Breckenridge International Festival of Arts 2025
Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (BIFA) = Adventure + Creativity + Nature + Play
The Breckenridge International Festival of Arts 2025 (BIFA) opens August 15–17 with art, environment, and imagination converging with three distinct and interconnected evening events at the Riverwalk Center, each culminating in SPARK, a breathtaking outdoor installation by renowned Dutch design lab Studio Roosegaarde.
SPARK by Studio Roosegaarde
August 15–17 | 9:30 PM until late | Riverwalk Center Lawn
Free with Timed Entry Reservation
A centerpiece of BIFA 2025 and the official U.S. public debut, SPARK is a silent, sustainable alternative to fireworks that celebrates the natural night sky. Thousands of biodegradable light sparks, inspired by fireflies and stars, float through the air—rising up to 100 feet and drifting gently on the breeze.
Timed to begin just as the Riverwalk events conclude each evening, SPARK transforms downtown into a glowing, meditative environment. Guests are invited to relax on blankets, sip a drink, and be enveloped by a floating field of light.
“Breck Create in partnership with the Town of Breckenridge, is honored to debut the public presentation of SPARK in the United States,” said Tamara Nuzzaci, president and CEO of Breck Create. “The installation itself will be breathtaking, and its ideology aligns with the sustainability goals and values of Breckenridge.” There will be numerous viewing locations throughout the downtown area and opportunities for local businesses and non-profit organizations to be part of the celebratory experience.
~Tamara Nuzzaci, president and CEO of Breck Create
Making its United States public premiere, SPARK is a poetic alternative to traditional fireworks—using biodegradable floating light sparks to create a sustainable celebration of nature and community.
Audiences are invited to enjoy ticketed programming inside the Riverwalk Center until 9:00 PM each night, after which the building’s garage doors open for guests to flow outside to experience SPARK beneath the stars.
SPARK also aligns with Breckenridge’s commitment to sustainability and the Town’s DarkSky initiative, supporting its goal of becoming a certified Dark Sky Community—one of just 55 in the world. Free timed-entry reservations are required. Reserve at breckcreate.org/bifa
Friday, August 15
An Evening with Kishi Bashi
7:30 PM | Riverwalk Center
$28 + $4 fee | GA – Standing Room Only / Limited Seating
Emmy-nominated multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi kicks off the weekend with his cinematic blend of pop, orchestral arrangements, and heartfelt storytelling. Performing from his newest album, Kantos, Kishi Bashi’s genre-bending set promises a soulful, high-energy journey—perfectly complementing the reflective atmosphere of SPARK.
Saturday, August 16
Breckenridge Rewind
7:30 PM | Riverwalk Center
$10 Suggested Donation | GA – Seated
Presented in partnership with Breck Film and Breck History, this nostalgic event showcases 1970s–80s Breckenridge through archival footage by Lee Lucas of Lucas Video Productions. From early ski culture to town festivities, the screening is followed by a community talkback with longtime locals and featured video subjects. The evening culminates with SPARK, blending collective memory with forward-looking environmental innovation. To learn more CLICK HERE
Sunday, August 17
Acoustic Flow: Sonic Meditation
7:30 PM | Riverwalk Center
Free with Registration
Close the weekend with an outdoor sonic journey led by pianist Adam Waite, singer/poet Phoebe Bawmann, and local meditation expert Leslie Glenn. Featuring piano, harmonium, and voice, this immersive meditation taps into the healing power of music and presence—transitioning naturally into SPARK’s calming atmosphere as night falls.
BUT WAIT… That’s Not All!
Programming Highlights for BIFA 2025
Minty Fresh Circus — BIFA 2025 Resident Artists – Riverwalk Center – August 23
Created by Monique Martins, Minty Fresh Circus is a U.S. based circus show performed by an all-Black cast with a majority Black creative team. Minty Fresh Circus takes audiences on a journey through time and space using circus and dance to explore themes of liberation, protection, adornment, healing, joy and spiritual communion. The performance reimagines circus storytelling through movement, visual design, and sound, reflecting the dignity, resilience and transcendence of the Black American experience. Structured in nine rituals, the 70-minute performance showcases spectacular circus and dance skills with a touring ensemble of seven to nine acrobats.
