Winter is full of exciting carnivals to keep the spirits high. The season runs from December 21st, 2014 through March 19th, 2015.
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.
December Festivals
Fireworks. Photo: bjackrian
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
- Date: Sat, December 31, 2016
- 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.
January Festivals
Winter X Games. Photo: Bugsy Sailor
Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival
- Date: Thur-Sat, Jan 5-7, 2017
- Address: Vail
- About: Unique beer festival featuring exotic and strong styles, now in its 18th year. Dinners, seminars and workshops are held throughout the three day celebration.
- Date: Thur-Tues, January 5-10, 2017
- Address: Steamboat Springs
- About: 32nd annual Music Fest features fifty bands over six days. Genres range and shows go from 12pm-10pm. It takes place in a large tent.
- Date: Sat-Sun, January 7-22, 2017
- 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 16 days. Read our event feature.
- Date: Sun-Sat, January 11-14, 2017
- Address: Breckenridge
- About: Festival celebrating the winter god of Norse mythology. Now in its 54th year, shenanigans include frying pans, viking hats, Ullympic competitions and a floats parade.
- Date: Sat-Sun, January 14-15, 2017
- 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.
- Date: Mon, January 16, 2017 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. Watch a video on the 40th Cowboy Downhill.
- Date: Thur-Sun, January 19-22 2017
- Address: Ouray
- About: Biggest ice climbing festival in North America, featuring world’s best climbers and 100 educational climbing clinics. Read our event feature.
- Date: Thur-Sun, January 26-29, 2017
- Address: Aspen
- About: World’s best athletes in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling compete another year at Buttermilk. Read our event feature.
- Date: Fri-Sat, January 27-28, 2017
- Address: Denver
- About: Live music and 100+ craft brews at Mile High Station.
February Festivals
Winter Carnival parade in Steamboat Springs. Photo: Steamboat Chamber
- Date: Wed-Sun, February 1-5, 2017
- Address: Durango
- About: Now in its 39th year, features a costume party, follies, parade, and an annually changing theme. Read our event feature.
Lake City Ice Climbing Festival
- Date: Sat, February 4, 2017
- Address: Lake City Ice Park
- About: Men’s and women’s top-roped and lead speed competitions.
- Date: Sat-Sun, February 4-12, 2017
- Address: Winter Park
- About: Live music, vintage Warren Miller film, Smartwool Ski Cup, Broomball, Bob’s Mogul Camp, mini rail jam and yoga.
- Date: Wed-Sun, February 8-12, 2017
- Address: Downtown Steamboat Springs
- About: In its 104th 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. Read our event feature.
- Date: Sat, February 6, 2016
- Address: Manitou Springs
- About: 23rd Cajun gumbo cook-off from 8am-1pm followed by parade in downtown. Read our event feature.
Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament
- Date: Fri-Sun, February 17-19, 2017
- 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.
- Date: Sat, February 12, 2016
- Address: 2000 S Colorado Blvd, Denver
- About: 6th annual festival, Bourbon Street comes to Dave & Buster’s, live music, DJs, games and free beads.
- Date: Fri-Sun, February 20-22, 2015
- Address: Avon
- About: Third annual festival showcasing national, regional and local bluegrass and acoustic roots music.
- Date: Fri-Sun, February 24-March 5, 2017
- 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 13th year.
Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race
- Date: Sat, February 27, 2016
- 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.
March Festivals
Monte Vista Crane Festival.
- Date: Fri-Sun, February 24-March 5, 2017
- 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 13th year.
- Date: Fri-Sun, March 11-13, 2016
- Address: Nederland
- About: Contests, competitions, live music, great food, parades and parties.
- Date: Fri-Sun, March 11-13, 2016
- Address: Monte Vista
- About: 33rd annual Crane Fest, celebrates the annual migration of cranes that has been going on for years.
- Date: Saturday’s in March, 2016
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: Free concert series now in its 17th 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.
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