A Victorian mining town under snow, with more than 200 preserved 1800s buildings strung with lights, a Norse snow god honored by parade and bonfire, hundreds of Santas running down Main Street, and fireworks over Peak 9 to close the year.
Breckenridge does the holidays genuinely well, and most of it costs nothing.
The calendar is kind this year. Christmas Eve falls on a Thursday with Christmas Day on Friday. New Year's Eve is also a Thursday with New Year's Day on Friday. Two natural four-day weekends, which means lodging will move faster than usual.
Browse holiday availability or call 970-423-3080.
Holiday Dates at a Glance
| Date | Event | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 5 | Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas | Main Street | Free |
| Dec 17-19 | 63rd Annual Ullr Fest | Main Street | Free |
| Thu, Dec 24 | Christmas Eve | Town-wide | Varies |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Christmas Day | Mountain open | Lift ticket |
| Thu, Dec 31 | New Year's Eve Fireworks | Base of Peak 9 | Free |
| Jan 23 - Feb 2 | Snow Sculpture Championships | Riverwalk Center | Free |
The Holiday Events
Lighting of Breckenridge, Race of the Santas & Dog Parade
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | Main Street | Free
The official start of the season, and the best photo day of the year. Hundreds of Santas dash down Main Street, dogs join a costume parade, and the whole town gathers for the lighting of the Town Tree as thousands of lights come on along the historic storefronts.
Thoroughly charming, completely free, and the single best reason to arrive in early December. Dogs in Santa suits are very much part of it, so bring yours. See our dog-friendly guide.
63rd Annual Ullr Fest
Thursday December 17 to Saturday December 19, 2026 | Main Street and downtown venues | Free
gobreck.com
Sixty-three years of locals donning Viking helmets to honor Ullr, the Norse god of snow, in hopes of a powder-filled season. It is the most unusual thing on any Colorado holiday calendar and it is wonderful.
- The Ullr Parade down Main Street, unlike any parade you have attended
- The Ullr Bonfire. Bring your Christmas tree to retire in it
- The Shotski, an unofficial world record attempt, Thursday December 17 with lineup at 2:30 p.m. and the shot at 3:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit Breckenridge Mountain Rotary
- The Ullr Ice Plunge into frozen Maggie Pond. Spectating is entirely acceptable
- Crowning of the Ullr King and Queen, plus the Ullr Ball, talent shows, and comedy nights
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Thursday December 24 and Friday December 25, 2026
Main Street at its most atmospheric, with the lights on the Victorian buildings and snow on the peaks behind. The mountain runs on Christmas Day, and skiing on Christmas morning is a tradition plenty of families build a trip around.
Book restaurants now. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day reservations in Breckenridge go weeks ahead, and several kitchens close entirely. More on that below.
New Year's Eve Fireworks
Thursday, December 31, 2026 | Base of Peak 9, hosted by the Town of Breckenridge | Free
Fireworks over the base area to bring in 2027, with the whole village turning out. Main Street stays lively well past midnight, and the bars run late.
If you are staying downtown, you will hear it. Guests who have done it describe the fireworks shaking the windows and walking to breakfast the next morning in slippers. Worth knowing if you are a light sleeper with small children.
Staying Into January?
The 36th International Snow Sculpture Championships run January 23 to February 2, 2027 at the Riverwalk Center, with teams hand-carving 25-ton blocks of snow using only hand tools. Free, open 24 hours during viewing week, and best seen at night when they are lit. See our full winter events calendar.
Family-Friendly Holiday Things to Do
Ice Skating
Maggie Pond at the base of Peak 9 freezes into one of the most photogenic outdoor rinks in Colorado, ringed by the village with the ski runs behind. Skating here at dusk with the holiday lights coming on is a proper Breckenridge moment.
For a reliable surface and rental skates, the Stephen C. West Ice Arena, 189 Boreas Pass Rd, (970) 547-9974, has an indoor rink plus a covered outdoor sheet, ice bumper cars, and skate walkers for little ones. Check the online schedule, since public session times vary daily.
