Wine and chocolate festivals, beer anniversaries a a giant Christmas tree

By Steve Graham

Get Out of Town is our weekly roundup of recommended events across Colorado, mostly focusing outside of Denver, to help everyone enjoy the entire state. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

With the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s a quieter week, but there are still plenty of craft markets, tree lighting ceremonies and other holiday events. And don’t forget about turkey trots running all over the state. They are a great way to build up an appetite, and many raise money for local charities.

Estes Park wine festival

More than 15 Colorado wineries will pour samples and talk about their current varietals at the Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival on Saturday. The event also includes holiday vendors, food, kids activities and free photos with Santa.

Tickets cost $35, and include a wine glass, wine tote and unlimited tastings. Tickets for big kids and non-drinkers cost $5. Entry is free for kids 5 and under.

Creede Chocolate Festival

Local chocolate crafters will show off their creations at the Creede Chocolate Festival on Friday and Saturday. Past delicacies have included tiramisu, tortes, jalapeno bean fudge and chocolate-dipped bacon — all competing for the People's Choice award.

Creede businesses also host live music, sales, specials and a winter market. A parade of lights and tree lighting ceremony follows the festival’s end at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Colorado’s largest Christmas tree

Salida hosts a parade of lights on Friday night, then lights Colorado’s largest Christmas tree — a colorfully adorned 750-foot light display on Tenderfoot mountain (it takes 4,500 bulbs). In the town, Holiday Park also hosts its annual display of Christmas trees decorated by local sponsors to commemorate loved ones or celebrate the season.

Brewery anniversary in Lakewood

Green Mountain Beer Company hosts its 8th anniversary celebration on Friday and Saturday, with live music, a holiday craft market, limited release beers, and exclusive merchandise and glassware.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the Get Out of Town column, we will add them to our events calendar.