Snowdown Durango 2026: Everything You Need to Know

What are the dates for Snowdown Durango 2026?

Festival Dates: Friday, January 23 – Sunday, February 1, 2026

Theme: “Uniquely Colorado – Then and Wow.”

Events: Snowdown is packed with exciting events, most notably:

• The Snowdown Follies: six events from January 23 – February 31
• Gable House’s Murder Mystery event: January 23 – 25
• Fashion Do’s & Don’ts: January 28
• RedBall Express: January 29
• Light Parade: January 30
• Chili Cook-Off & Bloody Mary Contest: January 31
• Outlaw Josie Pete’s Snowdown Golf: January 31

Snowdown Durango 2026 takes place from Friday, January 23, through Sunday, February 1, 2026. The festival spans 10 days and features tons of themed events celebrating Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood. From the Snowdown Follies to the Light Parade, each day offers a full schedule of competitions and community activities.

Snowdown always begins on the last Friday of January, and in 2026 that falls on January 23. The festival concludes the following Sunday, February 1, giving attendees 10 full days of events, parties, costume contests, athletic challenges, and signature Snowdown traditions. 

Most marquee events occur on the weekends, including the Snowdown Follies, the Fashion Do’s & Don’ts luncheon, the Light Parade, and the Chili Cook-Off & Bloody Mary Contest. Smaller events and daily challenges happen throughout the week. 

The 2026 theme, “Uniquely Colorado – Then and Wow,” honors Colorado’s 150 years of statehood, so many events, particularly costume-based ones, will highlight historical, Old West, mining-era, and modern Colorado motifs. Visitors are encouraged to book lodging early, as many hotels and rentals fill up months in advance.

A Sesquicentennial Celebration of 150 years of Colorado History

Snowdown turns Durango’s winter into 10 days of costumes, competitions, and community celebration. with marquee events like the popular and always sold-out Snowdown Follies. 

Snowdown’s 2026 schedule is jam-packed, but a few signature events draw the biggest crowds and best capture the festival’s spirit. Use the event highlight sections below to plan your week.

Be Prepared: Make Your Pre-Event Plans 

• Follies Tickets: Get your 2026 Snowdown Follies tickets now! Don’t miss out this year!
• Transportation: 2026 free-ride details will be announced soon. Details will be posted on Snowdown’s site as they’re finalized. From previous events, you can expect free city buses and the Main Avenue Trolley mid-week through Saturday.
• Where to Stay: Lodging options in Durango are abundant, but if you want to stay at a historic spot just a short walk from the action, make reservations at the Gable House. Gable House also hosts the 2026 Snowdown “Shadows over Statehood – A Murder Mystery,” an exciting live-action Clue-like murder mystery. 

How do I get tickets for the Snowdown Follies in 2026?

The Snowdown Follies are the festival’s signature variety show, featuring local talent performing comedy sketches, songs, and skits that celebrate (and poke fun at) Durango’s community and Colorado culture. The shows feature satirical, often risqué humor, so they are restricted to adult audiences. 

The Snowdown Follies is one of the most in-demand events of the entire festival, often selling out within minutes. The 2026 Gala Nights are already sold out, so attendees should use one of the remaining legitimate purchase options to purchase Follies tickets for the remaining performances. 

Snowdown Follies tickets are only sold through four official methods: the December 6, 2025, mail-in drawing, the Secret Box Office on January 10, 2026, Marketplace auctions from January 13–16, and the Animas City Theatre videocast tickets. Snowdown does not honor digital tickets of any kind.

The mail-in drawing happens December 6, 2025; entry forms are posted online by Halloween and must arrive by that morning with no exceptions. The Secret Box Office opens at 6 a.m. on January 10, 2026, for limited in-person sales, with a strict limit of four tickets per person, payable only in cash or check. 

Marketplace auctions occur January 13–16 at the Bank of the San Juans, where lots of four tickets go to the highest bidders. For those unable to get physical tickets, the Animas City Theatre offers a videocast of the second-week shows, with tickets sold directly through ACT. 

Every year, Snowdown warns that digital tickets offered online are fraudulent; only the four official channels are valid.

When and Where do the Snowdown Follies Perform?

