Entry Requirements and Policies for the 2026 San Juan Brewfest

The San Juan Brewfest works to create a safe and fun environment for all attendees. By purchasing a ticket and/or participating in this event, you agree to the entry protocol and the following policies:

Care for Durango

Take the pledge to “Care for Durango” and stay healthy, be prepared, leave no trace, be firewise, and be respectful. The “Care for Durango” principles are the actions you can take to be conscientious and caring on your adventures in Durango.

Entry Requirements

Every attendee must be at least 21, have a valid ID and a valid ticket. No exceptions, make sure you bring your ID no matter your age.

Aggression/Harassment

The San Juan Brewfest has a zero-tolerance policy for aggression or harassment of any kind.

Everyone should feel safe during the event, and we are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate any form of aggressive behavior or harassment of festival attendees, staff, volunteers, sponsors, or brewers.

If a participant breaks these policies, they will be removed from the San Juan Brewfest and the proper authorities will be notified. If someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, no matter how minor it may seem, please report it immediately to any San Juan Brewfest staff member or security guard so the situation can be addressed.

Drugs (Including Marijuana)

No drugs of any kind are allowed inside the event area, including marijuana. While marijuana is legal in Colorado, it is NOT legal to consume it outside of your home or the home of someone who gives you permission to consume it. This includes flower and edibles, as well as marijuana paraphernalia.

Prescription drugs are allowed as needed.

Smoking

Smoking is NOT allowed in Buckley Park, but you can go out into the street to smoke. Please be respectful of others around you and put your butt in the trash.

Outside Alcohol

No outside alcohol is allowed inside the event area. We have plenty for you to try! If anyone appears inebriated at the gate, the Brewfest reserves the right to deny entry. Wait until you get here!

Backpacks

Small backpacks are allowed, but are subject to search. Any item specifically noted here, or anything else the event staff deem to be harmful or dangerous, will be disposed of, or the attendee can come back at a later time after the item(s) have been taken elsewhere.

Chairs

One small camping chair per person is allowed. The Brewfest reserves the right to relocate your chair if it is in a high traffic area or an emergency access area.

Weapons

No weapons of any kind are allowed inside the event area. This includes, but is not limited to, firearms, knives, and explosives. Small pocket knives may be allowed, but at the discretion of the San Juan Brewfest staff and/or their designees. Leave it at home!

Pets

No pets of any kind are allowed inside the event area. The only exceptions are for legitimate service animals. Emotional support animals are NOT allowed.

Children

No children, or anyone under 21, are allowed inside the event area. This includes infants.

Water Bottles

EMPTY water bottles are allowed inside the event area. A free water station is available at the event to fill your water bottle. Anyone bringing in a full or partially full bottle will be required to empty it before entering. Only EMPTY water bottles are allowed!

Underage Drinking and Over-consumption

The Brewfest also has a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking. Anyone inside the San Juan Brewfest event area without a wristband will be removed from the event and the proper authorities will be contacted. A wristband indicates a valid ID has been shown. Additionally, the San Juan Brewfest staff and/or its designees can ask for any attendee’s ID at any time during the event, even after entering the San Juan Brewfest event area.

The San Juan Brewfest has a zero tolerance policy for over-consuming. Anyone who appears to be intoxicated prior to entering the event can be denied entry. Anyone inside the event area who is intoxicated will be removed from the event.

Don’t be a jerk, be of-age, and know your limits! This includes YOU!

All policies apply to EVERYONE at the San Juan Brewfest, including vendors, volunteers, bands, etc.

San Juan Brewfest staff and/or their designees have sole decision making authority on these issues, and their decisions are final.

If you provided a phone number when purchasing your tickets, no information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purchases.

Please bring rain gear to the Brewfest. We are a rain or shine event! If the rain gets heavy, everyone can gather up under the brewery tents. In the unlikely event that the weather turns really bad for a prolonged period, the event will close until the weather passes. Everyone will be asked to leave the event and shelter under overhangs or awnings, in their vehicle, or in Downtown businesses. Watch our social media for announcements about when to come back. Facebook and Instagram.

