GABF moves outdoors to Levitt Pavilion in 2026

Driving the news: GABF is moving from the Colorado Convention Center to the Levitt Pavilion concert venue across town in Denver, the Boulder-based Brewers Association announced Tuesday.

• The pavilion features a large stage and a sloping grass field.
• Other details are undecided, particularly whether the event will feature beverages other than beer, as it did in 2025.

The big picture: The shift is based on consumer feedback and a desire to reinvigorate an event that saw falling attendance in recent years, compared to the sold-out sessions at the height of the craft beer boom a decade ago.

What they're saying: "We have been looking at other options to see what we can do to evolve the festival and make it more fun," the association's Ann Obenchain told us.

• "This isn't just a venue change for us, it's an evolution."

Between the lines: Organizers are also shortening the festival to two days Oct. 10-11. At its peak, the event ran three days and featured four sessions.

• The size will also shrink. The new venue in the Ruby Hill neighborhood holds 10,000, far less than the expansive convention center, meaning fewer breweries and fewer attendees.

Yes, but: The ticket price is dropping, too. The $60 tickets — which go on sale in June — represent a $35 decrease from 2025.

The fine print: The event is rain-or-shine in early October, meaning a snowstorm is not out of the question.