Why These 5 Colorado Towns are Perfect for a Happy Holiday

The holiday season is well on its way, and while it is usually a time for coming together and spreading joy, it can be equally as stressful.

Whether it’s trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one or worrying about what everyone is going to think about your meal at Christmas dinner, there’s a lot that can make this time of year a bit of a drag.

Some people also find a lot of stress when it comes to planning holiday trips. With so many moving parts and an always painfully crowded flight experience, trying to find the perfect destination to celebrate the season can be challenging.

However, it should be no secret that Colorado has some incredible spots to celebrate the occasion. Let’s take a look at five towns right here in Colorado that are perfect places to enjoy the holiday spirit.

Best Christmas Towns in Colorado: Steamboat Springs

Steamboat not only was recently named as one of the best places to travel in 2024, but has consistently offered a fantastic experience during the holiday season.

Of course, people love to go on ski trips during the week of Christmas and New Years, which can make the slopes much more congested than usual, but Steamboat has a lot to offer for a Christmas vacation.

You can book sleigh rides through the snow, watch Santa ride a horse, and join the Steamboat Festival, all while getting all of your Christmas shopping done at the great selection of stores. There are plenty of great holiday options to be had in Steamboat this December.

Best Christmas Towns in Colorado: Manitou Springs

Located right outside of Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods is Manitou Springs, a favorite amongst Coloradans for its charm.

The lovely town’s setting also translates wonderfully to Christmastime and the holiday season. For one, many of the windows in town are filled with holiday decorations, with a competition taking place to find who has the best window dressing.

Amongst other activities, you can visit the Miramont Castle for a Victorian Christmas Tour, let the kids send letters to Santa, watch the Christmas brass band every Sunday, and watch the fireworks go off on top of Pikes Peak for New Year.

Best Christmas Towns in Colorado: Breckenridge

Not only will you have a 98% chance of having a white Christmas in Breck, but there are also a ton of different activities to do during the holidays.

Obviously, you can go skiing, but that’s not what makes Breckenridge such a special place for the holiday season. It truly has some of the best holiday lighting of any place in the state, really bringing the town alive with lights wrapping almost every tree.

They also hold an amazing event called Race of the Santas, where hundreds of people race down Main Street dressed as Santa Claus to welcome the holiday season. Of course, they also offer sledding, sleigh rides, and even some fantastic hot chocolate.

Best Christmas Towns in Colorado: Ouray

Ouray is widely known as the “Little Switzerland of America” for its beautiful architecture along with its fantastic views situated right in the heart of the Western Slope.

The quaint town really comes alive during Christmastime, with lights being hung all over the place that liven up the spirit of the season. Along with this, the town has been noted by Hallmark as a place that has a particular friendliness that really helps feed into the sense of cheer.

However, Ouray also offers a ton of great events during the holiday season that really bring out this place’s charm. There’s the Yule Day & Night Parade along with the Annual Wine, Chocolate & Cheese Festival going on in town during the month of December.

Best Christmas Towns in Colorado: Durango

To finish off the list, we head to another town on the Western Slope that has gained a lot of attention for its sense of holiday cheer; Durango, Colorado.

The town has actually been ranked as the best Christmas town in Colorado by PlanetWare, and for good reason.

For one, the iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad transforms into the Polar Express during the holiday season. It takes riders to a North Pole stop, where they get to meet Santa along with some of his elves.

Of course, the town comes alive with Christmas decorations lining all of the shops. Places like the Strater Hotel also offer rooms that are decorated for the holiday season. In general, this makes Durango a fantastic place to celebrate a white Christmas.