Holiday Season 2014

Angie SpanglerCommunity Events, Old Town Fort Collins

We have compiled a great list of various holiday activities and events to attend around Colorado this holiday season! See below with links for each event for more information!

We wish you a safe and Happy Holiday season this year!

Fort Collins Winter Farmers Markets November 8, 15, 22. December 13 & 20. January 10 & 24. February 14 & 28. March 7 & 28. April 11. 10-2 PM. Downtown Fort Collins at the Opera Galleria -123 North College Ave.
The primary mission for the Fort Collins Winter Farmers Markets is to support local food producers, to provide an outlet for direct sales to consumers, encourage season extension and increased supplies of fresh produce and whole foods in the region, and to educate consumers about the variety of local foods that are produced and sold during the fall, winter and early spring. The Winter Farmers Market facilitates the creation of relationships between producers and consumers.

Denver Christkindl Market. November 21, 2014 – December 23, 2014.
The Christkindl Market includes vendors from Germany and other countries, as well as local artisans, offering high-quality, handcrafted gifts such as traditional hand-carved wooden figurines, handmade candles and ornaments. Traditional German food will tempt your taste buds. Sip on warm Glühwein (hot spiced wine) as you listen to traditional Christmas carols and live German music. Entry is free and the entire family is invited to enjoy this great tradition!

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum. November 21, 2014 – December 28, 2014.
For the first time in the history of the Colorado Railroad Museum, the story of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ is being theatrically re-created so you and your family can be immersed in the sights, sounds and intrigue of this classic children’s tale. Prepare to be surrounded by the magic and wonder of the holiday season! Performances run Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays Beginning Nov. 21 and running through Dec. 28, 2014 (additional performances on Weds. Nov. 26, and Mon. and Tues. Dec. 22, 23.). Show Times: 4:30pm 6:00pm 7:30pm, each performance will last approximately 75 minutes. PLEASE ARRIVE 30 MINUTES EARLY FOR YOUR DESIGNATED PERFORMANCE.

Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker. November 29, 2014 – December 27, 2014
Kick off the holiday season in spectacular fashion with Colorado Ballet’s 54th annual production of The Nutcracker, featuring unforgettable characters, dazzling costumes, onstage blizzards, timeless choreography and Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary arrangement performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. This enchanting adventure will transport audiences to a magical world of awe and wonder. Bring the whole family to Colorado’s most joyful holiday tradition.

RARE Italian Restaurant Opens in Old Town. Opens December 18th, 2014
Location: 101 S. College Ave.
Hours: Opens at 5 p.m. Thursday. Will open for dinner through Sunday and at 11 a.m. for lunch starting Monday.
Prices: Find smaller plates for $6 and steaks to share for as much as $35
The Rio owners will open their third restaurant concept, RARE Italian, Thursday in Old Town Fort Collins. Construction lasted just two and a half months on the prime piece of Old Town real estate, 101 S. College Ave., resulting in a space that has been transformed, at least partially, for the new restaurant. The previous tenant Ingredient vacated Oct. 1. Now exposed brick and a wood-lined bar greet customers at RARE’s College Avenue-facing entrance. A glass temperature controlled room has been installed in the dining area, for front and center views of meat-aging; a natural wood family-style table sits next to it. The menu is divided into sections, from antipasti, including cheeses, cured meats and vegetables, served with bruschetta; to pastas — “one true Bolognese” — and risottos. Sides, or “contorni,” are for sharing, as are entrees such as fish stew, striped bass and steak Florentine. An apple crostata dessert can be made to order for a large group or hungry family, as long as it’s requested at the beginning of the dinner service. Six craft beers will always be on tap, as will a house red wine of Nero d’Avola. Cocktails include the cellothyme, which mixes limoncello with a ginger shrub, thyme and prosecco.

Classic Broadmoor Christmas 2014 December 19, 20, 21, and 24, 2014. The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Package includes: Classic accommodations for one night (upgrade options available), dinner show tickets for each person on the package, 25% discount off of published Suite rates, package prices starting at $180 per person, per night based on double occupancy. Limited availability.
The Broadmoor is proud to present “A Classic Broadmoor Christmas”. Join us for this magnificent, heart-warming holiday show for the entire family. Join us for a special evening of enchantment and entertainment presented by Broadmoor Director of Entertainment Ken Miller. Doors open for cocktails at 6 p.m.; dinner is served at 7 p.m.; and the entertainment begins at 8 p.m.

