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.

2021 Annual December Festivals in Colorado

Holidays at Outlets at Castle Rock

Date: Mon-Fri, November 1 – December 24, 2021
Address: Outlets at Castle Rock, Castle Rock
About: Head to the Outlets at Castle Rock from beginning November to December for great shopping deals and holiday festivities.

Denver Christkindl Market

Date: Fri-Wed, November 19-December 23, 2021
Address: Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
About: 20th year for the month-long Christkindl Market in downtown Denver. Experience old German tradition with authentic cuisine, live music, holiday drinks, and an artisan marketplace.

Polar Express Train Ride

Date: Friday-Saturday, November 19, 2021 – January 1, 2022
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: Friday-Saturday, November 19, 2021 – January 8, 2022
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.

Vail Snow Days

Date: Thursday-Sunday, December 2-5, 2021
Address: Vail
About: Vail Snow Days kickoffs their 15th winter season at Vail, featuring live concerts from top performers.

Noel Night

Date: Friday, December 3, 2021
Address: Durango
About: The largest shopping night of the year in Durango full of music, treats, decorations, and holiday festivities.

Holiday Arts Bazaar

Date: Fri-Sun, December 3-5, 2021
Address: Telluride
About: A 3-day holiday market that sells an array of locally made and handcrafted items.

Telluride Fire Festival

Date: Fri-Sun, December 3-5, 2021
Address: Telluride
About: A 3-day festival celebrating community, fire, and art in the mountains.

Parade of Lights

Date: Sat, December 4, 2021
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.

The Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas

Date: Sat, December 4, 2021
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.

Festivals of Lights Parade

Date: Sat, December 4, 2021
Address: Colorado Springs
About: Colorado Springs starts its holiday season off by illuminating the town with the Festivals of Lights Parade. Bring the family and enjoy the festivities as Santa and a myriad of floats come down the road.

Georgetown Christmas Market

Date: Sat-Sun, December 4-5, 2021 & December 11-12, 2021
Address: 6th Street, Georgetown
About: 61st annual Christmas Market is held on the first two Saturdays and Sundays in December. Celebrations include an outdoor European 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: Wed-Sat, December 8-17, 2021
Address: Breckenridge
About: Festival celebrating the winter god of Norse mythology, now in its 58th year. Shenanigans include frying pans, Viking hats, “Ullympic” competitions and a floats parade.

Gold Camp Christmas Weekend

Date: Fri-Sat, December 10-11, 2021
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.

Holiday Chocolate Festival

Date: Sat, December 11, 2021
Address: Colorado Springs
About: There is no yummier way to celebrate the holiday season than with chocolate! For 12 years Colorado Springs has satisfied people’s sweet tooth at the Holiday Chocolate Festival.

Berthoud SNOWFEST

Date: Sat, December 11, 2021
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.

Living Lights

Date: Fri-Sun, December 17, 2021 – January 2, 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: Mon-Fri, December 20-31, 2021
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 Eve Torchlight Parade

Date: Fri, December 24, 2021
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: Sun, December 31, 2021
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.

Christmas at Schmid Ranch

Date: TBD 2021
Address: Telluride
About: Telluride kicks off the month of December with an old-fashioned tradition sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit.

Dillon Ice Castles

Date: PENDING – PROBABLY NOT RETURNING FOR 2021-22 WINTER SEASON
Address: Dillon Town Park, 120 Buffalo Street, Dillon
About: Professional ice artists create dazzling displays every winter in Dillon. It’s lit up at night for a spectacular attraction in popular Summit County. It’s held all winter long, cold weather pending.

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