Colorado's 7 Most Festive Downtowns For The Holidays

It’s never too early to start planning your holiday vacation, particularly if you want to spend an enchanting Christmas amid the snow-capped peaks, glittering frost, and candlelit streets of Colorado’s fun and festive small towns. Here, in the shadow of the snow-covered slopes, you are transported to a bright winter playground not unlike the North Pole. Take a train ride with Santa, sip hot cider at a Christmas market, watch bright fireworks explode against the night sky, catch a lively vaudeville show — the holidays are nothing short of magical in these quaint Colorado communities.

Breckenridge

A scenic winter playground, Breckenridge is a quaint alpine village that was founded in 1859 by gold rush prospectors and has the largest historic district in the state. It’s also the setting of the iconic Christmas classic, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, which was filmed here in 1989.

If you’re in Breckenridge on December 6, bring a camera. You’ll want to capture the sight of hundreds of Santas sprinting down Main Street for the annual Race of the Santas. Immediately after the race is the Lighting of Breckenridge, where over 250,000 lights are strung around town, transforming it into a sparkling wonderland.

Don’t worry if you haven’t started your holiday shopping; there are dozens of quaint and quirky specialty boutiques in the town centre. Drop into the Breckenridge Candle Cabin to pick up a locally-made festive scent or find a one-of-a-kind present at Marigolds Farmhouse Funk and Junk, which carries upcycled jewellery, ornaments, and clothing.

After your shopping, check the schedule at Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, just a few blocks from Main Street. This vibrant performing arts hub puts on seasonal shows. This year, it’s performing a new twist on an old favourite with a reimagined version of Dickens’ Christmas Carol, ‘Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol’.

Telluride

Home to one of the best ski resorts in the country, Telluride is a year-round mountain town that comes alive in winter when the snow-capped peaks are at their dazzling best. It’s not just the slopes that attract cold-weather visitors, however. Telluride’s historic downtown, a National Historic Landmark, is also transformed into a cozy holiday hotspot, full of festive cheer.

Call into the Telluride Historical Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution located just off Main Street, to pick up a self-guided walking tour so you can see the town’s iconic examples of Victorian-era architecture. Or visit on December 10, also known as Noel Night, when downtown kicks off the holiday season with a winter street party. See the lighting of the ‘ski tree’ and browse the boutiques to take advantage of the one-night-only holiday discounts.

Kids and adults will love a trip to Enchanted Forest Toy Shop, where the holiday magic is on full display in its range of quirky gifts, games, and candy. You can also pick up some unique Christmas gifts at the Holiday Art Bazaar, a Telluride tradition for over 40 years. This festive craft market runs on the first weekend in December at the Ah Haa School for the Arts downtown and features candles, stained glass, botanical dyed textiles, handmade pottery, jewelry, organic body products, gourmet food, clothing, and more.

Vail

There’s nothing more magical than Christmas in the mountains. Nestled in the towering Rocky Mountains, Vail is one of Colorado’s prettiest winter destinations. The downtown core is known as Vail Village, and this is where you’ll find plenty of festive fun during the winter season.

The Vail Village Tree Lighting takes place on Sunday, December 7th, with live caroling and a visit from Santa himself. Santa might also make an appearance at the Kris Kringle Market, a four-day holiday fair that runs December 11-14 and features local arts and crafts, freshly baked treats, live music, and activities for kids.

Enjoy more holiday spirit at The Gilded Spruce, a year-round Christmas shop in the heart of the village that’s been serving up festive magic for over 30 years. Stuffed with Christmas-themed decor, gifts, clothing, cards, and more, it’s the perfect place for a seasonal splurge.

Glenwood Springs

A historic resort town famous for its natural hot springs, Glenwood Springs is a scenic community in the Roaring Fork Valley that takes the holidays seriously.

