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Holiday Festivities in Breckenridge: December Events

Published: November 21, 2022

Winter is finally here in Breckenridge, and holiday festivities are waiting just around the corner! Our town truly takes ski town charm to the next level, transforming into a winter wonderland 4-5 months out of the year. The holiday season kicks off with a slew of not-to-be-missed, one-of-a-kind events. The fun begins with a slew of festivities on Saturday, December 3rd.

Three words: Holiday Dog Parade. Need we say more? This event is a staple of the holidays in Breckenridge, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: A parade of hundreds of local four-legged friends – over half of which are Bernese Mountain Dogs – take over Breckenridge Main Street for this whimsical display. This adorable procession begins at 2:30 PM on 12/3 and travels to the north end of Main Street.

The Annual Race of the Santas takes place shortly after the dogs reach their final destination. Spectate as hundreds of racers donned in Santa Claus suits run down a holiday-adorned Main Street. The Race of the Santas is the quintessential ski town event to get you in the holiday season. Want to participate? Register here.

After the race, stick around to catch the Lighting of Breckenridge. 250,000 LED holiday lights will light the town and turn it into a scene out of a storybook. The 13,000 feet of light connecting Breck’s downtown core is one of the most photographed spots in Summit County during winter. Can’t make it to the Lighting of Breckenridge? Not to worry: you can enjoy the famed lights throughout winter.

What’s the wackiest parade you’ve ever attended? This one’s wackier. During Ullr Fest, we worship Ullr, the Norse God of Snow, hoping he will bestow us with powder days from the heavens. It is also perhaps our town’s most world-renowned event.

Spanning three days (December 9-10), Ullr Fest begins with the world’s longest shotski. Be one of the 1,300 people who line up down Main Street to take a shot of Breckenridge Distillery Whiskey and be a part of history! Every year, Breckenridge and Park City, UT, go neck-and-neck to steal this title back from each other, so the event is never anticlimactic. 

After the shotski, hang out and watch the famous Ullr street parade, where local businesses compete for the best float, and they all bring their A-game. Think Harry’s dog van from “Dumb and Dumber,” ski jumps on the back of truck beds, and floats towing people on couches. We would go into further detail, but you’d have to see it to believe it.  If you enjoyed catching candy thrown into the crowd during parades as a kid, this is the event for you. In addition to candy, float riders toss out swag, bacon, shooters, and much more!

After the parade ends, head to the East Sawmill Parking Lot for the Ullr Bonfire. This parking lot party features the annual burning of the Christmas trees (fueling the bonfire with trees from Christmas past), DJ entertainment, and Summit County comradery. Remember to don your Viking hats and pay homage to Ullr.

On Friday, December 9th, make your way to the Riverwalk Center at 7:30 for Ullr Comedy Night: an evening of laughs with Jimmy Dunn. Tickets are $25 and proceeds support Carriage House Early Learning Center. Ullr Fest concludes this year on Saturday, December 10th, with an Ullr Ice Skating Party and Winter Ice Skating Show – both of which are perfect for entertaining the whole family.

The first two weeks of December in Breckenridge are magical and filled with holiday spirit. Thankfully, they are only the start of a long season of highly anticipated winter events and festivities. Make sure you sign up for the Real Estate of the Summit Monthly E-newsletter for regular updates on upcoming events and exclusive information on Summit County real estate, listings, news, and more!

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