Upcoming Winter Festivals in Colorado

Winter is full of exciting Colorado carnivals and festivals to keep the spirits high. The winter season runs from Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 through Sunday, March 19th, 2023.

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.

2022-2023 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

Holidays at Outlets at Castle Rock

• Date: Wed-Sat, November 9 – December 24, 2022
• Address: Outlets at Castle Rock, Castle Rock
• About: Head to the Outlets at Castle Rock from the beginning of November through December for great shopping deals and holiday festivities.

Denver Christkindl Market

• Date: Fri-Fri, November 18-December 23, 2022
• Address: Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
• About: 21st 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 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
• 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.

Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light

• Date: Fri-Sat, November 18, 2022 – January 7, 2023
• 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.

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade

• Date: Saturday, December 24, 2022
• 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: Saturday, December 31, 2022
• 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.

Living Lights

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster
• About: Butterfly Pavilion is hosting a new immersive festival of lights experience where visitors can embark on a journey to meet the Firefly Princess. With glowing exhibits, aerial artists, and a kid-friendly dance party, this is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

12 Days of Aspen

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Aspen
• About: The 12 Days of Aspen festival is more than a set of events for the community and visitors to participate in. It’s a holiday mindset that brings everyone together to celebrate the season and new beginnings.

Christmas at Schmid Ranch

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Telluride
• About: Telluride kicks off the month of December with an old-fashioned tradition sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit.

​Vail Snow Days

• Date: Cancelled for 2022
• Address: Vail
• About: Vail Snow Days kickoffs their 16th winter season at the popular ski resort. It lasts for 4 days and features headlining concerts, après, and even a large expo village to explore.

Festivals in January

Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light

• Date: Fri-Sat, November 18, 2022 – January 7, 2023
• 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, November 26, 2022 – March 31, 2023
• 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.

MusicFest at Steamboat

• Date: Sat-Thurs, January 7-12, 2023
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About: 37th annual Music Fest features fifty bands over six days. Featuring a variety of genres and shows that last from 12 pm-10 pm. Shows are held around town in every venue type from ballrooms to big tents.

National Western Stock Show

• Date: Sat-Sun, January 7-22, 2023
• 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.

Berthoud SNOWFEST

• Date: Mon-Sun, January 9-15, 2023
• Address: Berthoud
• About: The down-home, cozy feel of Berthoud is a perfect setting for Christmas in Colorado. Each year Main Street comes to life at the Berthoud SNOWFEST.

Lafayette Oatmeal Festival

• Date: Saturday, January 14, 2023
• Address: Lafayette
• About: 26th annual warm oatmeal breakfast followed by a virtual 5K walk/run.

Cowboy Downhill

• Date: Monday, January 16, 2023
• 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 19-22, 2023
• Address: Ouray
• About: Biggest ice climbing festival in North America, featuring the world’s best climbers and 100 educational climbing clinics.

CSCCI Chinese New Year Festival

• Date: Saturday, January 21, 2023
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: Annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, complete with demonstrations, authentic fare, and music.

Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships

• Date: Mon-Wed, January 23 – February 1, 2023
• 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.

Winter X Games

• Date: Fri-Sun, January 27-29, 2023
• Address: Aspen
• About: World’s best athletes in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling compete another year at Buttermilk.

Rio Frio Ice Fest

• Date: Fri-Sun, January 27-29, 2023
• 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.

Colorado Motorcycle Expo

• Date: Sat-Sun, January 28-29, 2023
• Address: National Western Complex, Denver
• About: The largest swap meet in America, the 44th 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.

Winter Brew Fest

• Date: Saturday, January 28, 2023
• Address: Denver
• About: Live music and unlimited samples of 100+ craft brews at Mile High Station.

Denver Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival

• Date: Saturday, January 28, 2023
• Address: Denver
• About: Sample whiskey from over a dozen distillers while meeting the brands at this one-day event.

Festivals in February

Mind Blown Telluride

• Date:  Fri-Sat, November 26, 2022 – March 31, 2023
• 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.

Snowdown

• Date: Wed-Sun, February 1-5, 2023
• Address: Durango
• About: Now in its 44th year, this winter celebration features a costume party, follies, parade, and an annually changing theme.

High Plains Snow Goose Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, February 2-5, 2023
• 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.

Lake City Ice Climbing Festival

• Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023
• 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 8-12, 2023
• Address: Downtown Steamboat Springs
• About: In its 110th 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.

Loveland Sweetheart Festival

• Date: Fri-Sat, February 10-11, 2023
• 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.

Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament

• Date: Fri-Sun, February 17-19, 2023
• 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: Saturday, February 18, 2023
• Address: Manitou Springs
• About: Carnivale kicks off with the Cajun Gumbo Cook-Off followed by a parade downtown.

Silverton Skijoring

• Date: Sat-Sun, February 18-19, 2023
• 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: Sat-Thurs, February 18-26, 2023
• Address: Downtown Cripple Creek
• About: Annual ice sculpture carving challenge in casino-friendly Wild West Cripple Creek.

Denver Mardi Gras

• Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023
• Address: Exdo Event Center, 1399 35th St, Denver
• About: Annual festival with live music, DJs, games, and free beads on Bourbon Street in the Mile High City.

Festivals in March

Mind Blown Telluride

• Date: Fri-Sat, December – March & June-September, 2023
• 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.

Boulder International Film Festival

• Date: Thurs-Sun, March 2-5, 2023
• Address: Boulder
• About: Film fanatics won’t want to miss the annual Boulder International Film Festival. Quickly becoming an internationally acknowledged talent hub for theater, this soiree features film screenings, panels, workshops, and theme afterparties.

303 Day

• Date: Friday, March 3, 2023
• 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 along with various vendors around the city hosting events to observe the day.

Leadville Ski Joring

• Fri-Sun, March 3-5, 2023
• Address: Leadville
• About: Annual winter sports event on Harrison Ave that involves a cowboy and horse pulling a skier through obstacles.

WinterWonderGrass

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 3-5, 2023
• Address: Steamboat
• About: Festival showcasing national, regional, and local bluegrass and acoustic roots music.

Denver Restaurant Week

• Date: Fri-Sun March 3-12, 2023
• Address: Denver
• About: Hundreds of Denver restaurants come together for a ten-day culinary celebration boasting delicious multi-course menus for a fixed price.

Mile High Beer Festival

• Date: Friday, March 10, 2023
• 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, food vendors.

Monte Vista Crane Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 10-12, 2023
• Address: Monte Vista
• About: The annual Crane Fest, celebrates the annual migration of cranes that has been going on for years.

Bud Light Rocks the Boat

• Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023
• Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
• About: Free concert series now in its 24th season, held at the base of the mountain. Enjoy several concerts over the course of the ski season. The series features a mix of music genres with many big-name acts having performed in previous years.

Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

• Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023
• 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.

Frozen Dead Guy Days

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 17-19, 2023
• 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.

Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade

• Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023
• 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. Patrick along Tejon Street.

Thanks for checking out some of Colorado’s best annual winter festivals. Have a terrific time experiencing these fun events from December to March.