Lightning Safety Acknowledgment

By purchasing a ticket and attending this outdoor event, you acknowledge and agree that in the event of lightning or other severe weather, festival organizers may require attendees to vacate the park for safety reasons. Failure to comply with evacuation instructions is done at your own risk, and the festival is not liable for any injury or harm resulting from non-compliance.

Lightning Safety Guidelines:

• Safe behavior includes: Seeking shelter under an overhang or awning, in a fully enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle, avoiding open areas, and waiting until event staff give the all-clear to return.

• Unsafe behavior includes: Remaining in open fields, under trees, near tall metal structures, or continuing to consume alcohol without regard for evacuation instructions.

Your safety is our priority. Please follow all staff directions during weather-related emergencies.

The San Juan Brewfest strives to be accessible to everyone. For any accessibility accommodations, please contact Tim at tim@sanjuanbrewfest.com or 970-749-1157.

The Brewfest is a two-day event, Friday August 28 and Saturday August 29. Friday is the best day to attend if you have any accessibility concerns as there will be about half the number of people attending on Friday compared to Saturday.

The Brewfest will have two accessible restrooms on site.

The Brewfest will create a “rest area” for anyone that needs to sit down, or perhaps to rest your service animal, or to just get away from the crowds and noise for a few minutes. This will be located by the front gate at 12th Street and Main Ave.

There are 3 ADA parking spaces within a block of the event entrance, and many more in Downtown Durango.

Please click the links below to see our statement on public accomodation:

English Version

Spanish Version

The San Juan Brewfest is GREENER than ever this year. Here are our sustainability efforts and how you can help!

We drink from a reusable tasting glass, not plastic cups, and have done so for over a decade.

Recycle bins are placed throughout the venue, and attendees are encouraged to recycle.

Breweries serving from cans or bottles agree to recycle 100% of what they bring to the event.

Attendees are allowed to bring in an empty water bottle, and a water station is available to refill water bottles all day long. The water station is sponsored by Well on Wheels.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own utensils to eat with. BYOF – bring your own fork!

Food vendors are strongly encouraged to offer low or no waste ways to serve their food.

Instead of using paper to vote for the People’s Choice Award, we have used a text to vote system for many years.

All City of Durango public transit is FREE both days of the Brewfest! Take the bus for safety and environmental reasons

The Brewfest includes in its policies Visit Durango’s Care for Durango pledge.

The San Juan Brewfest recognizes, publicly and intentionally, that we live, work, and organize on stolen and occupied traditional land that is just one piece of a larger, boundless terrain for Indigenous Peoples; Ute Tribe, Jicarilla Apache, Arapaho, Comanche, and the Diné Nations, and others. We acknowledge that 48 contemporary tribal nations are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado. The San Juan Brewfest would like to pay our respects to their elders, past and present, and choose to honor and acknowledge the original stewards of this land in hopes of building mutual respect and understanding across all cultures – those that reside here and those that pass through here today and in the future.

EARLY CHECK-IN

On Friday August 28, come to early check in at the gate located at 12th and Main from 3 to 4:30 pm. Bring your printed ticket with you, or have it on your phone, along with your valid ID showing you are 21 or older, and you’ll get your credential early. Come back at 5 pm and go to the RE-ENTRY line, which will be way faster! RE-ENRTY line is located on the west side of Main Ave, between 12th and 13th Streets.

On Saturday August 29, come to early check in at the gate located at 12th and Main from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Bring your printed ticket with you, or have it on your phone, along with your valid ID showing you are 21 or older, and you’ll get your credential early. Come back at 1 pm for General Admission ticket and at noon for VIP tickets and go to the RE-ENTRY line, which will be way faster! RE-ENRTY line is located on the west side of Main Ave, between 12th and 13th Streets.

If you can’t do early check in, be prepared to wait a bit. We will get you in as fast as possible, which should be about 15 minutes max. Gates open at 5 pm sharp on Friday August 28 and at 1 pm sharp on Saturday August 29. VIP’s get in one hour early at noon on Saturday!

TICKETS – PHONE

After you purchased your ticket, you were sent an email or a text that has a link to your ticket or an attachment that is the ticket. You can bring the email or text with you on your phone, and open the attachment or the link to show your ticket at the gate. There is also an option to add your tickets to your Apple or Google Wallet, which you can show at the gate. You must have a valid ID and be at least 21 to enter. No pets of any kind allowed, leave the dog at home.

