Great American Beer Festival 2026: Getting to Levitt Pavilion

The Great American Beer Festival 2026 takes place this weekend at Levitt Pavilion in south Denver. Your ticket is likely sitting in your inbox already. A tasting cup practically awaits your arrival. Getting to the gate presents the tricky part this year. Organizers moved the event away from the downtown convention center.

This outdoor park venue features tight parking. Official shuttle seats are already fully booked as well. Our guide covers festival dates first. Entry rules are also included. Details follow for every realistic way to reach the venue. Directions work for travel from your hotel or from Denver International Airport. Read this overview once. Your weekend stays focused about the beer.

GABF 2026 Dates, Hours and Location

GABF 2026 runs on Saturday October 10 and Sunday October 11. Each day has exactly one session. The Great American Beer Festival hours are 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on both days. That means four hours of craft beer and zero evening sessions to fall back on.

Tickets are not refunded because of rain or wind. A light jacket is a smarter bet than trusting the October forecast.

What Changed for the Great American Beer Festival in 2026

For years the Great American Beer Festival Denver crowd knew one routine. You walked into the Colorado Convention Center downtown and stayed under a roof all evening. Past editions spread several sessions across three days. In 2026 the festival moves outdoors for the first time in its history. The Brewers Association picked Levitt Pavilion in Ruby Hill Park as the new home.

The schedule changed with the venue. You now get one daytime session on Saturday and one on Sunday. Both run from noon to 4:00 p.m.

That shift matters for your travel plans. The old venue sat a short walk from most downtown hotels. Ruby Hill Park is in south Denver with limited parking and busy entrance roads. The biggest Denver beer festival of the year now calls for an actual transport plan.

The upside is a proper park setting. Food trucks and free water stations line the grounds. Live music plays through the afternoon as well. Sunday guests also get the Awards Ceremony right inside their session.

Tickets Still on Sale

Saturday is gone for good. The 2-Day Pass and the Designated Driver ticket sold out as well. Sunday still has room as of October 9. All sales run through Eventbrite.

Each price already includes facility and processing fees. PAIRED adds a tasting of beers matched with dishes from guest chefs. The official resale partner is Tixel for anyone still chasing Saturday. Grab GABF 2026 tickets on the official page and skip the random resellers.

How to Get to Levitt Pavilion

Levitt Pavilion sits at 1380 W Florida Ave inside Ruby Hill Park. The Main Entrance faces Jewell Ave on the south side of the park. The North Entrance opens onto Florida Ave. The East Entrance sits where Florida Ave meets South Platte River Drive. Check the official Getting Here page before you leave the hotel.

Official Shuttle from Sheraton Denver Downtown

The official shuttle runs from the Sheraton Denver Downtown at 1550 Court Pl. Buses start at 11:00 a.m. and leave every 15 to 30 minutes. A round trip costs $21.48 per day. Booking closed on October 1. If you missed it the shuttle line is now strictly a spectator sport.

Light Rail

From Union Station take the E or C line to I-25 & Broadway. The C Line also stops at Evans Station on its way south. Finish the trip on foot or with a short rideshare hop. Airport guests can ride the RTD A Line to Union Station first. Guests staying up north can book a Boulder to Denver private shuttle and connect from downtown.

Rideshare and Private Car Drop-Off

Every rideshare car uses the Main Entrance on Jewell Ave. Bike parking sits at that same gate. A private car service drops you off in the same zone. Your driver can wait nearby and meet you once the session ends. The trip covers the ride to the gate and back. Our SUV and Sprinter van fleet fits a couple of friends or a bigger crew. The Levitt Pavilion Denver site posts any venue updates for event days.

Levitt Pavilion Parking

Levitt Pavilion parking is limited to Ruby Hill Park and nearby streets without reservations. Paid parking with a reservation is available at the Denver Electrical Lot at 1498 Lipan St. That lot has its own operator and has zero ties to the festival. The organizer also advises against driving for anyone who plans to taste.

From Denver Airport to Your Hotel and the Festival

Flying in for the weekend makes the first leg simple. The drive from Denver International Airport to downtown takes about 45 minutes. Book a Denver Airport to Downtown Denver private shuttle and your driver meets you at arrivals. Most festival partner hotels sit downtown. The list includes the Sheraton Denver Downtown at 1550 Court Pl and the Sonesta Denver Downtown at 1450 Glenarm Pl.

A 20% gratuity is added to each price. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before pickup. The same Denver Airport car service can take you from your hotel to the Jewell Ave gate on festival day. Prices for that local trip are available on request.

What You Can Bring Through the Gate

Every guest goes through an ID check and a security screening. The rules are short and strict. Learn them now because leaving the park means the day is over for you.

• Bring a valid photo ID.
• Backpacks stay at home.
• Glass bottles are banned.
• Outside food is prohibited.
• Pretzel necklaces are allowed.
• Re-entry is not allowed.

Water bottles are allowed if they are empty and clear plastic up to 32 oz. The free water stations inside will fill them up. A pretzel necklace is your only legal snack plan. Full details are on the festival entry rules page.