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The Outside Festival and Summit, founded by Outside Run’s parent company Outside Interactive Inc., wrapped its second year at Denver’s Civic Center Park with 35,000 attendees across four days of events and gatherings, nearly doubling in size from 18,000 in its inaugural year in 2024.
“This year’s Outside Festival and Summit proves that we’re building something much bigger than an event… we’re fostering deeper connections and bringing the outdoor community together,” said Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside Interactive. “The Outside Summit rethinks the traditional outdoor trade show model and brings leaders in the industry together to discuss new ideas, successes, and challenges that top outdoor businesses are facing today.”
The Outside Summit began on Thursday, May 29, with Outside Ignite, a national startup pitch competition where a panel of five judges awarded a grand prize valued at $100,000 to Carbondale, Colorado-based Raide Research, and the runner-up prize to Campfire Ranch. Campfire Ranch was also voted the recipient of the People’s Choice Award by the audience. Judges narrowed down almost 200 applications to five presenting finalists.
The Outside Summit brought in 900 registrants, marking an 80% increase from last year. Filled with 15 back-to-back sessions from 46 speakers, Friday began with an address from Conor Hall at Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and Carrie Besnette Hauser of Trust for Public Land, centering an industry focus for attendees at the onset of the event. Summit badge holders also had an opportunity to hear from Albert Lin, the National Geographic explorer, scientist, and television host.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Outside Festival was at capacity, with 33,000 attendees, including children 12 and under who entered free. A total of 12 musical acts performed, including headliners Khruangbin, Lord Huron, Sylvan Esso, Trampled by Turtles, Neal Francis, Waxahatchee, Husbands, and more. There were 10 Ideas sessions at the Denver Art Museum with 18 speakers on Saturday and 13 speakers on Sunday. Outside Festival Film screened six films on Saturday and seven on Sunday, each followed by a conversation with film subjects at the Denver Public Library.
This year’s festival also replaced single-use cups for cocktails with reusable cups, and as such out of 15,000 cups distributed, less than 1% ended up in separated waste.
“The Outside Festival is where we see huge potential for more engagements at the event, continuing to celebrate outdoor culture and attract fans of music, film, wellness, and adventure,” Thorston said. “We hope to keep growing this event and adding value for years to come.”
