80 years ago this December, a lift ticket at the newly opened Aspen Mountain cost $3.75. Five years later, local innkeeper Jack DePagter started Wintersköl to toast the season. This Christmas, both traditions hit milestones: Aspen Snowmass turns 80 and Wintersköl turns 75.
Picture snow falling on downtown Aspen’s Victorian rooftops, torchlight trails winding down the mountain under fireworks, and families riding the gondola to bonfires at Elk Camp. Some of these traditions are older than most of the people enjoying them. Others are brand new this year.
Below is everything you need to plan Christmas in Aspen Snowmass, organized by category. Dates were verified in November 2026, but holiday schedules shift, so confirm with each event’s official site before you go.
Lights, Tree Lightings and Festive Sights
The holiday season in Aspen Snowmass officially begins the moment the first tree glows. These are the evenings when locals and visitors bundle up, wrap their hands around a cup of cocoa, and count down together.
The Little Nell Christmas Tree Lighting
One of Aspen’s most cherished traditions takes place at the base of Aspen Mountain. This year, The Little Nell’s Annual Tree Lighting is scheduled for Sunday, December 13, from 5 to 7 PM, with the lighting ceremony at 5:30 PM. The Wine Bar and Courtyard transform into a winter wonderland, with photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a visit from the Aspen Animal Shelter, and performances by DanceAspen. It is free and open to everyone.
Light Up the Night at the Snowmass Chapel
Snowmass Village kicks off its holiday season with Light Up the Night, when more than 40 trees around the Snowmass Chapel burst into light on cue. Expect cocoa, carols, a countdown and a visit from Santa. The event is scheduled for the 4th of December at 5:30 PM.
Viewline Snowmass Holiday Tree Lighting
On Saturday, December 12, at 5 PM, the Viewline Resort Snowmass hosts a free holiday tree lighting on its front drive, with a visit from Santa, family activities, photo opportunities and festive treats.
Wintersköl Drone Show: Stories in the Sky
New this year, Wintersköl adds a modern twist to the night sky. On Friday, December 11, at 7 PM, a drone show lights up Wagner Park as part of Stories in the Sky, a statewide series of nearly 150 drone shows marking America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th anniversaries. Aspen is one of the series’ closing celebrations.
Torchlight Parades and Fireworks
Few sights capture a mountain Christmas like a line of glowing torches snaking down a snowy slope. During Wintersköl, the Snowmass Torchlight Parade takes place Friday, December 11, at 6 PM, and the Aspen Mountain Torchlight Parade and Fireworks follows on Saturday, December 12, at 7 PM (best viewed from Wagner Park and downtown). Both feature young athletes from the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club. For the New Year’s Eve torchlight parade in Snowmass, where the public can ride along, see the New Year’s Eve section below.
Strolling Downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village
Some of the best holiday moments are unplanned. Wander the Hyman Avenue and Cooper Avenue pedestrian malls after dark, when the lights reflect off fresh snow, or warm up at the free Snowmass S’mores carts in Base Village and on the Snowmass Mall, starting at 3:30 PM daily during the winter season.
Holiday Celebrations, Concerts and Performances
This is where the 80th anniversary theme truly shines. The second weekend of December stacks Aspen Snowmass’s birthday, Wintersköl’s 75th year and The Nutcracker into four unforgettable days.
Aspen Snowmass 80th Anniversary Weekend (December 11 to 14)
Aspen Snowmass is marking eight decades with throwback pricing and on-mountain parties. Lift tickets are $80 on December 12 and 13, valid at all four mountains. That same weekend, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk open for the season, so every mountain is in play. The $3.75 tickets for December 14, the 1946 price on the anniversary of Aspen Mountain’s opening, have already sold out.
Other anniversary perks, as reported when the celebration was announced:
- $80 Premium rental packages from Four Mountain Sports, December 12 to 14.
- $19.46 food and drink specials at on-mountain restaurants, December 11 to 14, a nod to the year Aspen Skiing Company was founded.
- Limited-edition 80th anniversary apparel.
Wintersköl’s 75th Anniversary (December 10 to 13)
Since 1951, Wintersköl has been Aspen’s toast to winter, and its diamond anniversary is packed. Highlights of the 2026 schedule include:
- Aspen Extreme screening (Thursday, December 10, 7:30 PM, Wheeler Opera House): A Wintersköl tradition. Free with RSVP, and retro ski attire is encouraged, which fits the 80th anniversary theme perfectly.
