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Travel
Events in Colorado
Chris Rand
| October 8, 2024 | 4 Minute Read
Adam Grason
Colorado becomes a festive winter wonderland from October to February, with events for locals and visitors alike. From the Great American Beer Festival to Denver's New Year's Eve fireworks, the state brims with holiday cheer, cultural celebrations, and outdoor adventures. Winter months also feature exciting festivals showcasing winter sports and unique traditions.
This guide highlights the Centennial State’s top events, offering a glimpse into the excitement awaiting travelers in winter 2024 – 2025.
Calendar of Events
Discover some of the best of Colorado’s fall and winter festivals, exhibits, concerts and more.
Oct. 10–12 | DENVER
Held annually in Denver, guests can sample over 4,000 beers from 800+ breweries across the country, making it the largest ticketed beer festival in the U.S. The event combines public tastings with a prestigious beer competition, showcasing more than 100 beer and cider styles.
Oct. 26 | MANITOU SPRINGS
The Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs honor a local legend with costumed teams racing coffins down the main street. This quirky October event features parades, contests and spirited community celebration.
Nov. 1–10 | DENVER
The Denver Film Festival is a 10-day cinematic celebration showcasing over 200 international films each November. It brings together filmmakers and film enthusiasts for screenings, panels and special events across Denver.
Nov. 1–10 | DENVER
Denver Arts Week is a 10-day celebration showcasing the city's vibrant cultural scene each November. It features hundreds of events, including gallery walks, museum exhibitions, performances, and special deals, highlighting Denver's diverse artistic offerings.
Nov. 20, 2024 – Jan. 12, 2025 | DENVER
Blossoms of Light is a dazzling holiday light show at Denver Botanic Gardens, featuring over a million LED lights. This annual tradition transforms the York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland from November to January.
Nov. 22 – Dec. 23 | DENVER
The Denver Christkindlmarket is an authentic German–style holiday market held annually from November to December in Civic Center Park. It features European crafts, food, entertainment, and festive atmosphere, offering a taste of traditional European Christmas celebrations.
Nov. 30 – Dec. 8 | FRISCO
Wassail Days is a weeklong winter celebration in Frisco featuring wassail sampling from 50+ local businesses. Visitors enjoy festive activities, tree lighting, fireworks, Santa visits and can earn a commemorative mug by sampling 12 unique wassail recipes.
Nov. 30 – Dec. 29 | DENVER
Colorado Ballet: The Nutcracker
Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition featuring enchanting choreography, Tchaikovsky's iconic score, and dazzling performances. This annual production delights audiences with its magical story, colorful costumes and festive charm from November to December.
Dec. 2–4 | TELLURIDE
The Telluride Fire Festival is a multi–day winter celebration featuring spectacular fire art installations, performances, and workshops. Held annually in December, it showcases large-scale flame-inspired sculptures, fire dancers and interactive exhibits throughout the town.
Dec. 7–8, 14–15 | GEORGETOWN
Georgetown Christmas Market transforms this historic Colorado town into a festive wonderland for two December weekends. Visitors enjoy Europeanstyle outdoor markets, roasted chestnuts, horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers and Santa Lucia processions in a charming Old West setting.
Dec. 12–14 | BRECKENRIDGE
Ullr Fest is Breckenridge's annual winter celebration honoring the Norse god of snow. This quirky December event features a parade, world-record shot-ski attempt, bonfire, and various snow–themed activities, drawing locals and visitors alike.
Dec. 12–15 | ASPEN
Wintersköl is Aspen's annual winter celebration dating back to 1951, featuring on-mountain activities, snow sculptures, soup contests, beer festivals, torchlight parades and fireworks. This four-day December event showcases Aspen's unique mountain lifestyle and community spirit.
Dec. 24 | TELLURIDE
Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade
The Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade in Telluride is a dazzling holiday tradition where skiers descend the mountain carrying torches. This magical spectacle illuminates the slopes, creating a mesmerizing display visible from various vantage points in town.
Dec. 31 | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Colorado's New Year's Eve fireworks dazzle across the state, with spectacular displays in Denver, Breckenridge, Aspen, Vail and atop Pikes Peak. These colorful shows light up mountain skies and city skylines, delighting revelers statewide.
Calendar of Events, 2025
Jan. 1 | WALDEN
First Day Hikes are a nationwide initiative encouraging people to start the New Year with outdoor activities in state and national parks. Guided and self-guided hikes across Colorado’s parks offer a healthy, scenic way to kick off the year on January 1st.
Jan. 19–21 | PAGOSA SPRINGS
Pagosa Springs Winterfest is a vibrant winter celebration featuring hot air balloon ascensions, a Penguin Plunge, community bonfire, sledding events, cross-country ski activities and a petfriendly Barkus parade. This January festival showcases the town's winter charm.
Jan. 20–29 | BRECKENRIDGE
International Snow Sculpture Championships
The International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge showcase teams from around the world as they hand-carve 25–ton snow blocks into intricate artworks. This January event features stunning sculptures, nighttime illuminations and a temporary outdoor gallery.
Jan. 23–25 | ASPEN
The Winter X Games is an annual extreme sports event held in Aspen, Colorado, featuring elite athletes competing in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling disciplines. It showcases thrilling aerial tricks, races and innovative competitions over four adrenaline-packed days.
Jan. 23–26 | OURAY
The Ouray Ice Festival is a four-day January celebration of ice climbing in Colorado's Ouray Ice Park. It features competitions, clinics, gear demos, and social events, attracting climbers worldwide to this premier ice climbing destination.
Jan. 24–26 | ALAMOSA
The Rio Frio Ice Fest in Alamosa, Colorado is a unique winter celebration featuring a 5K race on the frozen Rio Grande River. It includes ice sculptures, polar plunges and various winter activities each January.
Jan. 24 – Feb. 2 | DURANGO
Snowdown Durango is a lively winter festival held annually in late January, featuring quirky events like costume contests, eating competitions, and a dazzling Light Parade. The 2025 theme is "The Board Game Edition: It's Your Move."
Feb. 1 | LAKE CITY
Lake City Ice Climbing Festival
The Lake City Ice Climbing Festival is an annual February event showcasing ice climbing in Colorado's scenic backcountry. It features competitions, clinics, and social gatherings, offering a low-key alternative to larger resort-based winter festivals.
Feb. 6–9 | LAMAR
High Plains Snow Goose Festival
The High Plains Snow Goose Festival in Lamar, Colorado celebrates the annual migration of snow geese each February. It offers bird-watching tours, educational programs and family-friendly activities showcasing southeastern Colorado's wildlife and heritage.
Feb. 7–9 | STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
The Steamboat Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs is a cherished February tradition celebrating winter sports and local heritage since 1914. It features unique events like ski jumping horses, a skiing high school band and nighttime illuminated displays.
Feb. 14–16 | SILVERTHORNE
Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament
The annual Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament is a large outdoor ice hockey event, held this year in Silverthorne. It features multiple divisions, numerous rinks, and attracts players from across North America for a weekend of competitive play.
Feb. 28 – Mar. 2 | STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
WinterWonderGrass is an annual multi–day bluegrass and roots music festival held in mountain towns like Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It features live performances, craft beer tastings and family-friendly activities against a backdrop of scenic winter landscapes.