Stars Descend on Denver for Outside Days Outdoor Culture Fest

BOULDER, Colo. – April 28, 2026 – Outside Interactive Inc. has revealed a powerhouse lineup for its upcoming Outside Days festival, transforming Denver’s Auraria Campus into a global hub for outdoor culture from May 29-31. The event promises a unique fusion of adventure, music, art, and ideas, featuring an eclectic mix of world-renowned athletes, celebrity chefs, Grammy-nominated musicians, and influential changemakers.

The announcement signals a significant expansion of the festival's ambition, aiming to create an immersive experience that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle in all its forms. Headlining the speaker list are figures like legendary free-solo climber Alex Honnold, humanitarian chef José Andrés, Olympic runner and author Alexi Pappas, and professional snowboarder Travis Rice. They join a packed musical roster that includes Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket, and Goth Babe, underscoring the festival's broad cultural appeal.

“Outside Days is built on a simple idea: the best days are the ones we spend outside together,” said Robin Thurston, founder and CEO of Outside Interactive Inc., in a statement. “This year’s lineup brings that idea to life, with boundary-pushing athletes and master storytellers coming together to inspire people to make getting outside part of everyday life.”

A Convergence of Culture and Adventure

This year's festival is designed to break down the silos between different facets of outdoor culture. The programming goes beyond typical speaker panels to create unique, intimate moments. Musical artist Griff Washburn, who performs as Goth Babe, will host a “campfire coffee hangout” with Olympian and mental health advocate Alexi Pappas, offering attendees a relaxed setting to connect with them. Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, will take the stage for a conversation about the intersection of Spanish cooking, global citizenship, and the power of food to unite communities in crisis.

Fans of adventure sports will have plenty to look forward to. Alex Honnold, whose daring ascents have captivated the world, will host a live episode of his popular podcast, Climbing Gold. “Feeling the passion from tens of thousands of people within the outdoor community is genuinely inspiring,” Honnold stated. “It’s an honor to return to Outside Days this year to celebrate being outside with those who love it just as much as I do.”

He is joined by a who's who of the adventure world, including Olympic champion cross-country skier Jessie Diggins, professional climber Sasha DiGiulian, iconic ski mountaineer Jim Morrison, and ultramarathon legend Scott Jurek. The festival’s film series, held in the King Center performing arts complex, will feature works from acclaimed directors like Tamra Davis and Emmett Malloy, alongside adventurers-turned-filmmakers like Katie Burrell and Chris Benchetler.

The Business of the Outdoors

Beyond the public-facing festival, Outside Days serves as a critical nexus for the booming outdoor recreation industry. Preceding the main event is the two-day Outside Days Industry Conference (May 28-29), a symposium for professionals in the outdoor, travel, and active lifestyle sectors. This year, the conference expands with two new tracks: Outside Attract for the travel industry and Outside Endure for endurance race organizers, joining the established Outside Summit for thought leadership and the Outside Ignite startup pitch competition.

The event’s strategic importance is underscored by its powerful partnerships. Presented by Capital One and REI Co-op, the festival is produced in collaboration with the State of Colorado's Outdoor Recreation Industry Office. This state-level involvement highlights a concerted effort to cement Colorado’s status as the epicenter of the North American outdoor economy. With the 2025 festival drawing over 35,000 attendees—nearly doubling its debut—the economic infusion into Denver from tourism, hospitality, and local spending is expected to be substantial.

The roster of sponsors, including Jeep, Brooks Running, The North Face, and UC Health, reflects the broad appeal of the outdoor demographic. For brands like REI, the festival is a natural extension of its community-focused mission, offering member perks like express entry and discounts. For others, like Amazon Pharmacy and Capital One, it represents a strategic opportunity to connect with a health-conscious and experience-driven consumer base.

More Than a Mountain to Climb

While high-adrenaline pursuits are a major draw, the festival's core message emphasizes a more holistic and accessible vision of the outdoors. The lineup deliberately includes voices that expand the definition of what it means to be an “outdoorsperson.” The inclusion of José Andrés brings a powerful message of humanitarianism, linking the global food landscape to community resilience.

Speakers like Rue Mapp, the founder of Outdoor Afro, a national organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature, will bring crucial conversations about inclusivity and access to the forefront. Alexi Pappas’s presence highlights the vital connection between physical activity and mental wellness, a topic of growing importance in both professional sports and everyday life. Similarly, chef and storyteller Eduardo Garcia will share his powerful story of resilience and finding healing in nature and food after a life-altering accident.

This focus on well-being, community, and stewardship aims to fulfill the festival's mission of inspiring attendees to integrate the outdoors into their daily routines, not just as a place for epic adventures, but as a source of health, connection, and personal growth. The free admission for children 12 and under further reinforces this family-friendly, community-building ethos.

A Strategic Play for the Outdoor Ecosystem

For parent company Outside Interactive Inc., the festival is a cornerstone of its business strategy. It serves as the physical manifestation of a sprawling digital media empire that includes 25 brands like Outside magazine, Gaia GPS, and Yoga Journal. The event is a powerful engine for driving subscriptions to its Outside+ membership program, which bundles premium content with perks like discounted festival tickets and VIP access.

The festival creates a virtuous cycle: it provides exclusive, high-value content that can be distributed across its media network while simultaneously using that network to drive attendance and membership. It transforms a digital community of over 300 million unique users into a tangible, engaged gathering, strengthening brand loyalty and fostering a sense of belonging.

By convening industry leaders at the conference and inspiring consumers at the festival, Outside Interactive solidifies its position not just as a media company, but as a central organizer and taste-maker for the entire outdoor lifestyle ecosystem. As the festival grows in its new home on the Auraria Campus, it is poised to become an unmissable annual pilgrimage for anyone invested in the future of how we live, work, and play outside.