12 Days of Aspen. December 20-31, 2014.
Downtown comes alive with a variety of free holiday activities, cookies, hot chocolate and much more to celebrate the holidays and the winter season. – See more at: http://www.colorado.com/articles/winter-events-colorado#sthash.cTv49GRt.dpuf

Handel’s Messiah December 21st at 4 PM. $25 Adults, $5 students
The Colorado Bach Ensemble is dedicated to performing and promoting the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries with a special focus on Bach’s vocal masterpieces. Under the guidance of its artistic director, James Kim, the Colorado Bach Ensemble’s mission is to study and perform Bach’s music in the spirit and with the grace of the Baroque style, to grow the audience for Bach’s music through concerts, recording, and tours, and to cultivate a deep appreciation for Bach’s music through engaging educational programs. As the artistic director of the Colorado Bach Ensemble, James Kim has dedicated himself to performing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries at the highest artistic level for American audiences. He has studied and worked with some of the greatest Bach interpreters of our time, such as Phillipe Herreweghe and Helmuth Rilling, with whom he spent two years in Stuttgart, Germany. Building on the rich history of Bach scholarship and performance, James Kim brings his own approach and commitment to the music he performs in Colorado. A recent review captures Kim’s desire to perform and teach the music of Bach: “James Kim is one of the few conductors that I have ever known who has the stamina and courage to present a lecture concert… I am sure that this is extremely useful for the members of the audience at large who might not have been trained musicians. I know they appreciated it for they gave The Colorado Bach Ensemble a standing ovation. Both the lecture and the performance were superb.” James Kim is also the Director of Choral Activities at Colorado State University.

Aspen Snowmass Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series. January 24, February 14, March 13, March 21, March 27, 2015.
This FREE concert series is certainly a highlight of our Winter events calendar. Save the dates below and check back for individual performance details. We look forward to many days/nights of great performances!

Denver’s Grandest New Year’s Eve Party. December 31, 2014 – January 1, 2015
Grand Hyatt Denver Downtown and MIX 100.3 FM present Denver’s Grandest New Year’s Eve Party. This downtown Denver New Year’s Eve Party includes open bar with premium pour, admission to four areas of entertainment, dinner buffet and more. Overnight packages start at $429 per room including two party tickets. Party ticket only is $149 per person and $139 if purchased before 12/1/14. (Prices do not include tax. Must be 21 years of age to attend.) One block from the 16th St Mall fireworks display.

Wintersköl in Aspen: Jan. 8–11, 2015
Aspen’s annual “toast to winter” dates back to January 1951 when locals began celebrating the town’s unique Nordic lifestyle. The-four day fest features on-mountain activities, Soupsköl, a canine fashion show, winterfest, fireworks and much more. – See more at: http://www.colorado.com/articles/winter-events-colorado#sthash.cTv49GRt.dpuf

Breckenridge ULLR Fest: Jan. 11–17, 2015
Ullr Fest celebrates 52 years this Jan. 11-17, 2015 and Breckenridge invites snow lovers of all ages to join the party. During Ullr Fest in Breckenridge, don’t be surprised to see horned Viking hats adorning the heads of skiers and snowboarders, Ullympic competitors flinging frying pans for prizes, more than 12,000 Ullr enthusiasts filling the streets for the Ullr Parade and crazy float participants skiing off jumps on Main Street or gliding along town in a hot tub. Join us to rejoice with Ullr himself. Ullr is ready for a good party. In Norse mythology Ullr (pronounced Oool-er) was the winter god. He was the son of Sif and the stepson of Thor, the “God of Thunder.” Ullr loved the cold, and delighted in traveling over the country on his skis or skates. He also delighted in the chase, and pursued his game through the Northern Forests. Produced by the GoBreck and presented by Bud Light. Sponsored by KSMT ‘The Mountain”, The Breckenridge Ski Resort, Town of Breckenridge and Summit Daily News.