See the Snowdown Follies 2026 at the Durango Arts Center on four dates with two shows each night. Showtimes are Friday, January 23, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Saturday, January 24, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Friday, January 30, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; and Saturday, January 31, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

In 2026, the Follies will be held at the Durango Arts Center, a centrally located venue in Downtown Durango that offers accessible seating and an intimate theater experience. Each performance night includes two shows: an early show at 7 p.m. and a late show at 10 p.m., giving attendees flexibility to plan around other Snowdown events.

The 2026 Follies include Gala Nights on Tuesday, January 27, and Thursday, January 29, which are already sold out, but other tickets remain available through mail-in drawings, Secret Box Office sales, and Marketplace auctions, with videocast options via the Animas City Theatre. 

The combination of live performances, community in-jokes, and Colorado-themed satire makes the Follies a highlight of Snowdown week.

Check the Snowdown Follies site for updated ticket and event information. 

Where should visitors stay for Snowdown Durango 2026?

Visitors should book lodging early, as Snowdown attracts thousands of attendees and accommodations fill quickly. Options include hotels, inns, vacation rentals, and historic properties in Downtown Durango. 

The Gable House Inn is a popular choice and also hosts the 2026 “Shadows over Statehood” murder-mystery experience, a live-action Clue-like Colorado history-inspired whodunnit that lets you choose your level of involvement and explore the mansion’s mysteries from January 23–25, 2026.

Get more info on Shadows and Statehood and book your room.

Because Snowdown lasts 10 days and features multiple late-night events, many visitors prefer staying within walking distance of Downtown Durango. Historic inns and boutique hotels near Main Avenue offer convenience, especially for those attending the Follies, the Light Parade, or downtown pub-crawl events. 

Larger hotels in the Durango area and vacation rentals along the Animas River corridor are also options, though consider winter driving conditions when booking spots outside of Durango.

RV parks and campgrounds generally operate on limited winter schedules, so travelers relying on those accommodations should check availability well in advance.

What Are Some Tips for Attending Snowdown?

1. Pace Yourself: This winter carnival is an endurance test of fun! It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so don’t try to cram everything in. Choose your must-do events and allow time for spontaneous enjoyment. 
2. Ride Responsibly: Snowdown revelry involves alcohol during many of its celebrations. Plan accordingly to ensure safety by using designated drivers or local ride responsible transportation. 
3. Embrace the Spirit: Go all out with your costumes. Visitors take costumes seriously. Many festival goers bring multiple costumes for different days. Don’t be shy: Let loose and let your costume-creativity shine!
4. Book Accommodations in Advance: Hotels, cabins, and vacation rentals fill up quickly, and many of the local campgrounds and RV spaces are closed during winter months. Book your lodging early. 

What is the Snowdown Silver Bullet and how does the treasure hunt work?

The Snowdown Silver Bullet is a small, weatherproof token hidden somewhere in La Plata County during Snowdown week. Teams use daily clues to locate it, and the first to find it wins a $250 cash prize. 

The hunt is free to enter, requires no digging, and is designed to be solved strictly from clue interpretation.

The Silver Bullet treasure hunt has been a Snowdown tradition for nearly 30 years and typically runs from Monday through Saturday of festival week. In 2026, that’s January 26–31. 

Clues are released daily, often on Snowdown’s partner outlets, but timing can vary, so teams need to watch closely. 

The token changes appearance every year, but it is always durable and compact so it can withstand winter weather. 

Competition is fierce because the treasure hunt is winner-take-all: there are no second-place rewards and no consolation prizes. 

Teams must be 21+ to claim the $250 prize at the award ceremony, held at 5 p.m. on January 31 at The Oxford. 

Organizers emphasize that all hiding places are publicly accessible and require no trespassing, digging, climbing, or damage to property. Some teams review previous years’ clues for patterns, while others rely on regional knowledge, maps, and group brainstorming.

What does the Snowdown Silver Bullet look like?

Its appearance changes every year, but count on it being a small and weatherproof token.

Visit Snowdown’s website and Instagram page to look for clues, but don’t be too slow to find the riddles and hints; competition is fierce in this brainy challenge.

How can visitors attend the Snowdown Fashion Do’s & Don’ts Show?

The Snowdown Fashion Do’s & Don’ts Show happens Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Tickets go on sale at 6 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at El Rancho Tavern and typically sell out early. The event includes lunch, prizes, and an adults-only runway show.

This is one of Snowdown’s longest-running traditions. 2026 marks its 27th year, and it’s known for outrageous costumes, comedic runway performances, and theme-inspired outfits that reflect Colorado history and folklore. 

