What to do in Breckenridge for the Holidays

There’s nothing better than a white Christmas filled with sparkling holiday lights and cheer. With snow covered peaks, frosty trees and scenic views, Breckenridge is the perfect destination to embrace the holiday spirit and feel like you’ve stepped into a snow globe. Join our winter wonderland and explore what to do in Breckenridge this holiday season.

Holiday Events in Breckenridge

The Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas

Breckenridge turns on the 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 59,000 feet (or 11.22 miles!) and 250,000 LED holiday lights. If strung end-to-end, the lights could complete the entire 4 O’Clock Run from peak to base more than three times! 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.

• Register for Race of the Santas

Ullr Fest

Grab your Viking hats and celebrate all things winter at Ullr Fest! 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 Fireworks & Torchlight Parade

If you’re looking for things to do in Breckenridge on New Years Eve – this is our towns “can’t miss” event! The Breckenridge Ski & Snowboard School will be hosting their annual New Years Eve Torchlight Parade on Peak 9 at 6pm, which features skiers holding bright red torches, while skiing over one-thousand vertical feet down to create a Christmas Tree path of lights twinkling bright on the mountain. The luminary procession from the top of Peak 9 goes all the way down to the base. 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. Afterward, stick around for fireworks to ring in the New Year! The show typically starts around 9:15 pm.

Top Ways To Get In the Holiday Spirit

Stop and smell the roses or in this case, enjoy the sparkling lights.

Seasonal Holiday Lights

Breckenridge brings small-town holiday magic to life, illuminating its historic downtown with over 59,000 feet of sparkling LED lights. Starting December 5th, the streets glow with festive displays that are among the most photographed sights of the season. Whether you’re visiting for the holidays or later in winter, these twinkling lights keep the town shining bright all season long.

See The Nutcracker: Land of the Sweets

The Alpine Dance Academy presents The Nutcracker: Land of the Sweets in 2024! This classical ballet will transport you to a magical land. Join Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy for this beloved holiday tradition! Head to the Breckenridge Backstage Theater to experience Every Christmas Story Every Told! Watch your favorites like A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, Rudolph and the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty, and more. A hilarious madcap romp that will have you laughing through the whole holiday season!

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 do not offer specific holiday dinners or menus. The holiday season is one of the most popular times of the year to visit Breckenridge and many people choose to dine out to celebrate (which we highly recommend!)

• ADVANCED RESERVATIONS are highly recommended.  
• For walk-ins, go early and plan to 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.

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, discovering charming tasting rooms, 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 horse drawn 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

Suit up and head to Carter Park sledding hill to enjoy a day of free sledding! The hill is located at the end of south High St and has a “sled shed” for you to borrow and return sleds for free. We encourage people to use these sleds rather than buy them new.

Dog Sledding

Imagine mushing through a forest of beautiful spruce trees while being pulled by Siberian Huskies! Breckenridge offers some of the best dog sledding in Colorado, which is a great way to get out into the backcountry surrounding Breckenridge and enjoy the serene nature of a winter forest.

Discover more winter activities in Breckenridge!