Grand County, Colorado: Celebrate the Holiday Season Indoors or Outside
Granby, Colo. — Need a holiday getaway this year? Just a short 60-mile drive from downtown Denver, Grand County is a great place to escape the crowds. Whether it’s a blazing downhill run, a high-altitude snowmobile tour, or a contemplative snowshoe walk, there’s a winter adventure for every taste. When it’s time to come inside, choose from a menu of restaurants, historical sites, theater and more.
Special holiday festivities cap Grand County’s offerings, so mark these dates on your calendar:
November 29
· Celebration of lights at Cooper Creek Square in Winter Park starts at 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Drop by to enjoy holiday music, street performers, fire juggler and a visit from Old St. Nick’.
· Come to Grand Lake’s traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festival of Lights at the Town Park from 5 to 7 p.m., and enjoy carols, hot chocolate and homemade cookies.
November 29-30 & December 26-27
· The Victorian-era Kauffman House is the focal point of Grand Lake’s holiday season. The museum kicks off the fun with food and music as part of the annual open house.
December 7
· Visit Kremmling for the lighting of the tallest living Christmas tree in Colorado.
· The 15th Annual Tommelfest and Holiday Market at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash celebrates the season from 8 am to 4 p.m., with free cross-country skiing lessons, a keg toss, Swedish meatballs, and holiday shopping.
· The Grand Elk Golf Club in Granby will hold a Christmas tree lighting at The Grille from 4 to 6 p.m.
December 14-15
· Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre’s “Home for the Holidays” show, a tribute to the holidays, will be performed in Grand Lake.
December 24
· Be part of a decades-old Winter Park tradition by attending the Torchlight Parade. Grab a warm drink and do some caroling early, then when it's dark, watch the parade and fireworks show.
December 31
· Grand Lake’s Kauffman House will offer midnight treats and tours before the spectacular fireworks show over the lake.
· Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Grand Lake with Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre alumna Sarah Bockel for a performance starting at 9 p.m.
· Ring in the New Year with the Grand County Blues Society as they throw down with the Honey Island Swamp Band at the Headwaters Center in Winter Park.
· Claim your spot for Grand Lake’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display over the lake. The show starts at midnight.
· Come to Granby Ranch for its annual New Year’s Eve Family Dance Party. Music, activities, fireworks, a buffet dinner and dancing run from 5 to 9 p.m.
Grand County, Colo. (visitgrandcounty.com)
Located 67 miles west of Denver, Grand County is home to wide-open spaces, breathtaking mountain scenery and authentic old-west towns. Outdoor recreational activities include skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, dog sled rides, ice fishing and ice-skating.
The area features more than 600 miles of mapped and marked trails, one national park, two national forests, two wilderness areas, two national scenic byways, two major alpine ski resorts, four Nordic ski areas, five world-class dude ranches and four mountain golf courses. Grand County’s extensive water network includes Colorado’s largest natural lake, 1,000 miles of streams, 1,000 acres of high-mountain lakes and 11,000 acres of reservoirs.
Contact: Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, [email protected], 970-531-2336