Upcoming Winter Festivals in Colorado

Winter is full of exciting Colorado carnivals and festivals to keep the spirits high. The winter season in Colorado runs from Saturday, December 21st, 2024 through Monday, March 20th, 2025.

Festivities kick off during the holidays with a New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Downtown Denver. January and February bring many incredible festivals, including the Winter X Games and Winter Park Winter Carnival. In March attend the one-of-a-kind Frozen Dead Guy Days in Estes Park.

2024-25 Annual Colorado Winter Events

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, in chronological order:

Winter Events in December 2024

Warren Miller Film Tour

• Date: late October through December, 2o24
• Address: Multiple showings across Colorado
• About: An annual film tour following skiers and snowboarders as they take on the snow. From backyard hills to mega mountains, this tour kicks off the winter season with a bang.

Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light

• Date: Fri-Sun, November 20, 2024 – January 12, 2025 (closed Nov. 28 and Dec. 25)
• Address: Denver
• About: A stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. The Blossoms of Light extravaganza is a twinkling and breathtaking way to spend a winter evening.

Denver Christkindlmarket

• Date: Fri-Sat, November 22-December 23, 2024
• Address: Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave, Denver
• About: 24th year for the month-long Christkindl Market in downtown Denver. Experience old German traditions with authentic cuisine, live music, holiday drinks, and an artisan marketplace.

Polar Express Train Ride

• Date: Fri-Sun, November 22, 2024 – January 1, 2025
• Address: Durango
• About: Aboard the Polar Express Train Ride, you and your family will be swept away into an elaborate holiday fantasy complete with hot chocolate, a light show, holiday music, and, of course, Santa.

ICE! Christmas at Gaylord Rockies

• Date: Fri-Sun, November 22, 2024 – January 1, 2025
• Address: Gaylord Rockies Resort, Aurora
• About: Annual holiday lights and ice display held at Gaylord Rockies Resort, home to Arapahoe Springs Waterpark. Book an overnight package that combines entertainment and makes the most of this Christmas celebration.

Winter on the Mountain

• Dates: Saturday, November 23 and 30, Saturday, December 7, 14, and 21, Sunday, December 22, 2024
• Address: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs
• About: Holiday festivities at over 7,000 feet on Iron Mountain. See more than 500,000 lights, meet Santa and listen to live music at Winter on the Mountain.

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade

• Date: Tuesday, December 24, 2024
• Address: Telluride
• About: The Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade in Telluride lights up the mountain in a red hue as resort employees come down the slopes carrying flares and ride into the village, bringing with them, the holiday spirit.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

• Date: Sunday, December 31, 2024
• 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.

Winter Events in January 2025

Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light

• Date: Friday to Sunday, November 20th, 2024 to January 12, 2025 (closed on Nov. 28th and Dec. 25th)
• Address: Denver
• About: A stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. The Blossoms of Light extravaganza is a twinkling and breathtaking way to spend a winter evening.

Mind Blown Telluride

• Date: Fri-Sat, late November 2024 through March 2025
• Address: Telluride
• About: Taking place at The Peaks Resort & Spa, Ty Gallenbeck puts on a 75-minute magic performance that makes guests question the known.

The MusicFest at Steamboat

• Date: Mon-Sat, January 6-11, 2025
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About:  The 39th annual Music Fest features fifty bands over six days. Featuring a variety of genres and shows that last from 12pm-10pm. Shows are held around town in every venue type from ballrooms to big tents.

National Western Stock Show

• Date: Sat-Sun, January 11-26, 2025
• 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.

Lafayette Oatmeal Breakfast & 5K

• Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
• Address: Lafayette
• About: Annual warm oatmeal breakfast followed by a 5K walk/run.

Cowboy Downhill

• Date: Monday, January 20, 2025
• 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.

Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships

• Date: Mon-Wed, January 20 – January 29, 2025
• Address: Riverwalk Center, Downtown Breckenridge
• About: Witness 20-ton blocks of ice get hand-carved by experts from all over the world. Teams from around the world sculpt around the clock for five days to build the spectacles of art, followed by five days of viewing the masterpieces.

