Background

Sundance: Park City vs. Boulder — What's Changing in 2027

Published July 2026 · Updated September 2026

After decades headquartered in Park City, Utah, the Sundance Film Festival is moving to Boulder, Colorado, beginning with the January 21–31, 2027 edition. Here's how the two homes compare and why the festival made the move.

Why did Sundance move to Boulder?

Sundance ran a long, public search for a new host city and selected Boulder for 2027 and beyond. In its announcement, the Sundance Institute cited Boulder's proximity to the Rocky Mountains, its arts scene, and its welcoming environment. The move — announced in 2025, with the first Boulder festival in 2027 — was also backed by a substantial incentive package: the Colorado state legislature established a $34 million in tax credits (House Bill 25-1005, signed by Gov. Jared Polis in April 2025), with a Boulder coalition — including Visit Boulder, CU Boulder, and the Boulder Chamber — submitting the host city bid.

Park City vs. Boulder at a glance

| | Park City, UT | Boulder, CO | |---|---|---| | Elevation | ~7,000 ft | ~5,430 ft | | Nearest major airport | Salt Lake City (SLC) | Denver (DEN) | | Setting | Mountain ski town | Walkable college & arts town |

What stays the same?

The festival's core carries over — its competition sections, premieres, and focus on independent film, along with the familiar late-January timing and a run of about a week and a half (the 2027 festival is January 21–31).

What's different for attendees?

Boulder sits lower in elevation than Park City, which can be easier on visitors sensitive to altitude. It's centered on a walkable downtown (the Pearl Street area) rather than a ski resort, and it's reached via Denver International Airport. Screenings will be spread across established Boulder venues — see our venues guide.