There are few experiences more magical than Christmas in Colorado. With its snowy peaks and dazzling light displays, the Centennial State truly seems tailor-made for the holiday season. Nowhere is that more apparent than in our small towns. Wonderful in any season, these places seem to get an extra dose of magic – and snow – this time of year. So, if you’re looking for picture-perfect settings that will ignite your holiday spirit, we’ve compiled a list of the best Christmas towns in Colorado. There’s so jolly, in fact, that you wouldn’t be surprised to run into Old St. Nick himself! How many of these 11 magical Christmas destinations in Colorado have you visited?

  1. Breckenridge

Walter Bibikow / Getty Images No discussion about the best Christmas towns in Colorado is complete without Breckenridge. This ski town looks like the inside of a snow globe! Plus, while you’re there, you can look forward to shopping for one-of-a-kind homemade items, tree lightings, and all kinds of festivities. Learn more by visiting the official Breckenridge website. Breckenridge, CO 80424, USA

  1. North Pole

Santa’s Workshop North Pole, Colorado Facebook You know we couldn’t have the best Christmas towns in Colorado list without mentioning the North Pole! Located just outside of Colorado Springs, Santa’s Workshop features magical rides, shows, and a rare opportunity to visit Santa’s home. Curious to learn more? Visit the official Santa’s Workshop North Pole website. North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop, 5050 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO 80809, USA

  1. Georgetown

Paul Hein / Getty Images Step back in time and partake in a new family tradition when you ride the vintage carriage, munch on roasted chestnuts, and shop for unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else. It’s truly one of the best places to spend Christmas in Colorado. For more on what awaits you when you visit Georgetown, you can visit the official website. Georgetown, CO 80444, USA

  1. Burlington

Kit Carson County Carousel Facebook Sure, you’ve ridden the hand-carved animals on the historic carousel… but have you ridden it at night when it’s decked out in lights and Christmas decor? The town of Burlington at Christmas is truly one-of-a-kind. Burlington, CO 80807, USA

  1. Ouray

Craig Hastings / Getty Images The breathtaking town of Ouray has been named “the Switzerland of America,” and it’s no mystery why! With festivities galore, shops to peruse, and delicious food to try, there are so many reasons to spend Christmas in Ouray. Ouray, CO, USA

  1. Durango

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad / Facebook Slip into your comfiest pair of pajamas and take a ride on the Polar Express™, with non-stop service from Durango to the North Pole! If you’re looking for things to do at Christmas in Colorado, this train ride will make your season merry and bright. For more information, including pricing and tickets, be sure to visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad online. Durango, CO, USA

  1. Limon

Limon Heritage Museum & Railroad Park Facebook Head east for a small-town Christmas, complete with a festive Hall of Trees exhibit and Parade of Lights sure to brighten your holiday season! Learn more by checking out the town of Limon on Facebook. Limon, CO 80828, USA

  1. Denver

Visit Denver / Facebook I know I said I’d be talking about “towns”, but I have to give a shout-out to at least one big city! Denver at Christmas is full of magic with elaborate light displays, seasonal events, markets, and the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park (pictured)! Denver, CO, USA

  1. Aspen

Visit Aspen Facebook On the first day of Christmas, Aspen gave to me… a storytime for the kids, a family skating party, and an opportunity to design my own Christmas ornament! On the second day? See for yourself at Aspen’s 12 Days of Christmas. Aspen, CO 81611, USA

  1. Estes Park

Rebecca Harding / Getty Images Estes Park is the kind of place where you might expect to find Santa’s reindeer. Of course, photographed above is technically an elk, but the idea still holds! Learn more about why a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect holiday outing by visiting the Estes Park website. Estes Park, CO 80517, USA

  1. Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association Facebook Welcome to the Hotel Colorado, where you can ring in the holidays with an elaborate tree lighting, fireworks, and spa treatments fit for royalty! It’s just filled with things to do at Christmas in Colorado. Curious to learn more? Check out the official Glenwood Springs website. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, USA

Which of these best Christmas towns in Colorado is your favorite? Have you been to any of these and are there other towns throughout the state that are just as magical? Tell us in the comments! And while you’re here, how about planning a road trip to some favorite Colorado Christmas towns?

