Denver Outside Days 2026 Expands With Major Music Acts, New Downtown Venue, Capital One Presale Benefits, Outdoor Culture Experiences Rise

Published on December 4, 2025

Outside Interactive Inc., working alongside Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and supported by presenting partners Capital One and REI Co-op, has confirmed the return of Outside Days to downtown Denver from May 28 to 31, 2026. Previously known as Outside Festival & Summit, the reimagined event will debut a larger footprint, a new location, and one of its most ambitious lineups to date, headlined by globally acclaimed artists including Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket, Cage The Elephant, Tash Sultana, Goth Babe, Japanese Breakfast, The Flaming Lips, Dawes, and several other performers set to be revealed in the months ahead.

With a sharpened focus on connecting people through outdoor community, culture, and creativity, Outside Days has evolved into one of the most dynamic gatherings in the outdoor industry calendar. The 2026 edition promises four full days of trail-inspired storytelling, discovery, and entertainment, anchored by athletes, explorers, filmmakers, wellness leaders, and innovators who bring the modern outdoor movement to life.

Capital One Cardholders Receive 48-Hour Early Access

Capital One, the event’s presenting sponsor, is offering an exclusive window of early presale access for eligible Capital One and REI Co-op Mastercard® customers. The presale opens Wednesday, December 3 at 10 a.m. MST and continues through Friday, December 5 at 10 a.m. MST. Cardholders will receive a suite of benefits throughout the buildup to the festival and during the event itself, including:

• Early-bird pricing through April 1, 2026
• Access to a dedicated Capital One cardholder lounge
• Discounts on merchandise, food, and selected premium experiences
• Priority perks designed to streamline entry and elevate the on-site experience

General public ticket sales begin immediately after the presale closes, launching Friday, December 5 at 10 a.m. MST.

New Downtown Denver Venue, Bigger Vision for 2026

After drawing more than 50,000 attendees across its past two editions and contributing an estimated $35 million to Colorado’s economy, Outside Days is expanding its presence with a move to Denver’s Auraria Campus. The venue shift transforms the city center into a sprawling, interactive adventure environment, giving festivalgoers more space to explore, participate, and connect.

Organizers anticipate welcoming more than 35,000 attendees in 2026, supported by an immersive calendar of experiences. These include live concerts, conversations with elite outdoor athletes, specialty workshops, adventure film screenings, climbing and gear demos, culinary showcases, and a broad mix of wellness, movement, and skill-building sessions.

Many signature activities will be co-created with Outside’s brand partners, ensuring a high level of authenticity, innovation, and expertise across the festival grounds.

A Multi-Track Industry Conference Anchors Opening Day

Thursday, May 28 marks the opening of the event’s professional programming. The Outside Summit, now entering its third year, will gather outdoor industry leaders for deep-dive discussions on the future of recreation, sustainability, product innovation, and community engagement.

Running alongside the summit is Outside Ignite, a startup pitch showcase returning for its second year. The competition will connect emerging founders with investors and thought leaders across outdoor technology, gear, travel, media, and experiential services.

In 2026, the industry conference expands with two new themed tracks:

• Attract – a hub for professionals in the global travel ecosystem
• Endure – a gathering space for endurance race organizers, directors, and event producers

Professionals can access all tracks with an Industry Pass, which also includes entry to Friday festival programming and exclusive networking areas throughout the weekend.

Strong Partnership Ecosystem Fuels the Festival’s Growth

The 2026 edition is produced by Boulder-based Outside Interactive Inc., working in collaboration with Capital One, REI Co-op, the Jeep brand, Brooks Running, UC Health, The North Face, VF Foundation, Visit Denver, and the State of Colorado. Executive production is overseen by Groundswell Experiential and Superfly, two agencies known for delivering high-impact experiential festivals.

Ticket Pricing and Access Options for 2026

After the Capital One presale concludes, all ticket tiers will open to the general public starting at:

• $150 for full-weekend general admission
• $60 for a single-day general admission ticket

VIP experiences will be available from:

• $175 for VIP single-day access
• $400 for a full-weekend VIP pass

VIP ticketholders receive elevated festival perks, including a dedicated viewing area, exclusive food options, private bars, and expedited entry.

Outside+ members will continue to receive year-round early-bird pricing on all VIP ticket types and single-day GA tickets. Members may also purchase GA+ passes at GA rates, with GA+ starting at $300 for a three-day pass and featuring benefits such as express entry, private restrooms, additional food and beverage options, and access to the Outside+ Lounge.

Children aged 12 and under will be admitted free with a ticketed adult.