Aspen Colorado Christmas - Experience the Holidays in Luxury
There’s nothing quite as special as an Aspen, Colorado Christmas! Each winter, our little town gets decked out in lights with gorgeous professional light displays covering all of downtown Aspen. With every shop window lit up and chunky snowflakes covering the pavement, it’s like a scene from a classic Christmas movie.
What to do in Aspen, Colorado During Christmas?
Throughout December there are holiday festivities all over Aspen, including multiple tree lighting ceremonies, photo opportunities with Santa, the Aspen Holiday Market, and professional Christmas carolers performing nightly at the Hotel Jerome. The holiday season also coincides with peak ski, snowboard, and snowshoe season because Aspen Mountain gets lots of fresh snow throughout December. Other popular Aspen, Colorado Christmas time activities include ice skating and sleigh rides to Pine Creek Cookhouse for dinner.
If you haven’t previously considered coming to Aspen, Colorado for Christmas, we’re here to convince you! The team at Aspen Luxury Concierge are all locals who know the down-low on all the best holiday activities. Keep reading to learn what’s waiting for you in Aspen, Colorado during Christmas.
The 5 Best Aspen, Colorado Christmas Events and Activities
If you want a picture-perfect white Christmas, Aspen Snowmass is the place to be! Located at 7,908 feet, Aspen gets over a hundred inches of snow each year with more than 60 days of fresh snow each winter. Stepping into downtown Aspen is like leaping into a Christmas movie. Starting in early December, the whole town is transformed into a scene out of a Christmas card.
Visitors usually come to Aspen for the exceptional skiing as well as the many other things to do in Aspen in winter, but locals recommend sticking around for the holidays. Aspen, Colorado Christmas time is rife with special events, free family activities, seasonal dining offerings, and winter outdoor events. Whether you’re traveling with your spouse, your friends, or the whole family, Aspen winter is the place to be for the greatest holiday experience.
1. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies
Aspen, Colorado during Christmas actually has a few different tree lighting ceremonies. The biggest is Light Up the Night at the Aspen Snowmass Chapel. Each year, professional tree decorators cover the 50 huge trees around the chapel in lights and ornaments. In early December, Aspenites and visitors gather to celebrate the beginning of the winter season. Cookies and refreshments are provided by local Aspen bakeries; Santa and Mrs. Claus are also present to greet children and take photos with families.
The Little Nell also hosts a tree lighting ceremony in the courtyard. The first week of December, everyone is invited to see The Little Nell’s extravagant Christmas tree light show. Snacks like cookies and hot cocoa are free for all attendees. It is an annual tradition for Santa to make an appearance and for the audience to strike up a Christmas carol.
The dates for Christmas tree lighting ceremonies vary from year to year. The events are also subject to the whims of the weather. Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for dates and times of Christmas events.
2. Aspen Holiday Market
Aspen is already well-known for its bespoke farmer’s markets that offer the highest quality organic ingredients. The Aspen Holiday Market is a Christmas-style farmer’s market that is the centerpiece of the 12 Days of Aspen Christmas celebration. The holiday market normally begins in early December and runs for the duration of the month. The 12 Days of Aspen Christmas celebration usually starts around December 20th and counts down to Aspen New Years Eve.
The activities vary by year, but the holiday market normally has:
Make your own ornament stations
Cookie decorating booths
Artists selling handmade novelties
A North Pole set for photos with Santa
A reindeer petting zoo (sadly, the market is a no-fly zone, so the reindeer remain grounded)
Gourmet hot chocolate
Christmas carol sing-alongs
Free to attend musical performances
Sneak peeks of Christmas theatrical performances, like The Nutcracker Ballet
Season beverages, including Christmas cocktails
And more après ski holiday deals!
An Aspen, Colorado Christmas vacation is not complete without hitting the Aspen Holiday Market. It is where children’s core holiday memories are made and where adults rediscover their holiday spirit.
Plan your Aspen adventure with Aspen Luxury Concierge! Our team handles all the travel details while you enjoy your trip!