Dog Sledding
Good Times Adventure Tours, 6061 Tiger Rd, (970) 453-7604
The holiday-week activity kids remember for years. Six miles through the Swan River Valley behind a team of Siberian Huskies, with everyone rotating between mushing, riding, and following on the snowmobile. Sells out over Christmas week, so book now.
Sleigh Ride Dinners
Golden Horseshoe, 6061 Tiger Rd, (970) 453-2005, closed Mondays. Gourmet hot chocolate by the stove, a bonfire, then a horse-drawn sleigh through the forest with blankets on every seat. The full experience pairs it with the Diamond Dixie dinner theater.
Two Below Zero in Frisco, (970) 453-1520, runs a chuckwagon dinner and sleigh ride with live entertainment. Both book out over the holidays.
Sledding and Tubing
Carter Park, 300 S High St, has the town sledding hill. Free, and it will occupy children for an entire afternoon.
Country Boy Mine, 0542 French Gulch Rd, (720) 458-5387, runs sledding and tubing alongside its gold mine tours and gold panning. Open Wednesday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Snowshoeing and Nordic
Breckenridge Nordic Center, 9 Grandview Dr, (970) 453-6855. Groomed trails, lessons, rentals, and snowcat rides that stop at a cabin for hot cocoa and s'mores. A good low-pressure outing for mixed-ability family groups.
Museums for a Storm Day
- Edwin Carter Museum, a log cabin housing 3,300 wildlife specimens with hands-on exhibits and a discovery room. Genuinely good with kids.
- Barney Ford House Museum, telling the story of a man born into slavery who became a successful businessman and civil rights pioneer in early Colorado. Free with suggested donation.
- Breckenridge Welcome Center & Museum on Main Street, free, with a short film and interactive exhibits.
- Breckenridge Recreation Center, with an aquatics center, water slides, a climbing wall, and an indoor track. The reliable answer when it is snowing sideways.
Holiday Shopping on Main Street
Breckenridge is a genuinely good shopping town over the holidays, largely because the shops are independent rather than chains. Main Street is walkable end to end in about fifteen minutes.
Main Street Station
At the south end of Main Street, with shops spread across three buildings. A mix of outdoor gear, boutiques, and gifts, plus Continental Divide Winery and The Cheese Shop of Breckenridge for edible presents that travel well.
Marigold's Farmhouse Funk & Junk
marigoldsfarmhousefunkandjunk.com
Vintage farmhouse antiques, rustic signs, handmade jewelry, quirky mugs, and weathered decor. The best place in town for a gift nobody else will have.
Breckenridge Hat Company
Wall-to-wall hats of every description, from beanies to cowboy styles. Free to browse, fun to try things on, and a genuinely easy gift to buy for someone difficult.
Folcland
Curated, eco-friendly clothing, accessories, and home goods from ethical and sustainable brands.
The Downhill Dog
100 N Main St, Unit 203 | (970) 771-3946 | Daily 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
One of the highest-rated shops in town. Treats, toys, apparel, and gifts, with a gumball machine full of tennis balls. Bring the dog and let them pick.
Shopping Tips
- Shop midweek. Main Street is crowded Saturday and Sunday over the holidays.
- Edible gifts travel. Cheese, wine, and Breckenridge Distillery bottles all pack easily.
- The galleries are worth a look even if you are not buying, particularly in the Arts District.
- Many shops stay open late during the Lighting of Breckenridge on December 5 and through Ullr Fest.
Holiday Dining: Book Now
This is the single most common planning mistake. Breckenridge restaurants are small, several close on Christmas Day, and holiday-week reservations disappear weeks ahead.
For a Christmas Dinner
- Hearthstone, upscale Rocky Mountain cooking in a historic home with elk, lamb, bison short ribs, and Alaskan black cod.
