From January 21 to 31, 2027, the Sundance Film Festival will bring independent filmmakers, Hollywood stars, and movie lovers to Boulder. And while the premieres and celebrity sightings will draw plenty of attention, the festival is also making a point of welcoming locals, with brand-new affordable ticket options for students, young adults, and weekday moviegoers.
“We want residents to know that this festival is for them,” says Paula DuPré Pesmen, managing director of the Sundance Film Festival and a Boulder-based film director. “We hope to see them in theaters alongside filmmakers and visitors from around the world.”
Whether you want to catch a buzzy premiere or spend an afternoon discovering independent films, a little planning will go a long way. Here’s how to make the most of Sundance in Boulder.
Key Dates to Know
Mark your calendar. Ticket packages go on sale to the public before the festival announces its film lineup, so you’ll need to commit before knowing exactly what you’ll see. But, that’s part of the magic, says John Nein, the festival’s director of strategic initiatives. “The thrill of coming to Sundance is getting to meet these filmmakers at the same time the world discovers them.”
- October 15 at 10 a.m.: Ticket packages go on sale to the general public.
- Mid-December: The festival announces its film lineup and programming.
- January 8: Single-film tickets go on sale.
- January 21–31: Sundance takes place in Boulder.
- January 28–31: The online festival runs concurrently with the final days of the in-person event.
Sundance recommends buying packages early, as popular options can sell out.
How Much Do Sundance Tickets Cost?
Sundance offers everything from $15 individual tickets to premium passes costing thousands of dollars. Here’s how the options compare:
Passes
Passes offer unlimited priority access to public screenings, using a dedicated pass holder’s line, without requiring advance film selection.
- Full Festival Pass: $7,500 for priority access for one person to all public screenings (donor only, must contribute at least $5,000 to qualify)
- First Half Express Pass: $6,100 for priority access for one person to all public screenings during the first six days (donor only, must contribute at least $5,000 to qualify)
- Second Half Express Pass: $4,500 for priority access for one person to all public screenings during the final five days (the only pass available to non-donors)
Packages
Packages include 10 in-person screening tickets (except the Ignite Package, which also includes five online tickets) and allows you to select your screenings when they are announced in mid-December. Package holders can reserve their 10 spots at desired screenings before single tickets go on sale to the public on January 8. This is a great bet for getting into the more popular films. We suggest splitting these packs with friends if you don’t plan on going to 10 films; the tickets aren’t locked to identities. You can even use all 10 tickets on the same screening and go together.
- Full Festival Package: $925 for 10 tickets to screenings throughout the festival
- Encore Package: $675 for 10 tickets to films’ second screenings
- Second Half Package: $450 for 10 tickets to screenings from January 27–31
- Matinee Package: $350 for 10 tickets to weekday screenings starting before 5 p.m. from January 25–29
- Ignite Package: $275 for 10 in-person tickets and five online tickets for students of any age and young adults (ages 18 to 25) to screenings from January 24–31
Single-Film Tickets
Not ready to commit before the lineup comes out? Single-film tickets cost $37 and go on sale January 8. For the first time, students of any age and young adults (ages 18 to 25) can also purchase $15 single-film Ignite tickets. The trade-off is availability: Package holders register for screenings first, so popular premieres may sell out before single tickets become available. Still, many films screen more than once, giving you multiple chances to catch a favorite. And even if a screening sells out, you may still be able to get in.
Sold Out Doesn’t Mean Shut Out
If the film you’re dying to see is sold out, don’t give up just yet. Sundance offers waitlists for screenings, giving you another shot at attending. We’ll update this article closer to the festival with everything you need to know about the waitlist and rush-line processes.
What Are the Best Days to Attend Sundance?
The dates you choose can shape your experience.
- January 21–26: Premiere week brings red carpets, filmmaker Q&As, industry events, and the best chance to spot stars around town. Expect greater demand and longer lines for popular screenings.
- January 27–31: The festival’s second half offers more opportunities to catch encore screenings, with potentially shorter lines and a less hectic atmosphere.
How to Watch Sundance Online
If you’d rather skip the crowds altogether, the online festival runs January 28–31, with options ranging from a $37 single-ticket to a $45 pass to see all of the festival’s short films to an $825 all-access online pass. (Online screenings are available only within U.S. territories.)
How to Volunteer
Festival volunteers can earn free screening tickets; attend volunteer-only events; and, depending on their commitment, receive meal vouchers and festival gear.There are two types of volunteers: assigned schedules or sign-up schedules. If you can commit to a specific role and want to work as many as 11 shifts throughout the duration of the festival, apply to be an assigned schedule volunteer. If you need greater flexibility to select your own shifts from a team schedule, go the sign-up schedule route. Both require three hours of online training before the festival. You can find more information about each here. The deadline to apply is October 30.
