Steamboat Springs is a sight to behold during the holiday season. You can feel the festive energy in the air, as downtown turns into a winter Wonderland with twinkling lights and Christmas-themed storefronts, set against the silhouette of snowcapped peaks in the distance. It’s a postcard-perfect picture of a cozy Christmas getaway, but our amazing mountain town has more to offer than just the scenery! Here you can immerse yourself in world-class skiing, indulge in seasonal beer from our fantastic breweries, and participate in tons of activities and events to get you into the Christmas spirit. We’ve outlined the best activities and Christmas events in Steamboat Springs to get your Christmas trip to Steamboat Springs, CO started!  

Book Steamboat Springs Fall Rentals Here!

Best Christmas Events in Steamboat Springs

We’re situated in a sweet spot of Colorado, with terrific views of the snowcapped Rockies in the distance, rolling hillsides, and tons of beautiful nature right at your fingertips. The arrival of the holiday season, as the world of winter recreation, begins to open up, gives you lots of options for outdoor activities on your Christmas trip. The Steamboat Ski Resort typically opens up right before or after Thanksgiving, meaning if you arrive in the month of December, you can usually count on getting in a little skiing and snowboarding. If that’s not your preferred winter activity, you’ll find nearby snow tubing, snowshoeing, guided snowmobile tours, and other thrilling pastimes. When you spend Christmas in Steamboat Springs, you’ll have your choice of winter activities! 

Attend a Local and Festive Holiday Event 

If you like to get into the seasonal spirit with holiday events, you’ll find a few in Steamboat Springs as we welcome the winter holidays! If you’re here before Christmas, you can attend the annual tree lighting on the Courthouse lawn—and it will also be there to enjoy throughout the month, giving you a great opportunity for holiday photos as you explore the town. The tree-lighting event will have hot cocoa, cookies, and a visit from Santa!  

However, if you can’t make the tree-lighting event, Santa will be visiting throughout the month of December. Santa’s Study comes to town on select days in December, typically the first three Saturdays of the month. It’s a great chance to take the kids to visit old Kris Kringle, snag a photo for the memories, and spend some family time together before the holiday. This year, you can find “Santa’s Study” on the Courthouse lawn on December 3rd, 10th, and 17th, 2022.  

See Our Steamboat Springs Ski-In Ski-Out Rentals Here!
Another treasured local event, “A Very Steamboat Holiday Festival” traditionally takes place downtown in the first week of December. On Saturday, you’ll find tons of local vendors selling handcrafted and artisan goods, from upscale art to handmade jewelry. If you love giving unique holiday gifts, this is the perfect place to hunt for a Christmas present. There are also food and drink vendors, so you can grab a cup of hot cocoa while you check out the festival. Santa’s Workshop will be open, so the kids can decorate their own ornaments and make other Christmas crafts. This year the holiday festival takes place on December 3rd, 2022! 

Discover the Charm of Steamboat Springs During Christmas Time 

Whether it’s strolling downtown after dinner, admiring the holiday lights, or cozying up at a local brewhouse with your favorite seasonal brew, there’s plenty to enjoy in town when you’re not exploring the outdoors or getting in the Christmas spirit at a local event. There are plenty of shops to browse downtown, such as Steamboat Trading Co, Steamboat Treasures and Tees, and Steamboat Apparel and Gifts—just to name a few! Grab a souvenir for yourself or do some last-minute Christmas shopping before the big holiday arrives.  

When you’re done, you can visit one of our local eateries and enjoy a warm meal with the family. Several of our breweries also have food menus and are family-friendly with their own kid’s menu. We have a wide variety of restaurants in town, so there’s something for every taste! If you feel like getting out of the winter weather for an afternoon, visit one of our local museums like the Steamboat Art Museum or The Tread of Pioneers Museum. There’s always something to do during the winter holidays in Steamboat Springs! 

Contact Us Here!

Visit Steamboat Springs for an Unforgettable Christmas Giveaway 

Cozy up by a warm fireplace, snow falling outside your window, and make memories with friends and family. It’s the typical picture of a Christmas vacation to Steamboat Springs, and we have just the vacation rental for you! We offer a selection of upscale condos with a rustic feel, all of which are ski-on, ski-off properties for our Christmas ski enthusiasts. Countless amenities, great locations, and that home-away-from-home feel all await you—contact us today to book your Christmas getaway to Steamboat Springs!