Your local guide to Thanksgiving weekend, November 26–29, from Aspen and Snowmass to Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs.
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year, and it's a big one: Aspen Mountain and Snowmass are scheduled to open on Thanksgiving Day.
That means the valley wakes up early, earns its pie, and spends the long weekend somewhere between the slopes, the dinner table, the dance floor and the hot springs.
Whether you're hosting a houseful of relatives, escaping the kitchen, or looking for something fun to do with the family, here's how I'd spend Thanksgiving weekend in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Farm-to-Fridge Meal Giveaway
Wednesday, November 18th 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
This event is designed to make nutritious food more accessible while supporting local farms and regenerative agriculture practices. Each attendee will receive a carefully prepared bag filled with seasonal produce and other essentials.
Earn Your Pie: Turkey Trots Up and Down the Valley
Nothing makes you feel better about a second helping than a morning 5K with your neighbors. And around here, showing up in a turkey costume is practically encouraged.
Aspen Valley Young Life Turkey Trot 5K — Aspen
A longtime Aspen Thanksgiving tradition that brings the community together while raising money for local youth. Bring your running shoes, your holiday spirit and, if you're feeling festive, a turkey hat.
Check with Aspen Valley Young Life for 2026 registration and start details.
Basalt Education Foundation Turkey Trot 5K — Basalt
A family-friendly Thanksgiving run supporting Basalt's schools. Bring the kids, the stroller and your competitive spirit, even if your only goal is to make room for dessert.
Confirm the 2026 event details with the Basalt Education Foundation.
Carbondale Turkey Trot 5K — Carbondale
Carbondale knows how to do small-town holidays. Expect plenty of community spirit and a good excuse to get moving before settling in for the afternoon.
Check Carbondale Recreation for this year's details.
Glenwood Springs Turkey Day 5K & Fun Run — Glenwood Springs
Thursday, November 26 | Listed start: 9 a.m. | Veltus Park
Glenwood Springs has a Thanksgiving morning run listed for 2026, with a 5K and shorter 2K fun run. A great option for families looking to get outside together.
Confirm registration, route and start time with the organizer before heading out.
Opening Day on Thanksgiving: First Chair Before the Feast
Thursday, November 26 | Aspen Mountain & Snowmass
First chair and turkey on the same day? Only in Aspen.
Aspen Mountain and Snowmass are scheduled to kick off the 2026–27 ski season on Thanksgiving Day, conditions permitting. Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk are scheduled to follow on Saturday, December 12.
There's something wonderful about beginning the holiday with a few turns, cold mountain air and familiar faces before heading home to baste the bird.
And if you're not skiing? Head into town, grab a coffee and soak up that unmistakable opening-day energy.
Keep an eye out for Snowmass's traditional Thanksgibbing rail jam, which has been free to watch in previous years. The 2026 date and details still need confirmation.
Visit Aspen Snowmass for opening-day updates.
Thanksgiving Dinner Out: Let Someone Else Do the Cooking
If no one in your family wants to wrestle a turkey this year, let the professionals handle it.
Aspen and Snowmass have some wonderful restaurants for a holiday meal, whether you're looking for a proper Thanksgiving feast or something a little less traditional.
Element 47 at The Little Nell — Aspen
For an elegant Thanksgiving dinner, Element 47 is a longtime favorite. Expect the kind of thoughtful service and beautifully prepared food that makes a holiday meal feel special.
Prospect at Hotel Jerome — Aspen
Thanksgiving at the Hotel Jerome has its own charm. Historic Aspen atmosphere, a beautiful dining room and the pleasure of not having to wash a single dish.
Ajax Tavern — Aspen
At the base of Aspen Mountain, Ajax Tavern is an appealing option after opening-day skiing. In previous years, the restaurant has offered a Thanksgiving special alongside its regular menu.
West End Social at Aspen Meadows — Aspen
With sweeping mountain views and a relaxed setting, West End Social has hosted family-style Thanksgiving celebrations.
Home Team BBQ — Aspen
For those who like their turkey smoked rather than roasted, Home Team BBQ has offered Thanksgiving dining and catering options.
Other restaurants to check: Wayan, MOLLIE Aspen and Toro at Viceroy Snowmass have hosted Thanksgiving meals in previous years.
Holiday menus, prices, seating times and availability should be confirmed directly with each restaurant before publishing or booking.
Thanksgiving to Go: All the Feast, Less of the Fuss
Want to host without spending two days in the kitchen? There are some talented local chefs and kitchens that can make the holiday a whole lot easier.
The Little Nell
In previous years, The Little Nell has offered fully prepared Thanksgiving meals for pickup. A great option for anyone who wants a beautiful dinner without cooking it from scratch.
Mawa's Kitchen
Mawa's has offered complete holiday dinners as well as à la carte mains, sides and platters. Perfect if you want to cook the turkey but leave the rest to someone else.
Meadows Café at Aspen Meadows
Keep an eye out for holiday pie preorders. Because homemade is lovely, but professionally baked is pretty wonderful, too.
Susie Jimenez of My Father's Daughter
Want to take Friendsgiving up a notch? Susie and Gabe create private in-home dining experiences and cooking classes. Invite your friends, pour the wine and let the chefs take over.
Order early and confirm this year's offerings and deadlines.
