Celebrate the Holidays in the Mountains with a Full Calendar of Festive Local Events

Blankets of snow, twinkling lights, smoke drifting out of chimneys, and turning lifts. It really doesn't get much more magical than experiencing the holidays in our little winter wonderland. The month of December brings a calendar full of free, family-friendly events here in Grand County. From Winter Park to Grand Lake, you're sure to find an event to get you in the holiday spirit!  

WINTER PARK RESORT: REINDEER IN THE VILLAGE

SUNDAYS, DECEMBER 10th and 17th: 11am-5pm

Reindeer in real life?! Winter Park Resort is bringing the Christmas magic this year. Two of Santa's reindeer will be in the Village at Winter Park Resort for back-to-back weekends this holiday season. And they're bringing Santa's sleigh! Take a break from skiing to meet the reindeer and get that holiday picture for your screen saver. And the ice skating rink in the Village opens December 14th, so you can trade out your boots for ice skates after you meet the reindeer. It's easy to experience Christmas cheer in the Village's winter wonderland!

GRANBY RANCH WINTER CARNIVAL + HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16th

Granby Ranch's opening day was Saturday, December 9th, and now they're ready to celebrate! They've planned a day full of fun to kick off the season and usher in their new 400-foot conveyor lift, Stagecoach. The days starts with a ribbon cutting for the new lift, followed by a morning of family-friendly fun. Make a day of it - ski for the afternoon, and stay for the annual tree lighting in the evening!

WINTER CARNIVAL: 9am-12pm 

  • Stagecoach Lift ribbon cutting
  • ski obstacle course
  • ring toss
  • ski limbo
  • face painting
  • photo ornament craft station
  • cupcake giveaway
  • ski patrol, ski school, mountain ops + ski school booths

 TREE LIGHTING: 5:30pm 

Just after dark, Granby Ranch will start its annual tree-lighting ceremony. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and sing carols with the Fraser Valley Elementary choir. Stay for a screening of the holiday classic Elf at 7:30pm. 

Fun fact: Students and employees of East and West Grand School Districts ski for free every Friday at Granby Ranch, and they'll also get to ski for free as they join in the festivities on the 16th! We're grateful for businesses that support our community and make it easier for our families to enjoy all the winter fun here in Grand County! 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REPERTORY THEATRE: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16th: 7:30pm and SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17th: 2pm

Grand Lake is home to the the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, a world-class theater offering professional shows right here in the Rocky Mountains. Check out this year's production of Home for the Holidays. The festive and heartwarming holiday tribute is staged and directed by Michael Querio and Jeff Duke. Tickets start at $20. 

A real treat in such a small town, we treasure the Rocky Mountain Rep and hope you can find time to check out their holiday show!

WINTER PARK RESORT CHRISTMAS EVE TORCHLIGHT PARADE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24th: 5:30pm

Don't miss Winter Park’s most beloved holiday tradition, the Torchlight ParadeA true tradition for locals and visitors, the torchlight parade at Winter Park Resort is worth scheduling your Christmas Eve around. After photos and visits with Santa in the village from 1-4pm, gear up for the big show. The parade starts at 5:30pm when skiers weave their way down Lower Hughes with torchlights, snowcats dance to holiday music, and fireworks light up the sky. Warm up by the big bonfire and cheers to Christmas Eve in this event full of genuine holiday cheer. One of our absolute favorites for sure! 

GRANBY RANCH NEW YEAR'S EVE LIGHT PARADE + FIREWORKS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31st: 7-9pm

Keeping with their host of family-friendly activities, Granby Ranch knows most kids won't make it until midnight (especially after a day on the mountain!), so they've planned their New Year's Eve celebration a little earlier in the evening. Enjoy the annual Mountain Light Parade before the firework show put on by local company Fire in the Sky right at the base of Granby Ranch. This yearly tradition is definitely worth marking on your calendar, especially if you're celebrating with littles! 

DOWNTOWN WINTER PARK NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31st: 7-9pm

Bring your dancing shoes (or snow boots!) for this one! The Winter Park & Fraser Chamber is hosting a New Year's Eve party at Rendezvous Event Center right in the heart of Winter Park. This event is free and open to the public. Enjoy the silent disco by Big Little Sound or sled the night away on the hill at Hideaway Park. Sleds and tubes are provided, so all you have to do is bundle up and show up! 

MAKE WINTER PARK MORE THAN JUST HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

If buying a home in the mountains is on your list of New Year's resolutions, it's easy to see why! While visiting Grand County is always a treat, putting down roots here with a real estate investment means you can call this place home year-round. Reach out today - we'd love to hear your goals, set you up with listing alerts, and take the first steps towards investing in your mountain home! Wishing the happiest of holidays to you and yours!

Posted by Angela McDonough (Sandstrom) on

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