Celebrate the Holidays in the Mountains with 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 events (many free and family-friendly) 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: WINTER WONDERLAND, REINDEER + HOLIDAY DRONE SHOWS
SATURDAYS, DECEMBER 14th and 21st: 11am - 5:30pm
Head to the Village at the base of Winter Park Resort for their Winter Wonderland event on December 14th, complete with hot cocoa, photos with Santa, cookie decorating, and other festive activities to get you into the holiday spirit. On December 21st, visit Santa's reindeer in the Village. At dusk on both evenings, enjoy the Holiday Drone Show as you watch synchronized drones fill the night with holiday icons, festive designs, and vibrant colors. Couple the fun with a day of skiing, and you get one of those mountain holiday weekends dreams are made of!
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REPERTORY THEATRE: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
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 $25.
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: RUN LIKE A REINDEER
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20th: 4:30pm
Get ready to lace up your running shoes or cross-country boots and snowshoe, cross-country ski, fat bike, or walk with snow cleats on the Fraser River Trail from the A-Frame Club in Old Town Winter Park to the Rendezvous Event Center in downtown Winter Park. Participants are encouraged to wear their best reindeer-themed attire—antlers, festive costumes, or holiday gear—to add to the fun! After the race, stick around at Rendezvous Event Center for hot cocoa and s'mores. You'll even get a Winter Park beanie and headlamp as souvenirs. The entry fee is $20. Hop online and register here!
GRANBY RANCH: SANTA + MRS. CLAUS
SUNDAY + MONDAY, DECEMBER 22nd - 23rd: 11am - 4:30pm
Santa and Mrs. Claus are making a special stop at Granby Ranch this holiday season! Kids can enjoy story time, take photos with Santa, and even drop off their letters to the North Pole right before Christmas.
WINTER PARK RESORT: CHRISTMAS EVE TORCHLIGHT PARADE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24th: 5:30pm
Don't miss Winter Park’s most beloved holiday tradition, the Torchlight Parade! A 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!
GRAND LAKE: NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH ROCKY MOUNTAIN REPERTORY THEATRE + FIREWORKS OVER THE LAKE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31st: 9pm
An alumni performer will return to Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake for a one-night-only performance! Reserve your tickets here. Then bundle up, grab some hot chocolate, and go watch the Town of Grand Lake fireworks to ring in the new year. The snow-capped mountains above the frozen lake are the perfect backdrop as the winter sky lights up to welcome 2025!
GRANBY RANCH: NEW YEAR'S EVE TORCHLIGHT PARADE + FIREWORKS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31st: 7pm
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 as skiers light up the mountain, and let the little ones shine in the Kids Light Parade (complete with glow sticks and festive gear) before the firework show right at the base of Granby Ranch. . Afterward, head to the lodge for the NYE Party, complete with music & dancing. It's a great way to welcome 2025 - 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
TUESDAY, 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!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
The holiday season here in Grand County is nothing short of magical. If calling this place home is on your list of New Year's resolutions, we'd love to get together, hear your goals, set you up with listing alerts, and take the first steps toward investing in your mountain home. Wishing the happiest of holidays to you and yours!
Posted by Leah Bishop on
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