This long Thanksgiving weekend, check out these events to keep the holiday fun going all weekend long! Events include visits with Santa, The Nutcracker, holiday tree lighting ceremonies, holiday tea and so much more. Happening this weekend in and around Boulder.
Jingle Bell Bash at Twenty Ninth Street
When: Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: Twenty Ninth Street Mall, 1710 29th St, Boulder, CO 80301
Time: 3PM – 5PM
Cost: FREE
Join the Twenty Ninth Street Mall for a jolly good time for both adults and kids at the Jingle Bell Bash. The events happen at The Barrel with the arrival of Santa, cookie decorating, hot chocolate station, face painting, dance party, holiday show, Santa & selfie photo stations, plus much more!
Longmont Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: 6th Ave & Main Street, Longmont
Time: 6:30PM
Cost: FREE
Ages: All Ages
Longmont is hosting a Multicultural Celebration of Lights as well as a Lights On / Dance Off in this year’s Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring holiday-themed hip-hop dance battles by Block 1750, and a cultural unity celebration to help light up the holiday season. Hot beverages, goody bags, and carolers provide the seasonal trimmings for this festive event. Bring your family Downtown this year and Light It Up! Santa Claus at the North Pole will be there and the first 200 guests will be given Goody Bags, thanks to High Plains Bank, filled with discounts and offers from Downtown Businesses! Free to attend, anyone and everyone welcome! For more information: http://
The Nutcracker Ballet


When: November 24 – November 26, 2017
Where: Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St, Boulder, Colorado 80309
Time: Times vary, see full schedule here.
Cost: $15 – $82, tickets here.
Thanksgiving weekend, the curtain rises for America’s favorite ballet, brought to life by Boulder Ballet and the Boulder Philharmonic – The Nutcracker. Make your plans now for this thrilling and heartwarming spectacle, all performed to Tchaikovsky’s masterful score.
Niwot’s Enchanted Evening
When: Friday, November 24, 2017
Where: Cottonwood Square, Downtown Niwot
Time: 6PM – 9PM
Cost: FREE
Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, the community of Niwotofficially ushers in the holiday season with Enchanted Evening. The night will begin with the lighting of the community tree, welcoming Santa to town, presenting a Live Ice Sculpture demonstration in Cottonwood Square. Check out Ptarmigan String Quartet who will be performing Holiday music in the Grange with Santa from 6-8:30pm. Come back on Saturday for Niwot’s Holiday Parade. For full event info visit: http://niwot.com/events/enchanted-evening.
Holiday Open House at The Flower Bin


When: November 24 – 26, 2017
Where: The Flower Bin, 1805 Nelson Rd, Longmont, CO 80501
Time: 11AM – 3PM – Schedule of events here.
Cost: FREE
Check out The Flower Bin of Longmont’s Holiday Open House featuring live entertainment, holiday cookies, apple cider and visits with Santa! The Flower Bin will have all the essential holiday decorations on hand for sale including live Christmas trees, wreaths, garland, poinsettias and more.
Christmas Extravaganza
When: November 25 – December 24, 2017
Where: Duran’s Hobby Acres, 15591 N 107th St, Longmont, Colorado 80504
Time: Daily 9AM – 9PM
Cost: Entrance is free. Free pony ride with purchase of Christmas tree. Petting Zoo $3. Barrel train is $2. Carriage rides $15 per family.
Duran’s Hobby Acres is hosting a holiday experience to remember, Christmas Extravaganza. Choose your Christmas tree and take part in these fun activities: living Nativity with camels, carriage rides with Santa. camel rides, petting zoo, barrel train, pony Rides, arts and crafts, camp fire pits, hot cider, caroling, and warm memories!
Teddy Bear Tea


When: Saturday, November 25, 2017
Where: Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th street, Boulder, Colorado 80302
Time: 11:30AM – 1:30PM
Cost: Adult Tea – $31 & $36, Children’s Tea ages 4-12 – $20, Children 3 & under are free. For reservations of 8 or more please call 303-440-2880. Online reservations here.
Kids and families can experience a longstanding tradition of Teddybear Tea at Hotel Boulderado, with a delicious selection of homemade scones, assorted sandwiches and a variety of desserts. All proceeds will be donated to Children’s Hospital. Tea service inside Hotel Boulderado is offered seasonally to guests set on the historic Mezzanine overlooking the hotel lobby. With beautiful views of the hotel’s famous renovated stained glass canopy ceiling, irresistible menus, and soft piano or choir music performances, tea service at Hotel Boulderado will quickly become an annual tradition for you and your loved ones.
4th Annual Leftover Turkey Trot 5K


