The Sundance Film Festival, a program of the nonprofit Sundance Institute founded by Robert Redford, is the preeminent gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives. Since 1985, hundreds of films launched at the Festival have gone on to gain critical acclaim and reach new audiences worldwide. Each January, the Sundance Film Festival introduces a global audience to groundbreaking work and emerging talent in independent storytelling.

The Festival's programming team recently curated a Sundance Film Festival 101 watchlist — a perfect jumping-off point for discovering films that made their debut at the Festival.

The Festival will transition to Boulder starting in 2027. The Festival dates are January 21-31, 2027.

Yes, and we hope you will! The Festival is open to the public, and every year, thousands of film lovers from around the world come to experience the premieres, screenings, panels and events. You can buy Festival tickets and passes closer to the event date.

Boulder is located in north central Colorado — exactly where the plains and the Rocky Mountains meet. The city's elevation is 5,430 feet (1,665 meters) above sea level. That's a few thousand feet lower than our friends in high-alpine towns like Vail (8,239 feet) or Breckenridge (9,600 feet). Looking west in Boulder, you'll be able to see gorgeous mountain views. Denver is about 30 minutes away. 

Great question. Boulder sits exactly where the mountains meet the plains. So you get all the natural beauty of a mountain setting at a lower altitude, with easy driving conditions and moderate temperatures. 

Boulder's elevation above sea level: 5,430 feet (1655 meters)

With a population of around 105,000 (about 30% of those students), Boulder has big city amenities while still being walkable and neighborly. The city is geographically compact at just 27.8 square miles (44.7 square kilometers).

In a nutshell: our obsessions with outdoor recreation, health foods, land preservation, science research, breweries, wellness and innovation. Read our page What Boulder Is Known For to discover why.

A compact downtown core means you can leave your car at the hotel or skip it entirely, and other neighborhoods and sites are easily accessed by bike or public transit.

The Flatirons and Pearl Street are our top two must-sees, but you'll want to check out the complete list and explore your own interests.

Boulder typically sees its lightest snowfall in January, with average daytime highs around 47°F (8°C). Snowfall may come and go, frequently followed by bright sunshine and crisp, clear days.

Winter in Boulder is typically filled with bluebird days, and festival attendees can hit over 160 miles of hiking trails, try fat biking or e-biking on all-weather tires or head up into the hills for some snowshoeing. This is a town of avid skiers, and Eldora ski area, one of 11 “Colorado Gems,” is just 35 minutes away and has a renowned adaptive ski center so everyone can take part. The world-famous slopes at Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Winter Park are about two hours away. 

More of an indoor explorer? Boulder's museums, teahouses and tea experiences, shopping, eateries and coffeehouses (so...many...coffeehouses) await. In a town that has one of the highest concentration of professional artists per capita in the country, you'll also find art museums, galleries, studios and performances to check out.   

For even more only-in-Boulder experiences, contact us at visitor@bouldercvb.com and we'll help make your dreams become reality — from epic mountain adventures to creative outings to wellness and relaxation.

Visit our Where to Stay page.

Boulder offers a range of lodging options, from budget-friendly hotels to boutique inns and high-end properties. Currently there are 4,777 hotel rooms within a ten-mile radius of the proposed core festival footprint. By 2027, there will be over 5,000 hotel rooms available within a ten-mile radius of Boulder, over 15,000 hotel rooms within a 20-minute drive and over 74,000 within 40 miles. 

Festival attendees will also be able to choose from short term rentals and private homes in and around Boulder. 

The City of Boulder plans to provide free local bus transit on Boulder’s HOP bus route, as well as shared e-bike passes (up to 5,000), to Festival attendees and patrons during the Festival period. More information about transportation options during the Festival will be provided as the City moves through the planning process.

Boulder offers a blend of walkability, public transit, bike networks and regional access and currently accommodates a daytime commuting population of about 150,000 through sustainable modes of transportation. Festival transportation will include:

• Local circular Boulder transit with service hours to match the Festival schedule, free to Festival attendees, on the HOP bus.

