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 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, 2020
• 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

MusicFest at Steamboat

• Date: Sun-Fri, January 5-10, 2020
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About:  35th 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 7-26, 2020
• 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.

Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival

• Date: Thur-Sat, Jan 9-11, 2020
• 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.

Lafayette Oatmeal Festival

• Date: Sat, January 11, 2020
• Address: Lafayette
• About: 24th annual oatmeal breakfast followed by a 5K walk/run and two ninja courses.

CSCCI Chinese New Year Festival

• Date: Sat, January 18, 2020
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: 19th annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, complete with demonstrations, authentic fare and music.

Estes Park Winter Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, January 18-19, 2020
• 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.

Cowboy Downhill

• Date: Mon, January 2020, 2020 at 1pm
• 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 23-26, 2020
• 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 23-26, 2020
• Address: Aspen
• About: World’s best athletes in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling compete another year at Buttermilk.

Winter Brew Fest

• Date: Sat, January 25, 2020
• Address: Denver
• About: Live music and unlimited samples of 100+ craft brews at Mile High Station.

​Snowdown

• Date: Wed-Sun, January 29-February 2, 2020
• Address: Durango
• About: Now in its 42nd year, features a costume party, follies, parade, and an annually changing theme.

Festivals in February

​Snowdown

• Date: Wed-Sun, January 29-February 2, 2020
• Address: Durango
• About: Now in its 42nd year, features a costume party, follies, parade, and an annually changing theme.

Lake City Ice Climbing Festival

• Date: Sat, February 8, 2020
• 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 5-9, 2020
• Address: Downtown Steamboat Springs
• About: In its 107th 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: Sat-Sun, February 8-16, 2020
• Address: Downtown Cripple Creek
• About: 13th year of ice sculptures in casino-friendly Wild West Cripple Creek.

Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 14-16, 2020
• 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.

Carnivale & Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off

• Date: Fri-Sat, February 21-22, 2020
• Address: Manitou Springs
• About: Carnivale kicks off with CarniBall on Friday night, followed by the 25th Cajun Gumbo Cook-Off from 11am-1pm and a parade in downtown.

WinterWonderGrass

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 21-23, 2020
• Address: Steamboat
• About: 8th annual festival showcasing national, regional and local bluegrass and acoustic roots music.

Denver Restaurant Week

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 21-March 1, 2020
• 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.

Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race

• Date: Sat, February 29, 2020
• 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.

Festivals in March

Denver Restaurant Week

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 21-March 1, 2020
• 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.

Denver Mardi Gras

• Date: TBD
• 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.

Frozen Dead Guy Days

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 13-15, 2020
• Address: Nederland
• About: 19th year of FDGD with crazy contests, competitions, live music, great food, parades and parties.

Monte Vista Crane Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 6-8, 2020
• Address: Monte Vista
• About: 37th 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 7-April 12), 2020
• Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
• About: Free concert series now in its 21st 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.

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