2025 Winter Holiday Calendar: Events and markets in the spirit of the season

NOV. 7-DEC. 14
Shop Local, Win Local
Spend a total of $50 or more at Downtown Colorado Springs retail shops and be entered to win a weekly gift basket valued at $250 or the Grand Prize, a $1,000 Visa gift card. More info at downtowncs.com/event/shop-local-win-local/.

NOV. 7-DEC. 27
Commonwheel Artists Co-op Holiday Market
Find the perfect hand-crafted holiday gift for someone created by talented, local artists. Commonwheel Artists Co-Op (102 Canon Ave, Manitou Springs) is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission is free. https://www.commonwheel.com/holiday-market.html

NOV. 14
Acacia Holiday Celebration & Community Caroling
Join Soli Deo Gloria Choir in Acacia Park (115 E. Platte Ave.) for a community caroling singalong from 5:30 to 6 p.m. before we kick off the 13th season of Skate in the Park and the Acacia Holiday Celebration at 6 p.m. Hear from the Mayor, see Santa, watch skate demos and get in the holiday spirit. Stick around to skate at 7 p.m. to the sounds of Ross Squad DJs (tickets required).

NOV. 14, 2025-JAN 21, 2026
Acacia Skate in the Park
Get outdoors and on the ice in Downtown Colorado Springs’ Acacia Park (115 E. Platte Ave.). $15 admission includes skates; $2 off for active-duty military & first responders; kids 4 years and under free with paid adult. https://downtowncs.com/event/skate/

NOV. 20-23
‘A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play’ by First Company Theatre
The Charles Dickens holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with vintage commercials for fruitcake (extra-fancy), and the magic of live sound effects and musical underscoring. A handful of actors bring dozens of characters to the stage, as the familiar story unfolds: Three ghosts take Ebenezer Scrooge on a thrilling journey to teach him the true meaning of Christmas. A charming take on a family favorite that will leave no one saying “Bah Humbug!” $5 ticket plus est. $1.90 sales fee. At the First Methodist Church (420 N. Nevada Ave.) https://peakradar.com/event/a-christmas-carol-a-live-radio-play/

NOV. 22
5th Annual Christkindl Market
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mash Mechanix Brewing (429 E. Pikes Peak Ave.) Fifth annual Christkindl market featuring local artists and vendors. Featuring drink specials, great food, free hot cocoa, plus a place to bring your Toys for Tots toy donations.

NOV. 26
Manitou Springs Tree Lighting with Santa, cookies and cider
At the town clock in Downtown Manitou Springs from 5-7 p.m.

NOV. 29
Small business Saturday
Free on-street parking all day in Downtown Manitou Springs. The City of Colorado Springs is offering free parking in its garages, surface lots and meters. 

Cottonwood Holiday Art & Gift Market
Shop local this Small Business Saturday with 25+ artisan vendors for your Christmas shopping list. Enjoy stress-free shopping and exploring 100% local creations, including pottery, jewelry, textiles, paintings, and accessories. Cottonwood Center for the Arts (427 E. Colorado Ave.), outdoors in the Penrose Alley, Main Gallery if inclement weather. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. https://cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com/

Holiday Music Downtown
Colorado Brass and carolers from Soli Deo Gloria Choir will be providing a holiday soundtrack for Small Business Saturday and your holiday shopping noon to 2 p.m.  

Poor Richards Theme Day at Skate in the Park
Head down to Skate in the Park in Acacia Park (115 E. Platte Ave.) and wear a funny hat with theme day sponsor, Poor Richard’s. Play along with the theme and get $1 off your admission from 1-3 p.m. Just mention you’re there for Poor Richard’s when you purchase your admission. 

NOV. 30
Holiday at the Hill-Makers Market
Support the small businesses of Colorado Springs at The Pinery at the Hill (775 W. Bijou St.) with its first ever Holiday Makers Market! They will have over 40 local makers, creators, and artists, Santa, and a bar. Come support the vibrant small businesses of Colorado Springs to do some shopping! 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; photos with Santa: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; bar open: 9  a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission is free.

DEC. 5
First Friday Art Walk
Galleries, shops and restaurants along the Avenue Creative Circuit – from Manitou Springs through Old Colorado City, Downtown Colorado Springs and east to Knob Hill  – will be open from 5-8 p.m. with new art, live music, special events, and great locally made art and other giftables. Free admission. 

