Magic and merriment abound during the holidays in Aspen. There is something for everyone during the Aspen holiday season, from holiday events and activities to skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor adventures.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite Christmas season activities and events in Aspen. As these events continue to evolve, be sure to check the relevant websites for updates.
12 DAYS OF ASPEN
In Aspen, the last 12 days of December each year (December 20–31) are dubbed the “12 Days of Aspen.” Downtown Aspen takes on a festive ambiance as it hosts various activities for locals and visitors of all ages and interests.
Family and kid-friendly activities generally include ice skating, meeting Santa (and his reindeer), eating s’mores, enjoying art workshops, plus cookie, ornament, and stocking-decorating. Adults can look forward to the “12 Days of Après” where they can drink, dance, and chat at a local Aspen hotspot.
The annual 12 Days of Aspen culminates on New Year’s Eve with a light show or fireworks display on Aspen Mountain. The Aspen Chamber’s website posts the most up-to-date information on the year’s activities and events once confirmed.
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
An Aspen holiday isn’t complete without hitting the slopes. By Christmas week, all four mountains have opened their terrain to the public, and four resorts means plenty of terrain to choose from. While actual prices for tickets and passes change from year to year, you can find the most current rates on the Aspen Snowmass Tickets and Passes page. For the best rates, booking at least ten days before arrival is always suggested. Our concierge is happy to help with any of their ski pass, rental, and lessons needs. Guests can email concierge@aspensquarehotel.com for assistance.
Aspen Square is conveniently located just across the street from the Silver Queen Gondola at the base of Aspen Mountain (AJAX). There are also free buses at Ruby Park, just a couple of blocks from Aspen Square, to the three other ski areas ― Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass.
If cross-country is your thing, the Aspen Cross Country Center, which operates the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System, will get you started with its extensive map of free groomed trails and tracks. Located just out of town on Hwy 82 at the Aspen Golf Course, the Cross Country Center offers gear rentals, lessons, cross country ski tours, ski tuning and repair services, and men’s and women’s locker rooms.
ICE SKATING
If you’d like to enjoy Aspen’s downtown Christmas decor while gliding around, the Silver Circle Ice Rink (right outside CP Burger and just a short walk from the Silver Queen Gondola) is the perfect choice. The Silver Circle generally opens in December, and ice skates are available for rent at the rink.
If you’re more interested in skating indoors, the Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice Arena, both operating under the Aspen Parks and Recreation Department, are open for public skating and special events.
SNOWMOBILING
If you’re eager to explore the Aspen valley over Christmas break but prefer the solitude of the backcountry to busy groomed runs, the T-Lazy 7 Ranch offers winter snowmobile tours in the White River National Forest (which includes the Maroon Bells). You can rent all the equipment you’ll need (helmets, boots, extra layers) before being taken for a ride (literally) by experienced and knowledgeable snowmobile guides. It’s the best way to see more of Aspen’s spectacular winter wonderland up close.
SNOWSHOE AND SKI TOURS
During the winter, snowshoe and ski tours are led daily by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) at both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass. ACES partners with Aspen SkiCo and the US Forest Service to offer free educational naturalist tours for children and adults. Check online to buy tickets for your snowshoe and ski tour.
LOCAL BREWS
If you feel like taking a break and enjoying something local, visit Aspen Brewing Company for a pint of Aspen’s finest craft beer. Conveniently located downtown with an outside deck and view of Aspen Mountain, enjoy this locally brewed beer while watching skiers and riders making their way down AJAX.
HOLIDAY CABARET SERIES WITH THEATRE ASPEN
Celebrate the season with Theatre Aspen’s Holiday Cabaret. Each evening, the ballroom of the Hotel Jerome turns into a Holiday Cabaret, complete with a seated chef's dinner and a 60-minute Broadway-style performance by Theatre Aspen.
ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER
Get into the holiday spirit by attending a performance of The Nutcracker by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Featuring a stellar cast of performers, this production will surely delight audiences of all ages and entertain with ballet, flamenco, Chinese ribbon dance, circus artists, and more! Bring family and friends to join this magical Aspen tradition and usher in the holidays. Check the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet website for event info and to purchase tickets.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE BELLY UP
Check out some live music! This intimate music venue attracts some of the biggest names in music, and for good reason. With great sound, terrific service, and no bad seats in the house, this venue is well worth checking out. Look at their calendar of upcoming concerts and see a show over the holiday.
ASPEN ART MUSEUM
Plan a visit to the Aspen Art Museum, check out their exhibits and grab lunch on their rooftop cafe. The museum is exhibit-focused and offers community events, education, and immersive activities. The museum’s calendar lists current and upcoming exhibits to help you plan ahead.
ULLR NIGHTS IN SNOWMASS
By venturing a few miles up to Snowmass, you can celebrate Ullr Nights. It’s easy to take a free bus to Snowmass from Aspen Square – Ruby Park Transit Center is just a few blocks from our hotel. These family-friendly winter celebrations occur at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola and honor Ullr, the Norse God of Snow.
Enjoy a bonfire, s’mores, and hot chocolate before or after you try snow tubing, ice skating, and snowbiking. You’ll be further entertained by live music and fire dancers, urging you to stay until you feel your adventure is complete.
ASPEN HOLIDAY SHOWS AT THE WHEELER
The Wheeler Opera House celebrates the magical month of December by producing a bounty of holiday-themed films and performances. In past holiday seasons, shows have included various live music, magic shows, holiday films, comedy performances, family-friendly theater, and more. You can find details on the official lineup (as it’s solidified) at Aspen Showtix.
ASPEN CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
At 6 pm on the first Sunday of every December, a 93-foot fir tree (one of Aspen’s tallest and oldest firs) in front of Aspen’s Sardy House on Main Street will be lit by a long-time Aspenite. This Christmas Tree Lighting event traditionally includes front porch music by carolers and the Aspen high school and middle school bands. Santa makes an appearance, and crowds can share in free cookies and cocoa!
The annual Little Nell Christmas tree lighting event begins with live holiday music, followed by the courtyard lighting. Listen to Christmas carols while waiting to take photos with Santa. If you’re lucky, the Aspen Animal Shelter may attend with “reindeer” pups for socializing.
The St. Regis lights up its 30-foot courtyard Christmas tree each year, accompanied by live music and Champagne sabering (deemed the signature ceremony of the St. Regis Evening Rituals).
CHRISTMAS DINING
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining options are curated and published annually on the ACRA Holiday Dining page. Multiple restaurants in Aspen offer holiday menus for lunch and dinner, featuring a variety of choices suitable for everyone from Aspen’s finest dining establishments.
Check the event page frequently for updates, and contact restaurants directly for reservation information.
CHRISTMAS AND HANUKKAH HOLIDAY SERVICES
No matter your faith, you’ll find many holiday services throughout December in Aspen. The Aspen Chamber website updates its Holiday Religious Services page as new events are confirmed, so be sure to check back if you don’t see what you’re looking for at first glance.
YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
If you plan to spend your holiday in Aspen, downtown Aspen is the place to be. At Aspen Square, we are only one block the Aspen Mountain gondola and the main free skier bus terminal which will take you to Buttermilk, Snowmass, or Aspen Highlands.
Browse our available rentals and start planning your holiday vacation with us. If you need additional help, call (970) 925-1000 or contact our reservations desk at reservations@aspensquarehotel.com.