Winter is Colorado’s favorite season! There are countless activities and destinations throughout the state that you can truly enjoy during winter, such as ski resorts, mountains, you name it!
Colorado Springs is awaiting families who are planning a visit or local ones who are planning to do something different with plenty of family-friendly winter holiday activities and events!
Take a look at our top picks for 2022 winter holiday events for families in Colorado Springs below:
Also, make sure to take a look at these Great Winter Activities for Families with Kids in Colorado Springs for more ideas!
Where: 5050 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO, USA
Dates: November 3 – December 24th, 9:30am–4:30 PM
There’s not a better season to visit the North Pole!
Only 10 miles from Colorado Springs, families with kids can visit the actual Santa’s workshop at The North Pole! This unique Christmas-themed amusement park is nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak and is home to Santa’s Village and Santa himself!
Where: PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
Hours: November 18 – January 2023. 5:30 PM – 10 PM
Magic of Lights features more than a mile of spectacular light displays that bring to life your favorite holiday scenes and characters!
Don’t miss the larger-than-life sparkling Christmas Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, and the life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas! This is a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience for the whole family!
Where: Royal Gorge Bridge
Hours: November 18 – 27 (Closed Thanksgiving) | December 1 – 4 | December 8 – 11 | December 15 – 31 (Closed Christmas Day) | 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
During this unique holiday event, the beautiful suspension bridge, which spans the Royal Gorge, is decked out with thousands of lights for the holiday season.
This inaugural light display is a drive-thru event beginning mid-November through New Year’s Eve. Visitors will drive across the bridge, enjoy the lights throughout the park, and take in the breathtaking views of the Royal Gorge at night.
Where: Buell Children’s Museum
Hours: November 19, 2 PM- 3 PM
Nutcracker In A Nutshell is a narrated hour-long version of the holiday favorite is perfect for younger kids and a great way to kick off the holiday season!
Where: Pueblo Zoo
Hours: Friday – Sunday: November 25 – December 11 | Open Daily: December 16 – 23 & 26-27 | CLOSED Dec 24 & 25 | SENSORY FRIENDLY NIGHT: Wednesday, December 14 | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
ElectriCritters is The Largest Holiday Light Show in Southern Colorado!
Families will also enjoy an evening at ElectriCritters designed for guests with sensory sensitivities and their families on December 14. This means smaller crowds, softer music, fewer blinking lights, and fellow visitors comprised of sensory-supportive community members.
Where: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Hours: December 2-4, 9-23, 25 – January 1, 2023, | 5 PM- 7:30 PM
Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only place in Colorado Springs where you can see over 85 one-of-a-kind light sculptures while celebrating the season with animals at the same time!
You’ll also enjoy photos with larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals, located throughout the Zoo.
Activities include photos with Santa while he hears wishes in the Safari Lodge, SKY RIDE, HOT COCOA, the chance to be a SECRET SANTA to the Animals, and more!
Where: Play Street Museum
Hours: December 3, 2 PM- 3:30 PM
Make sure your kids put on their Tutu, grab a spot and join Play Street Museum for a Nutcracker-themed paint & play!
There will be Ballerinas on hand from Turning Point Dance Company to show off their sweet skills! In addition to playtime, kiddos can paint a wooden nutcracker and enjoy a yummy sweet treat!
Where: Buell Children’s Museum
Hours: November 14 – December 31, 10 AM- 4 PM
From November 14th through December 31st, participants will be led to setting up their own shots (using their phones) to create a storyboard.
By learning how to execute and take the various photos (establishing, long shot, mid shot, and close up), they will be able to take home their own picture book!
Where: Play Street Museum
Hours: December 4, 2 PM- 3:30 PM
Children will love this Gingerbread House Decorating Party!
In addition to playtime, kiddos will have a blast decorating their *house* with icing and plenty of candy, cereals, pretzels, and sprinkles!
Where: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Hours: December 9, 9 AM- 12 PM
Participants will dive into the lives of the Zoo’s resident animals during the cold season.
Through hands-on experiences, they will learn about cold weather adaptations, habitat changes, and how the Zoo cares for the residents when the weather gets frigid.
Where: Play Street Museum
Hours: December 10, 9 AM- 10:30 AM
During this Yummy Elf Breakfast, in addition to Playtime, kiddos will get their very own box of cereal and organic milk.
There will be plenty of donuts and ‘The World’s Best Coffee’ for Adults! You don’t want to miss out on the fun sensory play, and special craft as well!
Where: Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Hours: December 18, 9 AM- 11 AM
During Winter Wonderland, join Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center for a special celebration!
Festivities include breakfast burritos with the wolves!
Where: Play Street Museum
Hours: December 10, 2 PM- 3:30 PM
Kids will kick off this season Grinch-style!
In addition to Playtime, kiddos will get to make a batch of green-slimy slime! and enjoy special sensory and craft activities!
Where: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Hours: December 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30. Monday – Friday | PreK-K Half Day: 9 AM– 1 PM| 1st – 6th Grades: 9 AM– 4 PM
The Theme for this year’s Winter Break Day Camps will be Winter Around the World!
Animals all around the world prepare for winter differently, join the Zoo as we learn about these hungry, sleepy, and cold animal friends!
Where: Play Street Museum
Hours: December 17: 8:30 AM – 10 AM | 10:30 AM – 12 PM | 12:30 pm – 2 PM
During Sweet Time with Santa’, in addition to playtime, kiddos will enjoy visiting and playing with Santa, crafts, milk & cookies, and story time where Santa himself will be sharing The Night Before Christmas!