- KIDSCULPT (Friday, December 11, 9 AM to noon, Mill Street Mall): Local school teams turn snow into sculptures, presented by Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
- Live music and the drone show (Friday, December 11, Wagner Park): Cam Williams and Friends play from 5 to 7 PM, followed by the drone show at 7 PM.
- Canine Fashion Show (Saturday, December 12, noon to 1 PM, Wagner Park): Back for the first time since 2019, with categories like Most Festive and Old School Aspen.
- Wintersköl Beer Festival (Saturday, December 12, 2 to 6 PM, Wagner Park): Regional beer, wine and spirits. Ticketed; all ages welcome, tastings for 21+.
- Soupsköl (Saturday, December 12, 3 to 5 PM, Wagner Park): Valley restaurants compete for the coveted soup pot trophy. Free to attend and taste, and you vote for the winner.
- Bonfire, torchlight parade and fireworks (Saturday, December 12, from 4:30 PM, Wagner Park and Aspen Mountain).
- Uphill Breakfast Club (Sunday, December 13, 8:30 to 10:30 AM, Cliffhouse at Buttermilk): Free breakfast for uphillers while supplies last.
See the full Wintersköl schedule for every event, including comedy at the Wheeler and concerts at Belly Up.
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s The Nutcracker
A true Aspen holiday tradition, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s The Nutcracker runs December 11 (7:30 PM), December 12 (1 and 5 PM) and December 13 (1 PM) at the Aspen District Theater. This year’s production features guest stars from Salt Lake City’s Ballet West alongside dancers from around the world and local ASFB students, with Chinese ribbon dance, Spanish flamenco, Mexican folklórico and a Ukrainian hopak.
Holiday Shows at the Wheeler Opera House
The historic Wheeler Opera House, built in 1889, hosts a full slate of December programming. Holiday highlights on the 2026 calendar include Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, presented with Theatre Aspen, on December 18 and 19, and DanceAspen’s A Snowy Soiree, a 30-minute holiday performance for families, on December 22. Check the Wheeler calendar for the full lineup.
Theatre Aspen’s Holiday Cabaret
Theatre Aspen’s holiday cabaret in the Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Jerome has become a seasonal favorite. Last year’s show, All I Want for Christmas, ran December 20 and 21 and featured Broadway performers singing holiday favorites. Theatre Aspen had not announced its 2026 cabaret at the time of writing, so watch theatreaspen.org for details.
Handel’s Messiah
The Aspen Choral Society’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah is a moving way to welcome the season. Last year marked its 49th annual Messiah, held at the Wheeler Opera House in mid-December. Check aspenchoralsociety.org for 2026 dates.
On the Mountain: Skiing, Snow Play and Winter Adventures
80 years after the first lift ticket was sold, the mountains are still the heart of every Aspen Snowmass Christmas.
Skiing and Riding at All Four Mountains
A single Aspen Snowmass lift ticket opens more than 5,700 acres across Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass opened on November 26, and Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk open December 12, so all four mountains should be spinning well before Christmas, conditions permitting. Book at least 30 days ahead to save up to 25% on lift tickets.
New this season:
- The Nell Bell lift on Aspen Mountain is a high-speed quad that replaces the Bell Mountain and Little Nell lifts, with a roughly nine-minute ride to upper terrain.
- The rebuilt Ullrhof on Snowmass is a $42 million, two-story, all-electric restaurant with a food hall concept and room for more than 600 guests.
For help planning your days on snow, see our lift ticket information, our ski and snowboard rental guide, our snowboarding guide and our beginner skiers’ guide.
Ullr Nights at Elk Camp
Named for the Norse god of snow, Ullr Nights turn Elk Camp on Snowmass into an after-dark winter party. Ride the gondola up for bonfires, s’mores, kids’ strider bikes, an à la carte dinner and a live band, or add tubing and the alpine coaster. Over the holidays, Ullr Nights are scheduled for December 23 and January 1, from 5 to 8 PM. General admission is $14 (kids 6 and under free), and the Activities Ticket with unlimited tubing and coaster rides is $80. Holiday dates sell out, so reserve early.
Breathtaker Alpine Coaster
The Breathtaker Alpine Coaster winds through more than a mile of forest at speeds up to 28 mph, right next to Elk Camp Restaurant. Daily hours are 11 a.m. to 3:30 PM Riders must be at least 38 inches tall, and drivers must be 16 or older.
Snow Tubing at Elk Camp
The Snowmass tubing hill features multiple lift-served lanes carved into The Meadows at Elk Camp, lit up at night during Ullr Nights. It’s a favorite for kids and grown-ups alike.
