WinterFest 2023
December 8 – 10
Friday 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM (Tree Lighting 5:30 PM) , Saturday & Sunday 11 AM – 4:00 PM
Celebrate the holiday season at Chautauqua with this beloved annual tradition!
Bring your friends and family and kick off the holidays with a tree lighting ceremony, horse-drawn carriage ride, Santa’s Cottage, a historic cottage tour, festive market, guided hikes and more!
Events and Activities
WinterFest Pass
WinterFest Pass
Take advantage of Chautauqua’s WinterFest Pass! Bring your family and friends and enjoy an entire fun-filled day of WinterFest activities. The WinterFest day pass includes:
- A horse-drawn carriage ride around the Chautauqua Green
- A visit to Santa’s Cottage
- Cyber-Scavenger Hunt with prizes
- Festive craft-making
- Cookie Decorating
- A keepsake polaroid with the WinterFest bear
Available Saturday and Sunday as individual passes or choose one of our family four packs and save more.
Free for kids 2 and under
Day-of passes can also be purchased in person at the Chautauqua Box Office
WinterFest Pass Includes
Carriage Rides
Make WinterFest 2023 a lasting memory with a cozy carriage ride around the picturesque Chautauqua Green. Gather your friends and family and take in the crisp mountain air, festive lights and incomparable views of the Flatirons. This scenic journey will be a highlight of your WinterFest experience!
Santa’s Cottage
Bring your family to this one-of-a-kind meet and greet! Visit Santa in the historic Missions House Lodge, all spruced up for the holidays, and take a picture with jolly ol’ Kris Kringle himself. Keep an eye out for Mrs. Claus, too!
Cookie Decorating
Celebrate the festive season by decorating delicious cookies from local bakery, The Sugar Cookie Store! This fun activity is perfect for all ages with low-mess edible ink.
Festive Craft-Making
Create a thoughtful holiday keepsake by the warmth of a cozy fire. The simple pleasure of making crafts with friends and family will make for a cherished, nostalgic memory of your WinterFest experience.
Scavenger Hunt
Explore the beautiful, historic Chautauqua campus while playing a digital scavenger hunt. This interactive experience will have you solving riddles and puzzles, answering trivia, taking creative photos with virtual images, and more!
Ticketed Activities
Historic Cottage Tour
Don’t miss this opportunity to peek behind the doors of five charming cottages especially selected for the WinterFest 2023 Historic Cottage Tour and all decked out for the holidays! This year, the tour includes the recently restored Mary H. Galey Cottage, long-time home of Mary Hindman Galey, who was instrumental in preserving the Colorado Chautauqua, as well as four other unique cottages constructed during the first half of the 20th Century. Refreshments included.
Free for kids 12 and under.
Jeff And Paige's Holiday Concert - SOLD OUT!
Jeff and Paige, who have seven albums and have won several awards, have reached thousands of children with their playful spirit and passion for ecological awareness. Using songs, storytelling and interactive play, they engage children (ages 3 – 9) with nature, music and movement. This event blends their nature and science-themed kids’ music with fun/familiar holiday favorites! Expect educational skits, quick costume changes, loads of audience participation, and an interactive, family-friendly connection to the holiday season and winter wildlife adaptations. Kids are invited to wear PJs and bring a favorite stuffed animal. Let’s get cozy!
Community House
Friday, December 8
4:30 PM
Breakfast With Santa - SOLD OUT!
This beloved holiday tradition is back at WinterFest! Enjoy a delicious all-inclusive breakfast buffet, a special appearance by Kris Kringle himself and memories that will last a lifetime. Experience it all in the beautifully decorated, 125-year-old Chautauqua Dining Hall!
Chautauqua Dining Hall
Saturday, December 9
and Sunday, December 10
First Seating: 9:30 AM
Second Seating: 12:00 PM
Pricing: Adult: $34, Child 2 – 10: $30,
Child under 2: Free
Includes food, non-alcoholic beverage, tax and gratuity
Free Activities
Tree Lighting
Kick off WinterFest 2023 on Friday, December 8th at 5:00 PM as Chautauqua’s historic buildings and majestic evergreens are transformed into a glistening wonderland with the help of our friends from Colorado Christmas Lights! Musical guests too.
Outside the Community House
Friday, December 8
5:30 PM
WinterFest Market
Visit our WinterFest Market and shop specially curated treasures from local artists and vendors. Or find something special for the Chautauqua-lover on your list and choose from a wide variety of Chautauqua-branded merchandise.
Community House
Saturday, December 9
and Sunday, December 10
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Art In The Park
The bears are back! This year’s Art in The Park bear installation starts December 1 and continues through April 16 when you can bid on your favorite bear. Proceeds from Art In The Park benefit participating artists, Chautauqua community events and non-profit partners.
Caroling Hike
Join musician Jeff Kagan (of Jeff & Paige) and OSMP staff for a mellow holiday hike and caroling with your fellow hikers. Expect a moderate group (1.2 miles) stroll through the Chautauqua meadow with a handful of stops along the way to sing some holiday favorites. Suitable for all ages.
Meet at the Ranger Cottage
Saturday, December 9th
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Wildlife in Winter Hike
Join naturalist, Kelly, on this family-friendly hike to explore how plants and animals survive the winter in different ecosystems. Make memories while playing kid-oriented nature games and learning about nature at Chautauqua. Bring warm drinks and snacks and be prepared for cold and snow.
Meet at the Ranger Cottage
Sunday, December 10
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Enchanting Ecology Hike
Join naturalist, Basil, on this family-friendly hike to explore the superpowers of the ponderosa pine forest ecosystem in winter. Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland of snowy ponderosas while learning about forest ecology. Bring warm drinks and snacks and be prepared for cold and snow!
Meet at the Enchanted Mesa Trailhead
Sunday, December 10
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Food Vendors
Cousins Maine Lobster
Georgia Boys BBQ
WinterFest Market Vendors
Buena Vista Handmade
Moksha Chocolate
ARAE
Courageous Soaps
I Love ME Gems
33 Woodworks
Made For Lips
Big Bad Wolf Jewelry
Peak State Coffee
La Pacha Organics
Tracy Travis Objects
Underhill Leather
Sole By La
2022 Recap Video
Stay and Save!
WinterFest Discount
OCTOBER 4 – DECEMBER 31, 2023
Experience the magic of the holiday season at Chautauqua! Stay in one of our cottages as the weather cools and the flurries start to fall on the Flatirons. For an extra special visit, book a cottage December 8 – 10 and stay during WinterFest. Use code WFEST when booking for 15% off.
Subject to availability.
Gallery
Thank You Sponsors & Partners!
Event And Landmark Sponsors
Cottage Tour Decorating Partners
