First Friday Carbondale Arts

First Friday Carbondale Arts is a nonprofit organization that has spent more than 50 years building community through the arts in Carbondale, Colorado and the broader Roaring Fork Valley. Founded by community members who recognized the arts as central to the character of the town, Carbondale Arts has grown into a cornerstone institution supported by volunteers, local businesses, government partners, fellow nonprofits, and community sponsors. The organization is headquartered at The Launchpad, where it shares space with an art gallery, the Artique Gift Shop, Dance Initiative, and performing arts studios.

One of Carbondale Arts’ most visible programs is First Friday, a monthly family-friendly event held in the heart of the Carbondale Creative District and historic downtown. Each event features local galleries, shopping, award-winning restaurants, live music, street artists, food trucks, and activity booths, with Main Street businesses opening extended hours and street closures creating a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. The calendar runs monthly from March through October, with themed events including Fire & Light in March, Spring into Wellness in April, the Family Block Party in May, Sopris Music Fest in July, and Recess in August, among others.

First Friday Carbondale 2026 Events

First Friday events take place on the first Friday of each month in downtown Carbondale’s Creative District, running from March through October 2026. Each event runs from 5:00–8:00 PM and features extended hours at local shops, galleries, and restaurants, alongside live music, food trucks, and community activities. Upcoming events for 2026 are:

March 6, 2026 — Fire & Light Celebrates the end of winter with a bonfire, warm drinks, illuminated activities in Chacos Park, and an art opening at Carbondale Arts’ Gallery featuring William Lanzillo and Ludivine Gérard. Live music by The Intaglios and Jamie Dooley & Frank Martin.
April 3, 2026 — Spring into Wellness Partners with The Center for Human Flourishing’s 7th annual Spring Into Wellness event at the Carbondale Recreation Center, showcasing health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness vendors. Main Street becomes a pedestrian corridor from Weant Blvd to 3rd St.
May 1, 2026 — Family Block Party Kicks off Carbondale’s summer season with outdoor food trucks, street activities, and community booths. Main Street closes to through traffic from Weant Blvd to Snowmass Ave from 5–9 PM.

June 5, 2026 — Local Pride Features a Pride Parade at 6:15 PM, live music in Chacos Park, a whiskey release at Marble Distilling, gallery openings, drum circles, drag performances, and more across downtown venues.
July 3, 2026 — Sopris Music Fest Details TBA.
August 7, 2026 — Recess Details TBA.
September 4, 2026 — Handmade & Vintage Market in the Carbondale Creative District, 4-8PM
October 2, 2026 — October First Friday Details TBA.

Main Street is closed to traffic from 5-9pm from Weant Blvd to Snowmass Ave. 2nd and 3rd Streets will remain open for cross traffic. No parking after 4:30pm, with full closure at 5:00pm. To inquire about volunteering, inquire at https://www.carbondalearts.com/first-friday/#ffinvolvement 

Services: First Friday Events, Art Gallery Exhibitions, Fashion Show, Creative District Stewardship, Community Arts Programming, Business Sponsorship