Ouray Ice Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, January 23-26, 2025
• Address: Ouray
• About: Biggest ice climbing festival in North America, featuring the world’s best climbers and 100 educational climbing clinics heading into its 30th year.

Winter X Games

• Date: Thursday-Saturday, January 23-25, 2025
• Address: Aspen
• About: The world’s best athletes in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling compete another year at Buttermilk.

Rio Frio Ice Fest

• Date: Fri-Sun, January 24-26, 2025
• 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.

Snowdown

• Date: Fri-Sun, January 24 – February 2, 2025
• Address: Durango
• About: Now in its 46th year, this winter celebration features a costume party, follies, parade, and an annually changing theme.

Denver Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival

• Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
• Address: Denver
• About: Sample whiskey from over a dozen distillers while meeting the brands at this one-day event.

CSCCI Chinese New Year Festival

• Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: Annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, complete with demonstrations, authentic fare, and music. This is the year of the snake.

Winter Brew Fest

• Date: TBD 2025 (last event: Saturday, January 27, 2024)
• Address: Denver
• About: Live music and unlimited samples of 100+ craft brews at Mile High Station.

Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival

• Date: TBD 2025
• Address: Breckenridge
• About: Unique beer festival featuring exotic and strong styles, going on for over 20 years. Dinners, seminars, and workshops are held throughout the three-day celebration.

Winter Events in February 2025

Snowdown

• Date: Fri-Sun, January 24 – February 2, 2025
• Address: Durango
• About: Now in its 46th year, this winter celebration features a costume party, follies, parade, and an annually changing theme.

Lake City Ice Climbing Festival

• Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
• Address: Lake City Ice Park
• About: Men’s and women’s top-roped and lead speed competitions in secluded Lake City. Enjoy an escape to a secluded winter wonderland, with a few other activities lined up for the weekend.

Pond Hockey Classic

• Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
• Address: Grand Lake
• About: Visit the picturesque winter wonderland of Grand Lake to watch and/or play in this annual ice hockey tournament featuring sixty teams and 8 natural ice rinks on the frozen Grand Lake.

Colorado Motorcycle Expo

• Date: Sat-Sun, February 1-2, 2025
• Address: National Western Complex, Denver
• About: The largest swap meet in America, the 46th annual Colorado Motorcycle Expo is great for those looking to buy new bike components, check out numerous competitions, and be surrounded by other motorcycle enthusiasts.

Steamboat Winter Carnival

• Date: Wed-Sun, February 5-9, 2025
• Address: Downtown Steamboat Springs
• About: In its 112th 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.

High Plains Snow Goose Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, February 6-9, 2025
• Address: Lamar
• About: Held in February during the annual migration, this festival is the perfect place to brush up on your birding knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.

Wish Lantern Festival

• Date Friday, February 7, 2025
• Address: Silverthorne Pavilion, Silverthorne
• About: Part of Silverthorne’s First Friday series, the Wish Lantern Festival honors Mexico’s Noche de Candela and the Chinese Lunar New Year. Both of these traditions use wish lanterns, and Silverthorne will be floating theirs down the Blue River.

Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race

• Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
• Address: Aspen
• About: Winter edition of the Power of Four series, featuring a team of two mountaineers conquering more than 25 miles and 11,000 feet of vertical climb to traverse Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, Highland Bowl, and Aspen Mountain.

Loveland Sweetheart Festival

• Date: Friday-Saturday, February 14-15, 2025
• Address: New Foundry Plaza, Downtown Loveland
• Website: Two-day event held around Valentine’s Day, featuring the Loveland Sweetheart Classic 4-mile race. Other highlights include a beer tent, tunnel of love, laser show, kids’ activities, and other romantic festivities.

Carnivale & Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off

• Date: TBD 2025
• Address: Manitou Springs
• About: Carnivàle kicks off with the Cajun Gumbo Cook-Off followed by a parade downtown.

Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 14-16, 2025
• Address: Georgetown Lake, Georgetown
• About: All are welcome to enter this ice hockey tournament, with cash prizes. It’s followed by the Apres Ice Party.

