking ($72 guided rides for ages 12 and up, free minibikes for younger kids), and climbing and sliding on a massive snow sculpture. Elk Camp restaurant serves dinner with live music, followed by s’mores and hot cocoa by the bonfire. aspensnowmass.com

JAS Café
7 & 9 P.M., Cooking School of Aspen

Jazz Aspen Snowmass presents this winter-long series of intimate shows by leading musicians and vocalists, with a performance from DeeDee Bridgewater. $145 (with dinner, sold out), $75 (sold out), jazzaspensnowmass.org

Saturday, December 30

Audi Ajax Cup
9 a.m.–6 p.m., Aspen Mountain

Fundraising for the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club is action packed during these annual head-to-head giant slalom races on Aspen Mountain’s Little Nell run; each team of six includes a former pro skier, one being Olympic and World Championship gold medalist Bode Miller. Cheer them on for free from the gondola base, or purchase a benefit ticket (starting at $500) and get access to pre-event launch party on December 27 and a hosted viewing platform and lunch at Shlomo’s during the races. Free to spectate, teamavsc.org

Guided Tour
1 p.m., Aspen Art Museum

Drop-in for a spotlight tour of the latest exhibitions led by museum staff. Free, aspenartmuseum  

26th Aspen Film Academy Screenings
12, 2, 5 & 8 p.m., Paepcke Auditorium

Catch up before awards season at this film series (select dates through January 1), which highlights 20 acclaimed films actively campaigning for Academy Award consideration. Free to voting members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, British Film and Television Arts, and associated guilds, this annual tradition on Aspen’s holiday calendar is also open to the general public. $20 (general admission), $15 (members), aspenfilm.org 

JAS Café
7 & 9 p.m., Cooking School of Aspen

Jazz Aspen Snowmass presents this winter-long series of intimate shows by leading musicians and vocalists, with a performance from DeeDee Bridgewater. $145 (with dinner), $75, jazzaspensnowmass.org

Moonlit Trek and Dinner
5:30 p.m. Snowmass

Travel for 1.2 miles around the Snowmass Cross Country Center trail system on cross-country skis or snowshoes, then end at the Black Saddle Bar and Grille for a three-course pasta dinner, cash bar, and s’mores roast, with live music by Tom Paxton. New this winter is an optional guided tour with an ACES naturalist, who provides information on flora and fauna of the local region. Reservations required for dinner. $19.67 dinner, $10 ski or snowshoe rentals, gosnowmass.com 

Jason Latimer: Curator of Impossible Science
6:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House

How does he form water into shapes like flowers and spheres—and then “pop” them? Or hang a shirt on a laser beam? You’re unlikely to figure it out, but you’ll definitely wonder, which is Latimer’s aim, as he combines magic and science in fantastical illusions to inspire curiosity among young and old (he also promotes S.T.E.M. education at science labs and festivals around Southern California), $42 (adult), $32 (child). wheeleroperahouse.com

Jane’s Addiction
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen

Lucky ticketholders will get to rock the house with Perry Farrell and his friends—and ring in the new year in sonic overload—at this pair of sold-out shows. The only way to get in at this point is if you’re lucky enough to find an extra for sale.  $185/$475, bellyupaspen.com 

Sunday, December 31

Mountain Social
5 p.m. – 2 a.m., St. Regis

The St. Regis Aspen Resort hosts a no-cover party in its lobby lounge, with a DJ and complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. Get a primo view of the fireworks over Aspen Mountain through the bar’s floor-to-ceiling windows, or from the hotel’s central courtyard just outside, then settle in by the two-sided fireplace to give a warm welcome to the new year. No cover, stregisaspen.com

New Year’s Eve 2017
6:30 p.m., Aspen Art Museum

Join the Aspen Art Museum for a artsy New Year’s Eve celebration at the Aspen Art Museum with fine wine, excellent food, art activities for the whole family, and the best view of the fireworks in Aspen. 
$235 (sold out), aspenartmuseum.org