Doors open at 11 a.m., lunch is served at 11:30, and the show starts at 12:30 p.m. Seating tiers vary by price, and the show is strictly adults-only due to its playful, sometimes risqué humor. 

Tickets are first-come, first-served at El Rancho Tavern, with caps on how many each person can purchase. Locals often line up hours in advance because tickets regularly sell out the same morning. 

Auditions are required for anyone wanting to perform in the show, with applications followed by interviews and a mandatory rehearsal on January 25, 2026. 

Fashion Show organizers post updates on their Snowdown page, including audition instructions, volunteer needs, and event rules.

What is the RedBall Express and how do you adopt a ball?

The RedBall Express is a Snowdown fundraiser where participants adopt pairs of numbered red balls for $5. The balls race down a snowy gravity course, and prizes of $5,000, $2,000, and $1,000 go to the first three pairs to cross the finish line. 

Hosted by the Rotary Clubs of La Plata County, the RedBall Express is both a charity event and a crowd favorite due to its unpredictable and often comedic races. The balls are large, bright, and designed for high visibility as they roll, bounce, and collide down the winter course. 

The race happens on 11th Street and Main Avenue. Ball adoptions close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026. The competition begins around 5:15 p.m. following the adoption cutoff. Proceeds support a range of local programs including youth services, scholarships, and community assistance initiatives. 

Ball adoption stations are typically located near the race site or through Rotary volunteers in the days leading up to the event, though exact locations for 2026 will be announced closer to the date. 

Catch the RedBall Express sponsored by Alpine Bank with KPTE 92.9/107.9 The Point! 

Don’t miss a live broadcast from KPTE 92.9/107.9 The Point during the annual RedBall Express on Friday, January 30, 2026, and again on Saturday, January 31, 2026, for the Point Picks awards during the Chili Cookoff & Bloody Mary Contest.

See more RedBall Express event details. 

When is the Snowdown Light Parade and what should visitors expect?

The Snowdown Light Parade takes place Friday, January 30, 2026, at 6 p.m. on Main Avenue in Downtown Durango. Attendees can expect illuminated floats, costumed performers, marching bands, and thousands of spectators lining the route from College Drive to 12th Street.

The parade is one of Snowdown’s signature family events, drawing some of the festival’s largest crowds. Main Avenue closes to parking and traffic beginning at 2:30 p.m., with a complete list of closures available in January 2026. 

The parade includes vehicle floats, walking floats, large balloon rally entries, and theme-based groups competing for awards in multiple categories. 

Because the 2026 theme honors Colorado’s 150th anniversary, many floats will feature historical, industrial, and frontier-era motifs lit with LED displays and creative lighting designs. 

A dedicated shuttle will run from the La Plata County Fairgrounds to the Transit Center every 20–30 minutes from 3–8 p.m., allowing visitors to avoid downtown parking. 

Warm clothing, waterproof boots, and allowing extra time to navigate the crowds are strongly recommended. 

Parade float registration costs $100 and closes January 23, or earlier if capacity is reached.

The 2026 Snowdown Parade is now accepting entries.

• When: Friday, January 30, 2026 at 6 p.m. (Main Avenue, Downtown)
• Route: On Main Avenue starting at College Drive → 12th Street; hosted by Purgatory Resort.
• Closures: Main Avenue closes to parking/traffic at 2:30 p.m. A full list of road and pedestrian closures during the event will be posted in January 2026.
• Shuttle: The special parade shuttle runs every 20 – 30 minutes, from approximately 3–8 p.m. between La Plata County Fairgrounds and Event Center to the Transit Center.
• Float Entry: $100; deadline 5 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2026, or when roster fills;
  • Float Safety Meeting: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 6 p.m., at location TBD.

Tips: Dress warmly, use the free shuttle, mind no-parking signage if driving, and build in extra time for any potential street and weather closures. Have fun and be safe!

What is Outlaw Josie Pete’s Snowdown Golf and how do teams participate?

Outlaw Josie Pete’s Snowdown Golf is a costumed, 21+ mini-golf pub crawl through Downtown Durango held on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Teams of four play improvised “holes” set up inside local bars and shops. Accepted teams pay an $80 entry fee and need to bring their own putter and golf ball.

This Snowdown tradition will draw around 60 teams this year to transform downtown into a course filled with humorous obstacles, creative challenges, and spirited competition. 

