Winter is full of exciting Colorado carnivals and festivals to keep the spirits high. The winter season runs from Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 through Sunday, March 19th, 2023.
Festivities kick off during the holidays with a New Year’s Eve firework show in Downtown Denver. January and February bring a number of can’t-miss festivals, including the Winter X Games and Winter Park Winter Carnival. In March attend the one-of-a-kind Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland.
2022-2023 Annual Colorado Winter Festivals
Coffin Race at Frozen Dead Guy Days. Photo: Kent Kanouse
Colorado is known worldwide for its epic winters. Combine first-class ski resorts and bubbling hot springs, with a heaping of fun festivals and you’re sure to have a winter vacation you’ll never forget. Here are some of the top annual winter festivals in Colorado:
Festivals in December
Fireworks. Photo: bjackrian
Holidays at Outlets at Castle Rock
Date: Wed-Sat, November 9 – December 24, 2022
Address: Outlets at Castle Rock, Castle Rock
About: Head to the Outlets at Castle Rock from the beginning of November through December for great shopping deals and holiday festivities.
Denver Christkindl Market
Date: Fri-Fri, November 18-December 23, 2022
Address: Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
About: 21st year for the month-long Christkindl Market in downtown Denver. Experience old German traditions with authentic cuisine, live music, holiday drinks, and an artisan marketplace.
Polar Express Train Ride
Date: Fri-Sun, November 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Address: Durango
About: Aboard the Polar Express Train Ride, you and your family will be swept away into an elaborate holiday fantasy, complete with hot chocolate, a light show, holiday music, and, of course, Santa.
Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light
Date: Fri-Sat, November 18, 2022 – January 7, 2023
Address: Denver
About: A stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. The Blossoms of Light extravaganza is a twinkling and breathtaking way to spend a winter evening.
Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade
Date: Saturday, December 24, 2022
Address: Telluride
About: The Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade in Telluride lights up the mountain in a red hue as resort employees come down the slopes carrying flares and ride into the village, bringing with them, the holiday spirit.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Address: 16th Street Mall, Downtown Denver
About: Celebrate the new year with fireworks in downtown Denver. There are two spectacular shows at 9 pm and midnight. The 16th Street Mall offers optimal viewing.
Living Lights
Date: TBD 2022
Address: Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster
About: Butterfly Pavilion is hosting a new immersive festival of lights experience where visitors can embark on a journey to meet the Firefly Princess. With glowing exhibits, aerial artists, and a kid-friendly dance party, this is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
12 Days of Aspen
Date: TBD 2022
Address: Aspen
About: The 12 Days of Aspen festival is more than a set of events for the community and visitors to participate in. It’s a holiday mindset that brings everyone together to celebrate the season and new beginnings.
Christmas at Schmid Ranch
Date: TBD 2022
Address: Telluride
About: Telluride kicks off the month of December with an old-fashioned tradition sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit.
Vail Snow Days
Date: Cancelled for 2022
Address: Vail
About: Vail Snow Days kickoffs their 16th winter season at the popular ski resort. It lasts for 4 days and features headlining concerts, après, and even a large expo village to explore.
Festivals in January
Superpipe competition at Winter X Games, Aspen. Photo by: Taylor Barrett
Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light
Date: Fri-Sat, November 18, 2022 – January 7, 2023
Address: Denver
About: A stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. The Blossoms of Light extravaganza is a twinkling and breathtaking way to spend a winter evening.
Mind Blown Telluride
Date: Fri-Sat, November 26, 2022 – March 31, 2023
Address: Telluride
About: Taking place at The Peaks Resort & Spa, Ty Gallenbeck puts on a 75-minute magic performance that makes guests question the known.
MusicFest at Steamboat
Date: Sat-Thurs, January 7-12, 2023
Address: Steamboat Springs
About: 37th annual Music Fest features fifty bands over six days. Featuring a variety of genres and shows that last from 12 pm-10 pm. Shows are held around town in every venue type from ballrooms to big tents.
