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If hauling the Christmas decor out of storage, hosting the in-laws, enduring the holiday shopping crowds, and cooking up a Christmas Eve feast sounds like too much to bear this year, let us suggest an alternative: getting the heck out of dodge.
High-altitude towns will be hosting plenty of festive activities that require little-to-no work from you, ranging from a wine dinner in Vail to a free candy-sampling festival in Estes Park. So, pack up the Subaru and tell your in-laws to meet you in the mountains—or don’t.
Jump ahead:
- Summit County
- Vail and Beaver Creek
- Crested Butte
- Estes Park
- Winter Park
- Steamboat Springs
- Glenwood Springs
- Aspen
Summit County
Wassail Days
Ever wondered what the heck they’re talking about in “Here We Come A-Wassailing”? Well, give this old tradition a go yourself in Frisco. Local businesses will serve up their own special version of this English hot cider. Try at least 12 and redeem a free commemorative mug at the Frisco visitor center. Throughout the week, there will also be free holiday gift wrapping and Santa visits at the Historic Frisco Park. Now–Dec. 8; times vary; free
Lighting of Breckenridge and Race of the Santas
From caroling to rubbing elbows with Santa, Breckenridge packs a whole season’s worth of holiday festivities into less than 12 hours during this annual event. Revelers can shop at the market of locally handmade goods, peep Santa Paws during the holiday-themed dog parade, and even don the red suit themselves to compete in the Race of the Santas. Close out the day with the ceremonial illumination of the town’s tree in the Blue River Plaza. Dec. 7; noon–7 p.m.; free attendance; Race of the Santas registration $10–$30; kids’ Moose March registration $10
Ullr Fest
No, you’re not in Valhalla—though the copious amounts of Viking hats, snowy scenery, and endless ale could fool you. This fest honoring the Norse god of snow takes place in Breckenridge each year in the hopes of ushering in a ski season blessed with plentiful powder. Day one kicks off with activities like a helmet-decorating party, the crowning of the Ullr King and Queen, an attempt to break the world record for longest shot ski (1,401 people), and the community-beloved parade and bonfire. Stick around for Friday and Saturday to partake in an ice-skating party and comedy night. Dec. 12–14; event times vary; free attendance
Vail and Beaver Creek
Vail Aprés
Whether you’re still mastering the pizza or you spent your day on double black diamonds, everyone’s back on equal footing at aprés. For two months, Vail is hosting weekly silent discos where you select your own tunes, outdoor ice-skating shows featuring international performers, and holiday festivities like Santa photo ops and a tree-lighting event. Now–Jan. 5; times vary; most events free
Farm-to-Table Holiday Wine Dinner
A feast that you won’t have to cook—or clean up after—this holiday season? Count us in. Four Vail chefs will use the area’s harvest to collaborate on a farm-fresh dinner (think: overflowing charcuterie boards from the Grazing Fox, elevated mountain cuisine from Israel Delgado of Fall Line, and inventive pastries from the Dessert Lab) paired with wines from Paso Robles, California. Dec. 6; 6–8 p.m.; $152 per person
Birds of Prey Cup
This competition of the world’s top winter sports athletes has been held in the Vail Valley for more than 50 years, but for the first time since 2015, women will join the lineup. Watch expert shredders go head-to-head in downhill, super G, giant slalom, and more events. Plus, there are plenty of activities for mere mortals, including a beer tasting, a Tïësto concert, and athlete meet and greets. Dec. 6–15; times vary; some events free, some ticketed
Dine with the Dogs
Paw Patrol has nothing on the real-life Vail Ski Patrol Dogs, who keep powder hounds safe from avalanches—and look super cute while doing it. Each Sunday through March, visitors can meet the VIPs (Very Important Pups) at Henry’s Hut and learn more about avalanche safety from their human companions. Stay tuned for special dates throughout the season, where the canines will show off their skills in drills and sponsor Helly Hansen will give out free swag. Dec. 15–March 30; Sundays 10:30–11:30 a.m.; free