Estes Park Winter Festival: Jan. 16–19, 2015
Celebrate the winter season in Estes Park at the Estes Park Winter Festival weekend! Be amazed by high-flying skiers and snowboarders demonstrating their skills on indoor trampolines, ice skate downtown, demo snowshoes, taste award-winning chili, and sip a variety of beers and wines at the Estes Park Winter Festival, Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend 2015 at the new Estes Park Events Complex!

Winter Park Winter Carnival: Jan. 24-25, 2015
This fest is a birthday party for one of the area’s colorful early residents — a gal named Mary Jane — with live music, fireworks, a snow-sculpture contest, sled races, snowshoe trecks and more in Winter Park.

New Year’s Eve Party at the Ice Rink. Promenade Shops at Centerra. FREE. 6-10 PM, fireworks start at 8 PM. Contact 970-461-1285
Bring the entire family out for an unforgettable night of fun at The ice Rink. Enjoy a variety of fun activities including: Ice Sculptures being carved at the event, fire dancer, photo booth, face painting, giveaways and more. Regular Admission Applies for ice skating. The Ice Rink admission includes skates: $7 Children 12 & under, $8.50 Adults.

New Year’s Eve Gala Celebration December 31-January 1, 2015. The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
Package includes: Classic accommodations for one night (upgrade options available), gala dinner and entertainment for each person on the package, 25% discount off of published Suite rates, package prices starting at $290 per person, per night based on double occupancy. Limited availability.
Close out 2014 in style this New Year’s Eve. It’s a wonderful evening of non-stop music that includes all dance styles from ballroom to disco. Dance the night away at “Party Central” and ring in the new year!

Denver New Year’s Eve December 31 (9 p.m. and midnight). Downtown Denver.
The sky will once again sparkle over the 16th Street Mall at the close of 2014 with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Downtown. The two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and midnight. For the best viewpoints, stand along the 16th Street Mall. Costumed entertainers will interact with crowds between shows, including magicians, mascots, balloon artists, stilt walkers, comedians and more. Please note, between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m., RTD Light Rail trains will not cross the 16th Street Mall and mall ride shuttles will stop temporarily during the two fireworks shows.

Noon Year’s Eve at Butterfly Pavilion. December 31 9-5. Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster.
This is the perfect event for little ones who might not be able to stay up for the real deal. The Children’s Museum of Denver is moving locations this year to count down to 2014 with the greatest celebration in town! Ring in 2015 in classic Noon Year’s Eve style – with ball drops, bubble wrap and confetti – but, this year, do it all at the Butterfly Pavilion. Same great party, totally different setting. Ball drops every half hour from 9:30 – 4:30 and Children’s Museum members are FREE!

Brew Year’s Eve. December 31, 2014. 6 PM start. $65 per person
In one of the best beer towns in the world, considering a brewery for New Year’s Eve is a totally fun idea. The Fort Collins Brewery is hosting this event with a 1920s costume contest, casino games, and a midnight champagne toast. Obviously, their brews will be on tap, and hors d’ouvres so if you are a fan of FCB, this could be your spot for NYE.

Super Diamond at the Aggie Theatre Aggie Theatre 204 South College Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80524. $27.
The Aggie has long brought the best live music to Fort Collins, and at their New Year’s Eve show, good times may never feel so good. Super Diamond plays the tunes of Neil Diamond. So, if you’re in the mood for a singalong (bom bom bom!).

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Charity Ball at Windsong Estate. December 31. 8:00 PM – Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 1:00 AM. Fort Collins, CO
Here’s a great chance to check out a new venue in Fort Collins. It’s outside of town, with incredible views and a brand new feel to it. Windsong Estate is a brand new events center, touted as being on the highest point in Weld County. A little confusing, but that’s the nature of the border between Fort Collins and Windsor (Ptarmigan Country Club is a great example. It’s off the Windsor exit, but has a Fort Collins zip code). Either way, it boasts a great view, and their New Year’s Eve event is going to help Realities for Children.

Ace Gillette’s New Year’s Eve Bash December 31st. $45 includes entrance fee, a champagne toast and party favors.
Walk downstairs to one of Fort Collins classiest joints, Ace Gillette’s. You’ll hear the jazzy sound of the Subterranean Jazz Quartet, and for this special event they are likely to have guest singers and players to enhance the sound. More drinks and food will be available at an extra cost.