Where to find holiday services and feasts in the Vail Valley this week
Midnight mass, Christmas brunch and menorah lightings fill the calendar

Kraken Images for Unsplash/Courtesy photo
The Vail Valley is a perfect backdrop for the holidays. The winter wonderland look and feel of the villages and the slopes conjure up lyrics from many popular holiday tunes. Here’s where you can find Christmas and Hanukkah services and a festive feast to go with it.
Christmas Services
This week, area houses of worship like Vail Interfaith Chapel, the Chapel at Beaver Creek and the Edwards Interfaith Chapel will all be busy with Christian services on Christmas Eve and Christmas. We have several denominations in our valley, so whether you are looking for a Lutheran, Episcopalian, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist or other congregation, a service can be found by searching the ChurchAngel.com website by state and then putting in the town you’re looking for. Take a look at the church’s website for information on their schedule and location. Many places host services via live stream, so if you can’t gather your group and get into a house of worship, you can always watch it from home, condo or hotel.
On Tuesday, Dec. 24, The Vail Church in EagleVail includes services at 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Midnight Mass will be held at the Chapel at Beaver Creek on Christmas Eve. If you have kids who can’t stay up that late, check out the Children’s Christmas Pageant Service on Christmas Eve day at 1:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration at the Edwards Interfaith Chapel.
Services move to larger locations during Christmas, so there will be folks gathering at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek and area hotel ballrooms. Keep in mind that parking may be tight during the day at the Vail and Beaver Creek parking garages, so allow extra time to find parking.
Want a cowboy Christmas? Mountain Life Church’s Christmas Eve at the Ranch brings you to 4 Eagle Ranch outside of Wolcott. These services are hosted in 4 Eagle Ranch’s large events center, so this is a good option if you have a big group. Service times are at 1, 3 and 5 p.m., with the last service being the candlelight worship experience. Come early or stay late and check out the horses and other ranch animals you may be able to spot out on the range.

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Hanukkah menorah lightings

This year, Hanukkah begins on Dec. 25 and menorah lightings will be happening throughout the valley over the eight nights of the Jewish holiday. Since 1900, the first night of Hanukkah has fallen on December 25 five times: 1910, 1921, 1959, 2005, and now 2024. The first night of Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month Kislev, changes from year to year because the Jewish calendar relies on a lunar calendar.
B’nai Vail will be gathering for menorah lightings each night of Hanukkah and invites everyone to meet at Loaded Joe’s in Vail Village for a hot drink at 4:30 p.m. before heading outside to the Covered Bridge to light the candles. Bring your family and friends to celebrate and sing with Rabbi Joel D. Newman and Cantor Michelle Cohn Levy. After the menorah lighting on December 26, come to the Vail Interfaith Chapel for a Hanukkah party from 5:30 to 7 p.m. For more information, go to BnaiVail.org.
Chabad Vail will host menorah lightings at different locations during each night of Hanukkah. Chasing Rabbits will host a holiday kickoff on Dec. 25 from 4-6 p.m. with hot latkes, gifts and more. Do a little ice skating before the menorah lighting in Lionshead on Dec. 29. The ice rink at Arrabelle will have discounts on skate rentals along with latkes, gelt, hot drinks and donuts at 4 p.m. On Dec. 30, head to Riverwalk in Edwards for the menorah lighting at 5 p.m. with hot drinks, latkes, donuts and gelt, a DJ, giveaways and more. The final menorah lighting celebration will take place at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail on Jan. 1 with latkes, donuts and gelt in the Meadows Foyer starting at 5 p.m. For more information, go to JewishVail.com.
Holiday dinners

Let someone else do the cooking so you can enjoy the slopes and friends and family. Area restaurants have delicious dinners and brunches to keep everyone feeling festive and well-fed.
Leonora at The Sebastian – Vail
Leonora will have a four-course holiday dinner offered on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day from 5 to 9 p.m. $150 for adults and $55 for children 12 and under. Wine pairing is available for $75. TheSebastianVail.com/events.
Gessner at Grand Hyatt Vail
Enjoy a delicious 10-ounce prime rib dinner in Gessner on Christmas Eve between 5-9 p.m. for $55 and that includes a side of roasted garlic mashed potatoes, charred asparagus and au jus. There will also be a Christmas dinner buffet that will take place on Christmas Day from 4- 8 p.m. with buffet classics and a raw bar display, two carving stations, entree selections and a large variety of desserts. Find out more at Bit.ly/GessnerXmasDinner.
Cucina at the Lodge at Vail
From 3 to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve Cucina will serve up a special Christmas dinner plate plus its full regular menu. Prices vary. For reservations, go to OpenTable.com/r/Cucina-Vail or call 970-754-7872.
Charter Steakhouse – The Charter at Beaver Creek
The recently renovated Charter Steakhouse is offering a three-course dinner on Dec. 24 and 25 with your choice of butternut squash soup or Caesar salad, prime rib with all the fixings and a special holiday dessert. $115 per person or add a wine paring for $35 per person. Go to CharterSteakhouse.com to book a reservation.
Ludwig’s – The Sonnenalp Vail
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Ludwig’s is serving up classics like a Christmas goose and fresh carved beef tenderloin and a selection of bites from the sea. This upscale buffet with savory and sweet bites for everyone is set from 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 24 and from 3 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 25 and the price is $195 per adult and $70 for kids ages 5-12. View the full menu at Sonnenalp.com/Specials/Christmas-In-Vail.
8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill – Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
Holiday classics will be served up alongside decadent desserts at 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill from 5-10 p.m. on Dec. 25. The price is $145 per person, $75 for kids ages 6-11, and kids 5 and under are free. Call 970-949-1234 for reservations.
Stoke & Rye — Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa
On Christmas Day, guests can enjoy a decadent holiday brunch with an omelet station, honey roasted ham, seafood display, waffle station and holiday dessert bar served from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. and the price is $85 for adults and $40 for kids aged 5-12. Reservations are recommended StokeAndRye.com/Holiday-Brunch.
This is just a partial list of restaurants doing holiday specials. Contact your favorite restaurant to see what they will be serving during the holidays.