Event Calendar: Dec-Jan 2025

Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the rundown on what to do this season.

Light Up the Holidays
Daily, until Dec. 24
Downtown Boulder lights up the holidays late November through December with special events, activities, and promotions throughout downtown. boulderdowntown.com.

Gingerbread Tea at St. Julien
Sundays, Dec. 1–Dec. 29
Put on your Sunday’s best and join us for Gingerbread Tea. Gingerbread Tea is a long-standing tradition at St. Julien with proceeds benefiting “There with Care,” a non-profit organization that supports families and children facing critical illness. As such, we ask that you consider bringing an unwrapped toy to support our toy drive. Children will enjoy gingerbread cookie decorating complete with a complimentary chef hat and apron, while adults can relax to the soothing sounds of live holiday jazz. The price for tea includes scones, tea sandwiches and assorted gourmet teas. Free–$49. stjulien.com

Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Dec. 1–Dec. 29
Explore our unique selection of gifts created by local Boulder and Colorado artists for your holiday gift-giving. Reasonable prices and members receive a discount on all purchases. Shop early for the best selection. Free. bmoca.org.

Holiday Teas
Dec. 1–Dec. 29
Hotel Boulderado’s Tea service 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 and irresistible menus, the tea service at Hotel Boulderado will quickly become an annual tradition for you and your loved ones. The Holiday Teas feature pastries and desserts, a savory buffet with sandwiches and more, plus teas, specialty cocktails, and wine. boulderado.com.

Smoke & Mirrors
Dec. 1–Jan. 12
Smoke & Mirrors is a group show highlighting optical illusions made by eight artists from a wide range of reflective materials and uncommon methodologies. The artwork on view ignites our irresistible attraction to the elusive materiality of shiny and transparent objects that often serve as distractions or distortions of our physical reality. bmoca.org.

Complementary Visions Exhibit at the Museum of Boulder
Dec. 1–Feb. 10
Complementary Visions brings together a collection of artworks that explore color, harmony, and tension between contrasting perspectives. This exhibition showcases the unique voices of Serge Goldberg and Jean Pless, each offering their individual interpretation of the world. By blending diverse styles and techniques, Complementary Visions invites viewers to experience how seemingly opposing ideas can coexist and complement one another, sparking new conversations and interpretations. museumofboulder.org.

Board Game Night
Dec. 1–Dec. 18
Join Boulder Boardgames for a fun-filled evening of strategy, luck, and camaraderie at Rayback’s exclusive Board Game Night. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just looking for a new way to spend your evening, we’ve got a spot for you. therayback.com.

Pop & Shop Holiday Market
Dec. 5
Come shop art and goods made by local artists and artisans at our annual Pop & Shop! This free event will have complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and cocktails by Cocktail Caravan. RSVP. 5:30–8:30pm. The Studio Boulder.

Open Meditation
Every Thursday
All are warmly invited any or every Thursday evening to the Boulder Shambhala Center where a senior teacher will lead a period of sitting meditation practice (with meditation instruction for those who are new) followed by a presentation with questions and discussion. Each week’s presentation is on a topic inspired by the Buddhist, Shambhala or Arts & Culture, contemplative paths. At the end there will be refreshments and time to socialize. Beginners and advanced practitioners are all welcome. Free (donations appreciated). boulder.shambhala.org.

First Friday
Dec. 6
NoBo First Friday is a free event featuring monthly exhibitions at the Bus Stop Gallery and the NoBo Art Center, open artist studios, live music, artist demos and special activations in many locations. Take a self-guided tour of artists’ studios and creative businesses, meet painters, sculptors, photographers, designers, artists and artisans along your stroll through the area. First Friday runs from 6-9pm on the first Friday of the month. noboartdistrict.org.

Queer Winter Market
Dec. 6–Dec. 7
Make the Yuletide Gay with local queer gifts for everyone. Sip on complimentary cocoa and browse unique crafts to delight your friends and family. Free and open to the public. rmequality.org. 

