Updated November 9, 2026 12:56PM
Since 1985, the Sundance Film Festival has been showcasing independent films and drawing thousands of cinema-loving travelers to Park City, Utah. But starting in 2027, Sundance has a new home—the largest independent film festival in the country will be landing in Boulder, Colorado, from January 21 to 31.
Boulderites should brace themselves for a massive influx of visitors; last year, Park City saw 85,472 in-person festival attendees. “The Sundance Film Festival outgrew Park City, maybe 10 or 15 years ago,” Boulder film commissioner Bruce Borowski says. “At some point they had to move just to accommodate the crowds and the success of the festival.”
As a local, I’ve been able to witness the mounting anticipation firsthand. I was present at the celebratory press conference at Boulder Theater in March 2025 when Governor Jared Polis stated, “What excites me the most is that we are opening the door in Colorado for artists from across the world to showcase their stories and to become part of our story.” It’s a big win for the city both culturally and economically, but it’s also an opportunity for visitors to experience the all-around appeal of Boulder. Between attending film screenings and rubbing elbows with the filmmakers and actors in town, there are award-winning restaurants to enjoy, mountainous terrain to hike and ski, and can’t-miss tourist hot spots to explore.
The decision to bring Sundance to Boulder was based largely on the city’s natural beauty and creative community, which align with the original vision of the festival. Aside from being home to Sundance founder Robert Redford’s alma mater, CU Boulder, the city’s walkable downtown and convenient location make it a great fit for the event.
“Being located near an international airport, Boulder is really easy to get to,” explains Cris Jones, director of strategic partnerships for the city of Boulder “It’s right up against the mountains, and you get to have a mountain experience—without having to go over any mountain passes to get here.”
A More Centralized Sundance Coming to Boulder
Unlike the festival experience in Park City, where film screenings and activations were more spread out, the Boulder experience will be more centralized; all venues—which include Boulder Theater, Chautauqua Auditorium, and eTown Hall—will be within about a two-mile radius.
“It’s more connected and accessible,” Paula DuPré Pesmen, managing director of festival and institute operations at Sundance Institute says. “It will be easy to get around from venue to venue, from panels to films, from restaurants to shops.” People can take advantage of dedicated Sundance Film Festival shuttles, along with free HOP bus service, shared e-bike passes, and free Regional Transportation District (RTD) transportation to and from Boulder. Once you’re downtown, most venues and activities are within walking distance of each other, and bus routes will encompass the hotels in Boulder to pick up and drop off festivalgoers.
Along with the perks of having Sundance in Boulder, there are challenges expected as well, such as increased traffic and larger crowds at restaurants and businesses. And while Boulder has proven its capacity to host large events, the issue of lodging has come up. “The Boulder Creek Fest brings in over 90,000 people in one day, and the audience expected for Sundance is around 90,000 people over 11 days,” Charlene Hoffman, CEO of Visit Boulder, says. “The challenge that we’ve had, and that we’ve worked through for the most part, is the lodging component, because housing that many people over 11 days is new for us.”
Hoffman shares that the city has helped residents in the community get their short-term rental licenses in order to rent out their homes. These listings can be found on Airbnb, Vrbo, and other home rental sites. Travelers are encouraged to look into lodging beyond Boulder County as well, such as Denver and Estes Park, both of which will be running free shuttles to Boulder.
What to Do in Boulder During Sundance
Whether you plan to attend screenings or not, there’s plenty to eat, drink, and do in Boulder as the inaugural festival kicks off.
In between film screenings, recaffeinate at one of the many cafes in town, like Boulder-founded Ozo Coffee Roasters (located on both the east and west sides of Pearl Street). Or pop by my favorite coffee shop with a view, Spruce Confections on Pearl’s west end, and mingle with festivalgoers over fresh-baked pastries. “That’s always been the magic for me when going to the festival,” Pesmen says. “You find yourself in conversations with people in lines at coffee shops and restaurants, and you talk about things that you heard or a film that you saw.”
With over 400 restaurants in Boulder, options range from gourmet dining to fast-casual, depending on how you’re feeling after a day of watching films. For upscale Northern Italian fare, make reservations at the Michelin-starred, James Beard Award-winning Frasca. Or grab a bite at The Sink, the more than 100-year-old institution on College Hill. Not only does it have the best burger in Boulder (I can vouch for this), but it was once the workplace of Sundance founder Robert Redford. In 1955, he was a CU Boulder student working as the restaurant’s janitor.
Finally, cap off the night with cocktails at License No. 1, a speakeasy-themed lounge beneath the historic Hotel Boulderado. For creative tiki drinks and tropical decor, duck into Jungle and feel winter’s chill melt away.
Boulder’s natural scenery—particularly the iconic Flatirons formations jutting from the foothills—is even more breathtaking when dusted in glittering snow. Play in the snow at Nederland’s Eldora Mountain Resort, just 21 miles from downtown Boulder. Catch the hourly Ski-n-Ride shuttle (a day pass costs $5.50) from Downtown Boulder Station to ski the slopes or snowshoe the Nordic Center’s groomed trails. Discuss film screenings on a crisp, invigorating hike through pine-scented air at Chautauqua Park (I’m partial to the Bluebell Mesa Trail). For a mellow walk with rewarding views of white-frosted peaks, meander along the Bobolink Trail on the south side of town.
When you’re ready to head indoors, warm up with a hot beverage at the Dushanbe Teahouse and take in the beautifully intricate interior, which was crafted by artisans in Tajikistan, then shipped and assembled here in Boulder. Another tea attraction not to be missed: a tour of the Celestial Seasonings factory. Busy festival attendees in need of some relaxation can book a massage or facial at the St. Julien Spa. And of course, your time in Boulder isn’t complete without strolling the four-block outdoor pedestrian mall on Pearl Street, which will still be glowing with holiday lights. “Just being around during Sundance, even without a ticket, is a really great experience,” Hoffman says. “There’s so much energy.”
Paige Triola has been a Boulder enthusiast since moving to the city in 2019. She wrote an exhaustive guide on Boulder for U.S. News & World Report, and is eager to see the Sundance Film Festival thrive in its new setting.
