Your Epic Guide to Christmas in Vail

Vail, Colorado is a very special mountain village nestled in the Rocky Mountains, in the Gore Range. Being in Vail during Christmas is a wonderland of winter! Vail Village and Lionshead are sparkling with holiday lights and there are holiday decorations everywhere you turn. 

Being in a ski town during the Christmas and the Holiday season is one of my favorite things in the world! When I have family visiting me in Colorado in December, I make sure to bring them around to all of the special holiday events so they can embrace the festive vibes.

In Vail, Colorado for Christmas, you’ll find a fun calendar of things to do in addition to the array of winter activities already going on!

This article will help you decide which activities to do while you’re visiting Vail during Christmas. Vail has something unique scheduled for Christmas, Hanukkah, and for the New Year’s celebration. 

This year, Vail is celebrating their 60th year anniversary with some very special additional events on the calendar. 

Why Vail During Christmas?

If you’re looking for a magical mountain village to spend the holidays with your family, Vail during Christmas is a perfect mountain destination. 

Vail Colorado’s resort design was inspired by the ski resorts of Europe. The charming atmosphere of Vail’s villages gives guests a warm welcome and a taste of what it’s like to visit a ski town in Switzerland. 

The quaint architecture in Vail is colorful and inviting with winding paths connecting each of Vail’s villages. These villages in Vail are lined with art galleries, ski shops, and delectable restaurants making them a perfect place to spend the holidays. 

You’ll find a wonderful, fun-filled calendar of holiday (and anniversary) events, and snowy mountain views everywhere you turn!

Four Seasons Vail

There are plenty of luxury hotels, boutique hotels, spacious townhouses, and slopeside accommodations in Vail to spend your Christmas with your closest friends and family.

If you’re looking for where to stay in Vail, check out this list of the Best Hotels in Vail, Colorado.

There are tree lightings in Vail, special dinner menus planned for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the best Vail restaurants, Christmas Carolers, and a silent disco! 

Plus, boutique holiday shopping and so much more that we’ll cover here in the complete guide to Vail at Christmas!

You’ll love the twinkle of Christmas lights and festive energy throughout Vail during this special season in the Colorado mountains.

This post is all about Vail Colorado Christmas. 

Vail Village Tree Lighting

The spectacular tree lighting in Vail, Colorado will take place in Vail Village at the Children’s Fountain in Vail Village. The fountain is located between Pepi’s and Lancelot on Gore Creek Drive directly in Vail Village.

This year (2022) the Vail tree lighting will be on December 15th between 5pm and 6pm. If you attend the holiday tree lighting in Vail, you’ll also find Christmas carolers singing holiday classics and a visit from Santa Claus!

60TH Anniversary Celebration and Apres Village Concerts

For Vail’s 60th Anniversary Birthday Celebration, you’ll find a fun schedule of Vail Village concerts! Come out to listen to great music and toast this very special anniversary of Vail Ski Resort’s discovery and beginning. Concerts begin at

Thursday, December 15th: DJ Set with Cauldron on Vail Mountain and Vail Village Christmas Tree Lighting

Friday, December 16th: Concert with Mountain Rose in Vail Village

Saturday, December 17th: Concert featuring Boot Juice and the Marvel Years in Vail Village

Vail Ice Skating Spectacular

This year in Vail Colorado, attend the Ice Spectacular at Dobson Arena featuring Olympic Skater Nathan Chen. This holiday-themed event will take place on December 23rd and be filled with Christmas cheer! It will be a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season.

Olympic skater Nathan Chen will entertain you in his only Colorado appearance after his 2022 Olympic victory. Also staring 4 additional Olympians including Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker. 

To learn more about the Ice Spectacular at Dobson Arena with Nathan Chen, go here.

Holiday Shopping in Vail

If shopping is on your holiday list, you’ll love Vail’s shopping options! Throughout Vail Village and Lionshead Village, you’ll find shops lining the cute cobblestone streets to keep you busy for days.

Shopping in Vail ranges from outdoor gear shops for your perfect ski day to high-end boutique fashion to home furnishings unique to mountain design. There are so many shops in the villages of Vail that you’ll find plenty of things to love! Do you need new ski boots or looking for the perfect stocking stuffers for the kids?

Visit Artful Sol Gallery for unique artwork or Blitz Boutique for beautiful jewelry and fashion. If your passion is the outdoors, check out some of the outdoor retailer shopping options in Vail such as Vail Sports, Patagonia, The North Face, or Helly Hanson.

Alpine Brass Quintet

The Alpine Brass Quintet will play holiday favorite tunes on Dec 21st at the Town of Vail Public Library. For a festive, enjoyable evening, drop into the Library for this very special Christmas performance. It’s a wonderful way to spend an evening getting into the holiday spirit and singing along with your friends and family!

The Quintet has been playing together for 8 years in the Eagle area and performs regularly in Vail’s mountain community. Their songs are typically a mix of eclectic show tunes, classical songs, jazz and blues, and Christmas music. the Alpine Brass Quintet is a must when spending Christmas in Vail, Colorado.

This post is all about Vail Colorado Christmas.

Vail Silent Disco

For a fun and different way to celebrate, join the Silent Disco in Vail Village at Solaris! Dance to your own music during outdoor silent discos on Friday nights throughout December. Come to the Solaris from 4pm – 7pm on December 2nd, 9th, 16th,  23rd, or 31st.

Art Workshops in Vail (Free) 

Weekly free Art Workshops are available to all during the festive month of December at Yeti’s coffee shop in Vail Village. Come by and enjoy creative art activities led by Alpine Arts Center to get into the holiday spirit! These workshops are from 4pm to 5:30pm and are scheduled for Dec 1st, 8th, 22nd, and 29th.

This post is all about Vail Colorado Christmas.

Outdoor Ice Skating Shows

4 Eagle Ranch Sleigh Rides

4 Eagle Ranch is a very special way to spend an evening in the mountains during the Holiday season. While not in Vail, 4 Eagle Ranch is a 30-minute easy drive west of Vail.

Enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride from 4 Eagle Ranch where you’ll start with a warm bowl of chili before heading out on the sleigh. Upon your return from the sleigh ride, you’ll experience an authentic ranch dinner prepared by the finest culinary team.

Dessert will be delightful s’mores by the fire, snuggling with your friends and family. Dress warm! 

Kris Kringle Market

The Vail Kris Kringle Market takes place December 8th – 11th and is a fun market on the street! Buy your favorite pastries, homemade jam, cookies, and made-in-Colorado items.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Dinner at Sonnenalp

Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail is a luxury, traditional European hotel located in the heart of Vail Village. You’ll enjoy the beautiful, unique Bavarian decor along with warm and friendly service. Dining at the Sonnenalp is a special experience, especially during the holiday season. Sonnenalp’s service is extraordinary and its attention to detail is top-notch.

Review the Christmas menu at Sonnenalp here. You’ll enjoy a plentiful salad bar, artisan cheese, meat, and bread display, seafood stations, and carving stations. For Dessert, everyone will enjoy the mini desserts and ice cream station.

If you’re looking for the Best Places to Apres Ski in Vail, check out this article!

Looking for coffee? This article will help you find the very Best Coffee in Vail.

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