- Rootstalk, a restored historic home on North Main with a seven-course Chef's Seasonal Tasting Menu. Ask for a Chef's Counter seat.
- Radicato, handmade Italian on the Riverwalk with fresh pasta daily.
- Briar Rose Chophouse & Saloon, Victorian-era setting, aged beef and wild game, in the pink building.
- Twist, an 1800s home with creative dishes at a notably reasonable price.
For Christmas Morning Breakfast
- The Crown, Main Street, with a fireplace, great coffee, and boozy options if the morning calls for it.
- Columbine Café, hearty portions and famous corned beef hash. Closed Christmas Day.
- Blue Moose, 540 S Main St, (970) 453-4859, daily 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Family-run since 1987, with pet-friendly outdoor seating.
Or cook at the rental. Every property we manage has a full kitchen, and a Christmas dinner at home with no reservation stress is how a lot of our guests prefer to do it.
Holiday-Inspired Evenings
- Breckenridge Distillery, 1925 Airport Rd, (970) 547-9759. Award-winning bourbon, a tasting room, a restaurant, and a free round-trip shuttle from your rental. Bottles make excellent gifts.
- Continental Divide Winery, the highest winery in the world, with outdoor fire tables and a wine blending class that is part science lab, part happy hour.
- Breckenridge Ghost Tours, which are better in winter. Dark by 5:00 p.m., snow on the Victorian storefronts, and gold rush ghost stories.
- The Gold Pan Saloon, 103 N Main St, (970) 453-5499. Established 1879, open until 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, live music from around 6:30 p.m.
- A soak after. Our rentals with private hot tubs are the correct way to end a cold December evening.
Planning Notes for Holiday Travel
- Book lodging six to nine months ahead for Christmas and New Year's. These are the two most in-demand weeks of the Breckenridge year, and the two four-day weekends this season make them tighter still.
- Reserve restaurants and activities at the same time. Dog sledding, sleigh rides, and holiday dinners all sell out.
- Altitude matters more over the holidays, when people arrive straight from sea level for a short trip. Hydrate starting the day before you travel and plan a lighter first day.
- Leave Denver early or late. The I-70 corridor backs up badly on holiday Fridays and Sunday returns. Before noon or after 7:00 p.m.
- Use the free transit. The Free Ride bus, the free BreckConnect Gondola, and our complimentary on-call VIP shuttle mean you can leave the car parked all week.
- Most events are free, including the Lighting of Breckenridge, Ullr Fest, and the New Year's fireworks.
- Dress for standing still. Nearly all of this happens outdoors in December at 9,600 feet.
Where to Stay for the Holidays
Most holiday events happen downtown. The New Year's fireworks happen at Peak 9.
- Downtown rentals, walkable to Main Street, the Lighting of Breckenridge, and Ullr Fest
- Ski-in ski-out rentals, closest to the Peak 9 base and the fireworks
- Large group rentals for families gathering over the holidays
- Private homes with room for everyone and a kitchen for Christmas dinner
- Rentals with private hot tubs and pet-friendly rentals
Browse all Breckenridge vacation rentals | Current specials
Why Book With Ski Country Resorts
- Lowest rates online, guaranteed, matched or beaten if you find better
- No service fees when booking direct
- Complimentary on-call VIP shuttle throughout Breckenridge, which matters on event nights
- 24/7 emergency support
- A local team who will tell you which restaurants still have holiday availability
Contact Ski Country Resorts
Phone: 970-423-3080
Toll Free: 800-633-8388
Email: Contact us here
Office: 213 North Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424
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More Breckenridge Guides
- Winter Events Calendar 2026/27
- Where to Stay: Neighborhood Guide
- 9 Best Restaurants in Breckenridge
- 9 Things You Can't Miss This Winter
Event dates, times, and business details are sourced from GoBreck and event organizers and are accurate as of publication. Outdoor events are weather dependent. Holiday hours vary and several restaurants close on Christmas Day. Please confirm directly before finalizing plans.