From Thanksgiving dinner at Mount Princeton Hot Springs to Buena Vista’s annual holiday opening, Chaffee County has plenty of family-friendly events to enjoy this holiday season.
The season officially begins on Thanksgiving Day, but the coming weeks are filled with festivities.
Buena Vista Christmas Opening Event
The annual BV Christmas Opening is scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd this year. The opening will bring the community together with festivities, carols and a traditional chocolate walk to support small businesses.
Check out the event below.
chocolate walk
Saturday, December 2nd at Downtown Buena Vista from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Participants will have the opportunity to tour local small businesses and collect Chocolate Walk stamps on their cards for a chance to win prizes. To win a prize, cards must be turned in at the Buena Vista Heritage Museum by 4 p.m. On the completed card he will need stamps from 20 companies and proof of his two purchases.
Chocolate Walk cards can be pre-purchased during regular business hours at Full Circle, The Village, or Midland stops from November 29th to December 1st.
On Dec. 2, the cards will be sold at the Holiday Craft Fair starting at 9 a.m. at the Buena Vista Heritage Museum. Cards cost $3 for one or $5 for two. Must be purchased with cash.
Grand prizes of $300, $200, and $100 are available for submitted cards.
holiday craft fair
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Buena Vista Heritage Museum (506 East Main Street)
Residents can purchase gifts from local vendors. A chili cook-off and photo op with Santa will also be held at the fair.
This year, families will be assigned a number to take a photo with Santa and encouraged to shop at the fair while waiting their turn.
Local vendors can sign up for a booth online here. Space is limited to the first 15 registered vendors. The setup will take place on Friday, December 1st from 2pm to 6pm.
local artist fair
Saturday, December 2, 12:00pm to 3:00pm at Buena Vista Library (131 Linderman Avenue)
The public can also discover and celebrate local artists while participating in the annual Buena Vista Chocolate Walk. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet published authors, purchase signed books, and enter a drawing to win a set of books.
Ugly Sweater 1-Mylar
Saturday, December 2nd at 4pm on East Main Street.
This one-mile race from One Love Endurance is family-friendly. Runners should wear the ugliest holiday sweater for a chance to win the best holiday outfit award.
This is a stroller and pedestrian friendly run. Dogs are not allowed on the course. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers and for the best holiday attire.
If you’re interested in attending, register online here and use code HAPPYHOLIDAYS to receive 20 percent off. A portion of the proceeds will go to Toys for Tykes, a program sponsored by the Buena Vista High School Student Council.
parade of lights
Saturday, Dec. 2, 5:15 p.m., East Main Street
The parade will proceed west from the community center and end at the splash park. Staging begins at 4 p.m. on the dirt plaza on the north side of the dog park.
You can register to participate in the parade online here. The more lights, the better. Participants can walk along the floats and hand out toys and candy, but must not throw items into the crowd or into the street.
At the end of the parade, Santa said,it was the night before christmas Light up the BV Town Tree at Splash Park.
polar plunge
Saturday December 1st at 1pm at the Surf Hotel
Participants will take an ice plunge into the Arkansas River to raise funds for the local Toys for Tikes program.
christmas chorale
Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. at Buena Vista High School (BVHS).
Collegiate Peaks Chorale will perform at BVHS. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Donations are accepted at the front door.
mini blessing holiday light show
From Friday, December 1st to Sunday, December 3rd from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at McPhelemy Park
The public can drive or walk through the park and enjoy the various light displays. This light show is a fundraiser for local non-profit organization Mini-Blessings.
The cost to tour the various Christmas light displays is $10 per vehicle or $3 per person. Volunteers will pick up donations at the entrance to the McPhelemy Park parking lot off the highway.
Mini-Blessings’ annual light show is one of their biggest fundraising events of the year. For more information about the nonprofit, visit Mini-Blessings.org.
Other upcoming holiday events
BVSC Turkey Trot and Fun Run
Family Fun Run (1 mile) Starts November 23rd at 10am
5k starts at 10:30am
The start and finish will be in the parking lots at Railroad Street and Cedar Street.
The course is mostly flat, so it’s safe for strollers and walkers. Dogs are not allowed on the course. Young participants will receive special Thanksgiving prizes.
5K registrants will receive a long sleeve shirt, and finishers will receive unique prizes. Family Fun Run participants will receive a special medallion.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women in the Masters division and the top three men and women.
Registration can be done online until race day.
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Pavilion
Thursday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort.
The Pavilion will host a Thanksgiving dinner buffet, and Thanksgiving menu items will also be available for take-out. Prices are $59.95 per adult and $29.95 per child 15 and under.
Reservations are required for this event. If you are interested, please call 719-395-4454.
BV ski movie “Land of Giants”
It will be held on Friday, December 1st from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Ivy Ballroom at the Surf Hotel.
The event has been described as “a night of elegance, pomp, atmosphere and maybe a stray guinea pig or two.” Currently sold out online.
BV Ski Movie’s 10th anniversary is bigger than ever. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase. All proceeds will benefit the BV School’s adaptive ski program.
Great Santa Soak
Sunday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Participants can meet Santa and soak in hot springs. The first 100 people will receive a Santa hat. The guest fee is $30.
Swing Dance Holiday Soirée at the Ivy Ballroom
Sunday, December 3rd 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Tickets cost $35, and children 12 and under are free. The ticket office opens at 5pm and swing dance lessons will be held at 5:30pm before the ballroom dancing begins.
Attendees can dress up in holiday attire and take part in dance lessons for all levels with Swingin’ Denver (Kenny and Jesy Nelson). No partner required.
Post-lesson community ballroom dancing includes live jazz music by Everybody’s Friends Trio (Hunter Burgamy of the Secret Six Jazz Band and Ryan and Lauryn Gould of the Austin, Texas swing dance circuit). I will join.
christmas in the barn
Held at The Barn at Sunset Ranch (27650 County Road 337) on Friday, December 8th from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Sunday, December 10th from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Masu.
Santa will appear and take photos with the children and spend time with them. Participants can decorate sugar cookies and enjoy hot chocolate while waiting for Santa.
Tickets cost $10 and include Santa time, cookies and hot cocoa. Tickets must be purchased for all children who wish to visit with Santa.
For more information on various upcoming events in the Buena Vista area, visit MagpieProductionsLLC.com.