Cross-Country Skiing
The Aspen Nordic Center at the Aspen Golf Club is the gateway to the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System, with more than 60 miles of groomed trails, plus lessons and rentals. It’s a peaceful way to see the valley on Christmas morning.
Guided Snowshoe Tours with ACES
Naturalists from the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) lead two-hour snowshoe tours from the top of Aspen Mountain and Snowmass daily at 10 AM and 1 PM, covering winter wildlife, tracking and mountain ecology. Tours are limited to 15 people. Last season, tickets were $85 for adults and $63 for youth and seniors, including the gondola ride and snowshoes. ACES also offers a half-day Ashcroft snowshoe tour in the Castle Creek Valley.
Snowmobile Tours
Family-run T-Lazy-7 Ranch, operated by the same family since 1938, leads guided snowmobile tours through the White River National Forest, including routes toward the Maroon Bells. It’s one of the most memorable ways to see the backcountry in winter.
Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides
Few holiday experiences top a sleigh ride through the snow. Aspen Carriage and Sleigh, a local tradition for decades, offers public and private horse-drawn sleigh rides. Holiday week is its busiest time, so reserve as early as you can by calling (970) 925-3394 or emailing info@aspencarriage.com.
Family Fun: Santa, Reindeer and Ice Skating
For families, Christmas in Aspen Snowmass is about wide eyes and rosy cheeks. Here is where the magic happens for kids (and the young at heart).
Santa’s Village in Snowmass (December 21 to 24)
For four days before Christmas, the Snowmass Mall and The Collective Snowmass become Santa’s Village. The 2026 schedule includes:
- Monday, December 21: Paws and Santa Claus pet photos (1 to 3 PM), Santa at The Collective (3 to 5 PM).
- Tuesday, December 22: Sensory Friendly Santa (2 to 3 PM), Santa (3 to 5 PM), Santa’s reindeer (4 to 6 PM).
- Wednesday, December 23: Santa (3 to 5 PM), Santa’s reindeer (4 to 6 PM).
- Thursday, December 24: Free holiday ice skating show (noon to 1 PM), Santa (3 to 5 PM).
Free Snowmass S’mores are served from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. each day, so plan to linger.
Ice Skating
Gliding under twinkling lights is one of the simplest pleasures of the season, and this year there is a brand-new option.
- Hotel Jerome Courtyard Rink (new): The historic Hotel Jerome’s courtyard becomes a winter skating rink beneath twinkling lights and snow-dusted pines. It opens Friday, December 11, from 4 to 6 PM, then runs daily from 2 to 4 PM this winter, ice conditions permitting.
- Silver Circle Ice Rink: Downtown’s classic outdoor rink sits steps from the Silver Queen Gondola next to CP Burger. It typically opens in December, with skate rentals available. See the Aspen Chamber’s ice skating page for current details.
- Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice Arena: Aspen’s two indoor rinks offer public skate sessions. Times shift around hockey and lessons, so check the schedule, and bring a helmet for little ones.
- Snowmass Base Village Rink: The outdoor rink in Base Village hosts the free Wintersköl Game of Stones curling-style competition on December 11 and is a fun spot for a quick skate between ski runs.
Kids on the Slopes
If the holidays are your kids’ first time on skis, Aspen Snowmass is introducing $49 beginner lessons for the 2026 to 2027 season. Our beginner skiers’ guide to Aspen Snowmass can help you plan.
More Family Favorites
- Community Toy Swap (Saturday, December 12, 3 to 5 PM, The Collective Snowmass): Trade gently loved toys and keep them out of the landfill. RSVP required.
- Wintersköl KIDSCULPT (Friday, December 11, Mill Street Mall): Watch local school teams sculpt snow into art.
- Ullr Nights (December 23): Kids 6 and under get in free for bonfires, strider bikes and tubing (38 inches or taller).
- DanceAspen’s A Snowy Soiree (December 22, Wheeler Opera House): A 30-minute holiday show made for families.
Christmas Dining: Feasts, Fireside Dinners and Après
Aspen’s restaurant scene rivals that of cities many times its size, and Christmas brings out its best. Holiday tables fill fast, so reserve as soon as menus are released.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinners
These restaurants have posted 2026 holiday reservations:
- Element 47 at The Little Nell: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, 5 to 9:30 PM, bookable on Resy. Expect a multi-course, family-style holiday menu in a Michelin Guide-recommended setting.
- Ajax Tavern: Slopeside Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at the base of Aspen Mountain, 5 to 9:30 PM, with an à la carte menu of Ajax favorites and holiday specials.
