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Things to do in November in Colorado

image of gondola at breckenridge ski resort
September 7, 2025 by Matt Thomas

November in Colorado is a time to fully embrace the upcoming winter. Activities switch from pavement to snow, and events are all about warming up and welcoming in the cold season ahead.

Though it is a slower month for tourism around the state and country due to folks hunkering down and saving for the holiday season, November is still full of fun things to do. Colorado boasts a plethora of expanding ski slopes to ride, which are less crowded (albeit with less terrain open) than the upcoming peak season.

You still have all the normal year-round indoor activities, like museums and brewery tours. And don’t put away the bathing suit yet, as it’s prime time for a hot springs getaway. Find a few more events in November to see if any other festivals interest you.

Here are some things to do in CO during November 2025:

Ski season kicks off

image of skier at breckenridge ski resort
Skier on Volunteer run at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Photo by: John Johnston

Colorado is home to over two dozen ski resorts, with each in a battle to be the first to open for the season. While Arapahoe Basin usually is the winner in this category, others don’t fall too far behind, with openings happening in mid to late November. Of course, this is always weather-dependent. Here are the current November opening dates for Colorado ski resorts:

Here are the 2025/26 estimated opening/closing dates for Colorado ski resorts, in alphabetical order:

(All resort season opening and closing dates are subject to change.)

ResortOpeningClosing
Arapahoe BasinNovember 2, 2025June 14, 2026
Aspen HighlandsDecember 13, 2025mid-April TBD
Aspen MountainNovember 27, 2025mid-April TBD
Beaver CreekNovember 26, 2025mid-April TBD
BreckenridgeNovember 7, 2025mid-May TBD
ButtermilkDecember 13, 2025mid-April TBD
Ski CooperDecember  10, 2025April 12, 2026
Copper MountainNovember 7, 2025mid-May TBD
Crested ButteNovember 26, 2025early-April TBD
Echo MountainDecember 26 2025April 12, 2026
EldoraNovember 7, 2025April 20, 2026
Granby RanchNovember 28, 2025March 30, 2026
HesperusTBD 2025-26TBD 2025-26
Howelsen HillNovember 29, 2025March 29, 2026
Kendall MountainDecember TBDearly-April TBD
Keystonemid-October TBDApril 12, 2026
Lovelandlate-October/early-November TBDmid-May TBD
MonarchNovember 21, 2025April 12, 2026
PowderhornNovember 21, 2025April 5, 2026
PurgatoryNovember 15, 2025late-April TBD
SilvertonDecember 27, 2025April 12, 2026
SnowmassNovember 27, 2025April 19, 2026
SteamboatNovember 22, 2025April 19, 2026
SunlightDecember 12, 2025April 5, 2026
TellurideNovember 27, 2025April 5, 2026
VailNovember 14, 2025April 19, 2026
Winter ParkNovember 7, 2025late-April TBD
Wolf Creekearly-November TBDearly-April TBD

Denver Arts Week

image of denver art museum
Denver Art Museum. Photo by: Maciek Lulko

The Mile-High City celebrates the arts with its annual Arts Week, set to take place in early November. Denver Arts Week encompasses neighborhood art districts along with various galleries and museums. The schedule includes the highly anticipated Night at the Museum, where many of the city’s top museums offer free or penny entries.

When: Friday – Sunday, November 7th – 16th, 2025 | denver.org/denver-arts-week

Denver Christmas Show

image of country Christmas gift show
Country Christmas Gift Show. Photo by: Coloradochristmasgiftshow.com

Held at the Colorado Convention Center, the Denver Christmas Show is a great way to shop and support local artists and vendors. The show features over 450 unique displays, where shoppers will discover gifts for everyone on their list. Shop original arts and crafts, foods, home décor, furniture, clothing, and so much more holiday charm.

Where: Colorado Convention Center, Denver
When: Friday – Sunday, November 21st – 23rd, 2025 | denverchristmasshow.com

Santa’s Lighted Forest | Georgetown Loop Railroad

image of santa lighted forest
Santa’s Lighted Forest. Photo by: Georgetownlooprr.com

Kick off the holiday season by visiting Santa aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Every evening, late November through late December, take the Santa’s Lighted Forest train ride through a beautiful light show synchronized with holiday music.

After Christmas, the show changes themes into a Victorian Holiday Celebration for a short time. With enclosed heated coaches, you will enjoy the beauty of winter in the Colorado Rockies from the comfort of Santa’s train.

Where: Georgetown, CO
When: mid November – December 24th, 2025 (Closed Thanksgiving) | georgetownlooprr.com/winter-holiday-trains

Free days at National Parks

image of Rocky Mountain National Park
Morraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo by: Peter Ciro

Colorado is home to four national parks, and on Veterans Day this November, visitors are given free access for the day. Choose from these Colorado National Parks:

  • Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Mesa Verde National Park
  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park

When: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 (Veterans Day)

Check out other free admission days around the state, including the:

  • Denver Zoo on Friday, November 7, 15, and 23, 2025
  • Denver Art Museum on Saturday, November 8, 2025
  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Saturday, November 8, 2025
  • Clyfford Still Museum on Saturday, November 8, 2025
  • Plains Conservation Center on Saturday, November 15, 2025
  • Denver Botanic Gardens on Friday, November 28, 2025, at both Chatfield Farms and York Street locations

Go to an Avalanche game

image of Avalanche hockey game
Avalanche hockey game. Photo by: Heath Alseike

The Colorado Avalanche is the state’s National Hockey League team. Watch the Avalanche duke it out on the ice at Denver’s Ball Arena this season. With about 40 regular-season home matches scheduled for the 2024-2025 season, there are plenty of games to choose from!

Thanks for checking out some of Colorado’s top activities in November. And while you’re at it, take a peek at some of the state’s best things to do in December. It’s always a good idea to plan ahead around the holidays.

Matt Thomas

About Matt Thomas

Matt is an avid writer and explorer, who loves to showcase his home state of Colorado. His favorite place to be is right here in the Centennial State.

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