Aspen's Holiday Celebrations

Aspen, Colo. (Dec. 7, 2022)  -  As December arrives,  Aspen becomes a winter wonderland, setting the perfect stage for the holiday season. Along with phenomenal skiing and snowboarding, there are activities for visitors and residents of all ages as the spirit of the holidays comes alive in the Aspen snow globe.

An annual Holiday tradition in Aspen, the 38th annual Sardy House Tree Lighting (Dec. 4, 6 p.m.) brings the local community together for the lighting of one of the tallest living Christmas trees in the world while listening to carolers and enjoying hot chocolate and cookies - and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus for the younger set. 

Aspen Film presents The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m.),  as a part of the family give-back screening series at the Wheeler Opera House. 

Returning for the 29th year,  Aspen Film Academy Screenings (Dec. 19 - Dec. 23), highlights 20 acclaimed films actively campaigning for Academy Award® consideration.

Anderson Ranch Arts Center will open its doors for candlelit campus tours, visits to winter Artists-in-Residence studios, and their gallery exhibition at the annual Holiday Open House (Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m. ). Visitors may also shop for original artwork and creatively inspired gifts. Free and open to the public.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is thrilled to announce the return of its beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker (Fri Dec. 9 - Sun. Dec. 11). On hiatus for the past two years, this lavish production —both uplifting and filled with humor—has been heralding the holiday season for more than three decades! With a cast of over 70 performers, this fully-professional production showcases dancers from around the country alongside students from Aspen Santa Fe Ballet School. 

Aspen Historical Society will host their annual Holiday Open House (Dec. 12, 4 – 7  p.m.). Celebrate the holiday season, and kick off Aspen Historical Society’s 60th-anniversary celebrations at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum. The public is invited to tour the popular exhibit Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed in the second-floor galleries and enjoy festive libations, light snacks, music, and more. Teddy Bear Story hour will take place in the Hotel Jerome Living room daily from Dec. 21-24 at 10:30 a.m. in partnership with Roaring Fork Valley Storytellers, kids are encouraged to bring their stuffed animals for this beloved holiday tradition. 

Aspen Red Brick Center for the Arts hosted a holiday party and exhibition openings on Dec. 1. Throughout the holidays and the winter season, shop local art, tour resident artists’ studios, and exhibitions, and celebrate with the arts community of Aspen.

-Resident Artists Exhibition (Dec. 1 – Jan. 27) View the latest creations from Red Brick Resident Artists. These artists work with various materials and subjects from ceramic ware and vases, abstract and representational painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture, and jewelry design.

-Tamara Susa: Disturbance (Dec. 1 – Feb. 23)  A collection of works by Tamara Susa, an Aspen-based Serbian documentary photographer. Tamara explores the innate human connection to the environment and merges scenes of beauty and destruction and how everything in nature is connected. 

St Regis. Will host its 11th Annual Tree Lighting on  Dec. 10, 5-7 p.m. Kick off the holiday season with this festive gathering at the hotel courtyard, enjoy hot chocolate and holiday treats and meet Santa Claus. 

Holiday Cabaret with Theatre Aspen (Dec. 18 - 23, 6 - 9 p.m.)  - Theatre Aspen’s 40th Anniversary celebration kicks off with the Holiday Cabaret at the Hotel Jerome. Celebrate the holidays with fabulous food and entertainment with a chef’s dinner followed by a 60-minute performance starring Broadway performers. For tickets and more information, including full dinner menus visit TheatreAspen.org or call 970-300-4474.

ACES Winter Explorers Holiday Camp (Dec. 19-22 & Jan. 3-6) A camp for kids in grades K-4. Spend winter break at Hallam Lake exploring the intricacies of the natural world during the winter months, learn about animal and human survival skills, and become snow scientists and master trackers.

ACES also hosts the visit of Olaf the Elf to Hallam Lake on Dec. 14 from 4 - 6:30 p.m. with holiday cheer.

The Wheeler Opera House  - Built in 1889 The Wheeler takes great pride in being a part of Aspen's history as a gathering place and space for artistic expression in the community. This holiday season highlights include:

• Mission Mt. Mangart (Dec. 14) - A film following the 10th Mountain Division’s trailblazing efforts during World War II.
• Becky Robinson: Heavy Pour Tour  (Dec. 17) – An LGBTQ+ LA-based comedian, writer, actor, and voice-over star. 
• An Evening with Kevin Nealon (Dec. 28) – Stand-Up Comedy show in partnership with  Belly Up Aspen.
• Justin Willman (Dec. 31) – Magician and comedian.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) presents Jazz nights at Element 47 (Dec. 4 - Jan. 5) - A new music and dining experience in partnership with The Little Nell. Wine, dine, and unwind with live jazz every Thursday and Sunday in December. Enjoy sensational local duos and some of the best jazz musicians from the Valley and beyond along with innovative cocktails and seasonally inspired dishes.

