The MusicFest at Steamboat Celebrates 40 Epic Years: A Milestone of Music, Mountains, and Memories
January 5–10, 2026 | Steamboat Springs, CO
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO — The MusicFest at Steamboat returns January 5–10, 2026, to celebrate a monumental milestone: 40 years of real music, real people, and one unforgettable ski-town tradition. What began in the early 1980s as a wild idea to bring friends and musicians together on the slopes has grown into the nation’s largest—and most beloved—winter music festival, a six-day alpine marathon of nearly 200 performances featuring over 70 acts across multiple mountain venues. Intimate, immersive performances in the majestic Rocky Mountains
Founded by John Dickson of Dickson Productions, The MusicFest is more than a festival—it’s a movement. From its humble beginnings organizing spring break trips to Cancun (and sneaking bands along for the ride) to pioneering the concept of live music on ski trips, Dickson built a legacy rooted in authenticity, grit, and community. And this 40th anniversary promises to be the most legendary yet.
4 Decades of “What’s Next” in Texas Music
Since its first outdoor show in 1986—held in the middle of the Rockies with beer freezing in the bottles—MusicFest has played a defining role in shaping the Red Dirt and Texas music scenes. Alumni of the fest read like a hall of fame: Pat Green, Robert Earl Keen, Randy Rogers, Turnpike Troubadours, Parker McCollum, Koe Wetzel, Cody Johnson, Charley Crockett, and Reckless Kelly, among hundreds of others.
The 2026 lineup will celebrate both the icons and the “what’s next” artists that have made MusicFest the launchpad it is today. Performances will span iconic venues like The MusicFest Dance Hall (Colorado’s largest), the Gravity Haus Tavern, Fish Camp, Stargazers at 10,525 feet, world’s only Dung Beetle Saloon and the legendary MusicFest Base Camp stage nestled at the foot of the Rockies.
More Than Music: A Culture All Its Own
What makes MusicFest so enduring isn’t just the music—it’s the experience. Each year, thousands of loyal fans and first-timers from all 50 states and around the world gather for an unmatched blend of world-class skiing, intimate performances, and soul-stirring mountain air. From impromptu artist encounters to heartfelt song swaps and late-night jams, no two MusicFests are alike—but every one is unforgettable.
This year, festival-goers can expect:
Tribute Concert – continuing the beloved tradition that began with Billy Joe Shaver and has honored greats like Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, and this year’s 2026 tribute artist to be announced soon.
Unscripted Collaborations – where artists come to play with each other, not just for you.
Mountain Majesty Meets Musical Intimacy – in venues that range from grand ballrooms, big Dance Hall to backcountry cabins.
A Festival That Sells Out—For a Reason
MusicFest has sold out 23 years in a row, and 2026 is poised to mark the 24th. Thanks to its one-of-a-kind pre-reservation system pioneered in the ‘90s, thousands of fans lock in their packages a year in advance. All-inclusive packages begin at around $1,000 and include 6 days/5 nights of lodging, 4 full-day lift tickets, and access to every show—a value unmatched in the festival world.
Get Real. Get There.
“Back in the ‘90s, when mainstream music was all polish and no soul, we coined our motto: Get Real,” says Dickson. “Forty years later, we still mean it. The MusicFest is a celebration of authenticity—in music, in connection, in experience.”
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or ready to start your own tradition, the 40th Anniversary of The MusicFest at Steamboat invites you to the summit of sound, slope, and spirit.
Visit www.themusicfest.com for reservations and updates. Additional photos celebrating 40 Years of The MusicFest are available here.