When: Saturday, November 25, 2017
Where: Roger’s Grove Park, 220 Hover Rd, Longmont, CO 80501
Time: 10AM
Cost: $15 – $40, Register here.
It’s Leftover Turkey Trot time! Time to grab the kids, the friends, and the relatives that have invaded your home, make some memories and spread some smiles! This family-friendly activity is sure to get your Leftover Turkey legs moving and your faces smiling. There will be plenty of hot coffee, food and drinks so please plan to arrive early and stick around for a bit after the run, have some food, make new friends and say hello to those familiar faces we see each year. You must register by November 9th to be guaranteed a race t-shirt.
Make Your Own Mason Jar Snow Globe


When: Saturday, November 25, 2017
Where: McGuckin Hardware, 2525 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302
Time: 11AM – 2PM
Cost: FREE
Bring your youngster and friends to McGuckin Hardware to make their very own snow globe out of simple object founds in our store. One per child. Quantities limited; first come, first serve. Not able to join us? Just stop in to pick up our instruction card and supplies the next time you’re in!
Niwot Holiday Parade


When: Saturday, November 25, 2017
Where: Along 2nd Avenue from Murray Street to Niwot Road, Downtown Niwot
Time: 11AM – 1PM
Cost: FREE
Santa returns to Niwot Saturday morning, Nov 25th, to join in on the Holiday Parade. The parade starts at 11:00 AM. Participants will march down 2nd Ave from Murray Street to Niwot Road. When the parade finishes Santa will be in the Grange until 1:00 PM to take the children’s Christmas gift wish list. The local business will be open with additional craft vendors in the Grange.
Sugar Plum Tea Party


When: November 25 – 26, 2017
Where: Centennial State Ballet, 1422 Nelson Rd, Longmont, Colorado 80501
Time: Times vary, see schedule here.
Cost: SOLD OUT
Centennial State Ballet will host their 15th annual Sugar Plum Tea Party fundraiser during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend. The non-profit youth ballet organization celebrates 20 years of exceptional ballet performances this year with this well-known fundraising event. The ticket price includes a delightful afternoon with warm tea, sweet and savory edibles and harp accompaniment, a mini-Nutcracker performance and a souvenir photo taken with the Sugar Plum Fairy. For more information, click here.
St. Nick on the Bricks


When: Saturdays, November 25 – December 23, 2017
Where: Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center, 1301 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302
Time: 11AM – 2PM
Cost: FREE
Saturdays starting November 25, kids of all ages can visit with Santa at the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center for FREE. Bring your list and a camera to capture priceless holiday memories.
Santa at Samples World Bistro


When: November 25, 2017
Time: 3:30PM – 6:30PM
Where: Samples World Bistro, 370 Main St, Longmont, CO 80501
Cost: FREE pictures for restaurant guests
Have an afternoon snack or early supper at Samples World Bistro while chatting with Santa. Then join Santa in his throne for photos. Reservations are encouraged, please call: 303-327-9318.
Gingerbread Tea


When: Sundays, November 26 – December 17, 2017
Where: Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro, 900 Walnut St, Boulder, Colorado 80302
Time: Times vary, see schedule here.
Cost: $35.95 Adults, $19.95 Children 4-12, Children three & under are FREE
Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro at the St. Julien Hotel and Spa is hosting a Gingerbread Tea for the young and old, urban and rural. Traditional tea, music and delicacies including savory tea sandwiches, sweet Petite Fours and an array of different flavored scones, fill the room as Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro Executive Chef Laurent Mechin helps children – both small and big – decorate gingerbread cookies. The sweetest part—a portion of the proceeds are donated to There With Care, a non-profit organization that supports children and families facing critical illness. For reservations, please contact the St. Julien concierge at (720) 406-9696.