A musician playing a banjo on a wilderness trail while hikers watch.

August 11 – 20, 2023

Breckenridge International Festival of Arts, or BIFA for short, is a 10-day celebration of Adventure + Creativity + Play. Local, national and international artist talent and organizations, both traditional and unconventional, mingle together to create an eclectic mix of music, dance, film, visual arts and family entertainment. Throughout the festival, Breck Create produces dozens of events throughout the cultural venues, public parks, trails and open spaces of Breckenridge.

Sponsored in part by:

BIFA 2023 Resident Artist

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Circa contemporary circus company - be drawn into the deep world of physical daring with a hauntingly beautiful exploration of what is possible with the human body. Shown here are two male trapeze artists performing.

“The mighty Circa” (Lyn Gardner, The Guardian)

Circa Contemporary Circus is one of the world’s leading performance companies. Since 2004, from its base in Brisbane, Australia, Circa has toured the world - performing in more than 40 countries to over 1.5 million people. Circa’s works have been greeted with standing ovations, rave reviews and sold-out houses across six continents. 

Circa is at the forefront of the new wave of contemporary Australian circus - pioneering how extreme physicality can create powerful and moving performances. It continues to push the boundaries of the art form, blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus. Compelled by the question ‘what is possible in circus?’ Circa is leading the way with a diverse range of thrilling creations that ‘redraw the limits to which circus can aspire.’ (The Age).

Under the direction of circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, Circa features an ensemble of exceptional, multi-skilled circus artists who have been a regular fixture at leading festivals and venues in New York, London, Berlin and Montreal with seasons at Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Barbican Centre, Les Nuits de Fourvière, Chamäleon Theatre as well as major Australian Festivals.

Circa contemporary circus company, an exploration of pure physical beauty that will challenge your perception of what is possible. Shown here with two male trapeze artists and a violinist.
Performance
Aug 19, 2023 7:30pm, Saturday
Doors @ 7pm, Ages 12+
Children lay side by side on a stage floor while two other children leap over them during the Circa Youth Workshop
Aug 19, 2023 11:00am, Saturday

This ten-day long celebration of art in all forms inspired by themes of environment and mountain culture is packed with options

Thrillist Denver

BIFA 2023 Program Descriptions

A professional skateboarder rides the rim of a bowl during Concrete Jams: Skate + Jazz.

Concrete Jams: Skate + Jazz

Skateboarding and jazz collide in unexpected ways. This 360-degree immersion showcases the art of improvisation in both music and sport, offering the bowl as bandstand. 

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Yogis stand at attention during Acoustic Flow, an outdoor yoga class set to live classical music on the lawn of the Riverwalk Center, which sits at the base of the Ten Mile mountain range.

Acoustic Flow

Start each morning of the festival with a 60-minute gentle yoga class that combines music, nature and wellness along the relaxing shores of the Blue River.  

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CHIRP!

Harmonizing to create an ethereal atmosphere, an ensemble of three musicians perform alongside Trail Mix art installations.

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Isak Heartstone, a sculpture of a giant troll from reclaimed wood materials by artist Thomas Dambo, watches over a trail in Breckenridge..

Trail Mix

Trail Mix combines art and nature whereby hikers follow a trail to an art installation. Art is accessible via three different trails, offering a range of accessibility.

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BIFA INFO + CRAFT TENT

The BIFA Info + Craft Tent is located on the Blue River Plaza and will be open Saturday + Sunday, August 12 – 13 and August 19 – 20 from noon to 5 p.m. Stop by to pick up a daily schedule, to get questions answered and, of course, to create some art! The Blue River Plaza is located at 137 S. Main Street in downtown Breckenridge, right across the street from Old Masonic Hall. 

Abstract installation by artist Sharon Louden featuring reflective panels hanging and undulating from the ceiling and walls.

Wonder Hour

Join festival artists for 30-minute talks and performances while you enjoy New-York based artist Sharon Louden’s exhibition, “Barriers to Entry.” This site-specific, abstract installation uses different types of media to shape colorful and reflective forms that symbolize spaces made difficult to enter.

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Guided Mindfulness Hikes

Immerse yourself in the healing powers of art and nature on these excursions featuring Breckenridge International Festival of Arts Trail Mix art installation, Soft Gaze by Camille Hoffman. Mindfulness expert, Leslie Glenn, guides participants through personal reflection.

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AirStage Summer Après

Hike, bike or bus to the Breckenridge Arts District to enjoy outdoor drafts, crafts and BIFA performing artists on the AirStage.  Bring a picnic blanket, grab dinner to go and let the kids play on the lawn while you catch up with friends and family. Well-behaved pups on leashes are welcome!   

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BIFA 2023 Exhibiting Artist

BIFA 2023 Trail Mix Artist

BIFA 2023 Experimental Music

Percussionist and composter Stephen Schick with the Schick Machine
Performance
Performance

Schick Machine

Aug 16, 2023 7:30pm, Wednesday
Reserved Seating, Doors @ 7pm
BIFA
Aug 17, 2023 7:30pm, Thursday
Doors @ 7:00pm

[BIFA] is the ultimate something-for-everyone festival blending monumental art, performance, film, jazz and circus arts with chance musical concerts on a trail in the woods or a roll-in movie night for the whole family

Westword

BIFA 2022 Recap