First Time at the Sundance Film Festival? We’ve got you covered.
Table of contents
- Key Dates
- Create Your Account
- Choose Your Festival Dates
- Get Your Pass or Package
- Plan Your In-Person Experience
- Favorite Your Must-See Films
- Build Your Festival Schedule
- Book Your Film Tickets
- Enjoy the Festival!
1. Key Dates
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – Passes and Packages on Sale
This is your first chance to purchase passes or packages for the Sundance Film Festival — the most popular way to experience the Fest. These products give you access to multiple screenings and come in a variety of options to fit different budgets, needs, and preferences (both in person and online). They’re in high demand, so act quickly before they sell out.
December 2025 – Film Program Announced
The full slate of films is revealed! Once the lineup goes live, you can start building your list of “favorites.”
December 2025 – Film Schedule Announced
Venues, dates, and screening times are released. If you’re attending in person, you can start mapping out your ideal itinerary. You can also see the selection of films that will be available to stream online.
Monday, January 12, 2026 – Ticket Selection Begins for Packageholders
The big moment: ticket selections go live! Ticket selections allow passholders to select the screenings that they’d like to see. Depending on your package, you may get early access to selections. Check your specific package for details.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – Single Film Tickets Go On Sale
Tickets can sell out fast – so be ready.
Thursday, January 22, 2026 – Sundance Film Festival
The countdown is over — the Fest is here! Time to discover new films, meet new people, and enjoy everything the Sundance Film Festival has to offer.
Thursday, January 29, 2026 – Online Festival Begins
Grab your popcorn and your coziest blanket – online screenings begin!
Friday, January 30, 2026 – Award Winners Announced
Now’s the moment – the Festival Award winners are announced! Prior to this, the Festival Program will feature the categories without film information filled out; after the winners are announced, the Festival Program will feature the details of each category film winner.
2. Create Your Account
To purchase passes, packages, and tickets, you’ll need a Sundance Film Festival account. Setting one up is quick, free, and gives you access to all the tools you’ll need to plan your Fest experience.
Fest Tip: Opt in to email alerts for the latest updates, key reminders, and insider news delivered straight to your inbox.
3. When to Arrive
The Sundance Film Festival experience can feel a little different depending on when (and how) you arrive:
First Half (January 22–27)
High energy, high excitement. You’ll be among the very first audiences to see this year’s films, and the streets of Park City are often alive with filmmakers, actors, and creatives. Be prepared, though — lodging and tickets can be harder to snag during this time.
Second Half (January 28–February 1)
Whether you’re arriving earlier and staying through the second half or getting in at this point, you’ll find that lodging and tickets can be easier to get, and the pace feels more relaxed. For many film lovers, this is the sweet spot.
Online Access (January 29–February 1)
Watching from home? Online screenings run during this window, giving you a front-row seat to the Festival without leaving your couch. In-person attendees, if you missed a screening on your list, watching online is a great way to make sure you see more of your Favorited films.
4. Buying Tickets
Passes and packages, which go on sale October 22, 2025, are the most popular way to experience the Sundance Film Festival. Single Film Tickets go on sale January 14, 2026. These products are in high demand, so act quickly before they sell out.
Learn a little more about passes and packages:
- You can choose from In-Person or Online, based on how you plan to attend the Festival.
- Passes give you access to all films within a certain time period, category, and/or screening location, depending on the pass type. For instance, the First Half All Access Pass lets passholders see any film during the first part of the Festival, while the Short Film Pass grants access to any short film screening. With passes, you don’t have to book specific tickets for covered films — just show up at the theater, show your pass, and enjoy the screening. Passes can only be used by the actual passholder (validated with a photo ID).
- Packages offer a bulk discount on multiple tickets. With a package, you’ll need to book tickets for specific screenings once tickets go on sale. Packages are a great way to reserve screenings for multiple people.
- Single Film Tickets allow you to view a specific in-person or online screening. If you’ve got a Single Film Ticket, there’s no need to make a ticket selection – your ticket is your selection.
Fest Tip: If you’re booking for a group, purchase all of the packages from the same Sundance Film Festival account. You can transfer the tickets to others later.
5. Plan Your In-Person Experience
If you’re attending the Festival in person, prepare early. Book your stay in Park City or Salt Lake City, Utah, through our lodging partner to receive special discounts such as free film tickets or Lyft credits.
Check out the map to learn more about the Sundance Film Festival venues and how to get around. Read Attend In Person to learn everything you need to know about navigating your in-person Festival experience.
6. Favorite Your Must-See Films
The full slate of films will be revealed on December 10, 2025! Once the lineup is live, head to festival.sundance.org to browse the complete list and learn more about each film.
Use the filters to sort by competition category, genre, special interest, accessibility features, and more. As you go, click the stars to add films to your personal list of “favorites.” This list will be your road map once it’s time to book tickets.
Fest Tip: Going with friends? Have everyone star their favorites ahead of time. Comparing lists makes it much easier (and faster) to plan your Festival schedule together.
Learn More
7. Build Your Festival Schedule
The Sundance Film Festival schedule — including venues, dates, and screening times — will be announced in December. If you’re attending in person, this is when you can start mapping out your ideal itinerary.
Favorite specific screenings to add them to My Schedule.
Be sure to double-check venue locations. Screenings take place in both Park City and Salt Lake City. Some venues are walkable, while others may require a car or shuttle ride.
When building your schedule, always keep back-up options in mind — some screenings will sell out.
Fest Tip: Leave at least an hour between screenings. Not only does this make travel less stressful, but many screenings include Q&As with filmmakers, cast, or crew — and you won’t want to miss those!
View My Schedule
8. Select Your Screenings
Ticket selections start Monday, January 12, 2026, at 10 a.m. MT! Depending on your pass or package, you may have early access. Check your specific pass or package for details. Screenings can sell out fast (even online screenings) — so be ready.
During high-demand moments, the Festival website can get busy. If you see a “please wait” message, hang tight — we’ll get you through as quickly as possible.
Fest Tip: You can purchase multiple tickets at once, for yourself and others. Just add them to your cart and check out. But don’t linger too long — tickets in your cart are only held for a limited time.
Learn More
9. Enjoy the Festival!
Whether you’re joining us in Park City, Salt Lake City, or from the comfort of home, we can’t wait to share the magic of the Sundance Film Festival with you. Here’s to new discoveries, unforgettable stories, and the thrill of watching them together.
Fest Tip: If you’re interested in attending a sold-out screening, join the waitlist. Read How to Fest to learn more.
Enjoy the Fest — we’ll see you there!
