Celebrate the festive season in Boulder, Colorado, where holiday magic fills the air with an array of activities and experiences for everyone. The Boulder Holiday Market becomes a creative hub with local artisans' sustainable crafts and aromatic baked goods. Visitors and locals alike can marvel at the Lights of December Parade, featuring dazzling community-created floats. Downtown Boulder transforms during Switch on the Holidays, a breathtaking light show that marks the start of the city's festivities.
Whether you're participating in hands-on workshops, voting for your favorite parade float, or enjoying a guided tour of sustainable lighting displays, Boulder offers a vibrant and eco-friendly holiday experience. Embrace the city's rich traditions and community spirit this season. Happy holidays from Boulder!
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The Top Christmas Events in Boulder
- Boulder Holiday Market
- Lights of December Parade
- Switch on the Holidays
- The Nutcracker Ballet
- Santa's House
- St. Julien Hotel Gingerbread Teas
- Holiday Festival at CU Boulder
- Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tours
- Chautauqua WinterFest
Boulder Holiday Light Displays
Switch on the Holidays
What to Expect:
Synchronized lighting of downtown Boulder
Description:
Switch on the Holidays electrifies downtown Boulder with a synchronized lighting spectacle. In a single moment, thousands of lights burst to life across the city center, transforming the urban landscape. This event marks the official start of Boulder's holiday season, a tradition since 1999. Visitors can join a guided tour to learn about the sustainable LED technology used in the displays. The event also features live performances by local choirs, filling the air with melodious carols.
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Boulder Holiday Markets and Shopping
Boulder Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Showcases local artisans and sustainable products
Description:
Boulder's Holiday Market transforms the heart of the city into a bustling hub of creativity. Local artisans display their handcrafted wares, emphasizing sustainable and eco-friendly products. The air fills with the aroma of freshly baked goods as you browse unique gifts. This market continues a century-old tradition of supporting local craftspeople in Boulder. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops to learn traditional crafting techniques. The market's commitment to sustainability reflects Boulder's long-standing environmental ethos.
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Boulder Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Incorporates local Boulder landmarks into the set design
Description:
Boulder's production of The Nutcracker Ballet infuses the classic tale with local flavor. The set design cleverly incorporates iconic Boulder landmarks, transporting audiences to a whimsical version of their hometown. Live orchestra music fills the theater, bringing Tchaikovsky's score to life. This adaptation has been a Boulder tradition for over 30 years, evolving each season. Audience members can join a pre-show talk to learn about the ballet's history and the local touches in this production.
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Holiday Festival at CU Boulder
What to Expect:
Showcases diverse student performances across multiple genres
Description:
The Holiday Festival at CU Boulder spotlights the university's talented student performers in a grand celebration of the season. This multi-genre extravaganza features everything from classical orchestral pieces to contemporary dance routines. The festival has been a campus tradition for over 80 years, evolving with each generation of students. Audience members can vote for their favorite performance via a live poll. The event takes place in the historic Macky Auditorium, a campus landmark since 1922, adding a touch of grandeur to the performances.
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Holiday Festival at CU Boulder
Boulder Other Holiday Activities
Lights of December Parade
What to Expect:
Community-created floats with local themes
Description:
Boulder's Lights of December Parade illuminates the streets with a dazzling procession of community-created floats. Each float showcases a unique local theme, from Boulder's outdoor adventures to its scientific innovations. The parade's roots trace back to 1978, celebrating the city's diverse community spirit. Spectators can vote for their favorite float using a mobile app. The event culminates in a grand finale featuring a special appearance by local musicians. This parade embodies Boulder's creative energy and community pride.
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Santa's House
What to Expect:
Victorian-era house transformed into Santa's workshop
Description:
Santa's House invites visitors into a charming Victorian-era home transformed into a bustling North Pole workshop. Each room showcases a different aspect of Santa's preparations, from toy-making to reindeer care. The house, built in 1875, is one of Boulder's oldest structures. Children can write letters to Santa using traditional quill and ink. The event supports local children's charities, continuing a decades-long tradition of community giving. Explore the secret passages and hidden rooms that bring the magic of Santa's world to life.
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St. Julien Hotel Gingerbread Teas
What to Expect:
Gingerbread-themed afternoon tea service
Description:
St Julien Hotel's Gingerbread Teas elevate the traditional afternoon tea with a festive twist. The hotel's elegant tearoom is adorned with intricate gingerbread houses crafted by local bakers. Guests savor a selection of gingerbread-inspired treats alongside classic tea sandwiches and scones. This event combines British tea traditions with American holiday flavors, creating a unique cultural fusion. You can decorate your own mini gingerbread house while enjoying the tea service. The hotel donates a portion of the proceeds to local food banks, embodying the spirit of holiday giving.
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St. Julien Hotel Gingerbread Teas
Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tours
What to Expect:
Behind-the-scenes look at holiday tea production
Description:
Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tours offer a rare glimpse into the creation of beloved seasonal teas. Visitors witness the tea-making process firsthand, from blending to packaging. The air is filled with the invigorating scents of peppermint, cinnamon, and other holiday spices. You can create your own custom tea blend to take home. These tours showcase Boulder's rich history in the natural foods industry, dating back to the 1960s. The experience concludes with a tasting of limited-edition holiday teas, some exclusive to the tour.
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Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tours
Chautauqua WinterFest
What to Expect:
Celebrates winter activities in a historic park setting
Description:
Chautauqua WinterFest brings winter revelry to Boulder's historic Chautauqua Park. This event celebrates outdoor winter activities against the backdrop of the park's iconic structures, dating back to 1898. Visitors can try their hand at snowshoeing or join a guided winter ecology hike. The festival showcases local musicians performing both traditional and contemporary winter tunes. Learn about the Chautauqua movement's influence on American culture and education. WinterFest embodies the spirit of community gathering that has been central to Chautauqua since its founding.
