It’s that time of year again: the greatest athletes descend on Aspen to show off their skills. Once the sun goes down, Buttermilk Mountain becomes party central for drinking and dancing! The X Games concerts will take place from January 23rd to January 25th 2026.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 X Games Concerts in Aspen:
- Who Are the 2026 X Games Concerts Artists?
- How Do the X Games Concerts Aspen Work?
- What to Expect Out of the X Games Concerts Lineup
- 6 Competitions to Be Held at the Aspen X Games in 2026
- Integration of Sports and Music
- Fan Engagement and Experience
- How to Buy Tickets for X Games Aspen 2026
- Tips to Enjoy X Games Aspen 2026
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Who Are the 2026 X Games Concerts Artists?
DJs Alesso and Disco Lines are the headliners for the 2026 X Games. On January 23rd, Disco Lines will play a concert at the base of Buttermilk Mountain and then do an encore at Belly Up on January 24th. Alesso will perform at Belly up on January 23rd and at the base of Buttermilk on January 24th. This continues the tradition of having big-name DJs play the X Games. In previous years, headliners have included Daily Bread, Illenium, deadmau5, and Big Gigantic.
The X Games combine athleticism with music in the perfect tribute to what Aspen is all about. Whether you’re a winter sports enthusiast, music lover, or both, this is the perfect time to visit the Roaring Fork Valley. This guide will outline everything you need to know to plan your trip.
How Do the X Games Concerts Aspen Work?
There aren’t that many places where you can watch records be broken by day and dance to the beat drop at night. All the events center around Buttermilk Mountain with the competitions happening across the terrain parks and the concerts held at the mountain’s base.
Ticketing doesn’t kick in until after 4pm, so visitors can watch the athletic events for free in the morning and early afternoon. Once all the events have wrapped up for the day, the music begins.
Visitors should be aware that the timing of events is very fluid. It’s not unusual for events to be delayed for weather reasons or for events to run long due to judging deliberations. Skiers and riders with a valid lift ticket are still able to enjoy the slopes that Buttermilk has to offer, but access to some areas of the mountain will be limited. Some visitors like to embrace the inspiration and ski on the same mountain as the greats, while others take the time to partake in different winter experiences.
What to Expect Out of the X Games Concerts Lineup
The X Games organizers always match the epic tricks thrown by their competitors with epic, heart-pounding tunes from the world’s top stars. The lineup is always varied with a few different genres represented, but they all have a uniting theme of being high energy.
In 2025, the headliners included:
- Daily Bread: EDM infused with funk
- Illenium: A melodic take on dubstep that’s heartfelt and high energy
- Deadmau5: Progressive and electro house music
- Big Gigantic: Electronic funk that is played with both live instruments and electronic beats
The 2026 headliners are Alesso and Disco Lines. Alesso is a Swedish, multi-platinum DJ who is known for collaborating far and wide with other music artists, including Katy Perry, Hailee Steinfeld, Usher, Liam Payne, and Anitta. His style of EDM leans heavily into pop by combining catchy, relatable lyrics with high-energy beats. Alesso will play 2 shows in Aspen over X Games weekend. On January 23rd, he’ll perform at Belly Up; the following day, he’ll headline the mainstage at the base of Buttermilk.
Disco Lines will have a similar show schedule but in reverse. He’ll play Belly up on Saturday, January 24th and the X Games stage on Friday, January 23rd. Although both DJs, these two headliners span many different genres. Where Alesso brings in pop, Disco Lines is more of a classic DJ. His beats utilize lots of electronic sound effects and brief vocal samples to create the perfect music to dance to.
6 Competitions to Be Held at the Aspen X Games in 2026
If you’re a lay person who doesn’t follow this particular kind of sport, the X Games can seem a little confusing. The competitions have some overlap with Olympic events, but the X Games generally focus less on speed and more on style. Unlike the Olympics, the majority of X Games events take place on a terrain park.
There are 6 types of events that you can expect to see at the 2026 X Games. Each event type has a category for ski and snowboard, as well as a men’s and women’s division. In each event, the athletes are judged on style, difficulty, execution, height, originality, and variety.
- Slopestyle: athletes compete tricks on a freestyle course to show off their skills. The course is 1,700 feet long with 290 feet in vertical drop. There are 3 rail features and 3 large jumps.
- Big Air: athletes fly off a 75-foot tall jump and perform a flip or stunt in midair before landing.
- Knuckle Huck: this event uses the same jumps as Big Air. Athletes go over 2 different “knuckles” (the curved section of a jump right before the steep drop) and throw flips. The tricks thrown sometimes don’t have formal names.
- SuperPipe: the course is a 567-foot long, 66-foot wide halfpipe with sides that are 22-feet tall. Athletes perform multiple flips on the sides of the pipe.
- Snowmobile and Snowbike Freestyle: this event is basically BMX but in the snow. Athletes fly off jumps with their snowmobiles and snowbikes to do flips in mid-air, while keeping hold of their ride so that they can land safely.
- Snowmobile Speed and Style: 2 athletes race on a short course that contains freestyle terrain. Each racer must hit the ramps for tricks 3 times. Judges award points for style of the tricks and the first person to cross the finish line gets extra points for speed.
Integration of Sports and Music
2014 was the first year the X Games Aspen completely sold out its music festival lineup.
