Looking for a way to keep your guests and family entertained during the Thanksgiving and Christmas break in the Boulder area? Take them outside for a festive event or a genuine adventure in Colorado’s great outdoors! This is why you live here and why they are visiting!!
Folks who are new to Colorado, or even those who have been here for years, often miss out on some of the area’s greatest activities purely for lack of knowing they exist. So we are hoping to provide everyone with a great to-do list for each of our favorite holidays and special occasions.
So to that end, we are highlighting all of the fun Thanksgiving and Christmas happenings:
1. Go see Colorado’s BEST lights!
The Zoo Lights – The Zoo Lights are back for its 28th year and brighter than ever with more than 2 million LED lights spread over 70 acres, and a dash of Santa’s magic. Make beautiful holiday memories with a visit to Zoo Lights from November 30 through January 6. https://www.denverzoo.org
Denver Botanical Gardens – The Gardens’ signature event for over three decades, this annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms our York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland. With fresh and exciting new features, along with some fan favorites, this year’s display will be brighter and more expansive than ever before. Join us for this family-friendly event that has become a holiday tradition for thousands of Front Range families.
https://www.botanicgardens.
Downtown Denver – Sparkling lights illuminate the historic Union Station in the heart of LoDo. More than 100,000 lights festoon the trees of the 1.25 mile-long 16th Street Mall.
Downtown Boulder – Boulder’s Switch on the Holidays – The plaza in front of the Boulder County Courthouse (between 13th and 14th Streets) features lighted trees, an “electric fountain” and a canopy of lights.Above the city, a lighted star shines from Flagstaff Mountain, a local tradition since 1947. See the lights from November 18 through the end of January. Also, the tree trunks at Civic Center Park (west of Broadway between Canyon and Arapahoe) are wrapped in holiday lights. https://www.boulderdowntown.
2. Ski Colorado!! Eldora, Vail, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, Steamboat — to list just a few of our favorites. For information on ski passes — the best way to enjoy Colordao’s mountain life — check out the Ikon Pass or the Epic Pass.
5. Ride the historic Georgetown Loop Train! Located only 45 minutes outside Denver, and nestled high in the Rocky Mountains, you can enjoy the lighted forest November 17th-January 5th. https://www.
6. Take a Hike: Colorado offers miles and miles of hiking trails to some of the most beautiful spots in the State. Eldorado Canyon, Golden Gate State Park, Castlewood Canyon, Roxborough State Park, and Colorado’s newest, Staunton State Park with its fantastic Elk Falls.
7. Go Dogsledding: Breckenridgehttps://www.boulderdowntown.com/light-up-the-holidays/events/st-nick-on-the-bricks – Open November 17th – April 30th. Each dog sled trip begins with our friendly, knowledgeable guides explaining how to run the sled and how to work with the beautiful Siberian Huskies on your team. This tour is a unique, interactive and absolutely thrilling way to experience dog sledding and the Rocky Mountains! http://www.
8. Parades that are happening in and around Boulder:
Boulder: The Lights of December Parade. December 1st, 6pm. 15th and Walnut.
Niwot: Holiday Parade: December 1st, 11am-1pm. 2nd avenue from Murray St to Niwot Rd — when the parade finishes, Santa will be in the Grange until 1:00PM to take the children’s Christmas gift wish list.
Longmont: Holiday Parade of Lights – December 8th, 5:00pm