Pete Holmes Brings Here and Now Tour to Wheeler Opera House

The Wheeler Opera House doesn’t just host comedians; it hosts a specific kind of escape. It’s where the mountain air meets the microphone, where the silence of the valley is broken by the roar of laughter from folks who’ve driven up from Glenwood Springs or just walked over from Main Street. And this Wednesday, June 10, that silence is about to be shattered by Pete Holmes.

Here’s the thing though: you might think of Aspen as a place for skiing, for sipping $20 wines, for watching the rich be rich. But comedy? Comedy is the great equalizer. It’s the one thing that doesn’t care if you own a condo on Castle Creek or a duplex in Basalt. It just wants you to laugh. And Pete Holmes is coming to town to make sure you do.

Holmes, the Ojai-based comedian with over 25 years in the game, is bringing his “Here and Now Tour” to 330 E. Main St. at 7:30 p.m. He’s not just recycling old bits. He’s sharing a new hour of material that he claims is “enjoying it more than any other hour I have ever done.” That’s a bold claim from a guy who created HBO’s “Crashing” and hosted “The Pete Holmes Show” on TBS. He’s also the author of the best-selling spiritual memoir “Comedy Sex God” and is currently branching out into children’s books with “Spells to Cast on Your Parents,” featuring a snarky dragon named Jesse. But for this one night, it’s just him, the stage, and the audience.

“We’re thrilled to continue the tradition of great comedy at the Wheeler with Pete Holmes,” Executive Director Mike Harrington said. “Pete is special for how he combines personal, tender reflections with silly, high-energy stand-up. It will surely be a terrific show.”

And that matters because the show isn’t just about jokes. It’s about connection. Holmes says he wants to connect with people, not just make them laugh. “The more we are on our devices, the more we’re cut off. People come to stand up because they are missing the human connection.” In a world where we scroll through TikTok and watch YouTube specials on Prime Video (his latest, “Silly Silly Fun Boy,” dropped in March 2026), there’s something radical about sitting in a dark room with 1,000 other people, listening to a guy talk about being a dad to his 7-year-old daughter.

Holmes jokes that stand-up is like his wife, and other projects are affairs. “It’s ultimately about finding the right container for your ideas,” he says. And for this night, the container is the Wheeler.

Opening for him is Matt McCarthy, a Los Angeles-based comedian, actor, and podcaster. McCarthy, who played Carl on the CBS sitcom “How We Roll” and appeared in the 2025 horror-thriller “Companion,” has been touring with Holmes for almost three years. “He’s one of my best friends,” Holmes said. “He’s a deeply funny person.” McCarthy is no stranger to the spotlight either, with a large TikTok following and appearances on Conan. He’s also hosted podcasts like “We Watch Wrestling” and “VHS Tapes are Magic.”

So, what are you getting for your ticket price? You’re getting a night where the tech mogul and the teacher next door sit side by side, laughing at the same observation about life. You’re getting a piece of Aspen’s cultural heartbeat. It’s not just a show. It’s a reminder that even in the most expensive zip code in the country, laughter is still free if you know where to look.

The lights dim. The mic is checked. And somewhere in the valley, people are getting ready to drive up, park their cars, and listen.