- PARC Aspen: A three-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day prix fixe for $185 per adult and $65 per child (12 and under), plus a limited à la carte menu in the bar.
These spots offered Christmas menus last year, according to Eat Aspen and other local guides, but had not posted 2026 details at the time of writing. Confirm directly before booking:
- Hotel Jerome: A holiday dinner in the historic hotel, including a Christmas Day roast in the Grand Ballroom.
- Wayan and MOLLIE Aspen: Both served Christmas Day dinners.
- Viceroy Snowmass: Lift Line offered a three-course Christmas dinner and TORO hosted a Christmas Day buffet.
Want more ideas? Our guide to new restaurants in Aspen covers the latest additions to the dining scene, and the Aspen Chamber’s holiday dining page is updated throughout the season.
Dinner by Sleigh at Pine Creek Cookhouse
For a truly old-world Aspen evening, ride a horse-drawn sleigh up the Castle Creek Valley near the Ashcroft ghost town to Pine Creek Cookhouse, one of the Aspen Chamber’s picks for adventure dining, for a multi-course mountain dinner. You can also arrive on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Dinner reservations are required, holiday bookings have been non-refundable in past seasons, and sleigh service depends on snow, so plan ahead and call (970) 925-1044.
Christmas Dinner To Go
Prefer to celebrate by the fire in your pajamas? Local kitchens like Mawa’s Kitchen have offered holiday meals for pickup in past years. Order deadlines usually fall several days before the holiday.
Cooking a Christmas Feast in Your Rental
For many families, the best Christmas dinner is the one made together. Many of our Aspen vacation rentals and Snowmass vacation rentals feature gourmet kitchens and dining tables big enough for the whole crew. Our grocery shopping guide helps you stock up, and our shipping information explains how to send gifts and decorations ahead of your arrival.
Après-Ski and Holiday Nightlife
When the lifts stop spinning, the party moves slopeside. Our winter après-ski and nightlife guide points you to the best spots in Aspen and Snowmass, from fireside cocktails to live music.
Holiday Shopping and Artisan Markets
Aspen’s walkable downtown is one of the best places in the Rockies to finish your holiday list, from world-class boutiques to handmade gifts by valley artisans.
Winter Holiday Market in Snowmass
The Winter Holiday Market brings together more than 20 Roaring Fork Valley artists and makers at the Snowmass Village Conference and Event Center in Base Village. Look for art, jewelry, home goods and seasonal treats on Friday, December 11 (5 to 8 p.m.) and Saturday, December 12 (1 to 5 p.m.).
The Gant Winter Market
On Saturday, December 12, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Gant’s Winter Market showcases artisans from the Roaring Fork and Crystal Valleys, including jewelry designers, shoemakers, fine artists, photographers and more. It’s free to attend.
80th Anniversary Gear
For the skier on your list, Aspen Snowmass is releasing limited-edition 80th anniversary apparel this season. It’s a one-time souvenir from a milestone year.
Downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village
Stroll the pedestrian malls of downtown Aspen for luxury boutiques, galleries and local shops, then head to the Snowmass Mall and Base Village for outdoor gear and gifts. The Aspen Snowmass shopping guide is a helpful starting point.
Holiday Worship and Hanukkah
Aspen Snowmass welcomes people of all faiths throughout December. Many visitors make a candlelight service part of their family tradition.
- Christmas Eve at the Snowmass Chapel: Last year, the chapel held Christmas Eve services at 4, 6 and 8 p.m., with the 4 p.m. service shortened for young children. Check snowmasschapel.org for 2026 times.
- Services across Aspen: The Aspen Chamber maintains a list of holiday religious services that is updated as the season approaches.
- Hanukkah: This year, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, and ends Saturday, December 12. That means the final nights overlap with Wintersköl weekend. Last year, The Collective Snowmass hosted a public menorah lighting with the Aspen Jewish Congregation, so watch The Collective’s calendar for 2026 plans.
Ringing in 2027: New Year’s Eve in Aspen Snowmass
If you’re staying through the holidays, New Year’s Eve caps off the 80th anniversary year in style. For a deeper dive, read our New Year’s Eve in Aspen guide with insider tips.
Snowmass New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks
This is one of the few torchlight parades where you can ski along. On Thursday, December 31, skiers and snowboarders carry LED torches down Fanny Hill in the New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, starting at 6 p.m. Participation is capped at 250 people through first-come online registration, and riders must be intermediate skiers or snowboarders, age 8 or older, able to ski without poles. Fireworks follow later in the evening (last year they launched at 10 PM). Warm up between the two at The Collective’s free family New Year’s Eve open house.
