Every holiday season Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley make our mountain home a special place for locals and visitors alike. Here’s a snapshot of descriptives, dates and times of some of our favorite traditional holiday events in the valley.
Gunnison Night of Lights
Join the fun as Santa lights the Gunnison Christmas Tree – Friday December 2- downtown Gunnison. Vendors out from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Santa will light the tree at 6:30 pm. Need more information, want to be a participant in the event – contact the Gunnison Chamber (970) 641-1501.
When: December 2nd, 2022 – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Downtown Gunnison
More Info: HERE
Winter at the End of the Road – Holiday Performance
Proudly presented by the Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, School of Dance, and the Center, join us for an original and inspiring, Crested Butte-centric production featuring a mashup of dance, short theatre performances, and spoken word from the creative minds of Paul Edwards, Shelly Clements, and many, many more. Starring a sensational cast of students and community members.
When: December 9th and 10th, 2022 – 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Center For The Arts
More Info: HERE
WCU Holiday Concert Gala
Enjoy this WCU Music department at Kincaid Concert Hall for a holiday concert presented by many of our ensembles. Suggested donation $10.
When: December 8th, 2022 – 8:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: Western Colorado University
More Info: HERE
Mt. Crested Butte Light Up The Night
Join the Town of Mt. Crested Butte at the Lodge at Mountaineer Square for the Annual Light Up The Night Winter Celebration. Enjoy the lighting of the tree and Menorah followed by bucket rides, live music, and pictures with Santa and the Snow Queen. Additional offerings throughout the event include hot cocoa, winter wonderland face painting, a snowflake cookie decorating station, arts and crafts activities by the Children’s Trailhead Museum, and a visit from Santa Paws. This year the city is partnering with Gunnison Toys for Tots. Please bring new, unused, and unopened toys for donation! Let’s bring joy to local children in need this holiday season.
When: December 10th, 2022 – 4 pm to 7 pm
Where: Lodge at Mountaineer Square
More Info: HERE
Santa Night At The Museum
Join us at the Crested Butte Museum to meet with Santa, tell him what you want him and his reindeer to bring you for the holidays, decorate cookies, and do a holiday craft. This is a free community event, although we encourage making a donation of your choice if you are able to the museum to keep these events accessible for all.
When: December 10th, 2022 – 4 pm to 6 pm
Where: Crested Butte Museum
More Info: HERE
Community Holiday Movie – The Santa Clause
Join us for the CB Arts Center’s annual family-friendly holiday movie night featuring the 1994 classic The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen. When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. Bring the whole family down in your best Christmas jammies – and come early for themed drinks and popcorn. Pay what you can, even if that’s nothing. Doors 5:30 pm | Movie 6 pm
When: December 11th, 2022 – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Crested Butte Center For The Arts
More Info: HERE
Rock on Ice
Renowned ice carving artists from the group ‘Rock on Ice’ return to the base area to ply their skills in celebration of the holiday season. Join us throughout the process for carving demonstrations and to watch the sculpture garden grow. Guests may then enjoy the sculptures in the base area for as long as they last!
When: December 17-19, 2022 – 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
More Info: HERE
Santa’s Sleigh
Santa sneaks in a last-minute visit for après in the base area. Gear up for holiday cheer with hot cocoa, and get your picture taken with Santa and his “sleigh” (snowcat). The hot cocoa bar will start at 4:30 pm in Coal Breaker and pictures with Santa in front of a snowcat will start around 5:15 pm on the snow out front of Butte 66.
When: December 23rd, 2022 – 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
More Info: HERE
Holiday Costume Day
Dress as Santa Claus or put on your holiday-themed costume and parade down to the base area. Best costumes win prizes.
When: December 24th, 2022
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
More Info: HERE
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks
Crested Butte’s finest ski and snowboard instructors wind their way down the mountain bearing torches that light up the night – followed by a fireworks show to celebrate the new year.
When: December 31st, 2022 – 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
More Info: HERE