9K Fest

August 5–9, 2026 · 9,000 Feet High · At the Edge of the Wilderness

An interactive musical experience. A loving community gathered in the mountains to make music, dance, explore, break bread, and grow.

What 9K Is

A temporary mountain republic of music, mischief, and the best people. At 9K, everyone participates.

Everyone Jams

If you have never played music before, this is your chance. Whether you are a professional musician, curious about the piano, or feel called to the cowbell, there will be instruments waiting for you. If you do not know where to begin, we will help. There will be a jam class on day one.

Everyone Is a DJ

We have our headliners, and yes, they play Espicy bangers. But everyone gets a turn to share music. Bring your playlist, your genre, your guilty pleasure, your anthem. We will help you plug it in so the whole mountain can dance with you.

Equipment On Hand

  • PAs, mixers, keyboards, full drum kit
  • DJ suite
  • Basses, guitars, mandolin, banjo, fiddle
  • Saxophone, flute, trumpet
  • Assorted percussion and more…

Schedule

Daily Art Poster
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›

The 9K Festival Grounds

🎸

Jam House

Where strangers become bands.

🔥

The Fire Circle

Late-night stories, music, and questionable decisions.

🌲

Medicine Garden

Natural medicine walks and plant wisdom.

🪩

Wilderness Stage

Where the mountain turns into a dance floor.

🛖

Bear Crossing

Hot tubs, lunch, and wandering conversations.

🎥

Cinema Cove

Movies under the stars.

🧭

Kokopelli's Hideout

If you find him, take a photo.

🪵

The Wood Yard

Wood chopping, strength tests, and good conversations.

The BOYAs

Bro / Babe of the Year Awards

The most prestigious and highly questionable awards in the mountains.

Each year the Council of Elders observes the festival closely — watching for legendary jams, heroic dance moves, and acts of unexpected greatness. On Saturday night we gather to recognize those who brought the most magic to the mountain.

Award Categories

  • Jam — Musical wizardry
  • Dance — Legendary dance floor energy
  • Vibes — Spirit of the festival
  • Baddy — Gets everyone where they need to be
  • Clutch — Making it all happen

Winning a BOYA does not grant power. But it does grant eternal bragging rights.

2025 Award Recipients

  • Jam: King Solomon Hicks
  • Dance: Krystal and Connor
  • Vibes: Trevor (appropriately awarded in temporary absentee)
  • Baddies: Phil and A Delirious Hephaestus
  • Clutch: Uncle Mike and Captain Caruso

Secret Missions

Teach someone one musical thing
Find a hidden instrument and use it in a jam
Convince someone to join a jam who says they "don't play music"
Dance with someone new
Leave an anonymous message of love
Start a jam with three people who have never met
Compliment a stranger's dance moves
Start a spontaneous dance circle
Introduce two people who should know each other
Trade a costume item with someone
Start a chant that spreads across the crowd
Watch the sunrise with someone you just met
Dance like an animal during Animal Spirit Day
Introduce someone to their first snuggle puddle
Capture a photo with Kokopelli

Become a Certified Citizen

Complete 5 passport stamps to become a Certified Citizen of the 9K Mountain Republic. Collect stamps by participating in the festival:

  • Play in a jam session
  • DJ a song or set
  • Join the drum circle
  • Dance in the dance competition
  • Attend the medicine walk
  • Help cook or bring potluck food
  • Complete a Secret Mission
  • Find Kokopelli
  • Perform at open mic
  • Help someone set up gear

Stamp locations will be scattered across the festival grounds.

9K Treasure Hunt

A playful scavenger hunt woven through the festival with clues, props, hidden objects, and prizes.

The 9K Survival Guide

  • Hydrate early. Hydrate often. Altitude and dancing are a powerful combination.
  • If you see instruments, play them. Even if you only know one note.
  • If you hear music, move toward it.
  • Introduce yourself to strangers. By Sunday they will be friends.
  • Bring something to share. Food, music, stories, weird costumes.
  • Sleep is optional but encouraged.
  • The mountain is sacred. Leave it better than you found it.
  • Sunrise is not bedtime. It is a suggestion.

Sign-ups

Photo Gallery

Festival Scene

Video Highlights

Accommodations

If you need privacy, camp or rent locally. If you don't mind the snuggle, there will be plenty of space. We're also working on a 4th toilet!

Palace in the Garage

1 King Bed

DJ Booth

1 Queen Bed

Balcony Room

1 Queen Bed

Prince Room

1 Queen Bed

Princess Room

1 Queen Bed

Common Areas

1 Full, 4 Twin, 5 Couches, Sleeping Mats, Bags, Rugs, The Garage

Bang Room on the River

Coordinates to be provided

Virgin Mary House

Under Construction

The Yard & The Wilderness

Unlimited Camping

River House

Selected Guests Only

Local Options

AirBnBs & Hotels in Cuchara

Getting There

Cuchara, Colorado

Nestled in the Cuchara Valley at the foot of the Spanish Peaks, our festival is an escape into the wild heart of Southern Colorado. The nearest village, Cuchara, offers charming art galleries, local diners, and essential supplies.

How to Get There

  • Fly to Denver (DEN) - approx. 3-hour drive.
  • Fly to Colorado Springs (COS) - approx. 2-hour drive.
  • Arrange a ride through fellow travelers.
  • Hitchhike (at your own adventure).

The 9K Manifesto

At 9K, everyone participates.

Everyone jams. Everyone DJs. Everyone contributes something to the experience.

We gather in the mountains to create a temporary world where music, creativity, friendship, and adventure take priority.

We respect the land that hosts us. We welcome new friends. We share what we bring.

No spectators. Only participants.

Fire guard sign up is mandatory.

See You on the Mountain

Every year a small village appears in the mountains.

For five days it is filled with music, laughter, dancing, strange costumes, late night jams, and new friendships.

Then it disappears again.

What remains are the stories. And the people you met along the way.

We will see you at 9,000 feet.

2K Fest — Sister Fest

2kfest.com is 9K Fest's sister festival, held each spring at a musicians' retreat in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California at 2,000 ft elevation. Where 9K lives at 9,000 ft in the mountains of Colorado, 2K takes the same spirit to Gold Country — live bands, open jams, light shows, pool parties, and good people.

Both festivals are part of the International Jam House Federation — a growing network of jam houses and their associated mini-festivals connecting musicians and creatives who believe in participatory, community-driven music.

Visit 2kfest.com →