Beyond the Turkey: Thanksgiving Weekend Events
Once the leftovers are packed away, there's plenty happening around the valley. From live music and comedy to après-ski celebrations, the holiday weekend is shaping up to be a fun one.
Tuesday, November 24: Wild Silence with Pete McBride
5:30 p.m. | TACAW, Basalt
Get into the holiday spirit with a little perspective. Photographer, filmmaker and conservation storyteller Pete McBride brings his work and stories of the natural world to TACAW.
A wonderful way to begin Thanksgiving week and appreciate the extraordinary landscapes surrounding us.
Friday, November 27: Comedy or Dancing?
Drew Lynch at the Wheeler Opera House — 8 p.m.
After a day of skiing, shopping or entertaining relatives, perhaps a good laugh is exactly what you need.
Comedian Drew Lynch, known for his appearance on America's Got Talent, brings his observational humor to Aspen's historic Wheeler Opera House.
The Polish Ambassador at TACAW — 8 p.m.
If you'd rather dance off Thanksgiving dinner, head to Basalt.
The Polish Ambassador brings his electronic grooves, colorful personality and dance-floor energy to TACAW. A fun alternative to another evening on the couch eating leftovers.
Saturday, November 28: Opening Weekend Après
Aspen Mountain Sundeck — 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Celebrate the first weekend of the ski season with an après party at the top of Aspen Mountain. Live music and food and drink specials are planned, with the band still to be announced.
Snowmass Elk Camp — 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Snowmass joins the celebration with a DJ and food and drink specials at Elk Camp.
Even if your ski legs aren't quite ready for a full day, it's a fun way to welcome winter.
Saturday Night: Christmas Music or Southern Rock
Suzy Bogguss: A Swingin' Little Christmas — 7:30 p.m. | Wheeler Opera House
Grammy Award-winning country artist Suzy Bogguss brings her holiday show to Aspen. A lovely opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit before December even begins.
The Other Brothers — 8 p.m. | TACAW, Basalt
For something with a little more grit, The Other Brothers bring their tribute to the Allman Brothers Band to TACAW.
Think Southern rock, great musicianship and a lively Saturday night.
Sunday, November 29: Basalt Holiday Market
Noon–5 p.m. | TACAW, Basalt
The third annual Basalt Holiday Market is a wonderful way to continue shopping local after Small Business Saturday.
Discover jewelry, art, handmade gifts, baked goods and other creations from local makers.
This is exactly the kind of shopping we love: meeting the people behind the products and finding gifts with an actual story to tell.
Check event organizers' websites for tickets, prices and any schedule changes.
Make It a Long Weekend
Soak It Off: Glenwood's Hot Springs
The day after Thanksgiving is made for hot springs.
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and Iron Mountain Hot Springs are both wonderful ways to spend a few hours with family without anyone having to cook, clean or organize a complicated outing.
Soak, catch up and let the holiday chaos melt away.
Get Outside Without Skis
Not everyone wants to ski, and that's perfectly fine.
Take a walk along the Rio Grande Trail, head up Smuggler Mountain Road for a little fresh air and a view of Aspen, or explore a lower-elevation trail around Carbondale.
Bundle up, wear shoes appropriate for the conditions and enjoy the valley before winter really settles in.
Make Something Together
Thanksgiving weekend is also a good time to get creative.
MOLLIE Aspen has hosted floral centerpiece workshops and children's craft activities around Thanksgiving in previous years. Keep an eye out for this year's schedule.
You can also check local arts organizations and studios for holiday workshops, family activities and opportunities to make something instead of buying it.
Shop Local on Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 28
Before you automatically click Add to Cart, consider what your dollars can do right here in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Our independent shop owners, artists and makers put so much into keeping their businesses alive in a valley where doing so isn't always easy.
Small Business Saturday is the perfect opportunity to support them.
And we're making it easier to discover who's creating what.
Watch for the 2026 Aspen Real Life Holiday Gift Guide: Give Local, Give Something With a Story, featuring gifts from local artists, makers and independently owned businesses.
From jewelry and handmade art to experiences, classes and unexpected treasures, we're highlighting gifts that come with a little more meaning.
And don't forget Sunday's Basalt Holiday Market at TACAW.
Give Back This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is also a good reminder that not everyone in our valley has a warm home filled with family and an overflowing dinner table.
Consider supporting a local food pantry, donating to an organization helping families in need, or checking with community organizations about holiday meal programs and volunteer opportunities.
A small gesture can go a long way, particularly at this time of year.
A Little Gratitude
This valley gives us so much: big mountains, small towns and neighbors who show up for one another.
It's easy to get caught up in everything that's changing around us, but holidays like Thanksgiving remind me why I love living here.
It's the familiar faces at a turkey trot, the excitement of opening day, the shop owner who remembers your name, and the friends who somehow always find room for one more person at the table.
Whether you're running a 5K in a turkey hat, taking your first run of the season, dancing off dessert at TACAW or sitting around a table with people you love, I hope you take a moment to soak it all in.
Happy Thanksgiving from Aspen Real Life!
For more happenings throughout the holiday season, bookmark our Aspen Real Life Events Calendar. We're always adding the events, experiences and local discoveries we think are worth knowing about.
Please note: Some holiday traditions and dining options are included based on previous years. Confirm 2026 dates, times, menus, tickets and reservations directly with organizers and venues before making plans.
