December Brings a Slew of Events to the Local Region
Trevor Phipps
“’Tis the season to be jolly,” as the old holiday song proclaims.
Due to the Ute Pass region’s picturesque winter and mountain postcard scenes, coupled with a growing array of Yuletide celebrations in our local communities, it is quite easy to feel “jolly” this time of year. And yes, plenty of opportunities are available to get early glimpses of Santa Claus, as St. Nick prepares for the big day.
Christmas celebrations in the Teller high country officially start this weekend and continue throughout the month. In the last few years, the number of holiday events have increased dramatically in the area. The following are a few highlights of local Christmas festivities.
Woodland Park Christmas Events
In Woodland Park, this weekend is famously known as the two days that officially kick off the season in the City Above the Clouds. Throughout the weekend, there are many events related to the Christmas holiday.
This year, the festivities actually start a day early with Woodland Park’s “Winter Day in the Park” on Friday afternoon at Memorial Park. “Featuring hot chocolate, festive treats, a petting zoo, a holiday craft table, Storytime with the City Council, Elf Scramble for candy canes, a community fireside sing-along, official City tree lighting, and so much more,” according to the city’s website. “Hot chocolate, adult beverages, and light refreshments will be available. This FREE family event is sure to be a fun time for all ages!”
The festivities start Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m. and will continue until about 7 p.m. A petting zoo and a holiday craft table will be available from 3:30 to 4:30.
Story Time with Council takes place from 4:45 to 5 p.m. An Elf Scramble happens from 5:15 to 5:45, and the fireside sing-a-long occurs from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony then kicks off at 6 p.m.
Then on Saturday, events kick into gear with the annual Kiwanis Breakfast with Santa at the Ute Pass Cultural Center from 8 to 11 a.m. Pancakes and cookies are free while the community gets a chance to visit Santa and Mrs. Clause.
The Tweeds Holiday Home Tour also starts on Dec. 6 and takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors get the chance to tour decorated local homes and businesses. To purchase tickets, visit WPHHT.org.
Also, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Woodland Park Community Church is putting on their “Cookies, Crafts & Christmas Magic.” “Join us for a morning filled with cookie decorating, kids’ crafts, a free professional holiday photo, giveaways + Sip & Savor coffee,” an event post stated. “Enjoy Christmas cookie decorating, kids’ crafts, a free professional Christmas photo, and a special holiday basket giveaway.”
Then on Saturday night the community gets together for the Lights Above the Clouds Christmas Parade with Hwy. 24 closing in the early part of the evening. This year’s theme is Charlie Brown. The parade starts at 6, and then runs until Santa makes it down the road, with the festivities extending until about 8:30 p.m. Fireworks then end the ceremony.
The following day (Dec. 7), the Outloud Men’s Chorus will be performing “Once Upon a Starry Night” from 2 to 4 p.m.
Christmas events continue Dec. 12-14 when Woodland Park’s Charis Bible College puts on their “Heart of Christmas” live play. The bible college will also have a Nativity Scene set up from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19-21.
Events in Woodland Park continue through the month with Open Mic night at the Cultural Center on Dec. 10, Christmas Pajama Bingo on Dec. 11 and the Winter Holiday Parents Night Out at the Woodland Aquatic Center on Dec. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m.
December then wraps up with the annual “Radical Rewind 80s New Year’s Eve Party” at the Ute Pass Cultural Center, starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31. “Grab your hairspray and acid washed pants for our Radical Rewind 80s party,” the city’s website proclaims.
Cripple Creek Events
Further up the mountain in the Cripple Creek/Victor area, the historic mining district has gained legendary status for throwing a good holiday party. Festivities in southern Teller launched last Saturday with the 26th annual Holiday Headframe Lighting. The headframes will be lit up Nov. 29-Jan. 1 on weekend nights and nighty from Dec. 24 through Jan. 1, weather permitting. The viewing is available through a self-guided, drive-through tour.
The Butte Theater in Cripple Creek also started their holiday show, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” on Nov. 28. The show will play at the theater until the end of the year.
The big day for Christmas celebrations in the old mining district is Dec. 13, as part of the Gold Camp Country Christmas festival. On that day, the city’s Christmas Craft Fair starts at 9 a.m., and more events commence at 11 a.m., leading up to the big Christmas parade down Bennett Avenue at noon. This is one of the more popular events of the entire Yuletide season in Teller County. Lunch with Santa at the Aspen Mine Center continues until 4 p.m. The Gold Camp Country Christmas festival features a full day of celebrations.
Another event locals shouldn’t miss in Cripple Creek is the return of the Ice Castles for the third consecutive year. Tickets to visit the Ice Castles become available for sale this Tuesday, with the Castles attraction expected to open later in the month and continue through early March.
Green Mountain Falls Celebrations
Down the Pass in Green Mountain Falls, the small Ute Pass community also has added more events annually to celebrate the holiday season. The town’s Yule Days will kick off this weekend, Dec. 6 and Dec. 7.
“This year, enjoy a holiday craft fair at the Sallie Bush Building on Saturday/Sunday,” a press release submitted by Building Ute Pass Community stated. “Carolers, craft activities for the whole family, visits with Santa, Yule Log Hunt and the annual tree lighting at Gazebo Park will take place Sunday.”
The event also includes a Craft Fair and Bake Sale at the Sallie Bush Building on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Sunday the following events take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Ornament Painting and Santa at Green Box Campus from 1 to 3 p.m., Photos w/Horses and Santa, Crafts at Horse Wellness Meadow from 2 to 4 p.m., Yule Log Hunt and Bigfoot Race at Horse Wellness Meadow at 3 p.m., Cookie Decorating and Santa at Church in the Wildwood from 3 to 5 p.m., the Tree Lighting at Gazebo Park at 5:15 p.m., and Nite Caps and S’Mores after Tree Lighting at the Green Box Campus.
Happy Holidays from The Mountain Jackpot (TMJ) News Crew!