The 2026 event meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge ballroom, with tee-off at noon. Each participating business designs its own themed hole, which often includes props, costumes, Colorado historical references, and surprises tailored to that year’s festival theme. 

Teams typically dress in coordinated outfits, some based on the Snowdown theme, others entirely original. Applications open in December 2025 and often fill quickly due to the event’s popularity. 

After teams complete the full course, players return to the Elks Lodge for a lively awards ceremony. Because the event takes place across multiple establishments, participants should plan transportation ahead of time and pace themselves if consuming alcohol. 

Spectators often follow along to watch the more theatrical holes and costume ensembles.

Team applications will be released in December 2025 on Outlaw Josie Pete’s Snowdown Golf.

What is the Snowdown Chili Cook-Off & Bloody Mary Contest, and how can attendees participate?

The Snowdown Chili Cook-Off & Bloody Mary Contest is a signature Snowdown Durango event where local chefs, mixologists, businesses, clubs, and community members compete to earn bragging rights for the best chili and the best Bloody Mary in town. 

Held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds & Events Center, the event invites attendees to sample each entry and vote for their favorites, making it one of the festival’s most flavorful traditions.

Sponsored by Hutton Broadcasting, the cook-off directly supports local causes and helps keep Snowdown thriving. 

Anyone 21 and older can participate in the tasting, and entrants in the Bloody Mary contest are provided vodka to make their creations. 

A pre-sale session will be available on Friday, January 30, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (location to be announced), offering early access to tickets.

Guests can look forward to a lively atmosphere featuring KPTE’s live coverage from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,  and the Point Picks Awards, plus dozens of inventive chilis and bold Bloody Mary recipes to enjoy. 

For more information, visit the Chili Cook-Off & Bloody Mary Contest event page.

What is the Official Beer for 2026 Snowdown?

Ska Brewing has brewed limited-release official beers for the Snowdown winter festival every year since 2013. Join them to celebrate their new release at the 2026 Beer Release Party in December 2025. 

Ska Brewing’s World Headquarters is located at 225 Girard Street in Bodo Park in Durango. Get down there for a taste before Snowdown starts!

Is Snowdown Durango kid-friendly?

Yes. Snowdown Durango offers many family-friendly activities across its 10-day run (January 23–February 1, 2026), including the popular Light Parade, daytime costume contests, and community events. However, several signature happenings (the Chili Cook-Off & Bloody Mary Contest, Fashion Do’s & Don’ts, Outlaw Josie Pete’s Snowdown Golf) are restricted to 21+, so plan accordingly. Keep in mind that many adult attendees will consume alcohol day and night throughout the event.

Snowdown is a town-wide winter carnival with a mix of all-ages and adult-only programming. Family-friendly highlights include the Snowdown Light Parade (Friday, January 30, 2026, 6 p.m. on Main Avenue), various daytime costume contests and street activities, and interactive community events that are safe and entertaining for kids and teens. The week also features creative, themed window displays and family photo opportunities on Main Avenue.

The Silver Bullet treasure hunt (January 26–31) is free to enter and family-friendly in spirit, but note organizers say the winners must be 21 or older to claim the $250 prize.

Practical tips: Choose age-appropriate events from the official schedule, arrive early for parade viewing, dress in layers and waterproof boots, use the festival shuttle, and check Snowdown.org for updated closures, ticket rules, and event-age policies. With planning, families can enjoy many safe, memorable Snowdown experiences.

Is Snowdown Durango ADA-accessible?

Snowdown offers a mix of indoor and outdoor events, and many are accessible; however, accessibility varies by venue. Major locations such as the La Plata County Fairgrounds & Events Center (home of the Chili Cook-Off & Bloody Mary Contest) offer ADA-compliant entrances, restrooms, and parking.

Outdoor events, like the Light Parade and street activities, are generally accessible, but winter weather, snowpack, and crowd density can affect mobility.

For the best experience, attendees who need accommodations should review each event’s venue details, plan extra time for parking and navigation, and contact Snowdown organizers or the hosting venue in advance for specific ADA information, seating requests, or assistance.

Ready, Set, Snowdown!

Ready to play in the snow? Durango’s iconic festival always delivers zany fun and friendly community spirit. Grab your tickets, keep your costumes wild, check lodging, and prepare for the quirkiest winter celebration in Colorado!
Visit Snowdown.org to learn more.