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Nearby Events
Boulder County Farmers Markets Winter Market (Longmont)
What to Expect:
Focus on locally-sourced winter produce and artisanal foods
Description:
The Boulder County Farmers Markets Winter Market brings the bounty of local farms to the heart of winter. This indoor market showcases an array of seasonal produce, from frost-sweetened root vegetables to greenhouse-grown greens. Visitors can sample artisanal cheeses, preserves, and baked goods crafted by local food artisans. The market continues a 30-year tradition of supporting local agriculture in Boulder County. Learn about winter farming techniques from the growers themselves as you shop for your holiday feast ingredients.
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Boulder County Farmers Markets Winter Market
Zoo Lights (Denver)
What to Expect:
Animal-shaped light sculptures and conservation education
Description:
Zoo Lights transforms the Denver Zoo into a luminous wildlife sanctuary after dark. Intricate animal-shaped light sculptures guide visitors through a nocturnal adventure. The event spotlights conservation efforts, educating guests about endangered species. You can warm up with hot cocoa while watching live animal demonstrations. Zoo Lights began in 1990 and has since become a beloved Denver tradition. The event uses energy-efficient LED lights, aligning with the zoo's commitment to sustainability.
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Blossoms of Light (Denver)
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays in a botanical setting
Description:
Blossoms of Light bathes the Denver Botanic Gardens in a sea of colorful illumination. Interactive light displays respond to touch and sound, creating a dynamic experience among the flora. This event showcases the gardens' diverse plant collections in a new light, quite literally. Visitors can don special HoloSpex glasses to enhance their viewing experience. Blossoms of Light has roots dating back to 1988, evolving alongside advances in lighting technology. The event highlights the intersection of nature and technology in a uniquely immersive way.
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Denver Christkindl Market (Denver)
What to Expect:
Authentic German holiday traditions and cuisine
Description:
The Denver Christkindl Market brings a slice of Germany to the heart of Colorado. Wooden stalls brim with traditional German crafts, ornaments, and delicacies. The air is filled with the enticing aroma of freshly baked strudel and mulled wine. Visitors can try their hand at traditional German folk dances. This market has been recreating the atmosphere of a German Christmas since 2000. Learn about the rich history of Christkindl markets, a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages in German-speaking Europe.
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WinterSkate (Louisville)
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating with views of the Flatirons
Description:
Winter Skate offers a picturesque outdoor ice skating experience with the majestic Flatirons as a backdrop. The rink uses state-of-the-art refrigeration technology to maintain perfect ice conditions, even on warmer days. Skaters glide across the ice to a soundtrack of both classic and contemporary holiday tunes. You can join a skating clinic to learn new moves or improve your technique. Winter Skate has been a Boulder tradition since 2003, bringing a touch of winter charm to the foot of the Rockies.
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Georgetown Christmas Market (Georgetown)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era themed market in a historic mining town
Description:
The Georgetown Christmas Market transports visitors to a Victorian-era celebration in a picturesque former silver mining town. Costumed carolers and roasted chestnut vendors line the streets, recreating the atmosphere of Christmas past. The market takes place in Georgetown's National Historic Landmark District, surrounded by well-preserved 19th-century architecture. Visitors can ride in a horse-drawn wagon through the town's snow-dusted streets. This event has been a Colorado tradition for over 60 years, honoring the town's rich mining heritage.
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Santa's Village at Chatfield Farms (Littleton)
What to Expect:
Santa's workshop in a rustic farm setting
Description:
Santa's Village at Chatfield Farms reimagines the North Pole in a charming agricultural setting. The historic Chatfield homestead transforms into Santa's workshop, complete with vintage farm equipment repurposed as toy-making machines. Visitors can feed Santa's reindeer and learn about sustainable farming practices. The village showcases Colorado's agricultural heritage, blending holiday cheer with rural traditions. Create your own pinecone bird feeder to take home and help local wildlife. This event supports the Denver Botanic Gardens' conservation efforts, connecting holiday fun with environmental stewardship.
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Santa's Village at Chatfield Farms
Jefferson Symphony Holiday Concert (Golden)
What to Expect:
Combines classical holiday music with contemporary Colorado composers
Description:
The Jefferson Symphony Holiday Concert presents a unique blend of traditional holiday classics and works by contemporary Colorado composers. This musical journey spans centuries, from baroque masterpieces to newly commissioned pieces inspired by the Rocky Mountains. The concert takes place in the acoustically renowned Bunker Auditorium, built in 1958. Audience members can participate in a pre-concert instrument "petting zoo" to try out various orchestral instruments. This event celebrates Colorado's vibrant classical music scene, showcasing local talent alongside timeless holiday favorites.
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Jefferson Symphony Holiday Concert
Breckinridge Winter Solstice (Breckinridge)
What to Expect:
Combines Nordic traditions with mountain town celebrations
Description:
Breckenridge's Winter Solstice celebration fuses ancient Nordic traditions with modern mountain town festivities. The event kicks off with a torchlight parade down the ski slopes, illuminating the longest night of the year. Visitors can participate in a Scandinavian-inspired feast featuring local game and foraged ingredients. Learn about the astronomical significance of the solstice through interactive exhibits. This celebration honors Breckenridge's mining town history while embracing its current identity as a world-class ski resort. The event culminates in a community bonfire, symbolizing the return of longer days.