Holiday Festival 2024
Dec. 6–Dec. 8
Be immersed in the comfort and joy of twinkling lights, seasonal greenery and beautiful music at CU Boulder’s Holiday Festival, an enchanting annual tradition for all ages. From orchestras, bands and choirs to jazz, world music and opera to world-class faculty and guest performances, the CU Boulder College of Music brings hundreds of stunning performances to Boulder audiences throughout the academic year. cupresents.org.

Ways to See Snow
Dec. 6–Dec. 8
Frequent Flyers^® Aerial Dance newest show “Ways to See Snow” is a collaborative undertaking by internationally recognized guest creator, Issac Endo, with Nancy Smith and Valerie Morris. The theatre will transform into a magical winter landscape and audiences will journey through the many aspects of snow—brought to life by stunning aerial dance. Dairy Arts Center. frequentflyers.org.

Lights of December Parade
Dec. 7
Spectators are invited to enjoy floats created and decorated by local businesses, churches, schools, community groups and nonprofits. The grand finale includes an appearance by the jolly old man himself—Santa Claus! Reviewing stand at Broadway & Pearl. 6–7:30pm. boulderdowntown.com.

Vegan Holiday Market
Dec. 7
The Vegan Holiday Market is the perfect way to support small businesses while also shopping with compassion for holiday gifts, home goods, and enjoying local food vendors! It’s also the perfect way to round out the season by showing support to our small businesses that we love here in Colorado. Enjoy live music, grab some lunch, and knock out all of your holiday shopping in one spot! The Avalon Ballroom. vegfestco.com.

St. Nick on the Bricks
Dec. 7, Dec. 14 & Dec. 21
Kids of all ages can visit with Santa for free at the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center on the 1300 Block of the Pearl Street Mall. Bring your list and a camera to capture priceless holiday memories. boulderdowntown.com.

Winter Winderland with Boulder Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet
Dec. 7
Celebrate the season with us at Sanitas Brewing Company. The Boulder Philharmonic’s Woodwind Quintet presents Winter “Wind”erland, an evening of holiday classics by Tchaikovsky, Coleman, Anderson and more. Cozy up with a drink, grab some bites and let the festive music lift your holiday spirit. boulderphil.org.

Freezie Fest
Dec. 14
A celebration of winter and all things snowmen! This snowman extravaganza includes free train rides (weather permitting), visits with Santa and reindeer games (crafts and other activities) for all. downtownboulder.org.

Holiday Markets at Moxie Feed + Seed
Dec. 14 & Dec. 21
We’re thrilled to announce three amazing markets this year, each showcasing a unique lineup of talented artists and local vendors at all three Moxie Bread locations. 10am–2pm. 

The Adventures of Pinocchio
Dec. 14 & Dec. 15
Join us for a spellbinding rendition of Jonathan Dove’s “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” featuring an ensemble orchestra conducted by the talented Mario Barbosa. This one-hour opera is perfectly crafted for family enjoyment, bringing the timeless story of the wooden puppet with dreams of becoming a real boy to life. boulderoperacompany.com. 

Christmas Day Grand Buffet
Dec. 25
This holiday season, we invite you to experience Christmas luxury in the Xanadu Ballroom by indulging in our lavish Christmas Buffet. Savor the finest cuisine crafted by our world-class culinary team, featuring such signature items as Alaskan King Crab Legs, Herb Crusted Prime Rib and Seafood Lobster Bisque. Immerse yourself in the joyful sounds of live music that will be sure to get you into the holiday spirit. St. Julien Hotel and Spa. stjulien.com

Christmas Dinner
Dec. 25
The festive spirit of the season reigns true at our Christmas Day celebrations, where you will marvel at the beautifully adorned 29-foot Christmas tree in Hotel Boulderado’s lobby. Enjoy seasonally prepared menus with three different locations to choose from. Dine with us at Spruce Farm & Fish, The Corner Bar, or on Hotel Boulderado’s Mezzanine.
boulderado.com.

New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31
Ring in the new year with a speakeasy New Year’s Eve Party at License No. 1. Dance the night away with live music from BLove, cheers to a midnight champagne toast with your favorite people, and nosh on a full drink and food menu available all night. $25.