DEC. 5-JAN. 1
Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
This is the only place in Colorado where you can enjoy a holiday-safari themed drone show, and explore 50 acres of one-of-a-kind light sculptures, twinkling light displays, and larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals while hand-feeding a giraffe herd on the side of a mountain! Advance tickets required. Early entrance for Zoo members and their paying guests starts at 4 p.m. General admission from 5 to 7:30 pm. Event ends at 8:30 p.m. https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/special-events/electric-safari/

DEC. 6
Festival of Lights Family Fun Day
Families are invited to join the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum for their annual holiday celebration. Enjoy musical performances, crafts, face painting, and other family-friendly activities. Free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Stop by the museum entrance starting at 6 p.m. to warm up with hot chocolate and cookies and enjoy the Festival of Lights Parade.

Festival of Lights Parade
The Parade transforms Tejon Street into a dazzling winter wonderland, drawing tens of thousands of spectators. This magical evening features nearly 100 illuminated floats, each creatively designed in harmony with this year’s festive theme. From charming characters to twinkling lights and holiday music, the entire parade route becomes a joyful celebration that brings warmth and wonder to audiences of all ages. Free. Starts at 5:50 p.m. on Tejon St. at Boulder St. and continues South on Tejon to Vermijo Avenue. https://www.coloradospringsfestivaloflights.com/

Cycling Santa 2025
Put on by Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, Cycling Santa serves as a toy drive for Give It Forward, to spread Christmas cheer to kids across the Pikes Peak region. Every participant will receive a free Santa suit along with registration, even the kids. There are three ride distances, to accommodate all levels of cyclist. Particiapnts bring new, unwrapped toys to the start line. $22.80 – $32.80 for full registration, including a Santa suit. 

DEC. 7
Manitou Springs Christmas Parade
Downtown Manitou Springs, starts 6 p.m. 

DEC. 7, DEC. 14, DEC. 21, DEC. 24
Strolling Holiday Brass
Noon to 2 p.m. in Downtown Manitou Springs

DEC.10
Holiday Stroll in Downtown COS
Downtown shops are open late with specials and perfect gifts for the holidays. Enjoy festive holiday lights, strolling holiday musicians, and one-night-only shopping and dining specials. Plus, Santa himself will be out and about doing a little shopping, listening to wish lists, and posing for photos. Be sure to keep an eye out for the grumpy Grinch gallivanting in and out of shops as well. Sponsored by Underline. Stop by their table across Tejon Street from Acacia Park for a hot chocolate.

Holiday Music Downtown
Colorado Brass and carolers from Soli Deo Gloria Choir will be providing a holiday soundtrack for the Holiday Stroll in Downtown Colorado Springs and your evening holiday shopping from 5 to 7 p.m. 

DEC 11-14 and DEC 18-23
Old Colorado City Christkindlmarket
The OCC Christkindlmarket is a new, authentic German holiday market coming to Old Colorado City this December for 10 days between Dec. 11-23. Noon to 8 p.m. in Bancroft Park (2408 W. Colorado Ave.). Free admission. 

DEC. 12
Breakfast with Santa
8 to 10 a.m. at Manitou’s Memorial Hall (606 Manitou Ave.). 

Old Colorado City Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
Come down to Bancroft Park (2408 W. Colorado Ave.) for Santa, hot cocoa, and community. Sing Christmas carols, take selfies with Santa, and embrace the holiday spirit! Music by Singer Jahida Esperanza and Christmas Brass. Bring an ornament to hang on the tree. Free. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

DEC. 13
Holiday Music Downtown
From noon to 2 p.m., Colorado Brass and carolers from Soli Deo Gloria Choir will be providing a holiday soundtrack for the day — and your holiday shopping. Special appearances by the carolers on the Trolley Block.

DEC. 20
Christmas in K-Land
Christmas in K-Land is back (2551 Airport Rd., #100) with gifts for kids, food packages for families, and photo ops with Brotha Claus. Free. 1 to 4 p.m.

Holiday Music Downtown COS
From noon to 2 p.m., Colorado Brass and carolers from Soli Deo Gloria Choir will be providing a holiday soundtrack for the day – and your holiday shopping. Special appearances by the carolers on the Trolley Block.

DEC. 24
Holiday Music Downtown COS
From 2 to 4 p.m., carolers from Soli Deo Gloria Choir will be providing a holiday soundtrack for the day – and your last minute holiday shopping.

DEC. 31
AdAmAn New Year’s Eve Fireworks
A Pikes Peak tradition since 1922. Mountaineers traverse the icy slopes of Pikes Peak to provide a spectacular fireworks display at midnight to ring in the New Year. Seen for miles along the Front Range in and around Colorado Springs.