Get in the Holiday Spirit With Special Events, Libations, Experiences, Colorado-Crafted Gifts, Lodging Offerings & More

DENVER, Colo. (Nov. 13, 2023) – Colorado is known for its breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures andm, during the holidays, the state transforms into a true winter wonderland. Colorado's allure during this special season lies in its ability to seamlessly combine timeless traditions with thrilling new adventures. From annual events to celebrate the season and memorable winter activities, to festive lodging packages, craft food and beverage experiences and, of course, unique gifts, Colorado is the place to celebrate the most magical time of the year.

Colorado invites all to embrace the holiday spirit and create treasured memories in a snow globe setting. For more details and additional story ideas, please visit colorado.com.

Special Events To Celebrate The Season:

Mile High Holidays' New Nightly Drone Spectacular, Denver (Nov. 22 to Dec. 31, 2024): New this winter, gather the whole family to see over 400 drones take over Denver's skyline with dynamic holiday displays and performances visible throughout downtown Denver. The displays will take to the sky nightly at 7 p.m. with a few special shows.
Denver Christkindlmarket, Denver (Nov. 23 to Dec. 23, 2024): The Denver Christkindlmarket is an authentic, German-style holiday market that plays host to local and European craft and food vendors, and tons of magical entertainment for everyone to enjoy.
Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland, Denver (late November to December 2024): Cherry Creek North transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland with nearly a million twinkling lights illuminating over 600 trees. Enjoy the festive atmosphere, special holiday shopping events and live entertainment throughout the season. Cherry Creek Holiday Market on Fillmore Plaza offers unique gifts and local crafts.
The New Northern Colorado Holiday Light Trail, Northern Colorado (late November to early January): The new Northern Colorado Holiday Light Trail allows visitors to experience festive light displays, free family-friendly activities and even a drive-thru option at three Northern Colorado cities known for having some of the best light displays in the state — Loveland, Fort Collins and Estes Park — along with displays in Greeley, Longmont and more. Winter Wonderlights in Loveland takes place Nov. 23 to Jan. 1, and Garden of Light returns to the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins in December. The Festival of Trees takes place in Greeley Nov. 29 to Dec. 7, and Estes Park’s 2024 Catch the Glow celebrations take place throughout the holiday season kicking off on Nov. 23.
Parade of Lights and the lighting of Christmas Mountain, Salida (Nov. 29, 2024): Santa Claus will light the 750 foot Christmas Tree after the Parade of Lights that will be lit each evening until Jan. 5. Explore over 20 local art galleries for unique Colorado-made gifts and find one-of-a-kind treasures in Salida's vibrant arts community.
Wassail Days, Frisco (Nov. 30 to Dec. 8, 2024): Businesses serve unique wassail recipes while guests holiday shop and complete a “12 Sips of Wassail Card” to receive a commemorative mug. The event includes a tree lighting with fireworks, breakfast and story time with Santa, caroling and more.
The 64th Annual Georgetown Christmas Market, Georgetown (Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2024): Each December, thousands of visitors travel to the tiny mountain town of Georgetown to experience a traditional Christmas that hasn't changed in 100 years: roasted chestnuts, holiday shopping, horse-drawn wagon rides and wonderful sights and smells.
The Lighting of Breckenridge and Race of the Santas, Breckenridge (Dec. 7, 2024): Hundreds of runners racing down Main Street dressed in Santa suits is not a sight to be missed. Festivities abound throughout town including the Handmade Holiday Market in the Breck Create Arts District, a performance of the Nutcracker: Land of the Sweets and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus.
Kris Kringle Market, Vail (Dec. 12–15, 2024): Vail’s Kris Kringle Market creates a festive and magical holiday experience in the heart of Vail Village. Inspired by the Christmas markets of Europe, Vail’s Kris Kringle Market runs Dec. 12-15 starting at noon daily. The market will feature Colorado artisans, handmade food products as well as musical entertainment, kid’s activities, gluhwein and more.
Hanukkah Celebration and Latke Contest, Denver (Dec. 15, 2024): Prepare for those eight crazy nights by playing themed games, purchasing Hanukkah gifts, jamming to live music, munching on a variety of latkes from famous Denver restaurants and so much more.
35th Annual Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration, Colorado Springs (Dec. 26, 2024 to Jan. 1, 2025): Kwanzaa celebrates the best and highest of the values, history, culture, philosophy and achievements of African people (living in America and in other parts of the world). The 35th Annual Colorado Springs Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration is held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. daily at In-Balance Wellness Studio.