• Free passes (up to 5,000) for Boulder's e-bike sharing program for Festival attendees. (January often enjoys mild weather in Boulder. In January 2025, Boulder had 33,000 BCycle shared e-bike trips.)  

• Regional Transportation Department (RTD) buses and commuter rail lines

• Park-and-ride hubs and dedicated Sundance Film Festival shuttles

• Express bus service on major corridors

• Coordination with coach services and mobility partners

• Mobile ticketing and trip planning using Transit 

• Shared e-scooter programs. (In January 2025, Boulder had 21,000 Lime scooter trips.) 

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the nearest major airport and a 45-minute drive to Boulder along easy, non-mountainous highways that becomes more and more scenic the closer you get to Boulder. DEN serves 225 destinations nonstop and is the largest airport site in North America and the second-largest in the world. You can take the public Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus from DEN to Boulder (Route AB1) for $10 one way, with a final destination at the Downtown Boulder Transit Station at 14th and Walnut, in the heart of downtown. 

Boulder has over 400 restaurants, from high-end and MICHELIN-recognized establishments to quick-and-delicious spots for attendees to grab and go. Over 225 of these can accommodate gluten-free dining, about 300 of them can easily accommodate vegetarian requests, and 175 have vegan choices on the menu. In addition, we have kosher and halal options, with a variety of cuisines from just about every corner of the globe. 

While exact venues are being finalized, the Festival organizers plan to focus the event in central Boulder, utilizing a variety of theaters and venues, including spaces around Pearl Street and locations on the University of Colorado Boulder campus.

The dates for the Sundance Film Festival in 2027 have not been released at this time. We will update this page as soon as we know.

Yes, upcoming developments in Boulder include:

• The new Limelight Boulder hotel and conference center opened in summer 2025 with 252 rooms and 25,000 square feet of meeting space

• St Julien Hotel & Spa expansion (adding 39 extended-stay suites)

• New mixed-use cultural district with a 2,500-person event center and 150-room hotel

• Other hotel developments are coming but not yet announced

Historically, the Sundance Film Festival has had a significant economic impact on its host location. According to the most recent economic impact report, the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Utah generated $132 million in economic activity. This included $13.8 million in tax revenue, $69.7 million in wages and support for 1,730 jobs. That year, the Festival drew 72,840 unique in-person attendees, including 24,200 from out of state. Those visitors accounted for an estimated $106.4 million in spending on hotels, dining, shopping and other activities.  
 

We believe Boulder offers the Sundance Film Festival a strong partnership rooted in a shared commitment to creativity and independent voices. Set at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder makes for a close-to-nature setting paired with urban amenities and venues.  

Other benefits include local investments that will last for years, as well as an economic boost to the Boulder hospitality industry during winter months, when visitor spending is typically low. The Festival will also introduce thousands of filmmakers and industry professionals to Colorado, increasing the likelihood they’ll return to film future projects, bringing continued economic benefit.

Are you a media professional with questions? Please submit your questions to media@bouldercvb.com.

Are you a hospitality partner with questions about the upcoming Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027? Contact us at partner@bouldercvb.com.

Visit sundance.org/boulder for information about attending, partnering, volunteering, supporting and more. You'll also be able to sign up for their mailing list to receive updates about the 2027 Festival and all of Sundance Institute's year-round activities. Community members can reach Visit Boulder by emailing visitor@bouldercvb.com.

The Festival would love to have your help, and volunteering is a great way to get involved! Please reach out to volunteers@sundance.org for more information.

Through the Festival Lodging Program, Boulder homeowners can apply for a Festival Lodging Rental License to temporarily rent their homes during the Festival period.

The Boulder Chamber is helping to connect local businesses and property owners with brands and Festival partners who need commercial space. If you have a commercial property you're interested in offering for lease or are looking for available space during the Festival, please visit the Boulder Chamber's Sundance Film Festival Partner Hub. 

If you are a third party seeking to use the Sundance Institute® or Sundance Film Festival® trademarks or logos for any non-editorial reason — including promotional, commercial or co-branding purposes — please contact the Sundance Institute at marketing_inquiries@sundance.org. 

Unauthorized use or misuse of the brand assets is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.