Lighting of Breckenridge + Race of the Santas

Holiday Giving Event – Give Like a Local 

As an extension of the B Like Breckenridge™ campaign, the Breckenridge Tourism Office has collaborated with the Summit Rotary Club to host a Holiday Giving Event to support Adopt an Angel for local families. You can support Adopt an Angel with a suggested donation of $30. Donors will receive a commemorative Lighting of Breckenridge / Adopt an Angel wooden ornament and your donation will help provide coats, hats, gloves, and toys for our families in need this holiday season!

Donations can be made at the Blue River Plaza from 3:00pm – 6:00pm.

Visit Summit Rotary’s Adopt an Angel page for details on how your support makes a difference.

Join us for the kickoff to the Lighting of Breckenridge with the Holiday Dog Parade! Pooches and owners are encouraged to dress for success and will lead off the procession at The Canteen Taphouse on North Main before heading south down historic Main Street to greet all attendees.

Register Here!

Location:  Main Street Breckenridge (NEW – Start at NORTH Main by the Canteen Taphouse)
Time: Lineup at 3:00pm, parade start at 3:30pm

Learn more about Dog Friendly Breckenridge

This holiday race is for kids, ages 10-17. The course is 7 blocks long and will take kids down historic Main Street for a .5 mile race, the same as the adult course. Kids are encouraged to dress in costume and come on out and have fun! Participants will receive a Moose Hat.

Register Here

Location: Lineup is at Watson Avenue in Breckenridge. The race will run south down Main Street

For additional questions about the Race of the Santas and Moose March, please contact the Breckenridge Rec Center at (970) 453-1734.

There’s no better way to spread holiday cheer than hundreds of Santas running down historic Main Street in Breckenridge, transforming our picturesque town into a fun-filled holiday scene.  Watch as Santas zip by, or grab your big red hat, throw on a beard and join in the race! Santa suits are not included in registration and may be purchased at the Breckenridge Recreation Center or added to your order.

Register Here

Location: Lineup is at Watson Avenue in Breckenridge. The race will run south down Main Street

For additional questions about the Race of the Santas and Moose March, please contact the Breckenridge Rec Center at (970) 453-1734.

Santa makes an early visit to Breckenridge to light the Town Tree and illuminate the town. Don’t miss the moment when Breckenridge turns on the lights and turns up the holiday spirit as Santa flips the switch in the Blue River Plaza just outside the Breckenridge Welcome Center at 203 S Main Street. Breckenridge will transform into a real life holiday card thanks to more than 59,000 feet and 250,000 LED holiday lights.  Lights will continue to shine and spread joy all winter long.

Location:  Main Street Breckenridge

Visit the Mountain Top Explorium for a magical encounter with Santa Claus where kids can share their wish lists and parents can capture holiday moments.

Cost: FREE

Location:Mountain Top Explorium
100 S. Park Ave, Unit C100 Breckenridge, CO

After Paw-ty at Main Street Station

After the Dog Parade, head straight to Main Street Station where the celebration is just getting started! The plaza will be buzzing with dog-friendly fun, special offers, festive photo ops, and exclusive Bernerfest events you won’t want to miss. Enjoy dog friendly events, specials, and photo ops at Continental Divide Winery and The Downhill Dog, a fun and free holiday photo station at the plaza’s center stage curated by Lynnellen Real Estate, discounts on coffees & beverages at Coffee Depot, and complimentary refreshments when you stop in to shop at Bhava Boutique, Hummingbird Skye, and Folcland.

Continental Divide Winery is pulling out all the stops with an entire weekend of Bernerfest programming—from their Friday night Pre-Pawty to Saturday’s Brunch (RSVP required), all-day Bubbles & Berners, a massive group photo at 1:50pm, and the Paws & Pizza After Party featuring a costume contest, live music, and wine specials. It’s the ultimate Berner-lover’s weekend!

The Downhill Dog is hosting all-day Dog Photos with Santa complete with a festive backdrop, free digital photos, $1 printed holiday cards benefiting the Summit County Animal Shelter, pup cups, a stocked selection of holiday accessories and treats, surprise gifts with purchase, and a huge raffle basket loaded with local goodies.

Get ready for a pawsitively amazing time at our Annual Bernerfest Party! Bring your Bernese Mountain Dog(s) and join approximately 300 others for a day of celebration, fun and festivities! Tasting room open at 11am with wintery wine specials and free dog treats! Berner Processional Parade down Main Street, starting right from in front of our Tasting Room at 3:30pm. After the parade, bring your Berner back to the Tasting Room and enjoy live music!

Date: Saturday, December 6
Time: 11:00am to 7:00pm
Location:Continental Divide Winery / Main Street Station Plaza

Learn More

The Christmas Clock Presented by Alpine Dance Academy

Alpine Dance Academy presents The Christmas Clock, an original holiday story and dance production that follows two characters on their exciting journey to find the perfect gifts and the ugliest Christmas sweaters. The production will be at the Riverwalk Center on December 5th at 7 p.m. and December 6th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Dates / Times: Friday, December 5th 7:00pm & Saturday, December 6th 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Location: Riverwalk Center
Cost: $12 – $39

Purchase Tickets

$5 Ornament Painting at Ready, Paint, Fire!

