Upcoming Winter Festivals in Colorado

Winter is full of exciting Colorado carnivals and festivals to keep the spirits high. The winter season runs from Friday, December 21st, 2018 through Tuesday, March 19th, 2019.

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.

2018-19 Annual Colorado Winter Festivals

Colorado is known world wide 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: Sun, December 31, 2018
• Address: 16th Street Mall, Downtown Denver
• About: Celebrate the new year with fireworks in downtown Denver. There are two spectacular shows at 9pm and midnight. The 16th Street Mall offers optimal viewing.

Festivals in January

Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival

• Date: Thur-Sat, Jan 10-12, 2019
• Address: Vail
• About: Unique beer festival featuring exotic and strong styles, now in its 19th year. Dinners, seminars and workshops are held throughout the three day celebration.

MusicFest at Steamboat

• Date: Thur-Tues, January 5-10, 2019
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About:  34th annual Music Fest features fifty bands over six days. Genres range and shows go from 12pm-10pm. It takes place in a large tent.

National Western Stock Show

• Date: Tue-Sun, January 8-27, 2019
• Address: National Western Complex, Denver
• About: Since 1906, the stock shows includes rodeos, horse shows, live stock, western art and more special events spread out over more than 16 days.

Ullr Fest

• Date: Wed-Sat, January 9-12, 2019
• Address: Breckenridge
• About: Festival celebrating the winter god of Norse mythology, now in its 55th year. Shenanigans include frying pans, viking hats, Ullympic competitions and a floats parade.

Lafayette Oatmeal Festival

• Date: Sat, January 12, 2019
• Address: Lafayette
• About: 23rd annual oatmeal breakfast followed by a 5K walk/run and two ninja courses.

Estes Park Winter Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, January 19-20, 2019
• Address: Estes Park
• About: MLK Holiday weekend featuring ice skating downtown, ski and snowboard competitions, craft beer, food, kids activities, live music and chili cookoff.

Cowboy Downhill

• Date: Mon, January 21, 2019 at 1:30pm
• 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.

Ouray Ice Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, January 24-27, 2019
• Address: Ouray
• About: Biggest ice climbing festival in North America, featuring world’s best climbers and 100 educational climbing clinics.

Winter X Games

• Date: Thur-Sun, January 24-27, 2019
• Address: Aspen
• About: World’s best athletes in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling compete another year at Buttermilk.

Winter Brew Fest

• Date: Fri-Sat, January 25-26, 2019
• Address: Denver
• About: Live music and 100+ craft brews at Mile High Station.

Festivals in February

​Snowdown

• Date: Wed-Sun, January 30-February 3, 2019
• Address: Durango
• About: Now in its 41st year, features a costume party, follies, parade, and an annually changing theme.

CSCCI Chinese New Year Festival

• Date: Sat, February 9, 2019
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: 17th annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, complete with demonstrations, authentic fare and music.

Lake City Ice Climbing Festival

• Date: Sat, February 10, 2019
• Address: Lake City Ice Park
• About: Men’s and women’s top-roped and lead speed competitions.

Winter Warrior 10K Snow Traction Race

• Date: TBD
• Address: Durango
• About: Snowshoe race include a kids dash, 5K and 10K through the San Juan forest.

Steamboat Winter Carnival

• Date: Wed-Sun, February 6-10, 2019
• Address: Downtown Steamboat Springs
• About: In its 106th 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.

Cripple Creek Ice Fest

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 8-17, 2019
• Address: Downtown Cripple Creek
• About: 12th year of ice sculptures in casino-friendly Wild West Cripple Creek.

Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 15-17, 2019
• Address: Lake Dillon, Silverthorne
• About: All are welcome to enter in this ice hockey tournament sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, with over $10,000 in cash prizes. It’s followed by the Apres Ice Party.

WinterWonderGrass

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 22-24, 2019
• Address: Steamboat
• About: 12th annual festival showcasing national, regional and local bluegrass and acoustic roots music.

Denver Restaurant Week

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 22-March 3, 2019
• Address: Denver
• About: Hundreds of Denver restaurants come together for a ten-day culinary celebration, each offering a $30 fixed multi-course menu, now in its 15th year.

Festivals in March

Denver Restaurant Week

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 22-March 3, 2019
• Address: Denver
• About: Hundreds of Denver restaurants come together for a ten-day culinary celebration, each offering a $30 fixed multi-course menu, now in its 15th year.

Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off

• Date: Sat, March 2, 2019
• Address: Manitou Springs
• About: Carnivale kicks off with CarniBall on Friday night, followed by the 24th Cajun gumbo cook-off from 11am-1pm and a parade in downtown.

Denver Mardi Gras

• Date: Sat, March 2, 2019
• Address: Exdo Event Center, 1399 35th St, Denver
• About: 9th annual festival, Bourbon Street comes to Dave & Buster’s, live music, DJs, games and free beads.

Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race

• Date: Sat, March 2, 2019
• 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.

Frozen Dead Guy Days

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 8-10, 2019
• Address: Nederland
• About: 18th year with contests, competitions, live music, great food, parades and parties.

Monte Vista Crane Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 8-10, 2019
• Address: Monte Vista
• About: 36th annual Crane Fest, celebrates the annual migration of cranes that has been going on for years.

Bud Light Rocks the Boat

• Date: Saturday’s in March and April (March 2-April 14), 2019
• Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
• About: Free concert series now in its 20th 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. The concert runs from 3:30-5pm.

Please share any fun winter events below.