Festivals and Events Illuminate Colorado This Holiday Season

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Nov 09, 2011, 04:15 ET

DENVER, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The arrival of snow in Colorado is a sign that the holidays are right around the corner. From re-living a classic holiday book to ice carving demonstrations, Santa Claus spectacles and torchlight parades, locals and visitors are invited to join in the holiday cheer with an abundance of seasonal offerings throughout the state. Below is just a sampling of ways Colorado celebrates the holidays.

Mile High Holidays (November - December) Denver comes to life this holiday season with the 9News Parade of Lights, Denver Botanic Gardens' Blossoms of Light, Denver Zoo's Zoo Lights and more. www.denver.org/milehighholidays
The Polar Express (November 18 – December 28) Climb aboard the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to experience The Polar Express come to life. www.durangotrain.com/events/2011-polar-express
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (November 19) A traditional tree lighting ceremony replicates scenes from a 60-year-old celebration in Estes Park. www.estesparkcvb.com/calendar.cfm
Holiday Lighting Extravaganza (November 25) Welcome the holiday season on Pueblo's historic Arkansas Riverwalk. www.puebloharp.com/events/upcoming-events
Greeley Lights The Night (November 26) The "Old Fashioned Christmas" Greeley parade leaves guests enchanted with creative light displays on floats and Santa's arrival. www.greeleychamber.com/visiting
Georgetown Christmas Market (December 3, 4, 10 & 11) Hot roasted chestnuts, unique shops, horse-drawn wagon rides and St. Nicholas appearances await guests at this traditional European marketplace. www.historicgeorgetown.org/spevents/xmarket.htm
Santa Claus Special (December 3, 10, 11 & 17) Children share their wish list with Santa and Mrs. Claus aboard Golden's historic locomotive. www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org
Vail Snow Daze (December 5 – 11) Vail Snow Daze features a weeklong concert series, including Jakob Dylan, Yukon Kornelius and Guster. www.vail.com/events/snowdaze.aspx
Yule Festival Weekend (December 9 – 10) Enjoy a Christmas jazz concert, gingerbread house building workshops, a Main Street Parade and the Wine and Chocolate Festival in Ouray. www.ouraycolorado.com
Rock On Ice (December 16 – 18) World Champion ice carvers fill Crested Butte Mountain Resort's base with sparkling ice sculptures and ice sculpting performances. www.skicb.com/cbmr/things-to-do/rock-on-ice.aspx
12 Days of Aspen (December 20 – 31) Free holiday activities include ice-skating, a snowman-making contest, caroling and Aspen Academy Screenings. www.aspenchamber.org/12days
Traditional Torchlight Parade (December 24) Guests gather at Winter Park Resort to watch skiers with torches, followed by snow cats descending the mountain in a Christmas tree formation and a fireworks finale. www.winterparkresort.com