How to Celebrate Outside Days Like a VIP

Updated March 6, 2026 11:42AM

Any day outside is a great day. That’s especially true if you’re at Outside Days, the ultimate outdoor gathering for lovers of music, film, good vibes, and fresh air. Formerly known as Outside Festival, our annual celebration is back for 2026 with a new name, a new venue, and a new lineup of incredible musicians, filmmakers, speakers, and immersive outdoor experiences. And to pack it all in, we’ve expanded the event from two great days to three (May 29-31).

With Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket, Cage the Elephant, and more incredible artists taking the stage, along with our annual slate of speakers that has included everyone from Alex Honnold to Diana Nayad to David Blaine, you won’t want to miss it. But there’s more to an experience than just “not missing it.”

REI Co-op Mastercard cardholders will receive exclusive perks at Outside Days 2026, in addition to earning rewards on everyday purchases and all REI gear. Believe it or not, credit cards have access to unlock exclusive experiences and benefits for their cardholders, like watching your favorite band from the front-of-stage viewing area! Now that’s pretty exciting. Perks like that and more mean you’ll be a VIP at Outside Days.

Even more to get excited about? One lucky sweepstakes winner will receive two 3-day VIP tickets to the festival, plus funds for airfare and a hotel for two. Enter through March 23, 2026 for a chance to win. Enter sweepstakes and view terms here.

It’s not every day that a credit card gets you closer to having your face melted by MMJ or your heart melted by Death Cab for Cutie. But this is far from your average credit card. Capital One and REI have already teamed up with the REI Co-op Mastercard program which donates $2 million to the REI Cooperative Action Fund, a community-driven nonprofit that gives grants to nonprofits doing the essential work in making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive for everyone. And as presenting sponsors of Outside Days, they are giving eligible Capital One cardholders access to exclusive benefits throughout the event. REI Co-op Mastercard cardholders will also get the VIP treatment at Outside Days, plus at REI.

There’s no spending requirement to receive your Outside Days benefits—just having the card is enough to enjoy the ultimate outdoor gathering with extra perks thrown in.

Getting outfitted for festival season? That’s a lot more fun with a $100 REI gift card. And that’s just one of the benefits that comes with using the REI Co-op Mastercard, which continues to give long after the final notes ring out over Outside Days.

All this is in addition to your benefits as an REI member—like the annual 10% Co-op Member Reward, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, Free shipping and more.

If you love gearing up for the outdoors (who doesn’t?), chances are that REI is already a regular stop on the weekend shopping routine. Heck, there’s a solid chance that REI is your weekend shopping routine. By stacking your Co-op Member Reward and REI Co-op Mastercard Rewards on eligible full price purchases, you can do more of what you love with the best gear on your side. And when you factor in getting the cardholder experience at the biggest outdoor event of the year, the takeaway is clear: This is one credit card worth reading about.

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 25 million members who expect and love the best quality gear and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op’s many stores across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.