Silverton Ski Joring

• Date: Sat-Sun, February 15-16, 2025
• Address: Silverton
• About: The annual Silverton Skijoring event touts itself as the city’s biggest winter party. A lesser-known Nordic sport that combines water skiing, horse racing, and snow skiing, Skijoring is when a horse (or motorcycle) tows a person on skis through a set of obstacles while the clock ticks down.

Cripple Creek Ice Fest

• Date: Saturday-Sunday, February 15-23, 2025
• Address: Downtown Cripple Creek
• About: Annual ice sculpture carving challenge in casino-friendly Wild West Cripple Creek.

Cabin Creek Brewing & CCMRD Pond Hockey Tournament

• Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
• Address: 577 Twenty-Second St., Georgetown
• About: This ice hockey tournament is a 3v3 format with 5 players per team, open to ages 16 and up. It’s held on Georgetown Lake.

WinterWonderGrass

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 28-March 2, 2025
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About: The festival showcases national, regional, and local bluegrass and acoustic roots music.

Winter Events in March 2025

WinterWonderGrass

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 28-March 2, 2025
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About: 12th annual festival showcasing national, regional, and local bluegrass and acoustic roots music.

Denver Mardi Gras

• Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
• Address: Greenwood Village
• About: Annual festival with live music, DJs, games, and free beads on Bourbon Street in the Mile High City.

Mile High Beer Festival

• Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
• Address: Denver
• About: Annual beer festival highlighting both well-known and up-and-coming breweries in addition to a few distilleries and cideries. Visitors have 2.5 hours to taste unlimited samples while enjoying live music and food vendors.

Leadville Ski Joring

• Date: Sat-Sun, March 1-2, 2025
• Address: Leadville
• About: Annual winter sports event on Harrison Ave that involves a cowboy and horse pulling a skier through obstacles.

303 Day

• Date: Sunday, March 3, 2025
• Address: Denver
• About: Every March, Denverites celebrate the town’s original area code, known as 303 Day. Celebrate with a live music performance by 3OH!3 and various city vendors hosting events to observe the day.

Denver Restaurant Week

• Date: Friday-Sunday, March 7-16, 2025
• Address: Denver
• About: Hundreds of Denver restaurants come together for a ten-day culinary celebration boasting delicious multi-course menus for a fixed price.

Monte Vista Crane Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 7-9, 2025
• Address: Monte Vista
• About: The annual Crane Fest, celebrates the annual migration of cranes that has been going on for years.

Northern Colorado Home + Garden Show

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 7-9, 2025
• Address: Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley
• About: Greeley’s long-running home and garden is one of the best events to attend for homeowners looking to repair and remodel their abode.

Bloomin’ Beats

• Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
• Address: Bohn Park, Lyons
• About: Free concert held in Bohn Park from 1 to 3 pm. It happens one day per month from March to May.

Boulder International Film Festival

• Date: Thurs-Sun, March 13-16, 2025
• Address: Boulder
• About: Film fanatics won’t want to miss the 21st annual Boulder International Film Festival. Quickly becoming an internationally acknowledged talent hub for theater, this soiree features film screenings, panels, workshops, and theme afterparties.

Frozen Dead Guy Days

• Date: Friday-Sunday, March 14-16, 2025
• Address: Estes Park
• About: After 20 years of FDGD in Nederland, the event has relocated its crazy contests, competitions, live music, great food, parades, and parties to Estes Park.

Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

• Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
• Address: Denver
• About: Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest in the country. Running for over 60 years, you can expect to see floats, dancing, live bands, charities, and local celebrities.

Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade

• Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: Grab your kilts and get ready for a day full of fun at the Colorado Springs’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Starting at noon, you can watch the floats, bands, dancers, and performers drive by in celebration of St. Paddy along Tejon Street.

Colorado Springs Record Show

• Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: With dozens of vendors and thousands of records, CDs, LPs, cassettes, 8-tracks, and more, if you love music and the sound of vinyl, this is a must-attend event.

Thanks for checking out some of Colorado’s best annual winter festivals. Have a terrific time experiencing these fun events in December, January, February, and March.

If you’re still in autumn, consider these Colorado fall festivals, or jump ahead to annual spring events. It’s never too soon to start planning a Colorado festival weekend.