GABF Moves Outdoors to Levitt Pavilion for 2026 Festival | The Locally Times
After 40+ years indoors, the Great American Beer Festival embraces an open-air format at Denver's Levitt Pavilion on October 10-11, 2026, promising live music and panoramic views.
Denver's iconic Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is making its biggest change in over four decades, moving from its traditional indoor setting to the open air of Levitt Pavilion in 2026. This landmark shift, announced January 27, 2026, marks the first time the world-renowned craft beer event will be held outdoors. Scheduled for Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the Levitt Pavilion in Denver's Ruby Hill neighborhood, the move promises a fresh experience for attendees, complete with live music and expansive open-air tasting zones. ## GABF Embraces Open Skies After Decades Indoors For over 40 years, the Great American Beer Festival has been an indoor affair. The 2026 event, however, will transform into an outdoor celebration at Levitt Pavilion, a change event organizers describe as a natural evolution for the festival. This open-air environment aims to offer an immersive experience for craft beer enthusiasts, blending GABF's unparalleled beer selection with live music and Colorado's characteristic open skies. Organizers intend to inject new energy into the festival, creating an experience that truly reflects the state's outdoor spirit. ## Live Music, PAIRED Events, and Ticket Details The outdoor venue will introduce several new features designed to elevate the festival. These include dedicated live music performances and expansive open-air tasting zones. Tickets for the 2026 GABF will go on sale in June 2026, with admission prices starting at $60. The festival is set to run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on both October 10 and October 11, 2026. ## Levitt Pavilion: A New Home with a Shared Vision Levitt Pavilion, a nonprofit music venue nestled in Denver's Ruby Hill neighborhood, will serve as GABF's new home. Its expansive green space and panoramic city views were key factors in the festival's decision to move outdoors. This partnership with the Great American Beer Festival, detailed in the January 27 news release, significantly expands that vision for both organizations. While the outdoor location promises a distinct atmosphere from previous indoor settings, event organizers assure attendees that the festival's spirit will remain consistent, still featuring hundreds of breweries and thousands of craft beverages. ## Your GABF 2026 Quick Guide **When do GABF 2026 tickets go on sale?** Tickets for the Great American Beer Festival will be available starting in June 2026, with prices beginning at $60. **Where is the Levitt Pavilion located?** The Levitt Pavilion is in Denver's Ruby Hill neighborhood. **What are the dates for the 2026 Great American Beer Festival?** The festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2026.