It’s an Olympic year in Olympic City USA, and that makes it a special place to enjoy and celebrate the Games. As the world turns its attention to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum will once again become the heart of the Games in Colorado Springs as the host of the Downtown Winter Fest and the 2026 Museum Games Experience, running throughout both competitions.
The Olympic Games officially begin with the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 6 and finish on Feb. 22. The Paralympic Games follow March 6-15. Celebrations and events will continue throughout both Games periods. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a central gathering place for live Games viewing, interactions with athletes, community celebrations and more.
“The Museum Games Experience allows fans to come together and share in the excitement, inspiration and patriotism of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, even when the competitions are happening half a world away,” says Marisa Wigglesworth, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. “From watching historic moments unfold in real time to engaging with the stories and athletes who define these Games, this experience brings the global movement home to Olympic City USA.”
Here’s how you can enjoy the festivities:
Highlights of Downtown Winter Fest
The full-day Downtown Winter Fest will be Olympics central on Saturday, Feb. 7. The celebration is free and open to the public with a full schedule of live music, cultural demonstrations, interactive sport activities, local vendors, food trucks, athlete meet and greets and more.
The featured guest athletes are Olympic champion Nastia Liukin and four-time Paralympian Danelle Umstead.
Liukin is one of the most accomplished gymnasts in Olympic history, winning five medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, including the coveted All-Around Gold medal. She has been inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame, and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame.
Danelle Umstead is one of the most accomplished visually impaired alpine ski racers in Paralympic history and a blind keynote speaker and motivational leader. Umstead is a four-time Paralympian and three-time Paralympic bronze medalist, with four World Championship medals and more than 50 World Cup podium finishes. Nearly blind by age 29, she learned to ski by relying entirely on verbal communication and trust with her guide, an experience that reshaped her approach to resilience, teamwork and psychological safety. At the height of her career, Umstead was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, requiring her to relearn how to walk and compete.
The Downtown Winter Fest features a full lineup of winter-themed activities and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., including:
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- Torch Relay and Cauldron Lighting Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. on the Park Union Bridge and Museum Terrace
- Free U.S. Olympic & Paralymic Museum admission
- Circus performances, athlete meet and greets and interviews, and interactive experiences for all ages
- Live music performances by local artist Iyanla
- Free horse and carriage rides, a ninja obstacle course, s’mores, fire pits, food trucks, vendors and more
Highlights of the 2026 Museum Games Experience
Dive into the Olympic spirit at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum Feb. 6 – March 15
Opening Ceremony Watch Party
Friday, Feb. 6, at 12:30 p.m.
Live coverage of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, included with general Museum admission.
Daily Winter Games Focused Tour
A Winter Olympics–focused guided tour highlighting iconic Olympic and Paralympic moments, athletes and innovations through the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum collection.
Daily Artifact Demonstrations
Interactive storytelling experiences that bring the history of the Games to life through select Olympic and Paralympic artifacts.
Athlete Meet-and-Greets
Appearances will be scheduled each weekend during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Meet and greets are included in museum admission. Here is part of the schedule. Check with the USOPM for exact times, and watch for more participating athlete announcements.
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- Tyler Carter (Para Skiing): Feb. 8 and 15
- Lexi Lagan (Olympic Shooter): Feb. 8
- Shelby Jensen-Mitchel (Olympic Fencing): Feb. 8
- Nicole Heavirland (Olympic Rugby): Feb. 8, 14, 15, 21, 22
- Jajaira Gonzalez (Olympic Boxer): Feb. 14
- Stephan Noderosick (Olympic Gymnast): Feb. 14
- Samantha Schultz (Olympic Pentathlete): Feb. 15, 21, 22
- Jacarra Winchester (Olympic Wrestler): Feb. 15
- Mo McCane: Feb. 21, 22
Live Painting Demonstrations
Local sports artist and Olympic City USA Task Force member Bernard Sandoval will create live, Winter Olympics inspired artwork on Feb. 14 and March 14.
Paralympic Day
Saturday, March 7
As the Paralympics begin, the USOPM will host a dedicated celebration of the Paralympic Movement featuring hands-on activities, stories and athlete appearances.
Watch for additional details, athlete announcements and schedule updates at usopm.org/gamesexperience
Read about all the Colorado Springs locals working to make sure the athletes have everything they need to compete at peak level in The Team Behind Team USA Gears Up for Milano Cortina Olympics.
