Boulder stories

Sundance Passes Sold Out? Your Options for 2027

Published October 2026

Short answer: if you missed out on a pass or package, you still have real options. Single tickets go on sale Jan 8, 2027, the online festival runs Jan 28-31, and Boulder has plenty to enjoy around the festival without a ticket. Local outlets, including Boulder Weekly, have reported that passes and packages have been moving fast since sales opened Oct 15, 2026, so it's worth planning now.

We're an independent, unofficial guide and aren't affiliated with Sundance. Ticketing policies can change, so treat sundance.org as the source of truth.

What's still realistically available

Single tickets (Jan 8, 2027): This is the main route for anyone without a package. Our tickets page has the latest on how to prepare.
The online festival (Jan 28-31): Watching from home is a good fallback if in-person screenings sell out or you can't travel. Check Sundance's site for what will be streamed and how access works.
Waitlists and standby: Festivals often offer some kind of day-of or waitlist option for sold-out screenings. We haven't seen confirmed details for 2027, so verify the official rules before counting on it.

For how the formats differ, see our breakdown of passes vs. tickets, and keep the 2027 key dates handy.

How single-ticket days typically work

Exact 2027 procedures are still to be confirmed, but on-sale days at festivals like this usually look similar:

Set up your account ahead of time and make sure your payment details are current.
Expect heavy demand at the moment sales open, especially for buzzy titles.
Have backup picks ready. The film lineup is expected in December, and the screening schedule has not yet been announced, so you'll want to study both before Jan 8.
Be flexible on times and venues. Screenings take place across downtown Boulder and the CU Boulder campus, so your choices may be broader than you'd expect.

Skip resale and scalper listings

When official options sell out, third-party listings tend to appear. Be cautious:

Listings can be fake, duplicated, or invalid.
Official terms may limit transferring or reselling tickets, so a purchase might not get you in.
Prices on unofficial markets can be inflated, and refunds are often unavailable.

Buy through Sundance's official channels, and if something sells out, use the waitlist or online options instead.

Free things to do in Boulder

You don't need a ticket to soak up the atmosphere. Festival headquarters will be at The Rink, 1722 14th St., and it's worth checking Sundance's site for any public or community events there or elsewhere.

Stroll the Pearl Street Mall, with its street performers and people-watching.
Walk or bike the Boulder Creek Path, weather permitting.
Hike a Flatirons-area trail for a winter view of the mountains.
Browse the Boulder Public Library or a local bookstore for film-related reads.
Wander around the CU Boulder campus, one of the festival's venue areas.

Timing matters: the lineup is expected in December, and the screening schedule comes after, so check back as details are released.