Estes Park parade and wine festival, Beaver Creek cookie contest, Copper Mountain races top our list of events across the state

By the Thirst Team

Get Out of Town is our roundup of the best events across Colorado for the next few weeks. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

Editor’s note: We listed Purgatory Resort’s opening day for last week, but weather forced a one-week delay. They are confident in their new opening date this Friday, Nov. 28.

Cookie contest in Beaver Creek Wednesday

Beaver Creek's annual cookie competition returns today. Five finalists will have cookies available for tasting, and guests will vote on their favorite. The winner earns a prize and a year of bragging rights.

Community Thanksgiving lunch and fundraiser in Denver

Hogshead Brewery will serve a turkey alongside its cask-conditioned ales on Thanksgiving Day. It costs $15 to attend the 2 p.m. dinner, and attendees are encouraged to bring sides. The ticket cost will be donated to the Bienvenidos Food Bank in north Denver.

Holiday parade in Estes Park Friday

The Catch the Glow Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday on Elkhorn Avenue in Estes Park. Make a weekend of it, with the wine festival in Estes on Saturday (details below).

World Cup skiing at Copper Thursday to Sunday

Copper Mountain hosts the Stifel Copper Cup, an Audi FIS Ski World Cup event, with men’s and women’s races in the leadup to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The races are free to attend, but VIP passes and grandstand tickets are available. There also will be live music, fireworks and more in the festival village.

Hudson Holidays opens in Littleton Friday

Hudson Gardens in Littleton transforms into a winter wonderland starting Friday, and on select dates through Jan. 4. Highlights (pun intended) include a lighted maze, larger-than-life themed exhibits, Santa selfies, warm beverages and cocktails. Dec. 4 and 14 are sleigh ride nights, with tickets available for a trolley pulled by Clydesdales. There also are storyteller nights and other special events.

Winterfest in South Fork Friday and Saturday

The Yuletide Winterfest in South Fork (west of Del Norte) begins Friday with the lighting of the trees, Santa visits (with gifts for every child) and a free dinner. On Saturday, the Winterfest craft show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rio Grande Club and Resort.

Holidays on parade Saturday

The Kiowa Lighted Car Parade returns at 4:30 Saturday, starting at the Elbert County Fairgrounds.

Meanwhile, Pueblo’s Parade of Lights is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, with awards in several categories.

Wine Fest in Estes Park Saturday

The 6th annual Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Estes Park Events Center. The festival includes about 20 Colorado wineries, retail and holiday vendors, food vendors, free pics with Santa and free kids’ activities. Each ticket includes a wine glass, wine tote and unlimited tastings.

Train show in Loveland Saturday and Sunday

You don’t have to be a train buff to appreciate an elaborate model train set, vendors and more at the Rocky Mountain Train show, opening at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland.

Sleigh rides in Edgewater Wednesday

No snow, no problem. Edgewater Town Square will offer free sleigh rides, Santa visits, live music and more. Edgewater Beer Garden also will offer dinner specials.

PLAN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Purnell Steen memorial shows Dec. 5 and 10

Purnell Steen is a Denver jazz legend and civil rights activist who died in November. Dazzle Denver will stage memorial performances at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, with the Five Points Ambassadors.

Gay Men’s Chorus concerts in Denver Dec. 5-15

The Denver Gay Men's Chorus launches its 44th season with five performances of “My Favorite Queens,” a campy celebration of holiday traditions. The shows will be Dec. 5 to 7 at Central Presbyterian Church in Denver; Dec. 12 at Unity of Boulder; and Dec. 14 at St. Andrew United Methodist in Highlands Ranch.

“Every Brilliant Thing” in Boulder Dec. 5 to 28

The Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company presents “Every Brilliant Thing” Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 5 to 28. The play begins with a child grappling with his mother’s attempted suicide. The child makes a list of brilliant, joy-giving things and leaves it on Mom’s hospital pillow. The award-winning play promises to be funny and life affirming, and will be performed at the Dairy Arts Center.

Taste of Leadville and more Dec. 6

The Taste of Leadville runs from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, and coincides with the downtown parade of lights. It is a fundraiser for food pantries and community meals at St. George’s Episcopal Church, with samples from Leadville’s restaurants and venues.

Upcoming holiday parades across Colorado

The Louisville Parade of Lights on Main Street starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, with performances and Santa visits starting at 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Erie will host a parade of lights at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, accompanied by free carriage rides, choirs and a visit with Santa.
Mead hosts a parade of lights at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, followed by the annual tree lighting in Town Park. The Mead Community Center also hosts a Christmas festival with a holiday market, games, Santa and more.
Grand Junction’s “Rock the Holiday” parade of lights starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, on Main Street.
The Colorado Springs Festival of Lights parade rolls down Tejon Street at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
Downtown Denver’s Parade of Lights runs from 6 to 10 p.m., with a new parade village at Skyline Park.
The “Whimsical Winter Woods” parade of lights starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in downtown Fruita.
The Longmont Lights Parade starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 on Main Street.
Boulder hosts the Lights of December parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
“Holiday Movie Magic” is the theme of the Olde Golden Holiday Parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
Alamosa’s parade of lights is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, with Christmas caps and socks given away to all new December babies.

Berner dog festival, Santa race and more in Breck Dec. 6

Continental Divide Winery in Breckenridge celebrates its mascot, Scout the Bernese Mountain Dog, with a Berner parade and other events, including brunch, a champagne party and a giant group photo for dogs and owners before the parade starts at 3 p.m.

Following the parade is the annual Race of the Santas costumed 5K at 4:20 p.m., and the Lighting of Breckenridge’s Main Street at 5 p.m.

ColderBOLDER coming Dec. 6

Boulder hosts the ColderBOLDER 5K on Saturday, Dec. 6. It is labeled the “polar opposite” of the summer BOLDERBoulder, and is a shorter, smaller and, yes, cooler event than the giant summer race. The first 13 races through the CU Boulder campus are invite-only heats for runners who qualified in the last ColderBOLDER or BOLDERBoulder. A final race is open, with no qualifying standards, followed by a walking wave.

Holiday black comedy dance show in Denver Dec. 11-21

The Wonderbound dance company in Denver debuts “Holidays at the Hideaway Hotel” on Thursday, Dec. 11. Creator Garrett Ammon calls it a “black comedy about the holidays run amok. Think Wes Anderson meets the Coen Brothers meets David Lynch.” The original soundtrack will be performed live by Erik Deutsch (of the Black Crowes) and his band. Most performances are nearly sold out, but Wonderbound just added an extra show on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Winterfest in Boulder Dec. 12-13

Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder hosts its annual Winterfest, with festive food and drinks, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, petting zoo and plenty of other family activities. Adult tickets cost $36, with discounts for family packs.

Benefit craft show in Colorado Springs Dec. 13-14

The Candy Cane Craft and Gift Show brings 130 Colorado vendors to Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14. The event also includes music, dance and puppetry performances, as well as face painting, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more. Admission is free, and proceeds benefit Harley’s Hope Foundation, which offers financial assistance with veterinary care for older adults’ pets.

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.