Parades, festivals, concerts, snowsports contests and much more on tap this month

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.

World Cup skiing in Beaver Creek Thursday through Sunday

The Birds of Prey World Cup ski races open Thursday at Beaver Creek with the Men’s Downhill contest, screenings of Warren Miller’s “Sno-Ciety” and live music from Buffalo Traffic Jam. On Friday, there will be athlete signings, live music from Big Head Todd & the Monsters and other bands, and fireworks. Saturday’s men’s Super-G races are accompanied by a beer festival and live music from Switchfoot, Jackie Greene and more. The event closes Sunday with the men’s giant slalom, high school drumline and live music from Touch of Trey.

Purnell Steen memorial shows Friday and Wednesday

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.

The Denver Gay Men's Chorus brings back its holiday shows this month.

Gay Men’s Chorus concerts in Denver starting Friday

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” opens in Boulder Friday

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.

Repeal Day parties on Friday

Some Colorado establishments will celebrate 92 years since the end of Prohibition. The Oxford Hotel’s Cruise Room martini bar first opened the day that Prohibition ended in 1933. It celebrates the anniversary with 35-cent cocktails (one per person) from 4 to 5 p.m., burlesque entertainment from 7 to 9 p.m., and a Great Gatsby-inspired costume party from 9 p.m. to close.

Meanwhile, Talnua Distillery in Arvada will toast Repeal Day with revelry, an exclusive Prohibition-era cocktail menu and fresh oysters.

Taste of Leadville and more Friday

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 and events across Colorado

‘Tis the season. Santa is busy bringing cheer to parades across Colorado in the next two weeks. Many of this week’s parades also coincide with First Friday events in the many arts districts around the state — a chance to find unique and locally crafted gifts.

THIS WEEK

Palisade brings back its Olde Fashioned Christmas Festival. On Friday, a Christmas Carolers March starts at 5 p.m., followed by the parade of lights and the lighting of the downtown tree and fire station tower. Saturday brings breakfast with Santa (tickets required), gingerbread and soup contests, winter craft fair and more.
Eagle hosts two days of merry fun, starting with a holiday art market from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Saturday starts with the Jingle Jog 5K and fun run, and ends with a parade on Broadway. Wassailfest also runs Thursday through Saturday, with more than a dozen businesses pouring the classic holiday drink.
Ridgway presents Noel Night from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, with a parade, carolers, a tree lighting, live music, shopping and more.
The Louisville Parade of Lights on Main Street starts at 7 p.m. Friday, with performances and Santa visits starting at 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Erie will host a parade of lights at 4 p.m. Friday, accompanied by free carriage rides, choirs and a visit with Santa.
Leadville’s Main Street Parade of Lights starts at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by hot chocolate and cookies with Santa at hte County Courthouse.
Mead hosts a parade of lights at 6 p.m. Friday, 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 on Main Street.
The Colorado Springs Festival of Lights parade rolls down Tejon Street at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Downtown Denver’s Parade of Lights runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, with a new parade village at Skyline Park.

NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND

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.
Downtown Pagosa Springs hosts its Old Fashioned Christmas from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20.

A Berner dog festival comes to Breckenridge Saturday.

Berner dog festival, Santa race and more in Breck Saturday

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.

Eldora gets Uncorked Saturday

The Ned Jazz Wine festival is partnering with Eldora for a weekend of live jazz, wines and gourmet food. The main event is a five-course fondue pop-up with live music from the Alicia Jo Straka Trio on Saturday evening, at Eldora’s new lodge.

More jazz acts will perform up the mountain at Timbers, including Shawn Cunnane on Friday, Wellington Bullings and Chantil Dukart on Saturday, and Ryan Benthall and Sarah Banker on Sunday.

ColderBOLDER coming Saturday

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.

PLAN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Big Air snowboard qualifier in Steamboat Dec. 11-13

For the second time, Steamboat Ski Resort hosts the Visa Big Air competition. It is the main qualifying event for the freeski and big air snowboard teams going to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina.

Skier training and qualifying runs start on Thursday, with snowboarder training and qualifying on Friday. Finals in both events are on Saturday, followed by a balloon glow, athlete autograph session and concert with The Motet.

Sphere Ensemble concerts Dec. 11 and 13

Sphere is a 14-member string ensemble based in Denver that expands the ensemble repertoire from classical and baroque into rock, hip hop and more. Sphere’s Snow Ball concerts are coming to The Savoy in Denver at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec 11, and the Mountain View United Methodist Church in Boulder at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec 13.

Winter festival in Aspen Dec. 11-14

Since 1951, Wintersköl has been Aspen’s toast to winter. It returns with snow sculptures, live music, a huge bonfire, a beer festival and soup contest, torchlight descent and fireworks.

Holiday 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.

Indigenous films screening in Granby Dec. 12

Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, a YMCA of the Rockies facility, will screen indigenous short films from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. A panel discussion and Q&A session with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

The event aims to raise awareness and support for the Tlingit and Haida Native Youth Snowsports Camps in Alaska.

The event is free, but donations to the native youth camps are encouraged (click here to donate), and proof of any donation will earn a free cross-country or snowshoe trail pass.

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.

More ski resort openings Dec. 12-13

Three more resorts expect to have enough snow to open. Sunlight Mountain, outside Grand Junction, plans to open Friday, Dec. 12. Up the road, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk both plan to open Saturday, Dec. 13.

Wacky winter sports festival in Estes Dec. 12-14

The new Sleigh the Games festival brings snowball battles, indoor snow tubing, human curling and more to Estes Park. Along with the sporting events on Saturday and Sunday, there also will be Chase the Glow one- and four-mile races on Friday, and a sweets stroll through downtown Estes Park on Sunday. Read our story for more details on the festival.

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.

Viking festival in Breckenridge Dec. 18-20

The 62nd Ullr Fest celebrates Vikings, winter and Ullr, the Norse god of snow in Breckenridge. Celebrants can join the Main Street parade, participate in a world record-breaking attempt at the longest Shotski, and enjoy a bonfire.

Snowboarding competition in Breck Dec. 19-21

Breckenridge Ski Resort also hosts a new snowboarding event alongside UllrFest. The Rockstar Energy Open snowboarding festival is free and open to the public, combining world-class snowboarding competitions with live music, art installations and an interactive fan village. The event will draw Olympic gold medalists and debut a new rider-designed, multi-terrain course.

Holiday fireworks and torchlight parades in the mountains

Torchlight parades schussing down ski slopes are a wonderful holiday tradition for your Colorado bucket lists. This year, make plans to celebrate Christmas and new year at these resorts:

Winter Park hosts a torchlight parade at 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Telluride’s Christmas Eve torchlight parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Telluride will have another torchlight parade, along with fireworks, on New Year’s Eve.
Snowmass hosts a torchlight parade (registration is now available for intermediate skiers) and fireworks on Fanny Hill on New Year’s Eve.
Granby Ranch’s New Year’s Eve celebration starts with a kids LED light parade, adult torchlight parade, fireworks and a party until midnight.
Powderhorn also has an LED children’s parade at 5:40 on New Year’s Eve, followed by fireworks and accompanied by a live DJ.
Down south, Purgatory has a torchlight parade and fireworks on the Ski Beach, starting at 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve.
Grand Lake lights New Year’s Eve fireworks against the mountains and over the frozen lake.
Steamboat Springs changes it up with a glowing Snowcat parade at 5:30 p.m., along with fireworks, a torchlight parade, night skiing and a DJ dance party.
Vail’s torchlight parade and fireworks display begin at 6:15 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

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.