We”ve compiled a list of holiday displays and tree lighting events to add a little merriness to your mountain getaways. Enjoy everything from twinkling lights, parades, holiday music, activities for kids, and appearances from Santa himself.
Beaver Creek: 36th Annual Tree Lighting
The day after Thanksgiving, Beaver Creek turns into a magical winter wonderland complete with holiday tunes, an ice skating show, and fun holiday crafts and activities for kids. Don’t miss your chance to see Santa at the town’s 36th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This festive event kicks off the season with a bang—literally—with a fireworks display at the end of the night.
Date/Time: November 25, 4-8 p.m.
Location: Beaver Creek
Cost: free
Website: visitestespark.com
Copper Mountain: Snowcat Santa and Fireworks
Santa’s leaving the sleigh and reindeer at home and coming to town in true Colorado style—arriving via snowcat—at Copper’s annual kickoff event in Center Village. Don’t miss the man in red himself, and Mrs. Claus too, along with a tree lighting celebration and fireworks.
Date/Time: November 25
Location: Center Village
Cost: free
Website: coppercolorado.com
Estes Park: Catch the Glow Christmas Parade
Watch festive floats light up at night as they parade through downtown, along with bands, dancers, and holiday music. Enjoy a weekend of festive events including hayrides and visits with Santa.
Date/Time: November 25, 5:30 p.m.
Location: Downtown Estes Park
Cost: free
Website: visitestespark.com
Steamboat Springs: Light Up the Night
Downtown Steamboat Springs welcomes the holiday season with its annual Light Up the Night celebration. Bring the family and see the town’s trees illuminate with tons of bright lights, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, sing along to holiday favorites, and visit with Santa.
Date/Time: November 25, 6–7 p.m.
Location: County Courthouse Lawn
Cost: free
Website: steamboatchamber.com
Keystone: Lighting of the River Run Celebration
The annual holiday tree lighting event includes visits with Santa, carolers, hot chocolate, and fresh baked cookies. Stick around for a free Welcome Winter Carnival on Sunday for more festive family fun.
Date/Time: November 25, 5 p.m.
Location: River Run Village
Cost: free
Website: keystoneresort.com
Winter Park: Holiday Market and Tree Lighting
Check out the Holiday Market, visit with Santa, listen to carolers singing holiday tunes in the Village, and witness a festive tree lighting ceremony.
Date/Time: November 26, 12:30-6 p.m.
Location: Winter Park Resort
Cost: free
Website: winterparkresort.com
Frisco: Holiday Tree Lighting
As part of the town’s annual Wassail Days holiday celebration, the town of Frisco illuminates with 600 luminaries and the lighting of the holiday tree. Visitors can enjoy the sounds of the holidays as carolers sing their way up and down Main Street, and kids can take pictures with Santa.
Date/Time: December 2, 6 p.m.
Location: Frisco
Cost: free
Website: townoffrisco.com
Breckenridge: Lighting of Breckenridge
The holiday season in Breckenridge kicks off the first weekend in December with the Lighting of Breckenridge. See hundreds of Santas race down Main Street and enjoy holiday caroling, free hot cocoa and cookies, and a Bernese mountain dog parade. Santa comes to town early for a magical lighting of the tree.
Date/Time: December 3, noon-7 p.m.
Location: Blue River Plaza
Cost: free
Website: gobreck.com
Aspen: 12 Days of Aspen
For 12 days in December, the town of Aspen turns into a winter wonderland. Families can enjoy free ice skating, visits with Santa and his reindeer, tree lightings, holiday movies, cookie decorating, and more.
Date/Time: December 20-31, times vary
Location: Aspen
Cost: most events are free
Website: aspenchamber.org
This post was originally published in 2015 and has been updated for 2016.