Experiences to Ring in the New Year:

New Year’s Eve Winter Circus, Beaver Creek (Dec. 31, 2024): More than 200 skiers and snowboarders light up the early evening slopes at 6 p.m. The celebration continues through the village with a Winter Circus filled with aerialists, contortionists, jugglers, break dancers, fire dancers and more. Cap the evening off with a spectacular fireworks display over Beaver Creek Mountain.
New Year’s Eve Light Up Snowcat Parade and Fireworks, Steamboat Resort (Dec. 31, 2024): The night kicks off with five snowcats, decked out in thousands of twinkling lights, leading the way down the mountain. Following this radiant procession, Steamboat Snow Sports Instructors will glide down the slopes, performing synchronized skiing, illuminated only by glowing torches. This magical parade sets the stage for a stunning fireworks display.
Oakwell Beer Spa New Year’s Eve Private Spa Suites, Denver: Celebrate 2025 in Oakwell Beer Spa’s private spa suites this New Year's Eve. Enjoy an exclusive, cozy space with curated craft beverages, festive treats.
Beyul Retreat New Year’s Eve Getaway, (Dec. 28, 2024 to Jan. 1, 2025): Celebrate New Year's Eve at Beyul with a four-night stay, starting on Dec. 28. Enjoy a mix of activities including a welcome dinner, guided adventures and a New Year's Eve celebration featuring a festive dinner, live music, and fireworks. Connect with nature through daily excursions like skiing, snowshoeing, and hot springs visits.
Cortez Tours New Year's Day Sunrise Guided Hike, Cortez (Jan. 1, 2025): Join Cortez Tours for a New Year's Day sunrise guided hike through Hawkins Preserve to learn about the history of southwest Colorado and Ancestral Puebloan building styles and culture. Witness breathtaking views, toast with Champagne and start the year with an unforgettable experience.

Toast To The Holidays:

Vail Après, Vail (Nov. 15, 2024 to Jan. 5, 2025): When the ski day ends, guests can continue the excitement with Vail Après. Enjoy Welcome to Winter festivities like Kringle Crossing, ice skating shows, tree lighting ceremony, Smile with Santa, New Year's Eve fireworks and Tiesto concert on Dec. 13.
Miracle Bar at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, Colorado Springs (Nov. 18, 2024 to Jan. 5, 2025): Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar’s Colorado Springs location will host Miracle Bar, a Christmas-themed, pop-up cocktail bar that will live alongside Jax throughout the holiday season.
Holiday Festivities at Union Station, Denver (Nov. 28 to the end of December): Union Station is celebrating the magic of the season with an extensive schedule of festive events, kicking off with the annual Grand Illumination celebration on Nov. 29. Bring the kids to Santa at the Station every Sunday in December for free Santa visits. Adults can enjoy Miracle at Union Station: Buddy’s Bar featuring delightfully ostentatious holiday décor and delectable cocktails.^.
Snowdrift at Adrift Tiki Bar, Denver (Nov. 29 to Dec 31, 2024): Adrift is bringing Snowdrift, one of Denver’s best holiday pop-up bars, back to the Beach on Broadway. For this all-out massive holiday takeover, enjoy towering holiday totems, powdery white snow, an igloo beach bar and holiday-inspired cocktails and eats.
A Ramble Wonderland, Denver: The Ramble Hotel will transform Death & Co’s intimate Suite 6A into an elegant holiday bar with floor-to-ceiling décor and a festive selection of specialty cocktails and bites in December. Adding to the holiday festivities this year, The Ramble will unveil its inaugural artist-designed holiday tree alongside a holiday bazaar with a collection of local vendors.