Family and friends join our holiday fun with Ornament painting all weekend long!

Paint your own Pottery Ornaments – Santas and Snowmen, Reindeer and Candy Canes, Snowflakes and Stockings and more! Add a personal touch to your holiday decor with your own creativity. All ages are welcome to join in the fun! Kiln fired overnight.

Date: Saturday, December 6th & Sunday, December 7th
Time: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Location:Ready, Paint, Fire!
Cost: $5

Learn More

Explorium Fest at Mountain Top Explorium

ExploriumFest is 4-days of free exploration and adventure at Mountain Top Explorium. From December 3rd to December 6th, we invite local & visiting families to discover the wonders of the Explorium absolutely free of charge. Each day will be packed with engaging activities for both children and adults, including crafts, a free Kids Night Out, and a visit from Santa. Join us as we look to the future! 

Dates: December 3 – December 6, 2025: 4-Days of Free Access
Location: Mountain Top Explorium
Cost: Free

Learn More

Arts District Winter Weekend

Enjoy free creative activities for kids, holiday music, local artist displays, and so much more. Explore the Ridge Streets Arts Square during the Lighting of Breckenridge weekend for some special holiday fun.

Dates: Friday, December 5th – Saturday, December 6th
Location: Ridge Street Arts Square
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Learn More

During the lighting of the town tree, the real Santa will emerge and illuminate nearly 250,000 LEDs throughout Breckenridge’s Blue River Plaza. If strung end-to-end, the lights could reach from downtown Breckenridge to tippy top of the highest chairlift in North America, the Imperial Express, almost four times. OR, it’s enough lights to complete the entire 4 O’Clock Run from peak to base more than three times! By using some of the most energy-efficient lights available, the town of Breckenridge saves approx. 155,663 kWh of electricity. That’s enough to power a Tesla around the earth’s circumference approximately 17 times.

The most convenient paid parking will be at the South Gondola parking structure at 150 Watson Avenue. Most Breckenridge’s downtown lots are paid and traditionally fill up fast. Guests should plan to arrive early and park in the same spot for the day or bike, bus or shuttle in from their lodging properties. Breckenridge residents are encouraged to carpool, bus, bike and walk into town to avoid additional congestion.

Free Parking

The Town offers the Free Skier Shuttle Lot on McCain Road just outside downtown for free day parking, every day, from 6:00am to 11:0pm (NO overnight parking from 11:00pm to 6:00am). This lot is serviced by the Breck Free Ride Green and Red bus routes. The Airport Road Lot is permanently closed. 

The town and the Ski Resort have partnered together to provide a FREE public transit system with continual daily access to the base skiing areas.  Visit the My Free Ride app for real-time information for the Breckenridge Free Ride transit system. You can also visit Breck Free Ride for schedules and routes.

While we recommend going carless in Breckenridge, if you do need to rent or drive your car, make sure you visit GoI70.com to learn the best times to travel to avoid congestion. We expect this to be a very busy weekend and encourage viewers to carpool, rideshare and use shuttles/buses if they are visiting from Denver or other towns. The Breck FreeRide bus picks up and drops off throughout Breckenridge, and the Summit Stage bus connects Breckenridge and its surrounding towns. Once you are here, we recommend exploring by foot/bike or taking the Breckenridge FreeRide transportation throughout the day. Most hotels have free shuttles into downtown, too!

YES! Dogs who have made Santa’s nice list are welcome to parade down Main Street in Breckenridge’s Holiday Dog Parade.

We love our pets, so please make sure the health and safety of your dog and all other dogs in the parade remains your first priority. If your pet is showing any sign of illness, please keep them home.Dogs must be on a leash at all times and be prepared for freezing temperatures.

Parade registration and rules can be found here.

The fun run is .7 miles down Breckenridge’s historic Main Street. Santas will cross the finish line in Blue River Plaza, where the Lighting of Breckenridge will commence at 5:00pm.

No! Anyone is welcome to walk, jog or skip through the .7 mile course. This race is for anyone who is ready to get in the holiday spirit! Ages 13 and up.

Please select Race of the Santas (running) or Moose March (walking/kids) when registering.

No. Registration saves you a spot in the fun run. Santa Suits are not included. Santa Suits are available for purchase on the race registration webpage or in person at the Breckenridge Rec Center.

Yes.  On Saturday, December 6th Main Street will be closed for parts of the day.

Closure Details

• 11:00 am – Main Street closed to parking (Watson Ave. to S. Park Ave.)
• 12:00 – 6:30pm – Main Street and side streets close completely from Lincoln/Ski Hill to S. Park Ave. Lincoln / Ski Hill remains open to through traffic until 3:00pm. Closes at 3:00pm for the Dog Parade.
• 2:00 – 5:00pm – Main Street and side streets close from Watson Ave to Ski Hill Rd.