Christmas & New Year's in Vail: 2026 Holiday Guide

The holiday season in Vail runs from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year's Day, and the week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest of the ski season.

• Skiing: Vail Mountain is scheduled to open November 13, 2026 and Beaver Creek November 25, conditions permitting.

• Christmas: tree lightings, a European-style holiday market, outdoor ice skating shows, Beaver Creek's daily cookies and holiday shows at the Vilar Performing Arts Center.

• New Year's Eve: Thursday, December 31, 2026. Vail's torchlight parade is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. at Golden Peak, with fireworks at 6:25 p.m. Beaver Creek hosts an illuminated ski down and fireworks in the village.

• Book early: homes, ski school, rentals and New Year's Eve dinners fill up weeks ahead of the holiday week.

Vail Village and Lionshead are decorated from late November, and most holiday events are free and walkable from the villages.

• Lionshead Tree Lighting: traditionally Thanksgiving weekend, with a free figure skating exhibition on the Arrabelle ice rink and a visit from Santa.

• Vail Village Tree Lighting: Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 5 p.m. at the Children's Fountain on Gore Creek Drive, with carolers and Santa (event details).

• Kris Kringle Market: Thursday, December 10 through Sunday, December 13, 2026, on Vail Village's International Bridge, with Colorado artisans, baked goods and glühwein. See our Vail Kris Kringle Market guide for hours and tips.

• Vail Après: the Town's early-winter program of free ice skating shows, silent discos and pop-up events in both villages.

• Getting around: free Town of Vail buses connect West Vail, Lionshead, Vail Village and East Vail, so you can skip holiday parking.

Beaver Creek is smaller and quieter than Vail, with a walkable village and a strong family focus.

• Opening week: Beaver Creek opens November 25, with a Holiday Market November 27–28 and the Tree Lighting & Ice Spectacular on November 28.

• Birds of Prey World Cup: December 3–13, 2026, with men's and women's World Cup downhill, super-G and giant slalom races.

• Cookie Time: free fresh-baked cookies every day at 3 p.m. at the base of Haymeadow and Centennial Express.

• Thursday Night Lights: a weekly community ski-down followed by mountaintop fireworks.

• Vilar Performing Arts Center: Frisson's "Christmas by Candlelight" on December 20 (6:30 p.m.), Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" on December 23 (3 and 7:30 p.m.), and John Oates & The Good Road Band on December 28 (7 p.m.). Tickets at vilarpac.org.

New Year's Eve 2026 falls on a Thursday, and both resorts celebrate early in the evening, which makes it easy to watch with kids and still keep a dinner reservation.

• Vail torchlight parade: 6:15 p.m. at Golden Peak, as Vail Ski and Snowboard School instructors ski down in formation carrying flares.

• Vail fireworks: 6:25 p.m., a short show visible from Vail Village, Golden Peak, Lionshead and across I-70 in West Vail. It's free and needs no tickets.

• Snow matters: the parade depends on conditions. In 2025 Vail skipped the torchlight parade and launched the fireworks from mid-mountain, so check Discover Vail that week.

• Beaver Creek: the annual Ski Down with more than 200 illuminated skiers, village-wide entertainment and fireworks. In recent years Beaver Creek has run an early-evening show and a second show at 10 p.m.

• Dinner: New Year's Eve tables in both villages book up weeks ahead, so reserve as soon as your dates are set, or plan a night in with a private chef at your rental.

A little planning goes a long way during the busiest weeks of the ski season.

• Book lodging first. Homes that sleep larger groups go first for Christmas and New Year's. Check each listing for holiday minimum stays.

• Buy lift access ahead. Vail Resorts says Epic Day Passes bought before the season can save up to 65% compared with lift tickets bought on arrival.

• Reserve ski school and rentals. Kids' lessons and rental gear fill up during holiday weeks.

• Plan for I-70. Winter storms can slow or close the drive from Denver. Leave extra time and check road conditions at COtrip.org before you go.

• Try winter fly fishing. Gore Creek and the Eagle River fish well in winter, and local fly shops run guided half-day wade trips timed for the warmest part of the day. You'll need a Colorado fishing license.

Every Vacation Vail home is locally managed, with direct booking and no service fees. A few that work well for holiday trips:

Walk to the village festivities

• Vail Village Condo – Walk Everywhere (2 bedrooms, sleeps 6, ski-in/ski-out)

• Exclusive Vail Village Townhome – Walk to Ski Lift (4 bedrooms, sleeps 10, ski-in/ski-out)

• SunVail Condo – Steps from Bridge to Lionshead (2 bedrooms, sleeps 7)

Big families and groups

• Cascade Village – Westhaven Condo (8 bedrooms, sleeps 24, ski-in/ski-out)

• Ski-In/Out Beaver Creek Estate – Hot Tub & Gym (6 bedrooms, sleeps 14)

• Ski-In/Out Beaver Creek Townhome – Sleeps 14 (4 bedrooms, sleeps 14)

• Large West Vail Home – Hot Tub, Ski Lockers, Bus (5 bedrooms, sleeps 12)

• Large East Vail Home – On Gore Creek & Bus Stop (5 bedrooms, sleeps 12)

• Spacious Avon Townhome – Views of Beaver Creek (5 bedrooms, sleeps 12)

Beaver Creek ski-in/ski-out

• True Ski-In/Out – Highlands Slopeside Condo (3 bedrooms, sleeps 6)

• Beaver Creek Ski In/Out – Highlands Westview Condo (3 bedrooms, sleeps 7)

• Ski-In/Out Highlands Lodge Condo – Beaver Creek (3 bedrooms, sleeps 8)

• The Charter – True Ski In/Out with Privacy (2 bedrooms, sleeps 8)

See every home and check holiday availability on our search page.

Event details checked October 30, 2026 against Discover Vail, Vail Resorts and the Vilar Performing Arts Center. Dates and times can change with weather and conditions, so confirm with the organizer before you go.