Sundance Is Coming to Boulder š¬
š„ Lights, Cameraā¦ Boulder
Happy Friday, Boulder! š
Big news, Boulder. The worldās most iconic independent film festival is officially setting up shop in our backyard and dates are announced! Itās a full-blown, red-carpet, global spotlight moment for our little mountain town.
If youāve ever dreamed of premiere nights, filmmaker Q&As, surprise celebrity sightings, and post-screening debates over craft cocktailsā¦ keep reading.
Want more local recs? Check out our Things to Do in Boulder, Best Restaurants, and Date-Worthy Spots for even more ideas.
Before moving to Boulder in 2027, which state was the longtime home of the Sundance Film Festival?
Click an option to vote
The Bulletin
Have something meaningful to share with the community? Showcase your business, event, opportunity, or announcement with a growing list of 5,600+ readers.
Boulderās Best Pastries š„
Weāre opening voting for the Boulder bakeries and cafĆ©s serving pastries you plan your day around. If thereās a spot you never skip, nowās the time.
š Vote for your favorite pastry spot and help crown Boulderās best.
š§ Need a brain break?
Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games arenāt just fun...theyāll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving youāre the true local legend.
Boulder Cravings: Amante Coffee
An Italian-inspired espresso bar on North Broadway serving custom-roasted beans from Bra, Italy. Expect rich lattes and cappuccinos, plus breakfast burritos, quiches, croissants, gelato, and Italian sodas. With indoor and patio seating and free WiFi, itās a go-to for remote work or a post-ride coffee.
š 4580 Broadway, Boulder ā° Daily | MorningāAfternoon š° $10ā20
š¬ Sundance Film Festival: Boulderās Big Debut
Sundance Film Festival
š Boulder
š January 21ā31, 2027
Itās official: the 2027 Sundance Film Festival will make its Colorado debut right here in Boulder. For the first time in its history, the Festival will welcome global audiences to its new home at the base of the Flatirons ā and itās here to stay.
Festival Director Eugene Hernandez shared that Boulderās creative energy, thriving arts scene, and the buzz of the University of Colorado Boulder community make it the ideal setting for bold storytelling and world premieres. Translation? Indie film lovers from around the world are about to descend on Pearl Street.
š Where the Magic Happens: Official 2027 Venues
From historic theaters to campus auditoriums, the Festival will spread across Boulderās most iconic spaces:
š„ Theaters
Boedecker Theater ā Dairy Arts Center
Casey Middle School Auditorium
Cinemark Century Boulder
eTown Hall
Gordon Gamm Theater ā Dairy Arts Center
Macky Auditorium Concert Hall
Muenzinger Auditorium
Roe Green Theatre
š£ Talks & Festival Programming
Canyon Theater ā Boulder Public Library District
Dairy Arts Center
Translation: this isnāt a one-venue event. Itās a city-wide cinematic takeover.
š What This Means for Boulder
World premieres. Industry panels. Thought-provoking conversations. Packed patios. Hotel rooms booked solid. Coffee shops buzzing with filmmakers revising scripts at 7 a.m.
Sundance isnāt just a festival ā itās an economic and cultural force. And starting January 2027, Boulder becomes its permanent mountain home.
Mark your calendars now. This will be one for the history books.
What's Happenin' in Boulder
Friday, February 27
Saturday, February 28
Sunday, March 1
Want more? See the full calendar ā Boulder Event Calendar
Local Businesses, This Oneās for You
Want to reach 6,550+ Boulder locals who love supporting local?
From trails and coffee shops to events and small businesses, our readers are deeply plugged into Boulder life.
Real Talk ā
Whatās Happeninā is 100% free and independently run (yep, itās just us). If this newsletter helps you discover cool things around town, your support helps keep it going and growing. We truly appreciate any and all love. Thank you for being part of the community.
š¼ Local Jobs Worth Checking Out
We believe great communities connect people to great opportunities.
Full-time
š Date Spot in Boulder
Boulder dates blend nature and culture effortlessly. Stroll Pearl Street Mall for coffee and people-watching, wander the Boulder Creek Path, or catch golden hour beneath the Flatirons at Chautauqua Park. For something laid-back, North Boulderās breweries and eateries keep things casual and cozy.
š Vote and weāll share the top picksāchosen by localsāin an upcoming issue. š
šæ See You at the Movies
Boulder just leveled up in a big way. Forward this to your film-buff friend, your CU student, or the person who still talks about that one indie film from 2014.
Trivia Answer: C) Utah ā The Sundance Film Festival was founded by Robert Redford and grew into a global indie film powerhouse while based in Park City, Utah ā before announcing its new chapter in Boulder starting January 2027. š„
š¬ Got ideas for making Whatās Happeninā Boulder even better?
Want to feature an event or share a Boulder photo? Hit reply ā Iād love to see it.
See you next week ā and maybe in the premiere line. š¬
ā Ben
Keep Reading with a Free Subscription
Get unlimited access to all newsletters, local guides, and exclusive content. Join our community!
Already a subscriber?