Upcoming Winter Festivals in Colorado

Winter is full of exciting Colorado carnivals and festivals to keep the spirits high. The winter season runs from Saturday, December 21st, 2019 through Wednesday, March 18th, 2020.

Festivities kick off during the holidays with a New Year’s Eve firework show in downtown Denver. January and February bring a number of can’t miss festivals, including the Winter X Games and Winter Park Winter Carnival. In March attend the one-of-a-kind Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland.

2021-2022 Annual Colorado Winter Festivals

Colorado is known worldwide for its epic winters. Combine first-class ski resorts and bubbling hot springs, with a heaping of fun festivals and you’re sure to have a winter vacation you’ll never forget. Here are some of the top annual winter festivals in Colorado:

Festivals in December

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

• Date: Fri, December 31, 2021
• Address: 16th Street Mall, Downtown Denver
• About: Celebrate the new year with fireworks in downtown Denver. There are two spectacular shows at 9 pm and midnight. The 16th Street Mall offers optimal viewing.

Festivals in January

MusicFest at Steamboat

• Date: Sun-Fri, January 5-10, 2022
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About:  36th annual Music Fest features fifty bands over six days. Genres range and shows go from 12 pm-10 pm. It takes place in a large tent.

Lafayette Oatmeal Festival

• Date: Sat, January 8, 2022 (Scheduled as a virtual event)
• Address: Lafayette
• About: 25th annual oatmeal breakfast followed by a 5K walk/run and two ninja courses.

National Western Stock Show

• Date: Sat-Sun, January 8-23, 2022
• Address: National Western Complex, Denver
• About: Since 1906, the stock shows include rodeos, horse shows, livestock, western art, and more special events spread out over more than 16 days.

Cowboy Downhill

• Date: Mon, January 17, 2022
• Address: Steamboat Ski Resort, Steamboat Springs
• About: Professional cowboys from across the U.S., as well as Australia, Canada, Europe, and Mexico, compete in a race down Headwall near the base of Steamboat Resort.

Ouray Ice Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, January 20-23, 2022
• Address: Ouray
• About: Biggest ice climbing festival in North America, featuring the world’s best climbers and 100 educational climbing clinics.

Winter X Games

• Date: Fri-Sun, January 21-23, 2022
• Address: Aspen
• About: World’s best athletes in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling compete another year at Buttermilk.

Winter Brew Fest

• Date: Sat, January 22, 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: Live music and unlimited samples of 100+ craft brews at Mile High Station.

Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships

• Date: Mon-Wed, January 24 – February 2, 2022
• Address: Riverwalk Center, Downtown Breckenridge
• About: Witness 20-ton blocks of ice get hand-carved by experts from all over the world. Sixteen teams compete over five days to build the spectacles of art, followed by five days of viewing the masterpieces.

​Snowdown

• Date: Wed-Sun, January 26-30, 2022
• Address: Durango
• About: Now in its 43rd year, features a costume party, follies, parade, and an annually changing theme.

Rio Frio Ice Fest

• Date: Fri-Sun, January 28-30, 2022
• Address: Alamosa
• About: Three days of winter activities in the San Luis Valley. The signature event is the Rio Frio 5K, a race on the frozen-over Rio Grande River. Other highlights include ice sculptures, an ice carousel, and a polar plunge.

Denver Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival

• Date: Sat, January 29, 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: Sample whiskey from over a dozen distillers while meeting the brands at this one-day event.

Estes Park Winter Festival

• Date: 2022 Canceled due to COVID-19
• Address: Estes Park
• About: MLK Holiday weekend featuring ice skating downtown, ski and snowboard competitions, craft beer, food, kids activities, live music, and chili cook-off.

Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival

• Date: Canceled 2022 | Returning Thurs-Sat, January 5-7, 2023
• Address: Vail
• About: Unique beer festival featuring exotic and strong styles, now in its 20th year. Dinners, seminars, and workshops are held throughout the three-day celebration.

Festivals in February

Lake City Ice Climbing Festival

• Date: Sat, February 5, 2022
• Address: Lake City Ice Park
• About: Men’s and women’s top-roped and lead speed competitions in secluded Lake City.

Steamboat Winter Carnival

• Date: Wed-Sun, February 9-13, 2022
• Address: Downtown Steamboat Springs
• About: In its 109th year, Steamboat’s Winter Carnival is a widely popular event complete with ski races, ski jumping, ice sculptures, fireworks, a shovel race, and street events.

Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 18-20, 2022
• Address: Lake Dillon, Silverthorne
• About: All are welcome to enter this ice hockey tournament sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, with over $10,000 in cash prizes. It’s followed by the Apres Ice Party.

Carnivale & Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off

• Date: Fri-Sat, February 25-26, 2022
• Address: Manitou Springs
• About: Carnivale kicks off with CarniBall on Friday night, followed by the 25th Cajun Gumbo Cook-Off and a parade downtown.

WinterWonderGrass

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 25-27, 2022
• Address: Steamboat
• About: 8th annual festival showcasing national, regional, and local bluegrass and acoustic roots music.

Denver Restaurant Week

• Date: TBD February 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: Hundreds of Denver restaurants come together for a ten-day culinary celebration, multi-course menus at $25, $35 or $45, now in its 16th year.

CSCCI Chinese New Year Festival

• Date: TBD February 2022
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: 19th annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, complete with demonstrations, authentic fare, and music.

Cripple Creek Ice Fest

• Date: Cancelled for 2022
• Address: Downtown Cripple Creek
• About: 13th year of ice sculptures in casino-friendly Wild West Cripple Creek.

Dillon Ice Castles

• Date: Cancelled for 2022
• Address: Dillon Town Park, 120 Buffalo Street, Dillon
• About: Professional ice artists create dazzling displays every winter in Dillon. It’s lit up at night for a spectacular attraction in popular Summit County. It’s held all winter long, cold weather pending.

Festivals in March

Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race

• Date: Sat, March 5, 2022
• Address: Aspen
• About: Ski mountaineering race over all four of Aspen’s famed mountains. You’ll climb (or watch others climb) 11,500 feet of vertical over 25 miles, including the epic Highlands Bowl.

Monte Vista Crane Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 11-13, 2022
• Address: Monte Vista
• About: The annual Crane Fest, celebrates the annual migration of cranes that have been going on for years.

Frozen Dead Guy Days

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 18-20, 2022
• Address: Nederland
• About: 19th year of FDGD with crazy contests, competitions, live music, great food, parades, and parties.

Bud Light Rocks the Boat

• Date: Saturday’s March 5-April 10, 2022
• Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
• About: Free concert series now in its 23rd season, held at the base of the mountain. Several concerts are held over the course of the ski season. The series features a mix of music genres with many big-name acts having performed.

Denver Mardi Gras

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Exdo Event Center, 1399 35th St, Denver
• About: 10th annual festival, Bourbon Street comes to the Mile High City, live music, DJs, games, and free beads.

Thanks for checking out some of Colorado’s annual winter festivals. Please share any other fun winter events on our Facebook page.