The festival and outdoor industry summit, taking place May 28 – 31, 2026, remains Colorado’s premier destination for celebrating outdoor community and culture
Outside Interactive Inc., in partnership with the State of Colorado's Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and presented by Capital One and REI Co-op, today announced that Outside Days, previously known as Outside Festival & Summit, will return to downtown Denver from May 28 – 31, 2026, and feature headliners Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket, Cage The Elephant, Tash Sultana, Goth Babe, Japanese Breakfast, The Flaming Lips, Dawes, and more.
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Outside Days is the premier annual celebration of outdoor community and culture, with four days of programming featuring athletes, explorers, artists, storytellers, and industry leaders crafted to inspire attendees to reconnect with the outdoors and each other.
Outside Days presenting sponsor Capital One is offering an exclusive Capital One cardholder presale, giving eligible cardholders, including REI Co-op® Mastercard® customers, 48-hour early access to tickets beginning Wednesday, December 3 at 10 a.m. MST, and ending at 10 a.m. MST on Friday, December 5. General public tickets officially go on sale starting Friday, December 5 at 10 a.m. MST. Eligible Capital One and REI Co-op Mastercard® cardholders will enjoy benefits leading up to and during the festival, such as early-bird pricing until Wednesday, April 1, 2026, exclusive access to the Capital One cardholder lounge on-site during the festival for a premium experience, discounts on merchandise and food, and more.
Building on the success of the past two years that collectively drew in more than 50,000 attendees and generated an estimated $35 million in economic impact for the state of Colorado, the 2026 festival will move to a new location, transforming downtown Denver’s Auraria Campus into an immersive outdoor experience. As the event’s footprint continues to grow, organizers are expecting more than 35,000 attendees in 2026.
"Outside Days is so much more than a festival – it’s a movement,” said Christopher Jerard, Chief Experience Officer at Outside Interactive Inc. “We believe the best days we have are the ones we spend outside, in community, with our friends and families. The huge growth between 2024 and 2025 shows there is a thirst for reconnection. So step away from your screens, gather the people you love, and come listen to music, eat good food, and feel joy, wonder, and awe together. Let us surprise you. Come touch grass with us in Denver.”
Outside Days will feature four days of exciting programming including live music, adventure film screenings, conversations with elite athletes, and experiences ranging from climbing and gear demos, to yoga and wellness classes, and culinary activations, with many activities developed in collaboration with Outside’s brand partners.
The Outside Days industry conference, which begins on Thursday, May 28, includes the third year of the Outside Summit, a networking and thought leadership gathering for outdoor professionals, and year two of Outside Ignite, a startup pitch competition that brings together founders and investors. There are also two new tracks for 2026: Attract, for innovators across the travel industry, and Endure, for endurance race directors and event organizers. All conference tracks can be accessed with an Industry Pass, which includes access to Friday Outside Days festival programming, plus exclusive networking spaces over the weekend.
“Denver’s outdoor spaces are where our city comes together to breathe, reconnect, and to build the kind of community that makes us who we are,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. "We’re proud to welcome Outside Days back to downtown Denver. This festival reflects the best of our city: creativity, connection, and a shared love of the world beyond our front doors.”
The event is managed by Boulder-based Outside Interactive Inc. with support from Capital One, REI Co-op, the Jeep® brand, Brooks Running, UC Health, The North Face, VF Foundation, Visit Denver, the State of Colorado, and executive production by industry-leading event and festival agency, Groundswell Experiential, and Superfly.
"Denver has proven itself as the natural home for this movement; a place where the outdoor industry doesn't just gather, but where we actively shape what comes next," said Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside Interactive Inc. "What started as a bold vision has evolved into a platform where entrepreneurs pitch game-changing ideas, where policy makers and brand leaders forge new partnerships, and where thousands of people come together to celebrate why we do this work. The energy is undeniable, and it's only growing."
Immediately following the Capital One cardholder presale, all tickets will be released to the general public at 10 a.m. MST on Friday, December 5, starting at $150 for the full weekend and $60 for a single day. VIP packages will start at $175 for a single day and $400 for the full weekend, with access to a premium VIP viewing area, exclusive food vendors, private bar access, expedited entry, and more. Outside+ members have access to early-bird pricing throughout the entire sales window on single-day general admission tickets and all VIP ticket types, plus members have the opportunity to purchase GA+ tier tickets at general admission pricing. Three-day GA+ tickets start at $300 and include perks like express entry, private bathrooms, additional food and beverage options, and access to the Outside+ Lounge. Children ages 12 and under enter free.
Additional programming details will be announced in the coming months. For updates and more information, visit https://outside-days.com/.
About Outside Interactive, Inc.
Outside Interactive, Inc. is the premier destination for outdoor inspiration, activation, and celebration. Each year, Outside reaches more than 300 million unique users and has more than 100 million registered users across its network of 25 media, service, and utility brands, including Outside, MapMyFitness, Velo, Yoga Journal, Pinkbike, Gaia GPS, Trailforks, athleteReg, and more. Outside’s mission is to get everyone outside, experiencing healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives by creating an experience for both longtime adventurers and those just getting started. Outside’s subscription offering, Outside+, bundles best-in-class storytelling, videos, gear reviews, mapping apps, online courses, discounted event access, and more. Learn more at outsideonline.com/outsideplus.
About Capital One
At Capital One we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them best-in-class products, rewards, service, and experiences. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation, and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, we provide our rewards cardholders with access to unforgettable experiences in the areas they’re passionate about, including dining, music, and sports and the arts. Learn more at capitalone.com/dining and capitalone.com/entertainment.
About REI
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op’s many stores across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.
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Contacts
Media Contact:
For Media Inquires, please contact Jack Taylor PR at outside@jacktaylorpr.com.
