The Sundance Film Festival in Park City runs January 23-February 2, 2020. When many think of the festival, they think of expensive and difficult to get movie tickets and probably not the most family friendly environment. However, we have visited Park City many times during the film festival as a family without ever watching a film, while still having a blast.
Here are six ways for locals to get out an enjoy Sundance Film Festival as a family or as a date night with very little to no cost.
1 – Take Park City Transit – it's FREE an makes getting around easy! We normally park at Kimball Junction and take a bus to Park City Main Street. There are also bus stops at the bottom of Canyons Resort and Park City Mountain Resort where you can park for free (as long as the crowds are not too bad from skiers).
Plus, if you have young kids, you must take a ride on the Park City Trolley that runs up and down Main Street for free. My kids love just being able to take a ride on the Trolley.
Download the MyStop App (iTunes or GooglePlay) for up to date and real time transit tracking.
2 – Stargazing – There is no better time to spot celebrities on the streets of Park City. Film stars are all over and many can be spotted around Egyptian Theatre on Main Street. We have also found that many stars will try to duck out the back doors of buildings on Main Street, so sometimes you can have better luck on the back streets of Main Street.
We were actually surprised to see Selena Gomez going in and out of various shops on Main Street a couple of years back – you can see the top of her head in the above photo. My kids were so thrilled to see a celebrity they recognized. We also passed right by William H. Macy, who my kids did not recognize until we told them he was the narrator for Curious George.
3 – Visit the Sponsor Tents – every year you will find various sponsors at the Sundance Film Festival either at tents directly on Main Street or within various buildings throughout Main Street. Don't miss out on the free fun these sponsors have to offer.
One year, you could sign up with Acura at their tent by getting a wristband to access their Mood Road, Virtual Reality Test Drive, snacks, free water bottles, a full size Acura ice sculpture and more. Plus, other sponsors offered additional VR experiences, free coffee and refreshments.
4 – Gallery Stroll – Check out Main Street's many art galleries. You will find all kinds of unique and interesting art pieces at various galleries.
5 – Locals Get Free Tickets – If you missed our post earlier, locals are able to access free Sundance Film Festival tickets. Tickets are available February 1 and will go fast. You can also watch for the Summer Film Series where you can view films from Sundance Institute for free at various venues during the Summer.
6 – Stop for a Treat – We always look forward to stopping for a treat at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory located about midway up Main Street. Our favorites includes their variety of caramel apples and fudge, but you can also find hot chocolate and other yummy treats. You can also check out Main Street Deli, Java Cow & Bakery, or Atticus Coffee & Tea House for some quick eats or to stay warm with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
Have fun!
Leave a Reply