Discover winter festivals in Colorado, from ice climbing and torchlight parades to bluegrass festivals, shotski world records, and more.
It’s no surprise that a state known for its snow-capped peaks and winter sports transforms into a winter wonderland come the “-ber” months. For many of us, the colder, darker days make it tempting to isolate and stay indoors, but living in Colorado makes that temptation a little easier to ignore. Not only is there plenty of fun to be had outside, but there are also plenty of winter festivals to look forward to throughout the state.
Here are some of the most anticipated winter festivals in Colorado. (Please note that while many of these events are open to the public and free to enter, some activities require registration and/or tickets, so be sure to check each website for more information before attending.)
1. Chautauqua WinterFest
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Date: December 10 – 12, 2026
Chautauqua is already a special place. Add snow-dusted Flatirons and Santa to the mix, and it becomes downright magical. Every December, Colorado Chautauqua hosts WinterFest, a weekend of live music, tree lighting, lantern walks through the Winter Fairy Forest, and more.
Attendees can enjoy activities ranging from horse-drawn carriage rides around the grounds to visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus in Santa’s Cottage and a holiday market with handcrafted gifts from local artists and vendors. Kids can decorate cookies, make holiday crafts, and explore the Fairy Forest, while adults can admire a unique “Parade of Homes,” featuring the historic Chautauqua cottages decorated for the season.
2. Wintersköl in Aspen
Location: Aspen, Colorado
Date: December 10 – 13, 2026
Since 1951, Wintersköl has been an Aspen tradition. The festival was started by a local bartender who wanted to bring people into town during a slow stretch of winter, and it has since grown into a four-day celebration of Aspen’s mountain spirit and community. It’s a multi-day festival complete with snow sculptures, mountain activities, a soup contest where you can sample soups from local restaurants, a beer festival, live music, and plenty of other winter festivities.
3. Breckenridge Ullr Fest
Location: Breckenridge, Colorado
Date: December 17 – 19, 2026
“Ull” want to be in Breckenridge for Ullr Fest this winter. Just grab your Viking helmet, and you’ll be ready for a weekend honoring Ullr, the Norse god of snow. And how do you honor such a god? Well, for starters, you can participate in the festival’s attempt to beat the Shotski® “unofficial” World Record, marvel at a parade down Main Street, watch professional athletes compete in the Rockstar Energy Open, and enjoy a bonfire fueled by old Christmas trees.
The tradition began shortly after Breckenridge Ski Resort opened, when Norwegian ski instructors Sigurd Rockne and Trygve Berge brought their homeland to the mountains of Colorado. What started as a small festival with just a ski parade, competitions, and aerial tricks has grown into a three-day celebration that brings thousands of locals and visitors.
4. Pagosa Springs Winterfest
Location: Pagosa Springs Winterfest
Date: January 15 – 17, 2027
If you’re looking for a winter festival with a little bit of everything, head to the small town of Pagosa Springs for WinterFest.
In the mornings, watch hot air balloons rise over the mountains, then spend the afternoon watching skijoring and sled-race competitions. On Friday night, head downtown for a giant bonfire, live music, local food vendors, and the Battle of the Soups. On Saturday, take part in the Penguin Plunge or cheer on brave participants as they jump into the icy San Juan River to raise money for local nonprofits. Pup lovers will get a kick out of the Barkus Parade, a canine costume contest. Families can also bring their own homemade sleds to Sledz on Rez for an afternoon of fun.
5. Ouray Ice Festival
Location: Ice Park, Ouray
Date: January 28 – 31, 2027
Ice, ice, baby. I know there are drinks on ice, Disney on Ice, and skating on ice, but have you ever heard of a whole town on ice? Every January, Ouray transforms into an ice climber’s paradise during the Ouray Ice Festival.
At the heart of the festival is the Ouray Ice Park, a human-made ice climbing park tucked inside the spectacular Uncompahgre Gorge. Within walking distance of downtown Ouray, this free public park has more than 150 named ice and mixed climbs spanning two miles of the gorge. During the festival, you can take climbing clinics with professionals from around the world, explore the Vendor Village, demo the latest gear, and watch elite climbers compete. In the evenings, head downtown for presentations and films featuring professional climbers, a big opening-night party, and the popular Saturday Night Extravaganza.
More festival details, including ticket info, will be released in November.
6. Ullgrass in Golden
Location: Golden, Colorado
Date: January 29 – 31, 2027
Name something more “Colorado” than a bluegrass festival. Born out of a need to bring the community together during the winter season, UllrGrass in Golden is a three-day festival featuring live bluegrass, newgrass, funk, and jam bands; craft beer; heated-tent concerts; and family fun. Since it’s named after the Norse god of snow, you can expect lots of Viking spirit at this event. In fact, don’t be surprised if you see people drinking out of a horn!
Saturday is the UllrGrass Beer Festival, where you can sample craft brews from Colorado breweries while listening to live music, and Sunday is more family-focused, with an UllrEgg Hunt, games, crafts, and more.
Best of all, proceeds from the festival support local causes, including children and families in need and music education for kids. You can buy tickets here.
7. The Great Fruitcake Toss
Location: Manitou Springs, Colorado
Date: January 30, 2027
Ever received a gift you didn’t want and weren’t sure what to do with it? Well, you’re not the only one. That’s how the Great Fruitcake Toss in Manitou Springs began back in 1995, when locals got together (after a few drinks) and started throwing their unwanted holiday fruitcakes around the park. Nearly three decades later, the tradition is still going strong, and the fruitcakes are flying farther than ever. Today, the event features several competitions, including distance tosses, accuracy challenges, a balance obstacle course, and Basketcake, where competitors aim for baskets.
And if you’re one of the few who actually enjoys fruitcake, there’s a “Too Good to Toss” bake-off, which crowns a Fruitcake King and Queen based on community votes. It costs $1 per ticket and an additional $1 to “rent” a fruitcake if you don’t want to bring your own. Donating canned goods to the local food pantry also earns you toss tickets.
Oh, and don’t worry about the leftover fruitcakes: They’re put to good use as animal feed!
8. Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival
Location: Steamboat Springs
Date: February 2 – 7, 2027
For 114 years, Steamboat Springs has kept a very important tradition alive: the Steamboat Winter Carnival. The carnival was born out of a need to alleviate the woes of long winters and prevent cabin fever among Steamboat residents. The entire town comes together for everything from the Steamboat Springs High School marching band marching down the street on skis to the legendary “Lighted Man” (a man covered from head to toe in lights who skis down Howelsen Hill in a pyrotechnic suit weighing 70 pounds), a dog and dad dash, and much more.
During the carnival, downtown becomes the spot for some unique events. Kids race down the street on skis while pulled by horses in a sport called skijoring; others compete in shovel races, street slaloms, and ski jumping. In the evening, there’s a Night Show Extravaganza at Howelsen Hill where you’ll see skiers jump through fiery hoops while fireworks light up the sky.
While 2027-specific information hasn’t been released at the time of writing, in past years, you had to buy a $15 carnival token to attend the events, and some required additional tickets or fees.
