You don’t have to enjoy skiing or snowboarding to visit one of our state’s mountain towns. In fact, some of the highlights of winter are the many events they put on to lift spirits during the darkest months of the year. If you’re looking for a fun excursion not too far from home, bundle up and head west to join the festivities.
Catch the Glow Parade. Photo courtesy of Visit Estes Park.
Estes Park
Estes has lots of festivals year-round, but this holiday season the town is debuting a new attraction. Winter Lights, a seven-mile light display leading to a mountain installation at Bond Park, will showcase the animals that roam Rocky Mountain National Park (including bears, deer and elk) from mid-November to mid-February.
The lights will accompany the town’s Festival of Trees, which features more than 50 decorated trees at The Estes Park Resort & Spa. The annual fundraiser supports the Estes Park Quota’s charity work and kicks off from 5-7 p.m. on Nov. 11. The trees will be on display until Dec. 13.
However, the town’s holiday highlight is its Catch the Glow Parade on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Every year, the free parade attracts about 30,000 spectators to see more than 40 handmade floats, marching bands, fire trucks and vintage cars along Elkhorn Avenue. Santa will stop by in the afternoon, and the parade will start at 5:30 p.m.
“Our winter events have become a major draw,” says Papae Litchfield, advocacy, communications and external affairs manager for Visit Estes Park. “These are just a few examples that bring people to town specifically for the winter experience, in addition to those visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.”
*Nederland*
Nederland will host its annual Holiday Mountain Market the weekend of Dec. 5-6.
The event features visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as live music and more than 50 artists and makers from
10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the community center.
Georgetown, Colo.
Georgetown
This mountain town’s biggest winter festival honors one of Colorado’s most iconic wild animals: the bighorn sheep.
The Bighorn Sheep Festival takes place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 14. It emphasizes education in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, but it also offers a fun and rare chance to see the sheep in designated areas around town.
“Bighorn sheep are a highlight for many who visit our community,” says Anna-Lee Boerner, marketing and events manager for the Town of Georgetown. “They are an integral part of our community and an important part of Georgetown’s natural character.”
The event will include crafts, face painting and live music, plus other family-friendly activities.
“It complements a traditionally quieter time of year for the town,” Boerner says. “It also helps lead into other seasonal highlights, including our annual Christmas Market and tree lighting [ceremony].”
*Idaho Springs*
The Holiday Ramble, held on Nov. 29, is a free, family-friendly tradition that features Idaho Springs’ annual tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa and plenty of small-town spirit. Photos with Santa start at 3 p.m. at the Club Hotel. The other events start at Citizens Park at 4:30 p.m. with free hot cocoa, caroling and reindeer sightings.
*Red Feather Lakes*
The Greening of Red Feather kicks off the holiday season from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 5, with multiple craft fairs held across the village. The beloved community tradition features unique ornaments and handmade gifts from local artisans. There’s also a local tree cutting event, so attendees can bring home a Christmas tree. Other holiday happenings, such as the annual tree lighting, occur in the evening.
A new tradition will begin this year at 4:30 p.m. with Red Feather’s first annual Parade of Toys, a fundraiser for Toys for Tots. Residents will decorate their vehicles with holiday lights and parade through the neighborhood, collecting toy donations along the way. To join the parade, participants must donate an unwrapped toy and RSVP by Dec. 1.
Evergreen Lake Ice Fest
Evergreen
Evergreen’s largest winter festival depends on one thing: winter weather. The community had to cancel its annual Ice Fest last year due to the unseasonably mild temps, as it takes place on Evergreen Lake.
“We didn’t have enough ice to skate on,” says Courtney Thorud, marketing and communications supervisor for the Evergreen Park & Recreation District. “We hope to have an actual winter with ice on the lake this season.”
The Evergreen Lake Ice Fest typically draws several thousand people and is the community’s largest New Year’s Eve event. DriveSafe Evergreen, an organization that promotes alcohol-free driving, started it in 1996 to provide a sober, family-friendly way to celebrate the New Year. The city took over the event in 2021.
If the weather cooperates, the event will take place from
10 a.m.-6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Sections will be set aside for ice hockey, winter-themed movies will screen on the frozen lake and roasted marshmallows and fire pits will be provided. Tickets go on sale the day of the event.
The 34th Annual Holiday Walk is Evergreen’s other major event, hosted by the Evergreen Downtown Business Association. This year’s walk takes place from 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 4 and features the traditional tree lighting at Evergreen Lake House. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and live performances from bands and dance groups will follow as the town’s Main Street turns into a walking mall with fire pits, s’mores, shopping and seasonal goodies. The event is free for all ages to attend.
*Fraser*
Whether you’re Heat Miser or Snow Miser, you’ll have a good time at Fraser’s biggest winter event, the Fraser Fire & Ice Festival, held on Feb. 6 at Cozens Ranch Open Space.
The evening will feature creative ice sculptures and vendors, with a shuttle running from 4-8 p.m. at four locations. A giant bonfire from this season’s Christmas trees will be lit at 5:45 p.m., and the ice sculpture will be ignited a half-hour later. Fireworks conclude the night at 6:30 p.m.
*Grand Lake*
Grand Lake’s annual tree lighting ceremony celebrates the start of the holiday season in the heart of downtown on Nov. 27. Two large trees that were planted in honor of longtime residents Louis and Gladys Heckert will be lit.
The night also features a carol singalong, free hot cocoa and cookies and a visit from Santa and his reindeer. The fun starts at 6 p.m.
From Feb. 13-14, the town will hold its most popular winter event, the Grand Lake Winter Carnival, near town hall. Attendees can watch ice sculpture demonstrations and participate in games.
