What is it about the winter’s chill and the holiday season that makes us yearn for heart- and stomach-warming festivities in Colorado’s high country? The Town of Frisco does their part to fill that need during Wassail Days, December 1-10.
Wassail—hot, spiced cider—is the cornerstone of the winter festival. In traditional wassailing, folks in a holiday mood strolled the neighborhood, caroling and stopping in at friends’ homes for a festive cup of wassail. Wassail Days offers a taste of this old tradition with a twist.Start at the Frisco/Copper Information Center on Main Street to pick up a Wassail Card. Take it around to 12 shops, restaurants, galleries, and other businesses to sample special wassail recipes and receive a stamp on your card. Return the completed card to the Information Center and receive a commemorative wassail mug.
Wassail Days brings good-hearted competition between the merchants who take their recipes very seriously and guard their ingredients. (Good luck getting any hints out of them as to ingredients beyond “apple juice and spices.”) Even if a little sugar overload sets in, preventing you from making it around to 12 samplings, you’ll still have a great time trying.
Walking around town provides families with the opportunity to meet new people, learn about local businesses, do some holiday shopping, and have festive conversations. It’s all part of the warm, fuzzy feeling of the holiday season during this event.
Sipping wassail isn’t the only fun in Frisco during Wassail Days. Watch a tree-lighting on December 1 that includes the glow of more than 600 luminarias along Main Street and the arrival of Santa. There is also caroling and free sleigh rides, and families can participate in tubing, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing, depending on the date. Visit with Santa at the Historic Park or have breakfast with the jolly old man.
In addition, the Soup Cup Classic on December 3 pits either restaurant chefs or local amateurs against one another for the best soup. Enjoy all of the different tastings, casting your votes for favorites. With a warm belly full of soup head up the hill for tubing at Frisco Adventure Park. Hear squeals and laughter from people of all ages swooshing down the lanes. Don’t forget to stop while you’re in line to enjoy mountain views, town lights, and the twinkle in your family’s eyes.
Check it Out
Town of Frisco
I-70 West, exit 203, less than one-and-a-half hours from Denver
Need to know
December 1-10. Hours vary depending on events. Visit the website for a full schedule and list of participating merchants.
Pricing
Some events are free while others require tickets.
Insider Secret
Frisco’s Soup Cup Classic on December 3 is a great deal. A $30 ticket per adult and $15 ticket per child age 12 and younger includes unlimited soup tasting, two drinks (New Belgium beer for guests 21 and older), and two hours of unlimited tubing from 4 to 6 p.m. for adults and kids.