Holiday Train Rides:

Winter Holiday Trains, Georgetown (Nov. 8, 2024 to Jan. 5, 2025): The Georgetown Loop Railroad is one of Colorado’s most authentic living history experiences and offers daily train rides through scenic and snowy vistas featuring more than 300,000 holiday lights. Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure, and the evening holiday lights trains, Santa’s Lighted Forest include visits from Santa.
Leadville Railroad Holiday Express, Leadville (Nov. 21, 2024 to Jan. 4, 2025): Travel through the snowy Colorado mountains on a memorable trip for the entire family in one of three heated lounge cars with comfortable booth seating and large windows.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad The Polar Express™ Train Ride, Durango (Nov. 22, 2024 to Jan. 4, 2025): This beloved experience brings to life the holiday classic, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, through an immersive, theatrical re-creation. Onboard, guests enjoy readings from the book while dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and cookies. Upon arrival at the North Pole, a dazzling light show set to holiday music delights passengers. On the return trip, Santa and his elves board the train, visiting each coach to present the first gift of Christmas to every passenger.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s NEW Santa Express Train, Royal Gorge (Nov. 22 to Dec. 31, 2014): All aboard the NEW Santa Express Train holiday locomotive, which leads the train through the Royal Gorge to the North Pole and back. After one year and more than 5,000 hours of craftsmanship, the stunning Santa Express Train locomotive is unlike any other in the world, featuring hand-spun gold-leaf paint, 313 hand-painted snowflakes, 40 hand-painted pine trees and more.

Colorado-Made & Inspired Holiday Gifts:

Buckel Family Wine, Gunnison: Buckle Family Wine has holiday wine for every occasion this season. Pair the Colorado high elevation Pinot Noir with the Thanksgiving table, sip the full bodied Flyer Red Blend with Christmas Dinner’s roast and toast in the New Year with Sparkling Rosé.
Colorado Crafted Gift Boxes, Longmont: Colorado Crafted curates thoughtful gift boxes featuring Colorado’s finest local products. These unique boxes highlight gourmet treats, handmade goods and locally sourced items from small Colorado businesses that reflect the state’s vibrant culture.
Colorado Ski Country Gold Pass, Colorado: The exclusive Colorado Ski Country USA Gold Pass membership provides unlimited and unrestricted access to 20 of Colorado’s world-class mountains. The Gold Pass is fully transferable, so it can be shared with clients, colleagues, friends and family.
Galena Mountain Projects Outerwear, Leadville: Galena Mountain Projects is a unique Leadville design-Denver maker collaboration dedicated to fueling Colorado adventures with purpose-built outerwear that thrives in the rugged landscapes of the Rockies and expertly crafted guidebooks.
Laws Whiskey House Four Grain Bourbon, Denver: Heritage corn, heirloom wheat, barley, and rye from family-owned farms in Colorado shine in this bourbon with soulful complexity. After three years in charred oak barrels, influenced by Denver's high-altitude climate, an entirely novel bourbon unfolds. Perfect for holiday gifting and sipping.
Moksha Chocolate Stocking Stuffers and Tasting Experience, Boulder: Moksha Chocolate is a bean-to-bar chocolate company based in Boulder that offers a few unique chocolate tastings experiences. Moksha Chocolate presents the "Game of Four," a fun and educational chocolate-tasting event perfect for holiday gatherings.
Peak to Peak Pottery, Loveland: Potter Ruth Hartman creates one-of-a-kind functional pottery and each piece is individually thrown on a potter’s wheel and trimmed. Her glazing technique reflects her love of the mountains.
PJ’s Fine Bamboo Rods Crafting Experience, Pagosa Springs (Nov. 29 to Dec. 24, 2024): Surprise the fly fisher in your life with the ultimate gift: a bamboo fly rod crafting class with PJ's Fine Bamboo Rods. Over six immersive days, participants will craft their own custom bamboo fly rod under the guidance of Master Rodsmiths. This holiday offer provides nearly 20% off the regular price.
Town Hall Outdoor Co Kids Down Jacket, Steamboat: Town Hall Outdoor Co was started in Steamboat Springs by parents who wanted better, more sustainable choices in kids’ clothing. Their new Skip Town Insulated Jacket is reversible and made with ripstop fabric.
Wagner Custom Skis, Mountain Village: There is no better way to ski Colorado’s Rocky Mountains than with a pair of Colorado–made skis. Wagner Skis utilizes proprietary code to map each individual skier’s DNA, matching weight and strength of a skier to the flex and shape of the ski.

