There’s nothing better than a white Christmas filled with lights and holiday cheer. With snow covered peaks, frosty trees and scenic views, Breckenridge is the perfect destination to get you in the holiday spirit. Join us in our winter wonderland and find out what to do in Breckenridge this holiday season.
Holiday Events in Breckenridge
The Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas – Dec. 3, 2022
Breckenridge ups the ante on small town holiday charm with the return of the Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas. The first weekend of December kicks off a festive holiday scene in the streets of Breckenridge. Hundreds of Santa look-alikes will run down Main Street in a race to kick-off the holiday season. Hang out post-race to watch the town transform into a real life holiday card thanks to more than 13,000 feet and 250,000 LED holiday lights. The iconic holiday lights in downtown Breckenridge are one of the most photographed sights during the snowy months and continue to shine and spread hope all winter long.
Ullr Fest – Dec. 8-11, 2022
Grab your Viking hats and celebrate all things winter at the 59th annual Ullr Fest, December 8-11. Breckenridge invites locals and visitors of all ages to praise Ullr, the Norse god of snow, in hopes of a powder-filled ski season. Show your devotion at the Main Street parade and become part of history at the longest Shotski® “unofficial” World Record breaking attempt. If you’re in for a legendary party, this is one you won’t want to miss!
New Year’s Eve Torchlight & Glowworm Parade – Dec. 31, 2022
The Breckenridge Ski & Snowboard School will be hosting their annual Torchlight Parade on Peak 9 at 6pm, with a luminary procession from the top of Peak 9 down to the base. In addition, prior to the Torchlight Parade, kids are invited to participate in the Glow Worm Parade if they are able to ski/ride a green run on their own. For kids interested in participating, meet at the Beaver Run Ski School before 5 PM to join the parade and get a glow stick. The Glow Worm Parade takes place off the Camelback Platter at the base of Peak 9.
Top Ways To Get In the Holiday Spirit
Stop and smell the roses or in this case, enjoy the sparkling lights.
There’s nothing better than a white Christmas filled with lights and holiday cheer. With snow-covered peaks, frosty trees and scenic views, Breckenridge is the perfect destination to get you in the holiday spirit.
Seasonal Holiday Lights
Breckenridge ups the ante on small town holiday charm by transforming its historic downtown into a sparkling snow globe scene thanks to more than 13,000 feet and 250,000 LED holiday lights. Those visiting Breckenridge during or after December 5th can expect iconic holiday lights throughout downtown Breckenridge. Be sure to bring your camera- the lights are some most photographed sights during the snowy months and continue to shine and spread joy all winter long.
Holiday Dining
The views of Breckenridge from inside Hearthstone Restaurant are some of the best in the county.
What to know about holiday dining in Breckenridge
Most of Breckenridge’s 100+ bars and restaurants remain open during the holidays but many will not offer a specific holiday menu. While some restaurants have joined Open Table, there are still plenty of restaurants in Breckenridge that are walk-in only. The holidays are one of the most popular times of the year to visit Breckenridge and many people enjoy holiday dinners out on the town.
- ADVANCED RESERVATIONS are highly recommended. If you are interested in a traditional holiday menu make your reservations as soon as possible for in-person dining or pick-up. Holiday menus are often limited and tend to sell out.
- Go early and plan to have a wait. If you are dining at a restaurant that doesn’t offer reservations, plan to wait. Viewing the holiday lights with a cup of cocoa is the perfect time killer!
- Arrive with everyone. Most restaurants in town will not seat incomplete parties. Be sure everyone in your group is accounted for at the restaurant.
- Get off the beaten path. Visit one of the lesser-known restaurants in town. Plan ahead and still expect waits.
- Embrace to-go options. Curbside pick-up and to-go options are widely available in town. You’ll want to plan in advance for these options as well.
- FREE 10-minute pick-up parking spots have been added around town to make picking up your food/online purchase easy and convenient. View map of pick-up locations.
Holiday Shopping
Explore vibrant downtown for independently owned shops and restaurants.
Breckenridge is filled with artisan shops, small business and chic boutiques. With more than 200 stores to choose from, it’s easy to spend a day enjoying the quaint storefronts, finding the perfect gifts and updating your gear selection.
Religious Services
We have many churches and religious services each year. Please call ahead for details on offerings for Christmas, Christmas Eve and restrictions.
- Father Dyer United Methodist Church, 310 Wellington Rd.
- Breckenridge Christian Ministries, 103 Sawmill Rd.
- Christ Lutheran Church, 16072 Colorado Highway 9
- Great Divide Cavalry, Colorado Mountain College, 107 Denison Placer Rd.
- St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church, 100 S. French St.
- St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 109 S. French St.
- The Church at Agape Outpost, 15404 Colorado HWY 9
Top outdoor activities for the holidays
Hit the trails! It’s easy to explore more of the outdoors by snowshoe, fat bike, cross-country skis, dog sled team, or horsedrawn sleigh ride.
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Breckenridge boasts more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) of perfectly manicured cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails between the town’s two Nordic Centers. If exploring some historic mining ruins on your own is more your style, the Breckenridge trail system offers hundreds of miles of ungroomed trails to explore. Bring your own snowshoes or rent them and embark on a self-guided adventure or take a guided tour.
Sleigh Rides
If you’re looking for an experience you’ll never forget, take a scenic sleigh ride through shimmering snow! Choose a Hot Cocoa sleigh ride for a group experience that includes entertainment, a dinner and sleigh ride combo, or book a “one-horse open sleigh” ride for a more private or romantic mountain experience.
Nordic Snowcat Adventures
Join the Breck Nordic Center’s fun loving staff and its state of the art Prinoth Snowcat designed by Pininfarina in Italy. It features a heated, 8 passenger all glass cabin so you can experience historic Legend forests in heated comfort with a stop for s’mores and hot chocolate at one of their destination huts.
Sledding
Bring your sled and some hot cocoa to Carter Park sledding hill located at the end of south High St. The hill is free and open to the public, and is the perfect activity for all ages!
Discover more winter activities in Breckenridge!
Explore Winter in Breckenridge
Embrace The Spirit
BLike Breckenridge™️ is a movement born of the spirit of our historic mountain town for those who call it home—whether for a weekend or a lifetime—to live by. It is a cause that connects us to each other, that we can all be a part of.