AVSC fundraiser and Audi Ajax Cup (Dec. 30) - AVSC’s biggest annual fundraiser, raising on average $900,000 a year to help accomplish AVSC’s mission of providing all youth in the greater Roaring Fork Valley the opportunity to excel as athletes and as people through winter sports. The Ajax Cup is a dual GS race on Aspen Mountain in which sixteen teams of six go head-to-head until one team is named the winner and awarded the famed Gorsuch Cup.

Annual Tree Lighting at The Little Nell (Dec. 11) - A family-friendly holiday kickoff at the courtyard of The Little Nell. Guests and the local community are invited to countdown to the tree lighting with hot chocolate and cookies, sing Christmas carols and meet Santa Claus.

The Buddy Program hosted the 10th annual Gingerbread House Workshop and fundraiser on Dec. 3 at The Little Nell and on Dec. 4 in Carbondale. The buddy program is still accepting donations. Choose between sponsoring the 10th Annual Gingerbread House events for Buddy Program participants, or buy your very own gingerbread house kit to take and enjoy creating with family and friends.

DanceAspen’s Winter Pop-Up Series  - Local DanceAspen artists will be presenting free, mini-performances throughout town. Locations include the Rooftop Cafe at Aspen Art Museum (Dec. 16, 4 p.m.) and Hotel Jerome (Dec. 17, 3 and 5 p.m.) with more locations to be announced.

The Aspen Meadows Resort will offer daily holiday-themed activities for guests and the community from Dec. 18 - Jan. 1 in the resort’s Lounge. Children can enjoy hot chocolate, coloring, and holiday cookie decorating. A Hanukkah celebration and lighting of the Menorah will take place on Dec. 18, 5 p.m.

The Aspen Art Museum will host the Downhill Disco Winter Fundraiser (Dec. 29) - This winter fundraiser will benefit the educational and curatorial pursuits of the Aspen Art Museum. Guests are encouraged to wear 70’s and disco-themed attire. Tickets can be purchased here: https://29886a.blackbaudhosting.com/29886a/Aspen-Art-Museum-Presents-The-Downhill-Disco

Watch the New Year’s fireworks burst over Aspen mountain. A stunning show and time-honored tradition that rings in the New Year in the best way. There will be hot chocolate, s’mores, and a bonfire at the Sister Cities plaza from 12-3 and free public skating at the Aspen Ice Garden from 3-6 pm. Fireworks over Aspen Mountain start at 8 p.m.

Ring in the New Year at the Hotel Jerome NYE Celebratory Chef’s Dinner and Bad Harriet NYE Bash. The NYE Celebratory Chef’s Dinner features a five-course meal at the Prospect—with optional wine and champagne pairings, or the “All Out” wine pairing—while Bad Harriet boasts curated cocktails, chef-prepared bites, music, and a midnight toast. 

NYE Dinner at Element 47 - Send off 2022 with caviar, lobster, truffles, and all the wine pairing options! After, celebrate with your nearest and dearest at the Dom Perignon Party—New Year’s at The Nell. The event features bottomless Dom Pérignon and top-shelf liquor, sweet and savory bites, specialty cocktails, live music, three venues, a fireworks show and more. 

NYE dinner at Ajax Tavern with delicious bites from chef de cuisine Oscar Carrasco’s festive menu complete with oysters, king crab, scallops, wagyu, fresh pasta, and, of course, delicious desserts. 

The Chainsmokers at Bellyup - the iconic duo will be performing at Aspen’s intimate, and notably famous downtown concert venue, Belly Up for two nights on Dec.27 and 28. For tickets visit www.bellyupaspen.com

A Night of Revelry at W Aspen celebrates the New Year with live circus performances by world-renowned aerialists, stilt walkers, contortionists, fire performers, and more. Dance with musical guest artist Bunny Blake followed by a live DJ performance. 

About Aspen:

Aspen, Colorado is an authentic, historic mountain town that is renowned for its year-round outdoor lifestyle, robust cultural calendar, and bustling downtown ambiance. With an endless array of arts, culture, dining, and nightlife, Aspen is defined by an urban feel that belies its small-town charm. An Aspen vacation is an experience that energizes the mind, body, and spirit, whether soaking in mountain beauty and over 200 days of annual sunshine, learning a new skill, feeding a fascination, or simply absorbing the mountain spirit. Located 18 miles west of Independence Pass, Aspen is nestled in the heart of the White River National Forest at the confluence of the Roaring Fork River, Hunter Creek, Maroon Creek, and Castle Creek, and encircled by the peaks of the Elk Mountain Range in the central Rocky Mountains. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is conveniently located only three miles from downtown Aspen. For visitor information, a complete calendar of events, or to book an Aspen vacation, visit www.aspenchamber.org, or call 1.888.290.1324 or 970.925.1940.