Summit County Teems with Holiday Activities
The Colorado High Country takes on a special luster during the holidays. Holiday decorations and spectacular lighting displays make the mountains and resorts even more amazing winter wonderlands. Hotels and Inns welcome visitors with Christmas events, special menu items, and activities for all ages.
Summit County offers the unequaled opportunity for families to have the vacation of a lifetime. Participating in skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities, enjoying casual and fine dining, unique shopping, and a great variety of music and live performances makes Christmas in the Colorado High County an event not to be missed.
Christmas Events in Summit County
Each of the unique ski resorts in Summit County has abundant Christmas displays, activities, and music for visitors, above and beyond their offerings to ski and snowboard in the most beautiful mountains the country has to offer.
A Christmas Carol at VPAC – Vail – December 21-22
Vilar Performing Arts Center (VPAC) presents a Christmas favorite for every family member. Charles Dickens’ classic is presented with costumes and music that make this show a holiday treat for the entire family.
Beaver Creek WinterFest – December 17-31
Beaver Creek Loves Kids is back for its 6th season with activities to suit every taste. Celebrate Christmas in the Colorado High County with a variety of performances, WinterFest characters, contests, parades, and more. Holiday lighting sparkles to delight young and old alike. Enjoy skiing on the slopes during the day, then retreat to the Village Plaza for music, activities, and fun each day of WinterFest.
Games and prizes are part of the festival, including caricature drawing and much more.
The Original Dickens Carolers from Denver are famous throughout Colorado, and will be on hand in traditional Victorian costume on the Beaver Creek Plaza.
And of course what is Christmas without the jolly old elf himself? Santa will be on hand for photos with children, and to make sure he knows their Christmas wishes.
WinterFest is a free family event sure to please kids of all ages.
Holiday Lights on the Train – Georgetown – Late November through December
Take a fun and relaxing ride with the entire family through the beautiful snow-covered Colorado Mountains, winding past picture-perfect scenery while taking a break from winter sports and shopping. This one-hour round trip excursion in heated coaches includes visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday cookies, and hot chocolate.
Your rail journey is complete with synchronized lighting and holiday music, to make the ride unique and memorable for everyone.
Chocolate Village at Keystone – December 18th – January 3rd
Located in the beautiful Keystone Lodge & Spa, Keystone Resort Pastry Chef Ned Archibald presents the Chocolate Village, free and open for viewing 24 hours a day. A popular holiday tradition, the display is made up of nearly 7,000 pounds of delectable chocolate.
Features of the chocolate village include impressive sights such as the 6-foot-tall white chocolate Christmas tree, and an alpine village that includes an operating chocolate gondola and a waterfall of cascading – what else? – chocolate. This is truly a display not to be missed.
Colorado Family Ski Month – Keystone – December – all month
Keystone kicks off December with special values for skiers of all ages, with a family-friendly holiday celebration of outdoor sports and other activities. Special activities throughout December include the opening of the world’s largest snow fort and free clinics for skiers and snowboarders that include introduction to moguls, skiing parallel, snowboard turns, and safety on the mountains.
Santa Claus will be making appearances for photo opportunities, skiing, and parades, at scheduled times during the month of December.
The Ten Tenors at VPAC – Home for the Holidays – December 23
Make your Christmas visit to Summit County even more special by enjoying this musical event at the VPAC. One of Australia’s premier touring singing groups, The Ten Tenors have pleased over 90 million attendees of their concerts world-wide, with sell-out performances spanning 17 years.
Audiences will thrill to the sheer talent, charm, and vocal power of these gifted performers as they enhance your holiday experience.
Christmas at Copper – December 24th
What better way to relish Christmas Eve than with a torchlight parade down Copper Mountain’s Main Vein and a children’s Glow stick Pageant? Santa himself will be there to make the evening complete.
The event is topped off with a dazzling fireworks display over the mountain.
Santa Visits Arapahoe Basin – A-Basin – December 24th
Santa visits Arapahoe Basin on his skis, accompanied by his elf and anyone who may want to join in the fun. Santa will be making stops at the A-Frame, Molly Hogan Learning Area, and the Pika Place Learning Area, to make sure he spots kids of all ages who enjoy the great spirit of Christmas.
Around lunch time, he can likely be spotted in the Black Mountain Lodge. The Summit County Choral Society will make the season even brighter with caroling throughout the Base Area Plaza and A-Frame.
Enjoying Christmas in Summit County
Make your holiday stay memorable by making your base camp the Frisco Inn on Galena. The Inn is convenient to all the premier resorts in Summit County, and the staff can arrange transportation to every destination. Frisco’s quaint and historic Main Street is just steps away, with a wide selection of great restaurants, shopping, and popular night spots within easy walking distance.
Frisco Inn on Galena is perfect for your Colorado High Country Christmas retreat with extraordinary service, a complimentary gourmet breakfast, combined with modern conveniences including free Wi-Fi. The Inn offers a comfortable, relaxing mountain inn atmosphere and a boutique Bed and Breakfast. Make the Frisco Inn on Galena your Christmas destination to “relax, reconnect, recreate, and rejuvenate.”
