What to do in and around Vail this weekend: ice skating shows, markets, film fest and more

Vail Film Festival

The Vail Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary and will be held in person this weekend. The last time the event was held in person was in 2019 – it went virtual in 2020, 2021 and 2022 – and now it’s time to mingle, so get ready for Opening and Closing Night parties, panel discussions, meet and greets and more.

The Vail Film Festival was created by two brothers, Sean and Scott Cross, and the vision they had was to foster independent film through screenings, workshops, panel discussions, networking events and educational projects.

The Vail Film Festival started on Thursday and runs through Sunday. This year, the films will screen at the Cascade Theater in the Grand Hyatt Vail and at Chasing Rabbits at Solaris in Vail Village, formerly CineBistro, which hosted Vail Film Festival film screenings previously.  

In the past two decades, the Vail Film Festival has brought in a number of notable actors, writers, producers and directors from around the world. Past award recipients and special guests include Jane Seymour, Josh Lucas, Karen Allan, Olivia Wilde and more.  

Vail Film Festival has announced that it will honor Alicia Silverstone with the 2023 Excellence in Acting award and Ava Acres with the 2023 Rising Star award. Alicia Silverstone and Ava Acres will be honored at the festival awards ceremony on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Cascade Theater at Grand Hyatt Vail.

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In addition to screenings, Vail Film Festival passes provide access to filmmaker panel discussions, post-film question and answer sessions, the Opening Night Party at the Colorado Snowsports Museum, the filmmaker reception at 10^th Mountain Whiskey, the Closing Night Party at La Tour and the awards ceremony at the Cascade Theater.

General admission tickets to individual films are sold 20 minutes before each film. Passes offer access to film screenings and parties, depending on pass level. To order passes, view the schedule and learn more about the films visit VailFilmFestival.com.

Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run

The Vail Recreation District is bringing back the Ugly Sweater Fun Run on Sunday in Lionshead. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. at Bart and Yeti’s, which serves as the start and finish of the event. Choose between the 5K or a 1-mile run, walk, stroll – however you want to move your body – this is not a competitive event. The route will take you through town, not much elevation gain at all, and it’s a good way to burn some calories before coming back to Bart and Yeti’s for the after-party. There will be free breakfast burritos and beer (for those 21 and older) hot chocolate and raffle prizes. Zany holiday sweaters are highly encouraged and could win you a prize. Goodies will be handed out to the best outfits in the adults, kids and dog categories and the best-dressed team will also take home a prize in case you come out with a group.

There will also be a prize for the biggest donation. This is a charity event for The Community Market food bank and the Edward Jones Toy Drive, so part of your entry fee of $7 per person includes donating food or a new, unwrapped toy. If you forget or don’t have time to get a food donation or a toy, money will always be accepted and all the donations go to the charitable partners. Even if you don’t come to run, you can still drop off donations between 8 and 11 a.m. on the day of the event. To register and to find a list of items The Community Market needs, go to VailRec.com.

Kris Kringle Market

Holiday shopping returns to the streets of Vail with the annual Kris Kringle Market. Browse through 65 booths along the streets of Vail from now until Sunday, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.

Come for the shopping and stick around for the music. The Kris Kringle Market will feature sounds of the season with two local bands. On Friday and Saturday from 12:30 until 2 p.m. listen to Those Austrian Guys, featuring a true Bavarian sound reminiscent of holiday markets in Europe. On Sunday, let the Fabulous Femmes delight your ears with all of your holiday favorites from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Check out the list of vendors at VailFarmersMarket.com. Yes, that same market you know and love in the summer is putting on the Kris Kringle Market this holiday season and some of the same vendors who appear each weekend in the summer will be there, as well. From housewares to art, jewelry to beef jerky, clothing and more, this will certainly help you out with your shopping needs. Have some holiday cheer with some Gluhwein, 10th Mountain Whiskey and other drinks and calories don’t count when you’re having fun, so try some of the many baked goods you’ll find throughout the market. For more information and a full list of vendors, go to VailFarmersMarket.com.

Vail Holidays Events

After the slopes close on Friday, head to Lionshead for some Silent Disco under the stars. Grab a pair of headphones, listen to the beat and seek out others who also are on that channel or change it up to a different song or genre. Headphones are complimentary and this event runs between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Sunbird Playground Park in Lionshead, just above the ice rink near Arrabelle.

The ice rink at Arrabelle will be the place to be on Saturday for the ice skating shows. These are short but action-packed demonstrations of strength and grace on the ice. The talented skaters are from international, world and Team USA groups and bring their best to the rink each week.

The first show is at 5 p.m. and the second show is at 6 p.m. The shows are free and last about 15 minutes, so it is the perfect thing to do on the way home from après ski or on your way to dinner.

New this year is the Kringle Crossing featuring eight chalets that look like they are straight out of the North Pole. There aren’t any elves inhabiting these abodes, but Santa is scheduled to pay a visit on Sunday between 3:30 and 6 p.m. Smile with Santa is part of Vail Holidays and free photos with Santa will be available and they can be shared digitally or printed out right at Kringle Crossing. For more information on Vail Holidays, go to DiscoverVail.com.

2nd Friday ARTwalk

EagleARTS presents the 2nd Friday ARTwalk with a holiday twist. Head to downtown Eagle this Friday between 5 and 8 p.m. to view the works of featured artists and pop-up shops. Music will be provided by local favorites, Brent Gordon and Peter Fontanese and will help you get into the holiday spirit.

Speaking of holiday spirit, the Eagle Chamber of Commerce is hosting Wassail Fest once again this year. Area businesses have been perfecting their recipes of this winter drink and invite you to stop by their place of business and try it and cast your vote for your favorite.

The Vail Valley Art Guild will be participating in the event as well and will be showcasing their Winter Solstice-themed works on Friday night at its gallery on Second Street in Eagle.

In addition to the artists who are participating, there will be several local brick-and-mortar shops worthy of a visit to see what they have for those on your holiday shopping list. Hats, games, floral designs and more will be featured. Don’t forget to check out the colorful benches and piano that will be on display on Broadway as well.

Make a night of it and stick around for dinner or grab an appetizer and a drink and soak in the season. To learn more, go to EagleOutside.com and 2nd Friday ARTwalk on Facebook.

EagleVail Holiday Pop-Up

Hygge Life is excited to share a new, expanded space at their EagleVail shop and that reveal coincides with their annual holiday pop-up event. The new space is designed with the locals in mind and is stocked with gifts, clothing, jewelry and home décor. Hygge is the Danish word for creating joy and coziness in life’s everyday moments, whatever the season.

Stop by Hygge Life on Friday between 4 and 7 p.m. and stick around for the fun at neighboring businesses like Pier 13 Liquors and Ski Town All Stars. Also invited to participate as pop-ups include Tessa’s Clogs, Botanical Silks, gift wrap from Lana’s Shop, Junebug Ceramics, apothecary with the Belden Witch and mixers and shrubs with Lost Identity Beverage Company.