Chautauqua WinterFest
December 5th – 7th
Create unforgettable memories at Winterfest, Chautauqua’s annual holiday celebration! Enjoy festive food and drinks, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a variety of family-friendly activities. From exploring the holiday market to crafting ornaments, there’s something for everyone.
Ticket prices range from $23.00 – $31.50.
WinterFest Pass Activities
Saturday, December 7
Carriage Rides
Make a lasting memory with a cozy carriage ride around the picturesque Chautauqua Green!
10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Winter Fairy Forest
Discover a winter wonderland where fairies frolic in their very own forest on the Chautauqua Auditorium stage!
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Santa’s Cottage
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the historic Missions House Lodge, all spruced up for the holidays and ready to take a picture!
10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Craft Making
Create a thoughtful holiday keepsake by the warmth of a cozy fire!
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Cookie Decorating
Celebrate the festive season by decorating delicious cookies from the local bakery, The Sugar Cookie Store!
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Petting Zoo
Meet our friendly farm animals at the WinterFest petting zoo. From fainting goats to mini Highland cows, there’s something for everyone to love!
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
WinterFest Pass
Passes can also be purchased day of at the Chautauqua Box Office.
Free for kids 2 and under!
The WinterFest Pass includes all of these activities and more!
Choose our Four Pack Pass to save 15%
Live Music
LAPOMPE: A Very Django Holiday Show
Thursday, December 5 | 8:00 PM
Community House
Get ready for a delightful re-interpretation of classic Christmas & Holiday music through the lens of Early Swing & Hot-Club Jazz. Burning Gypsy jazz tunes mixed with Carol of the Bells, Honeysuckle Rose mixed with Let it Snow, and so much more!
Jeff & Paige Holiday Concert and Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6 | 4:00 PM
Community House
Join Jeff and Paige for a magical holiday concert filled with music, laughter, and fun! Their interactive live show is a Chautauqua holiday tradition and is perfect for the whole family. Sing along and join us for the festive tree lighting and lantern walk to the magical fairy forest in the Auditorium to follow!
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 7 | 9:00 AM & 11:30 AM
Enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa and make memories that will last a lifetime. Experience it all in the beautifully decorated 126-year-old Chautauqua Dining Hall!
Chautauqua Dining Hall
Saturday, December 7
First Seating: 9:00 AM
Second Seating: 11:30 AM
Pricing: Adult: $36, Child: $32 (prices are inclusive of fees)
*Includes food, non-alcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuity
Free Activities
Tree Lighting & Fairy Forest Preview
Kick off WinterFest as Chautauqua’s historic buildings and majestic evergreens are transformed into a glistening wonderland!
Friday, December 6th
5:15 – 6:00 PM
Holiday Market
Tackle all of your holiday shopping with unique, handcrafted goods from local artists and vendors at the Chautauqua Community House!
Saturday, December 7th
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Art In The Park
The bears are back! Stroll the stunning Chautauqua grounds, and view our life-sized bears decorated by local artists. Bid on a bear for your chance to take one home!
Dreidel Games
Test your luck and skill at WinterFest’s dreidel game! Gather your family and friends for a fun-filled afternoon of spinning, winning, and celebrating Hanukkah in Academic Hall.
Saturday, December 7th
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
History Tours
Discover Boulder’s crown jewel with a guided stroll through Chautauqua’s gardens and historic buildings, filled with captivating stories of its rich history.
Saturday, December 7th
12:00 PM & 2:00 PM
A Caroling Hike with Musician Jeff Kagan
Meeting Location: Chautauqua Ranger Cottage
When: Saturday, December 7 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
A part of Winterfest at Chautauqua Park, join Kids’ Musician Jeff Kagan of “Jeff & Paige” and OSMP staff for a mellow holiday hike and caroling. Expect a moderate, group stroll through the Chautauqua meadow with a handful of stops along the way to sing some holiday favorites. Don’t know the lyrics by heart? No problem, grab a complimentary songbook and sing with the trees, rocks, towhees, and your fellow hikers. This hike is 1.5 miles, gains about 200 feet of elevation, and will last approximately 1 hour and 15 min. Suitable for all ages (that can handle the hike).
Holiday Choirs
Renova New Music Ensemble
Renova New Music Ensemble is a group comprised of undergraduate, graduate students, and alumni from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Members are committed to bringing new choral music to life and are excited to sing the music of new and local composers.
Performing on December 7th, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
The Spark
The Spark is a local nonprofit performing arts community with a unique mentorship model, pairing professional actors with students and young adults to inspire, educate, and empower artists of all ages—on and off the stage. Experience their holiday harmonies at WinterFest!
Performing on December 7th, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Food & Drink
Rising Tiger
McDevitt Taco Supply
Georgia Boys BBQ
Rollin In Daisies
Holiday Market
La Sportiva
Peak State
Coffee
Moksha
Chocolate
Boulder
Valley
Soaps
I Love ME
Gems
MM
Woodworks
Rootfoot
Bohemian
Blooms
EJ Studio
Big Bad
Wolf
Jewelry
Made For
Lips
1 Simple
Seed
Jaanu
Samantha
Cauchy Art
Mao
Radiance
Event Info
Parking
Parking will be available for WinterFest on Baseline Road, the main Chautauqua hiking trailhead, and the Chautauqua neighborhood accessed via Kinnickinnick Road. Parking will NOT be available on the streets surrounding the Dining Hall and Chautauqua Green (Clematis and Sumac Drive). Parking is very limited, so we recommend showing up early and factoring in time to park and walk from your car.
Shuttles are not operating for this event.
Click HERE for directions to Chautauqua Park.
Wristbands
Wristbands are required to enjoy the WinterFest Pass activities. Once you are here, show your ticket to the Box Office kiosk, or at any WinterFest Pass activity, to receive your wristband. The Box Office kiosk is located north of the Auditorium and behind the Chautauqua Dining Hall.
Getting Around
We recommend appropriate clothing and footwear when visiting Chautauqua in the wintertime.
Lodging Special
December 5 – December 9
Stay at Chautauqua during the most magical time of year! Bring the whole family to celebrate a weekend of concerts, carriage rides, Santa, and more. Save 20% when you use code WFEST at checkout.
Subject to availability, minimums may apply.
Sponsors
Join in the fun of WinterFest!
Become a sponsor, support Chautauqua and grow your business.
Sponsor packages start at just $500!