LIST: Winter festivals and events around Colorado

By Carlotta Olson October 17, 2021 | updated 5 years ago

Cliff Black, left, his son Justin Black and wife Sheila Black of Colorado Springs, take a shot of whiskey while the town of Breckenridge attempts to break the shot ski record with 1,333 participants before the start of the Ullr Festival parade Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in downtown Breckenridge, Colo. The 58th annual Ullr Festival, named after the Norse god of snow, began Thursday night and runs through Dec. 12. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)

Nov. 12 through date TBD: Skate in the Park — A fun time on the ice, Acacia Park, Colorado Springs

Nov. 19-Jan. 8: Blossoms of Light — Celebrate the season with a dazzling and ever-changing display of light and color (closed Nov. 25 and Dec. 25), Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St.

Nov. 19-Jan. 1: The Polar Express Train Ride — Experience the magic and enjoy the scenery, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Ave., Durango

Nov. 26-Jan. 2: Luminova Holidays — Dazzling lights, candy cane tunnel, rides and more, Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver

Nov. 26-Jan. 2: Trails of Light — A winding path glistening with lights that illuminate the Colorado countryside, Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton

Nov. 27-Jan. 1: Holiday Headframe Lighting — Headframes of mining days will light up the sky with holiday ornaments, Victor and Cripple Creek

Dec. 3-5 and 10-23, Dec. 25-Jan. 1: Electric Safari — Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs

Dec. 8-17: ULLR Fest — Celebration of all things snow, Breckenridge

Cliff Black, left, his son Justin Black and wife Sheila Black of Colorado Springs, take a shot of whiskey while the town of Breckenridge attempts to break the shot ski record with 1,333 participants before the start of the Ullr Festival parade Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in downtown Breckenridge, Colo. The 58th annual Ullr Festival, named after the Norse god of snow, began Thursday night and runs through Dec. 12. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)

Dec. 10-11: Winterfest — Ice skating, marketplace and more, Carpenter Recreation Center, 11151 Colorado Blvd., Thornton

Dec. 11: Jingle Jog 5K — To benefit the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region, 9 a.m., Fountain Creek Regional Park, 2010 Duckwood Road, Fountain

Jan. 13-16: Wintersköl Celebration — Annual toast to winter, Aspen

Jan. 20-23: Ice Festival — Presentations by climbers, music, food and more, Ouray

Ouray Ice Festival, Christian Murdock (murdock)

Jan. 21-23: Winterfest — San Juan River’s Penguin Plunge, downhill sled race and more, Pagosa Springs

Jan. 22: Winter Brew Fest — Music, vendors and more, Mile High Station, 2027 W. Colfax Ave., Denver

Jan. 24-30: Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships — Sculpting takes place Jan. 24-28, with sculptures on view through Jan. 30, Breckenridge

Jan. 28-30: UllrGrass — Music, beer, vendors and more, Golden

Jan. 28-30: Rio Frio Ice Fest — Featuring the Rio Frio 5K on ice, Alamosa

Feb. 3-6: High Plains Snow Goose Festival — Tours, speakers and more, Lamar

Feb. 9-13: Winter Carnival — Ski-jumping competitions, dog-sled pulls and more, Steamboat Springs

Feb. 12: Wine and Chocolate Festival — Estes Park

Feb. 18-20: Midwinter Bluegrass Festival — Featuring Blue Highway, Possum Trot Bluegrass and more, Denver

Feb. 25-27: WinterWonderGrass — Featuring Trampled by Turtles, Yonder Mountain String Band and more, Steamboat Springs

March 5-6: Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival — Leadville

Krista Halsnes on her horse Rango haulas Tanner Coulter down the race course at the 70th annual Leadville Skijoring competition on Saturday, March 3, 2018. (Gazette file)

March 11-13: Monte Vista Crane Festival

Kevin Flesher, left, of Colorado Springs joins locals Jake Sklanka, center, Brett Lomoro and about 170 other parade goers as they celebrate along the 313-foot, 6-inch shot ski after they broke the world record for longest shot ski before the Ullr Fest Parade. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

Mindy Armstrong, left, Bonnie Paffenroth, Laura Welsh-Smith, John Daisy and Cathy Carleton waits for the start of the ski shot event at the Ullr Fest in Breckenridge. (Photo by Kelsey Brunner/The Gazette)

Festival of Lights Parade in downtown Colorado Springs. Gazette file (The Gazette)

Festival of Lights Parade in downtown Colorado Springs, Gazette file (The Denver Gazette)

Carlotta Olson

Reporter