New Year’s Eve Fireworks
8 p.m., 10 p.m. & Midnight, Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Village

Blast off into the new year with two rounds of fireworks over Aspen Mountain (8 p.m. and midnight)—keep the celebration going at the bonfire and DJ at Wagner Park in between—and one round over Snowmass ski area at 10 p.m. Free, aspenchamber.org; gosnowmass.com

Jane’s Addiction
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen

Lucky ticket holders will get to rock the house with Perry Farrell and his friends—and ring in the new year in sonic overload—at this pair of sold-out shows. The only way to get in at this point is if you’re lucky enough to find an extra for sale. From $185 (sold out), bellyupaspen.com

The Infamous Stringdusters
9:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House

By adding in a little jam band improv and exploring the full range of their instruments, the Dusters have put their own stamp on the bluegrass genre. They’re also known for their live shows, making them great company on a night like New Year’s Eve. This now sold-out show includes complimentary beer and wine, appetizers, and a midnight Champagne toast. Doors open at 7:45 pm. $150, wheeleroperahouse.com

Dom Perignon New Year’s Eve Party
10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m., The Little Nell

The Little Nell becomes party central, with celebrations in all of the hotel’s bars and lounges, including spirits flowing all evening from Belvedere, Hennessy, and, of course, Dom; food stations; DJs; and live jazz, with a temporary break in the action to watch the midnight fireworks over Aspen Mountain. DJ Amy Robbins will get the crowd to their feet in The Belvedere Lounge, DJ Cyn and DJ Dylan will be spinning in The Dom Pérignon Lounge and Steve Peer and All That Jazz will perform in the Hennessy Lounge. Breakdancers from New York City and Samba dancers from Las Vegas will lead the charge on the dance floors. $575. thelittlenell.com

Midnight Crush New Year’s Eve Party
10 p.m. – 1:45 a.m., Limelight Hotel Aspen

Nightout and Aspen82, in-conjunction with the Limelight Hotel in Aspen, present this extravagant New Year’s Eve bash. The theme of Midnight Crush eludes to a sweet and sultry Candy Land, featuring bottomless Veuve Clicquot, sweet and sultry delights, passed hors’doeuvres, a photo booth, Belvedere vodka, Breckenridge Distillery spirits, party favors, and beats by DJ Trizz. Final tier admission $250 (sold out), VIP 6 top table $5,000, VIP 10 top table $9,000. limelighthotels.com

New Year’s Eve After Party
10 p.m. – 2 a.m., Grey Lady Aspen

Ring in the New Year at this festive after party featuring beats spun by talented New York DJ Charlie Clark. Pre-sale $195; $250 night-of, VIP inquiries on website, greyladyaspen.com 

New Year’s Eve: Great Gatsby Party
11 p.m. – 2 a.m., Aspen Kitchen

Spend the later part of the evening in your finest fashion from the Roaring 20s at this Gatsby themed bash, featuring a premium open bar, caviar bumps, and much more.  11pm - 2am, $250 per person, eventbrite.com

Silver City’s New Year’s Eve Party
8 p.m., Silver City Mountain Saloon

Enjoy music by the musical anchor of Western Colorado, the William’s Brothers Band, featuring hit Blues songs, and a champagne toast at midnight. $20 cover, silvercityaspen.com

Monday, January 1

History Ski Tour
11 a.m. & 1 p.m., Aspen Highlands

Learn about the amazing mining and ski history lying literally beneath your feet as you tour Aspen Highlands with a long time local historian. Meets at Guest Services cabin outside the Merry Go Round at mid-mountain. Free with lift ticket ($94), aspenhistory.org 

Emancipator
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen

Thedrop.com calls DJ Doug Appling "one of the "10 Downtempo Artists You Need to Add to Your Playlist." $28 (advance), $32 (door), bellyupaspen.com