There’s nothing quite like the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s especially unforgettable in the beautiful state of Colorado. Blessed with such a variety of natural landscapes, much of the land has a blanket of snow, which is almost obediently picture-perfect. With a wealth of adorable towns, the Christmas markets here are a real treat to visit, and are perfect for getting in the holiday spirit and stocking up on presents and ornaments ready for the big day. Here at Plum Guide, we're not only ready to provide you with the accommodation of your dreams, but we are also on the spot to share some of our expert travel knowledge with you, so you can enjoy the winter trip of a lifetime. Here’s our guide to Christmas markets in Colorado.
Denver Christmas market
Close up of lights at a Christmas market
This is a favourite attraction in Denver. The Civic Centre Park is transformed each year into a miniature German village that’s one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Colorado. You can expect Bavarian musicians playing dance medleys and classic carols, and food vendors selling deliciously warming dishes such as baked apples, grilled sausages, gingerbread, and gluhwein, a kind of hot, spicy mulled wine. If you’re the kind of person who prefers shopping to listening to carollers, there’s also plenty to keep you busy here. This is an ideal place to shop for those hard-to-buy-for work colleagues you have, or the distant relatives who always give you socks. There are plenty of authentically German goodies including beer steins, cuckoo clocks and lots of unique Christmas ornaments that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Draw The Song, Plum Guide home in Colorado, US
Georgetown Christmas market
The historic town of Georgetown was tailor-made for a Christmas market. Its picturesque streets were simply designed to be in the background of all of your Christmas card shots for next year. One of the big attractions at this Christmas market in Colorado are the horse-drawn wagons, which take market-goers on a tour of Georgetown, down snow-covered streets and past the town’s storefronts, which are all decorated for the season. If your lucky children are in tow, they can meet the big man himself. Santa Claus is garbed in an old-fashioned robe and looks very authentic in the setting of the market. The stalls here have a more local focus than those at the bigger markets, as they’re mainly run by local artisans. As if all of these attractions weren’t enough, the surroundings are very festive too, with views over the snow-topped mountains accompanied by a huge tree strung with lights and a choir harmonising angelically in the background.
Bluebird Day, Plum Guide home in Colorado, US
Durango Christmas market
Festive gingerbread biscuits at a Christmas market
Durango has been named as one of the top places to celebrate Christmas in the whole of the US, so you can be sure that it offers one of the very best Christmas markets in Colorado. A big attraction about visiting Durango is the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which in winter offers a Polar Express train ride. A round-trip journey to the North Pole, all who ride the train will meet Santa himself in his workshop, see reindeer and make friends with the elves. With beautiful scenery and a well-thought-out story, this is one of those things which children will adore and you will tolerate, while taking lots of photos to embarrass your grandkids with when they get older. Off the train, the market itself is the usual spiced cider and gingerbread affair, but the town often puts on special events depending on the time of day and proximity to Christmas itself, so be sure to do your research before heading out. Top tip: the skiing around here is excellent, if you can pull yourself away from the mulled wine for long enough to strap on some skis.
Crystalline, Plum Guide home in Colorado, US
Aspen Christmas market
Snowy mountains and fir trees in Aspen, Colorado, US
We know that you like to have the best of the best, and we’re pretty sure you’ve heard of Aspen’s reputation for being so. The skiing is clearly top shelf, but even if you’re not a snowsports lover this place has plenty to offer. If you’re a true Christmas fan, plan to be there at the annual tree lighting ceremony, which features a Santa and his reindeer, carol singers and hot cocoa and cookies for all. There’s also the unmissable 12 days of Aspen Christmas celebration, where the Christmas market really comes into its own. You’ll get to enjoy holiday-themed concerts and theatre, you can design your own Christmas ornament, and of course you can also partake in the many food and drink après ski specials. If you can manage to pull yourself away from the slopes for even a second, that is.
White Antlers, Plum Guide home in Aspen, US