Aspen’s New Year’s Eve Celebration and Fireworks
Downtown Aspen traditionally celebrates with a bonfire, s’mores and a DJ on the Hyman and Cooper Avenue malls, free skating at the Aspen Ice Garden, and fireworks over Aspen Mountain at 8 p.m. Confirm 2026 timing with the Aspen Chamber closer to the date.
New Year’s Eve Parties and Dinners
- Dom Pérignon New Year’s Eve Party at The Little Nell: The 11th annual party, “Through the Decades,” moves room by room from Dynasty glamour to Studio 54 to the 90s before a late-night DJ carries guests to midnight. A fitting theme for an anniversary year.
- Limelight Aspen: A laid-back party with no tickets required, from 2 PM to 1 PM.
- Ajax Tavern: New Year’s Eve dinner with an early or late seating, each a 2.5-hour experience.
- PARC Aspen: An elegant New Year’s Eve dinner, with 2026 reservations open on OpenTable.
Christmas Trip Planning Tips
- Book lodging now. Christmas week is the busiest stretch of the season, and the most sought-after ski-in, ski-out homes book first.
- Buy lift tickets early. Aspen Snowmass offers savings of up to 25% when you book 30 or more days ahead. See our lift ticket information.
- Reserve dinners, sleigh rides and Ullr Nights the moment they open. Holiday dates sell out.
- Fly into Aspen. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is open all winter with a closure planned for summer 2027.
- Leave the car behind. Free buses and shuttles connect town and the mountains. Our guide to getting around Aspen Snowmass without a car covers every option.
- Pack for the cold. December nights are frigid at nearly 8,000 feet. Our ski packing list covers every layer.
- Ease into the altitude. Drink plenty of water and plan a mellow first day.
- Protect your trip. Consider travel insurance when you book.
- Use the maps. Our Aspen map and Snowmass map help you get your bearings.
Make It an Alpine Property Christmas
Eighty years of Aspen Snowmass traditions are best enjoyed from a home base that feels like your own. Alpine Property manages luxury vacation rentals throughout Aspen and Snowmass Village, with ski-in, ski-out access, private hot tubs, wood-burning fireplaces and gourmet kitchens made for holiday feasts. Trim a tree by the window, wrap gifts by the fire, and watch the snow fall over the mountains.
Let our Alpine Experience concierge handle the details, from dinner reservations and sleigh rides to ski rentals and lift tickets. Browse our Aspen rentals and Snowmass rentals, explore our local things to do directory, or call 1-800-543-0839 to start planning your Aspen Snowmass Christmas.
For more seasonal inspiration, see our guides to holiday events in Aspen Snowmass, Thanksgiving in Aspen Snowmass and our locals’ guide to opening day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aspen a good place to spend Christmas?
Yes. Aspen Snowmass combines four ski mountains with tree lightings, torchlight parades, sleigh rides, Santa’s Village and fine dining. In 2026, the season also marks Aspen Snowmass’s 80th anniversary and Wintersköl’s 75th year.
What is there to do in Aspen at Christmas?
Popular activities include skiing all four mountains, The Little Nell tree lighting, Santa’s Village in Snowmass, Ullr Nights at Elk Camp, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, The Nutcracker, holiday shows at the Wheeler Opera House and Christmas Eve dinners at restaurants like Element 47 and Ajax Tavern.
When is The Little Nell tree lighting in 2026?
The Aspen Chamber lists it for Sunday, December 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., with the lighting at 5:30 p.m. Confirm with The Little Nell before you go.
What is the Aspen Snowmass 80th anniversary celebration?
Aspen Snowmass is celebrating 80 years with $80 lift tickets on December 12 and 13, 2026, at all four mountains, plus $80 rental packages and $19.46 on-mountain food and drink specials. The $3.75 tickets for December 14 have sold out.
When is Santa’s Village in Snowmass?
Santa’s Village runs December 21 to 24, 2026, with Santa visits, pet photos, Sensory Friendly Santa, reindeer and a free holiday ice skating show on Christmas Eve.
Are restaurants open on Christmas Day in Aspen?
Yes. For 2026, Element 47, Ajax Tavern and PARC Aspen have posted Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners. Reservations are essential.
When are the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Aspen and Snowmass?
Aspen traditionally launches fireworks over Aspen Mountain at 8 p.m. In Snowmass, the public torchlight parade starts at 6 p.m. on December 31, followed by fireworks later in the evening.