Walter Bibikow / Getty Images

No discussion about the best Christmas towns in Colorado is complete without Breckenridge. This ski town looks like the inside of a snow globe! Plus, while you’re there, you can look forward to shopping for one-of-a-kind homemade items, tree lightings, and all kinds of festivities. Learn more by visiting the official Breckenridge website.

Breckenridge, CO 80424, USA

Santa’s Workshop North Pole, Colorado Facebook

You know we couldn’t have the best Christmas towns in Colorado list without mentioning the North Pole! Located just outside of Colorado Springs, Santa’s Workshop features magical rides, shows, and a rare opportunity to visit Santa’s home. Curious to learn more? Visit the official Santa’s Workshop North Pole website.

North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop, 5050 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO 80809, USA

Paul Hein / Getty Images

Step back in time and partake in a new family tradition when you ride the vintage carriage, munch on roasted chestnuts, and shop for unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else. It’s truly one of the best places to spend Christmas in Colorado. For more on what awaits you when you visit Georgetown, you can visit the official website.

Georgetown, CO 80444, USA

Kit Carson County Carousel Facebook

Sure, you’ve ridden the hand-carved animals on the historic carousel… but have you ridden it at night when it’s decked out in lights and Christmas decor? The town of Burlington at Christmas is truly one-of-a-kind.

Burlington, CO 80807, USA

Craig Hastings / Getty Images

The breathtaking town of Ouray has been named “the Switzerland of America,” and it’s no mystery why! With festivities galore, shops to peruse, and delicious food to try, there are so many reasons to spend Christmas in Ouray.

Ouray, CO, USA

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad / Facebook

Slip into your comfiest pair of pajamas and take a ride on the Polar Express™, with non-stop service from Durango to the North Pole! If you’re looking for things to do at Christmas in Colorado, this train ride will make your season merry and bright. For more information, including pricing and tickets, be sure to visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad online.

Durango, CO, USA

Limon Heritage Museum & Railroad Park Facebook

Head east for a small-town Christmas, complete with a festive Hall of Trees exhibit and Parade of Lights sure to brighten your holiday season! Learn more by checking out the town of Limon on Facebook.

Limon, CO 80828, USA

Visit Denver / Facebook

I know I said I’d be talking about “towns”, but I have to give a shout-out to at least one big city! Denver at Christmas is full of magic with elaborate light displays, seasonal events, markets, and the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park (pictured)!

Denver, CO, USA

Visit Aspen Facebook

On the first day of Christmas, Aspen gave to me… a storytime for the kids, a family skating party, and an opportunity to design my own Christmas ornament! On the second day? See for yourself at Aspen’s 12 Days of Christmas.

Aspen, CO 81611, USA

Rebecca Harding / Getty Images

Estes Park is the kind of place where you might expect to find Santa’s reindeer. Of course, photographed above is technically an elk, but the idea still holds! Learn more about why a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect holiday outing by visiting the Estes Park website.

Estes Park, CO 80517, USA

Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association Facebook

Welcome to the Hotel Colorado, where you can ring in the holidays with an elaborate tree lighting, fireworks, and spa treatments fit for royalty! It’s just filled with things to do at Christmas in Colorado. Curious to learn more? Check out the official Glenwood Springs website.

Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

best christmas towns in Colorado December 02, 2020 Beth C. Is Colorado a good place to visit during the winter? Colorado is simply wonderful during the wintertime! Many people believe that Colorado can be too cold to enjoy this time of year, but for those eager to embrace the great outdoors, the winter proves to be magical. Of course, not every day in Colorado is snowy. Sometimes, there are bouts of unseasonably warm weather that make it possible to hike your favorite trails. Other wintertime activities include skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and more. Or, you can simply stroll through the charming downtowns outlined above. What are the best Christmas events in Colorado? Christmastime in Colorado is a magical experience, no matter which area of the state you’re visiting. Some of the most exciting Christmas events in Colorado include the Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas in Breck, the Polar Express Train Ride in Durango, the Santa Express at Royal Gorge Railroad in Canon City, the Parade of Lights in Denver, the Denver Zoo Lights, A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol in Cripple Creek, and Christmas Stroll: Dickens on the Avenue in Cold Colorado City, Colorado Springs. Have you ever attended any of these family-friendly Christmas events in Colorado? What are some lesser-known ski resorts in Colorado? Many of Colorado’s ski resorts are known the world over. These include Breckenridge, Vail, Telluride, and Aspen. However, there are plenty of additional resorts to visit during the winter that won’t draw nearly as many crowds. Some of these places include Crested Butte, Powderhorn, Winter Park, Monarch, and Steamboat. Which of these lesser-known ski resorts have you and your family visited?

The OIYS Visitor Center

best christmas towns in Colorado

December 02, 2020

Beth C.

Is Colorado a good place to visit during the winter? Colorado is simply wonderful during the wintertime! Many people believe that Colorado can be too cold to enjoy this time of year, but for those eager to embrace the great outdoors, the winter proves to be magical. Of course, not every day in Colorado is snowy. Sometimes, there are bouts of unseasonably warm weather that make it possible to hike your favorite trails. Other wintertime activities include skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and more. Or, you can simply stroll through the charming downtowns outlined above. What are the best Christmas events in Colorado? Christmastime in Colorado is a magical experience, no matter which area of the state you’re visiting. Some of the most exciting Christmas events in Colorado include the Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas in Breck, the Polar Express Train Ride in Durango, the Santa Express at Royal Gorge Railroad in Canon City, the Parade of Lights in Denver, the Denver Zoo Lights, A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol in Cripple Creek, and Christmas Stroll: Dickens on the Avenue in Cold Colorado City, Colorado Springs. Have you ever attended any of these family-friendly Christmas events in Colorado? What are some lesser-known ski resorts in Colorado? Many of Colorado’s ski resorts are known the world over. These include Breckenridge, Vail, Telluride, and Aspen. However, there are plenty of additional resorts to visit during the winter that won’t draw nearly as many crowds. Some of these places include Crested Butte, Powderhorn, Winter Park, Monarch, and Steamboat. Which of these lesser-known ski resorts have you and your family visited?

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Colorado is simply wonderful during the wintertime! Many people believe that Colorado can be too cold to enjoy this time of year, but for those eager to embrace the great outdoors, the winter proves to be magical. Of course, not every day in Colorado is snowy. Sometimes, there are bouts of unseasonably warm weather that make it possible to hike your favorite trails. Other wintertime activities include skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and more. Or, you can simply stroll through the charming downtowns outlined above.

What are the best Christmas events in Colorado?

Christmastime in Colorado is a magical experience, no matter which area of the state you’re visiting. Some of the most exciting Christmas events in Colorado include the Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas in Breck, the Polar Express Train Ride in Durango, the Santa Express at Royal Gorge Railroad in Canon City, the Parade of Lights in Denver, the Denver Zoo Lights, A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol in Cripple Creek, and Christmas Stroll: Dickens on the Avenue in Cold Colorado City, Colorado Springs. Have you ever attended any of these family-friendly Christmas events in Colorado?

What are some lesser-known ski resorts in Colorado?

Many of Colorado’s ski resorts are known the world over. These include Breckenridge, Vail, Telluride, and Aspen. However, there are plenty of additional resorts to visit during the winter that won’t draw nearly as many crowds. Some of these places include Crested Butte, Powderhorn, Winter Park, Monarch, and Steamboat. Which of these lesser-known ski resorts have you and your family visited?