A&E Agenda: Wintersköl, culinary pop-ups, and ‘Space Cowboy’
Wintersköl, Thursday through Sunday, Aspen
Wintersköl, Aspen’s annual “toast to winter,” dates back to a quiet January in 1951 when locals chose to commemorate Aspen’s distinctive mountain way of life with a diverse weekend of events. The multi-day festival showcases on-mountain activities, snow sculptures, a soup contest, a craft beer festival, a torchlight descent and fireworks on Aspen Mountain plus much more.
Saturday highlights:
Noon-6 p.m.: Holiday market, Snowmass Village Conference & Event Center. Featuring over 20 local artisans and their wares. Discover unique, handcrafted gifts and one-of-a-kind treasures, while enjoying festive cocktails, lively tunes, and supporting local artists.
1:30-2 p.m.: JAS Street Horns: Don’t miss the JAS Street Horns in action. This exciting new ensemble, led by Basalt Band Director Chance Davis and JAS In-Schools Director Chris Bank, features talented students selected by their school band directors, alongside JAS In-Schools faculty and professional jazz musicians. The Street Horns bring a unique sound to life using a call-and-response style, layering powerful horn lines over funky drum beats. The result? A lively, memorized arrangement that grooves with energy and soul. Join us for a performance that showcases the skill, passion, and creativity of these rising young musicians, right here in our community.
2-6 p.m. WINTERSKÖL Beer Festival, Wagner Park. Raise a mug to the true spirit of Wintersköl. Introducing the newest addition to the winter festivities — the “Toast of Winter” Beer Festival, brought to you by Aspen Chamber Resort Association and Radiate Events. Gather for an evening of frosty festivities, live entertainment, and the unmistakable warmth that comes from celebrating the season with good company. Open to everyone; must be 21 years or older for beer/spirits tastings.
Purchase tickets online now! Avoid online fees and lines day of … on-site ticket sales are available at 5:30-7 p.m., Dec. 12 at the Icebreaker Bash at Mi Chola; and 4-6 p.m., Dec. 13 at Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge.
3-5 p.m, SOUPSKÖL, Wagner Park, Celebrate our community’s culinary creativity as restaurants from the Roaring Fork Valley come together for the legendary Soupsköl competition. You can be the ultimate judge as you taste your way through a variety of delectable soups. Winning restaurant will receive the coveted Soupsköl soup pot and bragging rights. Free to attend and taste.
5-7 p.m., St. Regis Tree Lighting, St Regis Aspen. Join St. Regis in celebrating the 13th Annual Tree Lighting at The St. Regis Aspen. Welcome the holiday season at The Resort with the illumination of our 30-foot festive tree. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause, marvel at this year’s hand-crafted gingerbread house, enjoy hot cocoa and holiday treats, and be dazzled by winter ballerinas and other festive entertainment.
7 p.m., Torchlight Parade and Fireworks, Aspen Mountain. Watch skiers and snowboarders adorned with torches descend the slopes of Aspen Mountain. Enjoy a dazzling fireworks show over Aspen Mountain to celebrate winter in style. This year’s parade proudly features the talented local athletes of the Aspen Valley Ski Club (AVSC) and our local athletes across all disciplines in the ski and snowboard world. Watch as these young athletes illuminate the slopes of Aspen Mountain with flares and glow sticks, showcasing their skill and passion for the sport.
Please note: Participation in the parade is exclusively for AVSC and Sunlight Ski Team athletes.
Monterrey’s Koli and Cometa Take Over Hotel Jerome, Thursday through Saturday, Prospect at Hotel Jerome
Monterrey’s Michelin-starred Koli Restaurant will take over Prospect for a dinner series. This immersive journey through Mexico’s food landscape promises a multi-course menu that masterfully blends tradition and innovation, showcasing the freshest ingredients and the rich heritage of Mexican cuisine. In the J-Bar and Living Room, Cometa restaurant from Monterrey will offer vibrant contemporary Mexican cuisine with creative dishes and bold flavors.
The Wine Bar opening party, Saturday, 4-7 p.m., The Little Nell
Wear your favorite vintage ski apparel and accessories to join us for this après-ski event with a DJ spinning vintage vinyl. Discover the winter bar menu with bites, specialty cocktails, beers on tap and by the bottle, and wines by the glass, bottle or porrón — a traditional glass wine pitcher that originated in Spain and is a fun and interactive way to sip. At 4:30 p.m., all are invited to step outside for a toast to Nathan Johnson with GRŌ designs of Dallas, who created the winter wall above the pool. The mixed media piece titled “GRŌ together” features the iconic Maroon Bells and symbolizes growth and unity.
Aspen Film presents “Space Cowboy,” Wednesday, 7 p.m., ISIS Theatre
Presented in conjunction with HeadQuarters. Joe Jennings, an innovator in the world of skydiving, has spent decades capturing breathtaking aerial moments with his camera for extreme sports competitions, Super Bowl commercials, and Hollywood blockbusters. Driven by a passion for “camera flying” in his youth, Joe cultivated a deep friendship with fellow skydiver Rob Harris, partnering to become one of the most influential skysurfing teams in history. Flying at the top of their game, Joe’s world was shattered when tragedy struck, leaving him to navigate the skies alone. Never giving up, he continued to push the boundaries of aerial cinematography and skydiving, finding solace in the clouds while grappling with profound grief and depression. Now, at 62, this pioneering skydiver is taking on a new challenge, elevating his art with a daring “flying car” stunt.
For tickets: aspenfilm.org
‘Night with the Stars’ Dinner, Thursday, Dec. 19, 5:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., Angelo’s Aspen
Fabio Sangiovanni (One Michelin star Aroma – Rome) and Michele De Blasio (newly Michelin starred Volta dei Fuenti – Amalfi Coast) join Angelo’s own Vincenzo Salvatore for a one night dinner pop-up.
Reservations: Email reservations@aspen-hg.com or call 970-920-2021
Sarah Girgis is the Arts and Entertainment Editor for The Aspen Times. She can be reached at 970-429-9151 or sgirgis@aspentimes.com.