TICKETS – PRINT

You can also print your ticket, give it to whomever is attending, and bring it to the event, along with your valid ID. Must be 21, no kids allowed! EVERYONE MUST HAVE A VALID ID, NO EXCEPTIONS. No pets of any kind allowed, leave the dog at home.

Either works, and both allow us to scan your ticket to get you into the event.

LOST TICKETS

If you can’t find your email or text, no worries. You can check in without your ticket, but the ID you present must match the name of the person who purchased the tickets, or who they were purchased for. You can also request to have your tickets re-sent by sending an email to tim@sanjuanbrewfest.com but the deadline to request this is Tuesday August 25 at noon. After that go to https://support.bigtickets.com/article/132-help-i-cant-find-my-tickets

OTHER

NO ONE UNDER 21 ADMITTED, this includes infants. Also no dogs or pets of any kind. If you show up with pets or kids you will be turned away.

You can bring in a small bag, but we reserve the right to search it. You can also bring in an EMPTY water bottle, and you can fill it up at the FREE water station inside the event area, sponsored by Well on Wheels.

Gates open at 5 pm sharp on Friday August 28 and at 1 pm sharp on Saturday August 29. VIP’s get in one hour early at noon on Saturday!

REQUIRED: REVIEW OUR POLICIES TO AVOID UNNECESSARY ISSUES

See you at the Brewfest!

Friday August 28

3 to 4:30 pm - Early Check In at 12th and Main

5 pm - Gates Open for General Admission Ticket Holders

5:30 to 7:30 pm - Live Music Desiderata

7:45 pm - Last Call

8 pm - Taps Off, No More Beer!

8:15 pm - Park Closed

Saturday August 29

10 to 11:30 am - Early Check In at 12th and Main

12 pm - Gates Open for VIP Ticket Holders

1 pm - Gates Open for General Admission Ticket Holders

1:30 to 2:30 pm - Live Music ORA

3 to 5 pm - Live Music The Galentines

4 pm - VIP food service ends

4:45 pm - Last Call

5 pm - Taps Off, No More Beer!

5:15 pm - Park Closed

Durango is awesome and we love living here! We always like sharing cool things to do with people visiting from out of town, and reminding locals all that Durango has to offer. Click HERE for more information.

The San Juan Brewfest is a 21 and over event.

We encourage you to make arrangements in advance so that you get home safely after the San Juan Brewfest. Here are options:

All City of Durango buses are FREE on Friday August 28 and Saturday August 29, including the Main Avenue Trolley. The Trolley runs every 20 minutes and has multiple stops along Main Avenue north of Downtown. The Trolley route starts and ends at the Transit Center in Downtown Durango, which is only four blocks from Buckley Park where the Brewfest is held. Click HERE for a link to the bus schedule and route information.

Walk or ride your bike on the Animas River Trail. Exit the Trail at 9th Street, 12th Street, or Rotary Park to access Downtown and Buckley Park.

Get a friend to be your Designated Driver. Designated Driver tickets heavily discounted. DD’s will receive free non-alcoholic beverages inside the event as a reward for helping others get home safely.

Or contact any of these companies:

DuranGO! evening transit service. Available every night 5 pm to midnight, and it only costs $2 per ride. Download the app to get started. App Store or Google Play

Sunshine Rides (call or text to ride) 970-777-7777

Buck Horn Limousine (reservation required) 970-769-0933

Animas Transportation (reservation required) 970-259-1315

UBER Download the app, set up an account, get a ride.

If you drive, all parking meters in Downtown are free after 6 pm on Friday and free all day on Saturday. All City parking lots are also free starting at 5 pm on Friday and all day on Saturdays. You are not allowed to leave your car overnight in a parking meter space, but you can leave your car overnight in the City parking lots.

Do NOT park at Town Plaza or Northpoint Mall as those spaces are reserved for customers.

Click HERE for more info!

2026 San Juan Brewfest volunteer positions will be posted in July. Click HERE to sign up. Volunteering earns you a FREE ticket to the Brewfest!

If you have any questions about any of the volunteer positions, email Tim at tim@sanjuanbrewfest.com