Great American Beer Festival to move outdoors for 2026 event

Denver's iconic beer festival will take place at the Leavitt Pavilion in Ruby Hill Park, offering more space and fresh air for attendees.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 4:39pm

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After four decades at the Colorado Convention Center, the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) will move its 2026 event to the outdoor Leavitt Pavilion in Denver's Ruby Hill Park. The Brewers Association, which organizes the festival, said the new venue offers expansive green space, panoramic city views, and an amphitheater, allowing for a "more immersive festival experience" with possibilities like live music and open-air tasting zones.

Why it matters

The move signals an adaptation for the craft beer industry, as GABF looks to reinvigorate the beloved event and attract more attendees after recent declines in ticket sales. Hosting the festival outdoors aligns with the Leavitt Pavilion's mission to build community through shared experiences.

The details

The Great American Beer Festival has traditionally taken place indoors at the Colorado Convention Center, but will now move to the Leavitt Pavilion in Denver's Ruby Hill Park for the 2026 event. The new outdoor venue offers more space, fresh air, and amenities like an amphitheater that the Brewers Association says will enable a "more immersive festival experience" with potential additions like live music and open-air tasting zones.

  • The Great American Beer Festival will take place on October 10 and 11, 2026.
  • Ticket sales for the 2026 event will go on sale to the public in June.

The players

Brewers Association

The non-profit trade association that organizes the Great American Beer Festival.

Leavitt Pavilion

An outdoor amphitheater and event venue in Denver's Ruby Hill Park that will host the 2026 Great American Beer Festival.

Meghan McNamara

The Executive Director of the Leavitt Pavilion.

Ann Obenchain

The Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Brewers Association.

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What they’re saying

“Taking the festival outdoors lets us reimagine what's possible and we're excited to bring fresh energy to the festival and provide an experience that feels uniquely Colorado.”

— Ann Obenchain, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Brewers Association (KDVR)

“Hosting the GABF aligns with the venue's founding purpose to build community through music and shared experiences.”

— Meghan McNamara, Executive Director, Leavitt Pavilion (KDVR)

What’s next

Ticket sales for the 2026 Great American Beer Festival at the Leavitt Pavilion will go on sale to the public in June.

The takeaway

The move of the iconic Great American Beer Festival to an outdoor venue in Denver's Ruby Hill Park signals an evolution for the craft beer industry, as organizers look to reinvigorate the beloved event and attract more attendees through a more immersive festival experience.