The Last Sundance in Park City and the First Spark of Boulder

Sundance 2026 in Park City was such a trip, a total high-altitude fever dream, but you could really feel that “final hurrah” energy everywhere. Walking down Main Street, the weather was actually perfect; it was weirdly warm and easy to get around without feeling like an ice cube, which made the treks between theaters a breeze. But it was depressing looking up at the mountains. Seeing those barren slopes was a total gut punch for the skiers, and the “sharky” rocks poking through the patchy man-made snow really hammered home the feeling that this era was coming to an end.

As the final credits rolled on that last weekend, the vibe was heavy with history but also surprisingly light with anticipation. Saying goodbye to those familiar queues in Old Town was definitely bittersweet—there’s a certain magic to how that place has transformed every January. But at the final parties and award ceremonies, the talk always drifted back to the Rockies. It’s the end of a forty-year run, which is wild to think about, but there’s something right about letting go of one home to make room for the next. Leaving Utah must feel like a long exhale, knowing the whole circus was packing up to head our way.

Now that we are back in Boulder, the buzz here is just on another level. We honestly can’t wait to see the Flatirons, literally our own backyard, framed by those iconic Sundance banners in 2027. Trading that Park City luxury bubble for the energy of Pearl Street and the actual walkability of our downtown is exactly what the festival needs. We are already picturing the madness at Macky Auditorium and crowds taking over all our favorite local spots. It’s such a massive win for our hometown. We’ll definitely honor the Utah roots, but we know Boulder is going to bring a completely different, electric rhythm to the whole Sundance scene.