3. Aspen, Colorado Christmas Sleigh Rides
Sleigh rides to Pine Creek Cookhouse for dinner are one of the most unique and amazing activities to do while you’re in Aspen. The sleighs are pulled by two huge Belgian and Percheron horses, who love to be petted by visitors before and after the ride. Each sleigh can fit up to 15 people; you can book a private ride with your closest friends and family members or share the sleigh and make new friends along the way. For dinner reservations, you get picked up around 7 and taken up to Pine Creek Cookhouse in the cozy sleigh. Each sleigh ticket includes a 5 course dinner with curated wine pairing and seasonal drinks for kids. At the end of your meal, the sleigh will take you back into Aspen.
Pine Creek Cookhouse is widely considered one of the most romantic date night destinations as well as one of the best restaurants in Aspen. All their signature meals are inspired by the Colorado wildlife; winter specialties include rainbow trout, buffalo tenderloin, and Nepalese dumplings. If you are looking for a magical Aspen, Colorado Christmas vacation, be sure to hop on the sleigh for a night you’ll never forget.
Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge to reserve your spot on the PCC Christmas sleigh!
4. Winter Sports and Outdoor Activities
Aspen is, first and foremost, an upscale ski town. Even when the holidays are in full swing, visitors and locals alike are still hitting the Aspen Mountain slopes, hiking the Aspen Highlands Bowl, and trying new runs on each of the 4 mountains in Aspen. The ski season doesn’t stop for Christmas time, but you’re sure to see at least one Santa shredding the slopes.
There are still plenty of ways to get outside even if you don’t ski:
Snowshoeing is a low-impact, mindful way to explore Aspen’s forests.
Aspen Fly Fishing can be a year-round activity depending on the weather.
Ice Skating is enjoyable for all skill levels. The Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice offer skate rental as well as lessons for first timers.
Snowmobile Tours to Ashcroft ghost town
Golfing is a popular pastime, even in winter. Some golf courses in Aspen are open year round.
Winter Hiking in Aspen is a great way for non-skiers to enjoy the forest without having to rent any gear.
Cross-Country Skiing is an adventurous alternative to downhill skiing for anyone who wants to skip the lift lines.
Whether you want to try something new or keep training your skill, Aspen Luxury Concierge is here for all your activity needs. Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for gear rental, tee times, trail recommendations, lift tickets, and one-on-one lessons.
5. Christmas Carolers at Hotel Jerome
Aspen at Christmas isn’t the same without everyone’s favorite local Christmas carolers. While caroling takes place in many different venues throughout the holiday season, it just isn’t the same as the caroling at Hotel Jerome. The Holiday Bell Tones Festive Carolers are a troupe of professional singers and Christmas carolers who perform nightly at the Hotel Jerome. Visitors are invited to drink hot cocoa and enjoy renditions of all the Christmas classics. The event begins in mid-December and runs until Christmas Eve.
If you are interested in attending any of the Hotel Jerome holiday events, contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for reservations.
Where to Dine in Aspen, Colorado During Christmas
In addition to Pine Creek Cookhouse, all the top-tier restaurants in Aspen have dinner specials around the holidays. In true Aspen fashion, every menu item has a recommended wine or handcrafted cocktail pairing that has been specially selected by the chef. Most Aspen restaurants offer pre-planned multi-course dinners that pay tribute to Christmas traditions and utilize Colorado-grown ingredients.
Element 47
Located inside the legendary Little Nell luxury hotel, Element 47 is a hot ticket restaurant year-round, but for Christmas, they kick it up a notch. The prix fixe 4-course meal includes indulgent meats like goose, wagyu beef, lobster, and venison. Other courses include pasta dishes, handmade the Italian way, and delectable desserts. For adults, curated wine pairings can be added to your meal for an additional $200. For children, there is gourmet hot cocoa with all the fixings.