Art Exhibitions + Installations
Anna Tsouhlarakis – BIFA 2025 Exhibiting Artist
Anna Tsouhlarakis, who is Greek, Creek, and an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation, redefines what Native art is and can be. Her work explores themes of strength, resilience, humor, and determination, elevating the stories and struggle of Native American communities. Using sculpture, video performance and text, she deconstructs stereotypes while celebrating the rich complexities of Native identity. Tsouhlarakis will create three outdoor installations as well as an exhibition in Old Masonic Hall.
Anna Tsouhlarakis, Irrational Indigenous Insights – Old Masonic Hall – May 24 – August 31
The exhibition includes a selection of new and existing artworks that center Native voices in original and restoring ways presented throughout the two galleries of Old Masonic Hall.
Anna Tsouhlarakis, The Native Guide Project – Breckenridge Arts District – August 15 – 24
Using the familiar medium of large-scale signs and banners, in clean black and white layouts of short text produced in Helvetica typeface and installed on buildings exteriors, structures, and in public spaces, the art addresses challenging topics making space for positive and thoughtful dialogue and consideration.
Anna Tsouhlarakis, Edges of the Ephemeral – Riverwalk Center – August 15 – 24
A work that explores the Navajo belief of multiple worlds within the culture’s creation story. The viewer enters a large wooden spiral 20 feet in diameter and walks through to the core. Anna Tsouhlarakis employs the template of parking and safety signage within the structure to relay messages that are both familiar and authoritative. The language presented at the beginning of the journey conveys a more negative tone. As the viewer continues, the message becomes more neutral; and then, as they reach the center of the spiral, the message is full of hope and optimism.
Anna Tsouhlarakis, Rocketship – Ridge Street Art Square – August 15 – 24
The artist’s version of a homemade spacecraft constructed from found objects.
Trail Mix – August 15 – 24
BIFA’s signature program, Trail Mix combines art and nature, leading hikers and mountain bikers through Breckenridge’s Trails to discover art installations and performance destinations.
Bill Orisich: Root Notes – Sounds of the Underground– Moonstone Trail
With this site-specific sonic installation, artist Bill Orisich explores the symbiotic relationships that connect within the forest and allow it to thrive. The artwork encourages contemplation of the rich, interconnected world that exists just beneath our feet fostering a deeper emotional connection with nature. The multi-channel work incorporates interwoven natural sounds, instruments, and vocals, forming an engaging musical experience. The sounds and rhythms are inspired by recent scientific findings that expand our understanding of the amazing interconnectedness of the forest world. The seven independent sound sources span about a 100-foot stretch of trail, offering an exploratory experience as participants move through the space.
Joe Scolari — Ciügaboc (CHOO-guh-boc) Illinois Creek Trail + Little Mountain Trail
Swiss Italian artist Joe Scolari creates interactive art and play installations that invite children and adults to engage with the forest in playful, intentional ways. With a background in carpentry and trail work, his pieces reflect a deep connection to nature and a commitment to simplicity, using raw materials like stone and wood. His work blends creativity and craftsmanship, offering tactile experiences that harmonize with the landscape.
Additional Festival Highlights
Concrete Jams — Riverwalk Center – August 20
Musicians collaborate with professional and local skateboarders to create an interactive community.
Acoustic Flow — Blue River – August 18 – 24
These morning yoga classes feature live music on the banks of the Blue River.
VIP PASSES
New this year, Breck Create launches the sale of VIP Festival Passes for individual couples as well as businesses and their employees to have a deeper, more meaningful experience throughout the ten days of BIFA. VIP Pass benefits include behind-the-scenes access to the SPARK project and artists, entry to all ticketed events, and access to the exclusive BIFA lounge with specialty drinks, commemorative gifts, and more. Tickets, VIP passes, registration details, and more information about BIFA 2025 can be found at breckcreate.org/bifa.
Breck Create aims to build a dynamic, year-round creative community in Breckenridge. The organization’s mission is to deliver inspiring creative experiences that enrich the quality of life for all residents and quality of place for visitors. Breck Create supports and serves artists, creatives, cultural enthusiasts, visitors and the community at large by providing a year-round schedule of performances, exhibitions, screenings, art classes and workshops as well as other engagement opportunities.
For more information and reservations head to www.breckcreate.org/bifa
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