Sundance Announces Final Park City Festival, Moves To Boulder

Sundance Institute leaders publicly unveiled the 2026 lineup on Dec. 10, 2025 and reiterated that the 2026 edition will be the festival's final run in Park City. The program, scheduled for Jan. 22 to Feb. 1, 2026, features competition and premiere titles from notable filmmakers and performers, and the institute has confirmed the full relocation to Boulder beginning in 2027. Officials framed the move as a response to long term capacity and venue considerations as Sundance plans to expand its footprint and audience.

For Summit County the announcement represents an immediate shift in the cultural calendar and a pending change in the local economic landscape. Sundance has been a primary driver of winter tourism, hotel occupancy, restaurant sales, and seasonal employment for Park City and the broader Wasatch Back. Local governments and business owners now face a narrow window to assess potential revenue shortfalls, reallocate promotional efforts, and determine whether to pursue alternative festivals and events to fill the gap.

Institutionally the decision raises questions about the allocation of public resources, zoning and permitting for large events, and the capacity of municipal services to adapt to changing demand. County and city leaders will need updated economic impact analyses to inform budgeting and to consider targeted investments in arts and culture infrastructure. The move is also likely to shape civic deliberation during upcoming municipal and county election cycles as candidates and voters weigh priorities for economic development, tourism management, and community identity.

Civic engagement will be central in the months ahead as residents, business owners, and local officials negotiate the festival's legacy and future direction. Planning conversations should address workforce transitions for hospitality and arts sector employees, marketing strategies to attract year round visitors, and opportunities to leverage remaining festivals and cultural institutions. The 2026 edition will serve as a final chapter for Sundance in Park City, while the confirmed 2027 relocation to Boulder prompts Summit County to confront both short term disruptions and long term strategic choices about cultural and economic resilience.