Downtown, the Hotel Colorado is where the magic happens. This grand Rocky Mountain retreat first opened its doors in 1853 and hosts an annual holiday lighting ceremony just after Thanksgiving that features singing, dancing, and an appearance from Santa. You’ll also want to check out the hotel’s impressive gingerbread display, a tradition that began in 2010 and has landed Hotel Colorado a place on the “Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Most Magnificent Gingerbread Displays” for four years running.

Next door to Hotel Colorado is the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, home to the world’s largest hot springs pool — the perfect place for a warming dip when the snow falls. Visitors can purchase Day Pool Passes online ahead of their visit or at the pool entrance on the day of arrival.

After your soak, catch some holiday entertainment at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue. This unique theater troupe offers a popular dinner theater show that runs from mid-November to mid-January. The two-hour performance showcases a variety of comedy skits, dance numbers, novelty songs, and original sketches to keep you laughing while you enjoy freshly-made fare from a local restaurant.

Durango

worldatlas.com/cities/durango-colorado.html, in southwest Colorado, is an Old West-style town in the shadow of the La Plata Mountains. Its downtown is a Nationally Registered Historic District lined with historic inns, busy boutiques, and lively restaurants.

The town’s Christmas season kicks off on November 28 with Singing with Santa, a tree lighting and caroling event at Buckley Park downtown. In December, be sure to grab a coffee or a sweet treat at Animas Chocolate & Coffee Co on Main Street, the setting for the town’s Parade of Gingerbread Homes. Take a good look at all the festive entries before voting for your favorite.

Take the kids on a magical trip with the Polar Express Train Ride, which departs from downtown Durango and takes passengers to the North Pole, where they are treated to a light show, holiday music, and a very special visit with Santa. The excursion lasts 65 minutes and runs from mid-November to January.

Georgetown

Founded by prospector George Griffith in the 1860s, Georgetown is a former mining town that was once known as ‘the Silver Queen of the Rockies’ thanks to its rich silver ore. The mining industry is long since over, but there’s still plenty of sparkle around town in the winter months when its historic downtown gets all dressed up for the season.

The first two weekends in December will see Georgetown transformed into a festive playground with the town’s 65th annual Christmas Market. The seasonal extravaganza includes fireworks, a European-style Christmas marketplace, wagon rides, roasted chestnuts, Victorian carollers, parades, and appearances from Santa.

While you’re downtown, take the opportunity to tour a local legend, the Hotel de Paris. Built in 1875, this former French inn is now a speciality museum that offers Christmas tours during the holiday season so guests can enjoy the period decorations and Victorian-style Christmas tree.

Celebrate the holidays in style with a ride aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Departing from the depot downtown, the railroad offers several winter holiday trips, including Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure and Santa’s Lighted Forest, where the tracks are decorated with more than 300,000 twinkling holiday lights.

Aspen

Aspen, surrounded by the White River National Forest in the heart of the Rockies, is one of Colorado’s best-known ski towns. It’s also a very popular destination during the holiday season thanks to its historic streets and stunning alpine backdrops.

Attend the Little Nell Tree Lighting on December 5 to get festive for a good cause. Taking place at Little Nell’s Wine Bar and Courtyard downtown, the event includes carols, cookies, cocoa, cider, and Santa while raising funds for local charities. The festive cheer lasts late into December with the 12 Days of Aspen annual downtown festival, which runs from December 20-31 and features pop-up stores, fireworks, outdoor ice skating, ornament and cookie decorating, and more.

Treat yourself to an unforgettable night with the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, who will perform the quintessential Christmas classic, The Nutcracker, during the first week of December. Performances take place at the Aspen District Theater. Don’t worry if you miss the ballet; you can still see a show at the iconic Wheeler Opera House, a part of the community since 1889. The opera house hosts several holiday events, including a variety show, dance performance, and plays.

A Colorado Christmas

Spend the holidays in the winter wonderland of Colorado and you’ll wish it were Christmas all year round. The Centennial State’s long history and rich heritage make it the perfect place to start some festive traditions all of your own, joining these welcoming communities to celebrate the most magical time of year. Whether you’re planning a family break or a holiday getaway for two, check out these festive downtowns and see out the year in style.