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Celebrate the season with Vail Holidaze events throughout December

Participants in the Winter Solstice Lantern Walk will meet at the Covered Bridge for the festive, 15-minute procession through Vail Village led by a special guest and friends.
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For more information on all of the Vail Holidaze events, visit reneventproductions.com/event/holidaze, or follow the Vail Holidaze and Vail Holidaze Kris Kringle Market pages on Facebook.

Vail’s Holidaze events bring a festive vibe to the mountain villages, where twinkling lights and crisp mountain air provide the backdrop for outdoor events such as a holiday market, tree lighting ceremony, lantern making workshops and more. Held from Sunday through Saturday, Dec. 31, most events are free or include a small fee.

Sunday

• 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kris Kringle Market — Willow Bridge Road, Vail Village — Find holiday gifts and souvenirs, such as handmade toys, Christmas ornaments and decorations, cookies, chocolate treats, roasted nuts and more. The event also includes live music, Santa Claus, local craft vendors, food and drink.



• 2 to 4 p.m. Ice Skating and Holiday Cookie Decorating Arrabelle at Vail Square, Lionshead Village — Local skaters will be at the Arrabelle at Vail Square to skate with kids of all ages. Arrabelle ice skating fees apply. Children can watch for St. Nick and friends mingling about as they decorate cookies and have hot chocolate.

Sunday, Dec. 18

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• 5 p.m. Vail Holidaze Tree Lighting — Slifer Square by the Covered Bridge — The tree lighting ceremony includes music from the Vail Children’s Chorale, live singers, the mayor, Santa Claus and more, along with the illumination of the holiday tree.

Tuesday, Dec. 20

• 4 to 6 p.m. Libations & Lantern Making — Alpine Arts Center will instruct participants on creating a paper lantern. The evening will include complimentary light snacks, holiday music and wine and beer available for purchase to sip while creating a lantern to bring to the Winter Solstice Lantern Walk on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Event takes place at the Vail Recreation District Community Programming on the second floor of Lionshead Welcome Center. There’s a $10 instruction and materials fee, and an adult must accompany children. Space is limited; RSVP to Molly Eppard, Art in Public Places coordinator, at meppard@vailgov.com or 970-479-2344.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Paper Lantern Making Workshop with Helen Hiebert Create a paper lantern at a free workshop in the Community Room at the Vail Public Library with local paper artist Helen Hiebert. Bring the paper lantern to the Winter Solstice Lantern Walk through Vail Village following the workshop. Complimentary LED lights will be provided to those participating in the lantern walk. An adult must accompany children; indicate number in party with reservation. RSVP to Eppard at meppard@vail gov.com or 970-479-2344.

4:45 to 5:15 p.m. Winter Solstice Lantern Walk — Participants in the Winter Solstice Lantern Walk will meet at the Covered Bridge for the festive, 15-minute procession through Vail Village led by a special guest and friends. Arrive early in Slifer Square to decorate a holiday cookie before the walk from 4 to 5 p.m. The short procession at 5 p.m. will include illuminated lanterns and music, as participants wind their way to the Gore Creek Promenade for the opening celebration of the 10th annual Vail Winterfest Ice Theater presented by Vicki and Kent Logan.

• 5:15 to 6 p.m. Grand Opening Celebration of 10th annual Vail Winterfest Ice Theater The community is invited to celebrate the return of the ice theater to Vail for the winter season. The Vail Winterfest Ice Theater was conceived and introduced by Art in Public Places during the 2012-13 winter season to celebrate Vail’s 50th anniversary. Art in Public Places with ice sculptor Paul Wertin will bring back the free and family-friendly cinematic experience in ice.

Lounge in oversized ice chairs during the day and see film projections on a screen created in ice in the evening. The theater will feature the holiday cartoon “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966) at the opening celebration. Dress as your favorite Dr. Seuss character from this holiday classic. Projection runs daily from dusk until 10 p.m. and will be available for viewing until the ice melts.

Saturday, Dec. 31

• 6:15 p.m. Torchlight Parade Watch the annual Torchlight Parade and fireworks at Golden Peak, where ski instructors and Vail locals form a glowing train as they ski down the mountain with glow sticks, followed by a fireworks display.


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