After a decade in Colorado, here are some of my favorite things to do during Christmas time that have become a staple in our household.
I’d love to know your fave holiday traditions!
1. Christmas Tree Cutting
Nothing screams iconic Colorado Christmas than going to the wilderness and hiking to find your Christmas Tree. We have gone to Winter Park and also Fairplay many years. You need to get a permit before you head out. More info here.
2. Georgetown Christmas Market
The Georgetown is one of the most magical Christmas town in the U.S. and its Christmas market has been named top 10 in the country. I was spoiled growing up in Europe where Christmas Markets are unlike anywhere else in the world – so to have a little glimmer of this within an hour drive of our home, has been so amazing. Jake and I have been going to this market every year since we’ve moved to Colorado in 2014. The market always happens the first two weekends in December.
3. Georgetown Train
This is a fun experience regardless if you have kids or not. Jake and I have gone on this train annually if not more times/ year way before we even had a little one. During the holidays, they have Christmas music, visits from Santa, evening holiday lights called Santa’s Lighted Forest (that sells out each year!). After Christmas, the train continues with Ebenezer Scrooge story and visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past. To buy tickets, click here.
4. Denver’s Christkindlmarkt
Another iconic tradition is to go to the traditional German holiday market in Denver which boasts more shops and food than the Georgetown one and has expanded to be in the Civic Center a couple years ago, making space for more food stands and shops. I always get the gluhwein or punch in the Christmas mugs and have been collecting these for years. More info here.
5. Light the Lights & Mile High Tree
Right across from Denver’s Christkindlmarkt, the Civic Center Park has a choreographed light and music holiday show that lights up the sky. It starts at 5:45pm and 6:45pm and goes for 8 minutes. Even if you miss the show, the lights are on display each night until 10:45pm. I have also loved their lifesize nativity scene in the front. More info here.
Right before entering the German market, enter in the mile High Tree, which is a brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation that provides a dazzling lights-and-music show. More info here.