Festive Holiday Lodging Offerings:

The Berkeley Hotel, Denver: Holiday surprises await when guests check into their festively decorated room complete with holiday stockings stuffed with local goodies from Tennyson Street. Guests also enjoy complimentary gift-wrapping service. In-house bakery, Bakery Four, offers baker-led cookie-baking workshops for guests.
The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs: This holiday season, The Broadmoor offers timeless traditions and elevated luxury through its festive programming. At the White Lights Ceremony, witness millions of twinkling lights illuminate across the resort and await an arrival from the North Pole. The unveiling of the over-the-top Gingerbread Display showcases the talented hands of the pastry team through creative, sugary life-size presentations. Culinary enthusiasts can indulge in brunches for Thanksgiving and Christmas, along with a breakfast with Santa. Welcome the New Year with a high-energy party or elegant gala affair.
C Lazy U Ranch, Granby: At C Lazy U Ranch, holiday festivities include gingerbread house building, holiday karaoke, cookie decorating and Santa visits on a horse-drawn sleigh filled with presents. Cabins feature tabletop Christmas trees with trimming supplies, and guests explore the ranch’s 8,500 acres blanketed in snow by horseback riding, cross-country skiing and more.
Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Springs: Guests have enjoyed the extravagant holiday decorations and hospitality of this hotel since 1893. The season begins Nov. 29, when more than half a million lights illuminate the hotel, accompanied by a rooftop fireworks show. The holiday magic continues inside with wintry displays, a life-sized gingerbread house and 60 decorated Christmas trees.
The Gant, Aspen: This holiday and winter season, The Gant invites guests to enjoy personalized backcountry ski tours, guided naturalist snowshoe outings, and winter fly fishing adventures in the Roaring Fork Valley. Celebrate the festive spirit with local glass blowing experiences, perfect for creating unique, handcrafted gifts that embody the charm of Aspen’s winter wonderland.
Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center, Aurora: Celebrate the holiday season at Christmas at Gaylord Rockies, where ICE! showcasing The Polar Express™ takes center stage as Colorado's largest indoor ice attraction. Visitors can be dazzled by the acrobatics of Cirque: Frost, slide down thrilling two-story ice slides, and participate in festive activities at Mistletoe Village, with gingerbread decorating, visits with Santa Claus and more.
Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek, Denver: Halcyon will offer a curated lineup of holiday happenings, including Holiday Bake Shop and Holiday Tea, featuring house-made baked goods by pastry chef Saura Kline; and Halcyon on Ice, returning for its second year with a rooftop après lounge and a huge new ice-skating rink.
The Hythe, Vail: Enjoy family-friendly movie nights, delightful reindeer visits and a special stocking-making class. Get creative with cookie decorating led by The Hythe chef or make festive crafts for Chanukah. Don’t miss a visit from Santa himself, the exciting Ice Luge activation, or unwind with a guided Paint & Sip class.
Hotel Maverick, Grand Junction: Grand Junction’s Hotel Maverick will transform its rooftop terrace into a winter wonderland, offering a snow globe dining experience against panoramic views of the Grand Mesa and Colorado National Monument. Guests can cozy up and enjoy a festive meal of regionally inspired dishes and specialty craft cocktails in private, illuminated igloos and gondolas at Devil’s Kitchen.
St Julien Hotel & Spa, Boulder: Celebrate the holidays in Boulder with beloved annual events at St Julien Hotel & Spa. Guests can delight in family-friendly Gingerbread Tea, live holiday jazz, candlelight Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, a grand Christmas brunch buffet, a pre-fixe New Year’s Eve dinner and an extravagant New Year’s Eve bash.
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon: Enjoy a snowy holiday getaway to the Vail Valley’s Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, which is hosting a Santa Brunch on Dec. 15, ongoing guest activations including cookie decorating and ornament making, the annual Christmas Eve screening of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” multiple New Year’s Eve celebrations and more.
YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park: Nestled on 850 acres near Rocky Mountain National Park, YMCA of the Rockies offers magical, affordable holiday fun. Along with seasonal outdoor activities, enjoy pajama story time, a Christmas light village, and visits with Santa.

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ABOUT COLORADO: Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine and 28 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state's breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 12 national parks and monuments, 26 scenic and historic byways and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, visit colorado.com or follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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