Since the event’s inception, the X Games concerts have played a crucial role in the experience, dating all the way back to its origins as the 1995 Summertime Extreme Games.
Over the past decade, X Games organizers have secured performances from some of the top pop artists, predominantly focusing on EDM and hip-hop. However, with artists like MOD SUN and Yung Gravy gracing the event, it’s clear that there are no strict genre limitations in place. The goal is to find acts that resonate with a younger action-sports audience.
This year, the performances will be even more exciting as artists and athletes are set to join forces on and off the stage. From impromptu jam sessions to planned performances, there will be plenty of ways to experience a fusion of extreme sports and music.
Fan Engagement and Experience
The concerts at the X Games play such a pivotal role for fans. Beyond the exhilarating slope action, you get the chance to enjoy a carefully curated music lineup with some of the top artists in the world.
For many visitors, the X Games is less a sporting event and more a snowy music festival, offering unique fan experiences, VIP showcases, and soul-stirring celebrations. There’s a unique collective energy that event goers experience here that can’t be captured anywhere else.
As a mega fan, you get the chance to purchase exclusive merchandise from your favorite artists, allowing you to take home a piece of the X Games concerts experience. From branded apparel to snow gear, we can help you find the perfect take-home collectible.
If you want to elevate your Aspen X Games experience with luxury amenities and a quiet reprieve amongst the beauty of the surrounding mountains, explore some of our favorite Aspen ski resorts.
How to Buy Tickets for X Games Aspen 2026
Given the popularity of each year’s X Games concerts artists, tickets can quickly become a hot commodity. The key to a memorable weekend is securing your VIP ticket ASAP. That’s where our team at Aspen Luxury Concierge comes in!
Whether you’re looking for VIP access and hospitality packages or a completely curated itinerary for your X Games experience, we can help you plan the perfect weekend.
Not only can ALC secure your tickets, but we can also help you find the ideal accommodations, making sure your stay in Aspen aligns with your needs and lifestyle. From luxury vacation rentals to top-tier hotels, we are your on-the-ground, single point of contact for securing high-end, last-minute reservations.
Get in touch with us to find out more about the exclusive benefits of planning your trip with Aspen Luxury Concierge.
Tips to Enjoy X Games Aspen 2026
From securing accommodations ahead of time to packing for warmth and comfort, we’ve compiled a few tips to help you make the most of your X Games concerts experience:
- Plan Ahead: The best way to make sure you have a seamless experience is by planning your adventure in advance. Take a look at the event schedule to figure out which competitions and performances are must-sees.
- Dress Appropriately: Don’t let the cold ruin the fun. Make sure to pack the appropriate clothing, such as layered jackets and winter accessories like snow boots, beanies, and scarves.
- Get Up Close and Personal: With VIP experiences, you can get up close and personal with your favorite athletes and artists. Let us help you secure prime viewing spots so you can enjoy the rush of the competition and live performances.
Of course, there’s so much more to enjoy in the charming town of Aspen during the winter than the X Games. When you fuel up, be sure to take full advantage of our little town’s highly diverse culinary scene by checking out local restaurants. There are an endless number of things to do in Aspen, from dogsled rides to museum exhibits and yoga classes.
X Games Concerts in Aspen FAQ
If you have questions, we have answers! Here are the queries that visitors most often make about the games:
The X Games take place on Buttermilk Mountain. The athletic events are on the mountain’s existing terrain park, although the organizers make a few temporary modifications to make it suitable for competition. The stage for the concerts is set up at the base of Buttermilk.
Yes! Aspen ski resorts do not close during the X Games. Visitors who want a regular winter adventure can ski Highlands, Ajax, and Snowmass Mountain without needing to dodge cameras or Olympic medalists. If you want to take advantage of the beginner-friendly terrain on Buttermilk, you’ll have fewer route options since areas are sectioned off for the games.
No, unlike the Olympics, both the summer and winter X Games occur annually. In fact, 2026 marks the 25th year that the winter games have been hosted in Aspen, Colorado.
Before 4pm, visitors can watch the events for free. However, after 4pm, spectators need to have tickets to be in the viewing corral or lounges and to attend the evening concert.
The Aspen nightlife scene has no shortage of options for all your partying desires. If you are in the mood for dancing, the locals recommend Escobar or Madame Ushi. The best places to get drinks are Hooch, Bad Harriet, and J-Bar. If you’re in the mood to pre-game a concert with even more music, check out The Sterling, which has an impressively diverse music line up.
The X Games take place on Buttermilk Mountain, which is about 3 miles away from the center of Aspen. If you drive, it takes about 10 minutes. During X Games season, the best way to get around is to utilize the free shuttle that circulates between all 4 mountains.
Uber and Lyft are not very reliable in Aspen, so ALC recommends taking shuttles or asking your concierge to book you a private car. This will allow you to party safely while experienced drivers navigate the winter roads to get you where you need to go!
Conclusion
The X Games concerts have long been a defining element of the event, showcasing some of the best artists on Earth with sold-out performances. From EDM to hip-hop, event organizers have done an incredible job of blending the lineups with the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of the X Games, crafting an experience like no other.
If you’re looking to take your X Games experience to new heights, book your exclusive X Games experience with ALC today! We can help you unleash the full potential of your time here with luxury accommodations and carefully tailored itineraries.
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