December Colorado Events

Colorado has a lot of reasons to celebrate with festivals in December. The ski season is officially underway and the holidays are just around the corner. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style in downtown Denver with fireworks.

Exciting events include the Georgetown Christmas Market which features an outdoor European marketplace and Vail Snow Daze which has three free nights of concerts.

2023 Annual December Festivals in Colorado

Warren Miller Film Tour

Date: late October through December, 2o23
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 Christkindlmarket

Date: Fri-Sat, November 17-December 23, 2023
Address: Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave, Denver
About: 23rd 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 17 – December 31st, 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-Sun, November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024 (closed Nov. 23 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.

Mind Blown Telluride

Date: Fri-Sat, late November 2023 through March 2024
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.

Holiday Arts Bazaar

Date: Fri-Sun, December 1-3, 2023
Address: Telluride
About: A 3-day holiday market that sells an array of locally made and handcrafted items including jewelry, food, clothing, and ceramics.

Colorado Springs Record Show

Date: Saturday, December 2, 2023
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.

The Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas

Date: Saturday, December 2, 2023
Address: Breckenridge
About: Kick off December with the family by participating in this holiday event. Watch the town light up as hundreds of Santas run through the streets.

Georgetown Christmas Market

Date: Sat-Sun, December 2-3 and 9-10, 2023
Address: 6th Street, Georgetown
About: 63rd annual Christmas Market is held on the first two Saturdays and Sundays in December. Celebrations include a European outdoor marketplace, holiday entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, Saint Nicholas, Christmas museum tours, high tea at Grace Hall, wassail crawl, hot roasted chestnuts, and Santa Lucia Children’s Procession.

Ullr Fest

Date: Thurs-Sat, December 7-9, 2023
Address: Breckenridge
About: Festival celebrating the winter god of Norse mythology, now in its 59th year. Shenanigans include frying pans, Viking hats, “Ullympic” competitions and a floats parade.

Christmas in the Gold Camps

Date: Thur-Sat, December 7-9, 2023
Address: Cripple Creek
About: Get into the holiday spirit by enjoying a weekend of fun full of festive activities, a winter parade, and a light show.

Vail Film Festival

Date: Thur-Sun, December 7-10, 2023
Address: Vail
About: An annual 4-day film festival showcasing independent movies and screenplays.
Website: vailfilmfestival.com

Festival of Lights Parade

Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023
Address: Colorado Springs
About: Colorado Springs starts its holiday season off by illuminating the town with the Festival of Lights Parade. Bring the family and enjoy the festivities as Santa and a myriad of floats wander down the road.

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade

Date: Sunday, December 24, 2023
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, 2023
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.

12 Days of Aspen

Date: TBD 2023
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 2023
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: TBD 2023; possibly cancelled indefinitely
Address: Vail
About: Vail Snow Days kickoffs the winter season at the popular I-70 ski resort. It lasts for 4 days and features headlining concerts, après, and even a large expo village to explore.

Holidays at Outlets at Castle Rock

Date: TBD 2023
Address: Outlets at Castle Rock, Castle Rock
About: Head to the Outlets at Castle Rock from the beginning of November to December for great shopping deals and holiday festivities.

Noel Night

Date: TBD 2023
Address: Durango
About: The largest shopping night of the year in Durango full of music, treats, decorations, and holiday festivities.

Telluride Fire Festival

Date: TBD 2023
Address: Telluride
About: A 3-day festival celebrating community, fire, and art in the mountains inspired by Burning Man.

Evergreen Winterfest

Date: TBD 2023
Address: Evergreen
About: Community arts festival showcasing handmade gifts at the Center for the Arts Evergreen.

Parade of Lights

Date: TBD 2023
Address: Denver
About: Denver comes alive each year for multiple nights during the first days of December with twinkling lights and pageantry at the city’s largest, longest, and most exciting parade of the year.

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