National Western Stock Show
Date: Sat-Sun, January 7-22, 2023
Address: National Western Complex, Denver
About: Since 1906, the stock shows include rodeos, horse shows, livestock, western art, and more special events spread out over more than 16 days.
Berthoud SNOWFEST
Date: Mon-Sun, January 9-15, 2023
Address: Berthoud
About: The down-home, cozy feel of Berthoud is a perfect setting for Christmas in Colorado. Each year Main Street comes to life at the Berthoud SNOWFEST.
Lafayette Oatmeal Festival
Date: Saturday, January 14, 2023
Address: Lafayette
About: 26th annual warm oatmeal breakfast followed by a virtual 5K walk/run.
Cowboy Downhill
Date: Monday, January 16, 2023
Address: Steamboat Ski Resort, Steamboat Springs
About: Professional cowboys from across the U.S., as well as Australia, Canada, Europe, and Mexico, compete in a race down Headwall near the base of Steamboat Resort.
Ouray Ice Festival
Date: Thur-Sun, January 19-22, 2023
Address: Ouray
About: Biggest ice climbing festival in North America, featuring the world’s best climbers and 100 educational climbing clinics.
CSCCI Chinese New Year Festival
Date: Saturday, January 21, 2023
Address: Colorado Springs
About: Annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, complete with demonstrations, authentic fare, and music.
Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships
Date: Mon-Wed, January 23 – February 1, 2023
Address: Riverwalk Center, Downtown Breckenridge
About: Witness 20-ton blocks of ice get hand-carved by experts from all over the world. Teams from around the world sculpt around the clock for five days to build the spectacles of art, followed by five days of viewing the masterpieces.
Winter X Games
Date: Fri-Sun, January 27-29, 2023
Address: Aspen
About: World’s best athletes in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling compete another year at Buttermilk.
Rio Frio Ice Fest
Date: Fri-Sun, January 27-29, 2023
Address: Alamosa
About: Three days of winter activities in the San Luis Valley. The signature event is the Rio Frio 5K, a race on the frozen-over Rio Grande River. Other highlights include ice sculptures, an ice carousel, and a polar plunge.
Colorado Motorcycle Expo
Date: Sat-Sun, January 28-29, 2023
Address: National Western Complex, Denver
About: The largest swap meet in America, the 44th annual Colorado Motorcycle Expo is great for those looking to buy new bike components, check out numerous competitions, and be surrounded by other motorcycle enthusiasts.
Winter Brew Fest
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2023
Address: Denver
About: Live music and unlimited samples of 100+ craft brews at Mile High Station.
Denver Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2023
Address: Denver
About: Sample whiskey from over a dozen distillers while meeting the brands at this one-day event.
Festivals in February
Winter Carnival parade in Steamboat Springs. Photo: Steamboat Chamber
Mind Blown Telluride
Date: Fri-Sat, November 26, 2022 – March 31, 2023
Address: Telluride
About: Taking place at The Peaks Resort & Spa, Ty Gallenbeck puts on a 75-minute magic performance that makes guests question the known.
Snowdown
Date: Wed-Sun, February 1-5, 2023
Address: Durango
About: Now in its 44th year, this winter celebration features a costume party, follies, parade, and an annually changing theme.
High Plains Snow Goose Festival
Date: Thur-Sun, February 2-5, 2023
Address: Lamar
About: Held in February during the annual migration, this festival is the perfect place to brush up on your birding knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.
Lake City Ice Climbing Festival
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023
Address: Lake City Ice Park
About: Men’s and women’s top-roped and lead speed competitions in secluded Lake City.
Steamboat Winter Carnival
Date: Wed-Sun, February 8-12, 2023
Address: Downtown Steamboat Springs
About: In its 110th year, Steamboat’s Winter Carnival is a widely popular event complete with ski races, ski jumping, ice sculptures, fireworks, a shovel race, and street events.
Loveland Sweetheart Festival
Date: Fri-Sat, February 10-11, 2023
Address: New Foundry Plaza, Downtown Loveland
Website: Two-day event held around Valentine’s Day, featuring the Loveland Sweetheart Classic 4-mile race. Other highlights include a beer tent, tunnel of love, laser show, kids’ activities, and other romantic festivities.
Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament
Date: Fri-Sun, February 17-19, 2023
Address: Lake Dillon, Silverthorne
About: All are welcome to enter this ice hockey tournament sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, with over $10,000 in cash prizes. It’s followed by the Apres Ice Party.
Carnivale & Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023
Address: Manitou Springs
About: Carnivale kicks off with the Cajun Gumbo Cook-Off followed by a parade downtown.
Silverton Skijoring
Date: Sat-Sun, February 18-19, 2023
Address: Silverton
About: The annual Silverton Skijoring event touts itself as the city’s biggest winter party. A lesser-known Nordic sport that combines water skiing, horse racing, and snow skiing, Skijoring is when a horse (or motorcycle) tows a person on skis through a set of obstacles while the clock ticks down.
Cripple Creek Ice Fest
Date: Sat-Thurs, February 18-26, 2023
Address: Downtown Cripple Creek
About: Annual ice sculpture carving challenge in casino-friendly Wild West Cripple Creek.
Denver Mardi Gras
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023
Address: Exdo Event Center, 1399 35th St, Denver
About: Annual festival with live music, DJs, games, and free beads on Bourbon Street in the Mile High City.
Festivals in March
Monte Vista Crane Festival.
Mind Blown Telluride
Date: Fri-Sat, December – March & June-September, 2023
Address: Telluride
About: Taking place at The Peaks Resort & Spa, Ty Gallenbeck puts on a 75-minute magic performance that makes guests question the known.
Boulder International Film Festival
Date: Thurs-Sun, March 2-5, 2023
Address: Boulder
About: Film fanatics won’t want to miss the annual Boulder International Film Festival. Quickly becoming an internationally acknowledged talent hub for theater, this soiree features film screenings, panels, workshops, and theme afterparties.
303 Day
Date: Friday, March 3, 2023
Address: Denver
About: Every March, Denverites celebrate the town’s original area code, known as 303 Day. Celebrate with a live music performance by 3OH!3 along with various vendors around the city hosting events to observe the day.
Leadville Ski Joring
Fri-Sun, March 3-5, 2023
Address: Leadville
About: Annual winter sports event on Harrison Ave that involves a cowboy and horse pulling a skier through obstacles.
WinterWonderGrass
Date: Fri-Sun, March 3-5, 2023
Address: Steamboat
About: Festival showcasing national, regional, and local bluegrass and acoustic roots music.
Denver Restaurant Week
Date: Fri-Sun March 3-12, 2023
Address: Denver
About: Hundreds of Denver restaurants come together for a ten-day culinary celebration boasting delicious multi-course menus for a fixed price.
Mile High Beer Festival
Date: Friday, March 10, 2023
Address: Denver
About: Annual beer festival highlighting both well-known and up-and-coming breweries in addition to a few distilleries and cideries. Visitors have 2.5 hours to taste unlimited samples while enjoying live music, food vendors.
Monte Vista Crane Festival
Date: Fri-Sun, March 10-12, 2023
Address: Monte Vista
About: The annual Crane Fest, celebrates the annual migration of cranes that has been going on for years.
Bud Light Rocks the Boat
Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023
Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
About: Free concert series now in its 24th season, held at the base of the mountain. Enjoy several concerts over the course of the ski season. The series features a mix of music genres with many big-name acts having performed in previous years.
Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023
Address: Denver
About: Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest in the country. Running for over 60 years, you can expect to see floats, dancing, live bands, charities, and local celebrities.
Frozen Dead Guy Days
Date: Fri-Sun, March 17-19, 2023
Address: Estes Park
About: After 20 years of FDGD in Nederland, the event has relocated its crazy contests, competitions, live music, great food, parades, and parties to Estes Park.
Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023
Address: Colorado Springs
About: Grab your kilts and get ready for a day full of fun at the Colorado Springs’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Starting at noon, you can watch the floats, bands, dancers, and performers drive by in celebration of St. Patrick along Tejon Street.
Thanks for checking out some of Colorado’s best annual winter festivals. Have a terrific time experiencing these fun events from December to March.
