Aspen Literary Festival
September 25-27th, 2026
PRODUCED BY
General Admission Registration (FREE)
*Available end of July
General admission is FREE and required to attend the Festival. GA pass holders have access to the Festival Headquarters tent at the Red Brick Center for the Arts, pop-up bookstore with Explore Books, and events at the Pitkin County Library and Aspen Community Church.
You’ll be asked to confirm your registration and provide your contact information so you can receive important Festival updates and announcements.
General Admission does not include access to Wheeler Main Stage events. If you plan to attend a Wheeler Main Stage event, you’ll have to purchase an individual ticket ($45) for that event.
General Admission does not guarantee entry to all free events, as seating is limited. All seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration will remain open until the Festival begins—so share with your friends, family, and fellow readers!
Early Bird Pricing—
Friends of the Festival Pass: $695
Enjoy priority reserved seating for all Main Stage events at the Wheeler Opera House, and After Words: The Party, an evening with local writers and festival authors. By purchasing a Friend of the Festival pass, you are helping support Festival programming and the Aspen Words' mission to encourage writers, inspire readers and connect people through the power of stories.
One ticket to all main stage events at the Wheeler Opera House
Priority reserved seating at the Wheeler Opera House
Three lunch vouchers per pass, redeemable at food trucks located in the Headquarters tent on the lawn at the Red Brick Center for the Arts. A variety of lunch options will be available, Friday through Sunday of the festival
An invitation to a VIP experience [name of the event still needs to be finalized] with festival authors at the Paul JAS Center on Saturday, September 26
*Limited availability*
Wheeler Main Stage Event Tickets: $45
*Available end of July
All main stage events will be at the Wheeler Opera House (320 E Hyman Ave.) and require a purchased individual ticket or a Friends of the Festival Pass to attend.
Main stage ticket holders are encouraged to also complete general admission registration (it helps us plan!). GA registration grants first-come, first-served access to the free events and festival headquarters.
Limited tickets available
Seating is first-come, first-served
Aspen Literary Festival Next Gen —
Events geared toward the next generation of readers
*Free registration with adult chaperone, available end of July
The Aspen Literary Festival Next Gen program offers young readers opportunities to meet bestselling authors, discover new books, attend engaging literary conversations, and more. In partnership with the Pitkin County Library and schools throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, Next Gen brings a diverse range of free, enriching literary programs to local families, creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation to read, write, and grow.
Featured authors of young peoples’ literature at the 2026 festival include: Kwame Alexander, Kelly Yang and more!
Partners and Sponsors of Next Gen
Thank you to our local partners, the Pitkin County Library and Roaring Fork Valley schools. Special thanks to Arny and Anne Porath for supporting the program.
Cancellation Policy
General registration is free and therefore non-refundable. We appreciate you letting us know if you can’t make it by emailing events@aspeninstitute.org.
Friend of the Festival passes and Wheeler main stage event tickets are final sale and non-refundable. Passes are transferable before September 1, 2026. To request a substitution, please email us at events@aspeninstitute.org.
