If you’re looking to get away for a fresh breath of air this winter, Colorado is the destination. Colorado is blessed with many nature trails like the Chautauqua Trailhead that I fell in love with during my summer visit. Breweries, winter concerts, Santa sighting, and farmer’s markets – there’s something fro everyone. Read on for the top things to do in Colorado this winter!
SEE ALSO: Colorado Travel Guide: 5 Days 6 Cities
BOULDER
Table of Contents
SANTA ON THE SNOW AND ANNUAL UGLY SWEATER AND BEST ELF COSTUME CONTEST
Put on your ugliest holiday sweater or best elf costume and join in a fun day of skiing and laughing at Eldora Mountain Resort. Join Santa on the ski slopes at Eldora Mountain Resort!
WHEN: December 24 – 25, 2016
WHERE: Eldora Mountain Resort
MORE INFO: eldora.com/events-activities/events-calendar
LONGMONT
BOULDER FARMERS MARKET 10TH ANNUAL WINTER MARKET
The Winter Market features 70 local food growers and producers and 60 Colorado artists. Pick up goods and gifts for the holidays. Shop locally grown root vegetables, winter squash, specialty cuts of lamb, beef, and pork, fresh eggs, preserved fruits and vegetables, wine, coffee, and delicious baked good while listening to live music and browsing local art including candles, jewelry, photography, letterpress cards, and knitwares.
WHEN: Dec. 3 & 4, 2016
WHERE: Boulder Farmers Market, 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
MORE INFO: bcfm.org
LEFT HAND BREWING COMPANY’S HOPS + HANDRAILS
Craft Beer and Rail Jam: it’s a match made in Colorado heaven! Left Hand Brewing Co. is bringing the mountain to the people with the fifth annual beer festival and rail jam. Hops + Handrails features the best of Colorado, pairing over 60 craft breweries alongside a 40-foot tall snowboard ramp & rail jam competition in Downtown Longmont. Proceeds benefit the Left Hand Brewing Foundation and SOS Outreach, a non-profit dedicated to utilizing adventure sports to engage at-risk students in long-term mentorship relationships.
WHEN: March 11, 2017
WHERE: 700 Longs Peak Avenue Roosevelt Park | Longmont, Colorado
MORE INFO: lefthandbrewing.com
ESTES PARK
FESTIVE FRIDAYS: SHOP LOCAL FESTIVITIES
Every Friday, celebrate the season of holiday shopping in Estes Park during Festive Fridays! Enjoy special offers and treats when you shop participating businesses on Fridays throughout December. Enjoy the holidays lights that adorn the downtown Estes Park trees and enjoy the special holiday surprises at local Estes Park businesses.
WHEN: December 2-30, 2016
WHERE: Throughout the Village of Estes Park, CO
MORE INFO: visitestespark.com/events/festive-fridays
WINTER CONCERT – ESTES VALLEY SINGERS AT THE STANLEY HOTEL
We had the chance to visit The Stanley Hotel during our visit to Colorado in the summer and the hotel was beautiful! The Estes Park Music Festival Winter Concerts plays at the Stanley Hotel every Sunday from December thru April beginning at 2:00 pm.
WHEN: Every Sunday from December through April
WHERE: Stanley Hotel
MORE INFO: estesparkmusicfestival.org
GREENLEY
FESTIVAL OF TREES
Every year in Greenley, the Union Colony Civic Center’s lobbies are transformed into a winter wonderland of holiday splendor created around beautifully decorated trees and displays. Events include the Teddy Bear Bash and Whoville Holiday Seussabration, amazing silent auction items, choirs and musicians, The Silver Bells Social for Seniors, Sip & Shop ladies night out event, and of course, visits from the jolly old elf himself. It’s $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for children aged 1-12, and seniors aged 60 and older.
WHEN: November 25 through Saturday, December 3
WHERE: Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631
MORE INFO: greeleygov.com/activities/fot/festival-of-trees
FORT COLLINS
HOLIDAY TEAS AT THE AVERY HOUSE
Experience a relaxing, heartwarming tea inside the Avery House. The house will be beautifully decorated in Victorian style for the holidays. Enjoy scones with traditional Devonshire cream and lemon curd, tea sandwiches, and dessert, along with plenty of warming, seasonally flavored teas – all served on gorgeous tableware at elegantly set tables.
WHEN: December 8, 9, 10, 2016 at 10am
WHERE: Avery House, 108 N Meldrum St. Fort Collins, CO 80521
MORE INFO: poudrelandmarks.org
ELF ON A SHELF SCAVENGER HUNTER
You could win a $75, $100, or $150 gift card at Front Range Village’s Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt!
Between November 19 and December 19, here’s how to play:
1. Find the elf at each of the retailers listed on the Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt PDF (download it here and print it off, and bring it with you to Front Range Village!)
2. Write down each elf’s special name
3. Leave the completed flyer at Learning Express Toys by 12:00 PM on December 19. Winners will be draw at 12:00 PM on December 19!
WHEN: November 19 – December 19
WHERE: Front Range Village
MORE INFO: shopfrontrangevillage.com/events/
LOVELAND
2ND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS WALK IN THE WOODS
Savage Woods’ 2nd annual Christmas Walk in the Woods is this December 17th to 23rd, 5pm to 8pm nightly. The Christmas Walk will feature a merry assortment of carolers and music. Santa will also be in the woods, in person, to hear the children’s Christmas wishes. Cameras are welcome and encouraged. $12 per person, children 5 and under are free.
WHEN: December 17th to 23rd, 5pm to 8pm
WHERE: Savage Woods, 1750 Savage Road, Loveland, CO
MORE INFO: visitlovelandco.org/event/2nd-annual-christmas-walk-woods/2016-12-17
LOVELAND BREWERY PASSPORT
Love, beer and culture combine for an artful craft beer experience in Loveland. Loveland is home to eight breweries, each with its own unique specialty. We visited Loveland Aleworks during our summer trip. Grab your Loveland brewery passport to earn your free Loveland-branded pint glass. Just get your stamp from each brewery and bring your completed passport to the Visitors Center.
RELATED: 9 Top Fall Activities In Colorado
This post is sponsored by Colorado Front Range, as always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make A Taste of Koko possible!
