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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