Crested Butte
Light Up the Night
If your wallet’s feeling a little thin after Christmas shopping, head to this winter event for loads of free holiday festivities. Families can decorate cookies, snap photos with the Snow Queen and Santa, jam to live music, watch menorah and Christmas-tree lightings, and stop by the hot cocoa bar—or splurge on a spiked drink from a Bar Above or Tin Cup. Dec. 14; 4–7 p.m.; free
Estes Park
Snowman Festival
If your answer to, “Do you want to build a snowman?” is an emphatic “yes,” you’re in luck. Estes Park is paying homage to the iconic emblem of winter with this festival, during which families can participate in a townwide snowman scavenger hunt, watch live ice sculpting, fuel up at food trucks, and visit with Santa and other wintry characters (Olaf or Frosty, anyone?). Dec. 7; noon–5 p.m.; free
Sweets Stroll Festival
Estes Park will turn into a Willy Wonka-esque wonderland during this free celebration of all things sugar. More than a dozen local bakers, chocolatiers, and confectioners—such as the Taffy Shop, Rocket Fizz, and Estes Park Sugar Shack—will hand out free sweets. Before you embark on the tour, pick up a punch card at Bond Park; collect a stamp at each sweet treat location and enter to win a giveaway. The best part? You don’t need a golden ticket to get in. Dec. 21; noon–5 p.m.; free
Winter Park
Tommelfest
During the winter, do as the Nordic do—cross-country skiing was invented there, after all. This annual fest at Devil’s Thumb Ranch pays tribute to the snowsport pioneers with tons of Scandinavian-themed activities. Register for free skate or ski clinics, participate in a Norwegian keg-tossing competition, practice your snow-cow lassoing skills, and indulge in some Swedish meatballs, Norwegian salmon, and lingonberry cream during a feast at Heck’s Tavern. Dec. 14; 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; free
Deck the Slopes
Reindeer. Ample hot cocoa and cookies. Thousands of twinkling lights. No, you’re not in the North Pole, but Winter Park Resort at this time of year is the next best thing. The resort’s holiday programming includes a meet and greet with live reindeer, holiday drone shows, and a showstopping parade (Dec. 24) that takes place slopeside and includes more than 100 skiers lighting up the night with flares and fireworks. Tip: The Torchlight Parade is best watched at the base of the mountain with a hot cocoa in hand. Through Dec. 31; times vary; free
Steamboat Springs
Santa Saddles Up and Holiday Balloon Glow
Instead of traversing the skies, Santa and his sleigh will be earthbound for a bit during this Steamboat tradition. Watch as locals Bob Dapper and Dean Vogelaar escort Santa down the mountain on horseback, then stick around for a photo-op and free hot cocoa. Although you won’t see St. Nick in the sky above Steamboat, you can catch four massive hot air balloons floating above the village during the Holiday Balloon Glow on Dec. 21. Santa Saddles Up: Dec. 14; 1–4 p.m.; free; Holiday Balloon Glow: Dec. 21; 5:30–6:30 p.m.; free
Aspen
Uchi and Uchibā Winter Culinary Adventure
Take a break from the turkey-roasting and let the pros prepare your dinner. James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole of Uchi is hosting a 10-course meal over four nights at Hotel Jerome featuring his signature take on Japanese cuisine. If you’re not in town for Uchi’s takeover, be sure to check out the hotel’s other culinary experiences in December, including one with Michelin-starred Koli Restaurant and Mexico-based Fauna. Dec. 4–7; times vary; starts at $225 per person
Wintersköl
In 1951, this festival started as a way to promote tourism to Aspen during its quieter winter weeks. And though the iconic mountain town isn’t lacking for visitors any longer, this fest has remained an annual tradition. Over four days, locals and travelers will convene to honor Aspen’s heritage with throwback ski films (like 1993’s Aspen Extreme), sip beers (Wintersköl Beer Festival), sample locally made soups (Soupsköl), watch a parade, and listen to music at beloved venue Belly Up. Dec. 12–15; times vary; free, some events ticketed