Prospect
Dining at Prospect is the most luxurious way to celebrate the holiday. The restaurant is known for its holiday menus that wow even the most discerning food critic. For Christmas Eve, you can enjoy a five course meal that comes with amuse-bouches and canapés made from local ingredients. For an additional fee, you can get the standard wine pairing, the holiday wine pairing, or the festive champagne pairing. Tasty drink pairings are also available for children under 12.
Prospect also offers Christmas Day curated courses for both lunch and dinner. The dining room has stunning views of the snow capped peaks from most tables, so Prospect is the perfect place to enjoy a white Christmas.
Ajax Tavern
While Prospect and Element 47 are luxury dining options designed for decadence, Ajax Tavern melds an approachable, family friendly atmosphere with delicious dining. Throughout the holiday season and on Christmas Eve, Ajax Tavern offers a specialty 3 course Christmas menu. Although the exact menu changes every year, past dishes have included oysters, Wagyu beef wrapped in puff pastry, and duck. Wine pairings and children’s drink pairings can be added to your diner for an additional cost.
6 Thing to Know About Visiting Aspen at Christmas
When you ask for dinner recommendations in Aspen, the locals will likely tell you “good luck getting in.” Aspen’s many amazing restaurants draw huge crowds during the winter season, so it can be hard to get a reservation. This problem only gets worse at Christmas because so many people want the Aspen, Colorado Christmas dinner experience. When you come to Aspen in the winter, here are a few tips to keep in mind for your trip:
1. Book Early
Reservations in Aspen fill up fast, especially for holidays. It pays to make reservations early in the season. This also goes for accommodations and activities.
2. Don’t Do it By Yourself
Planning a vacation is enough work as it is. If you’re trying to have a nice family holiday, don’t ruin it by working too hard. Aspen Luxury Concierge is a local concierge service that acts as your single point of contact for your entire trip. When you work with us, we make all the arrangements while you just get to have fun.
3. Dress Your Best
Luxury Aspen restaurants typically have a dress code. Before you go, check with your concierge about what you should wear. You will not get the decadent Aspen dining experience if you aren’t dressed for the part. If you forgot your favorite cocktail dress, you can always go shopping in Aspen for a new favorite little black dress.
4. There’s Nothing Wrong With Staying In
Many visitors feel pressure to experience as much of Aspen as possible, so they run themselves ragged trying to do everything. There’s nothing wrong with relaxing and staying in on your vacation. Your ALC concierge can hire you a private chef for your vacation rental, so you can enjoy gourmet meals in the comfort of your home-away-from-home.
5. Make It a Date Night
It’s okay to leave the kids at home for one night of your trip. Aspen is home to so many romantic restaurants that it would be a shame to not have a date night in Aspen Snowmass. Your concierge can arrange for childcare while you connect with your beloved over a candle lit dinner.
6. Location Matters
The best restaurants for holiday dining are located inside the major Aspen luxury hotels. You may want to consider staying in a luxury hotel in order to have easy access to both the slopes and your dining options. All the major hotels also have room service in case you need a post-ski snack.
Alternatively, some visitors prefer a luxury vacation rental so that they have the entire house to themselves. Your concierge can hire a private chef to prepare your meals, stock your kitchen with organic snacks, and arrange for transportation into town for dinner.
Plan Your Aspen, Colorado Christmas With ALC
Our ALC family’s purpose is to make your family love Aspen as much as we do through service and exceptional experiences. When you work with an ALC concierge, we make all your reservations for you, as well as handle transportation, itineraries, gear rental, and anything else you need. Make the most of your Aspen, Colorado Christmas vacation by hiring the planning professionals. Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge to start planning your trip to Aspen at Christmas.
BY: RACHEL NAIDUS
Rachel is the Principal & Founder of Aspen Luxury Concierge. For over a decade, she has cut her teeth in the luxury hospitality services business. Since 2019, she has led ALC’s premier staff in creating luxury, effortless experiences for its clients. With her ever growing network of partners, vendors, and clientele, Rachel leads the pack in providing expert services to Aspen luxury travelers and locals.