Winter is a season of enchantment, and Greeley, Colorado, knows how to capture that magic. As the snowflakes fall, the city comes alive with a flurry of festive events from the downtown corridor to the west side Family FunPlex.
Ready to revel in winter fun? Visit Greeley and discover one of our fun holiday festivals and events.
Festival of Trees
November 24-December 2
One of the highlights of the season is Greeley’s Festival of Trees. This annual celebration transforms the lobbies of the Union Colony Civic Center into a winter wonderland. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, visitors can attend public hours to enjoy beautifully decorated trees and other creative displays designed by local businesses, non-profits, and other organizations.
Whoville Holiday
November 25 | 9 to 11 a.m.
A whimsical morning of Grinch-themed fun including face-painting, a scavenger hunt, crafts, and so much more! Tickets are $16 per person.
Whiskey Wonderland and Other Spirits of the Season
November 25 | 7 to 9 p.m.
Inviting all 21+ guests for unlimited whiskey and spirits tastings, plus the chance to mingle with local distillers, nosh on delectable snacks, and enter to win holiday hooch drawings. Tickets are $50 per person.
Watercolor and Wine
November 29 | 6 to 8 p.m.
Sip wine and snack on finger food while unleashing your holiday creativity on a canvas. Tickets are $50 per person.
What makes the Festival of Trees even more heartwarming is that all the proceeds generated from this event go toward supporting the Union Colony Civic Center and the Greeley Philharmonic Guild. It’s not just a beautiful display of holiday spirit, it’s a chance for the community to come together and make a meaningful contribution to the arts.
Discover more details at GreeleyFestivalofTrees.com.
Downtown Greeley Winterfest
November 25, December 2, December 9
Winterfest offers the ultimate winter wonderland experience in downtown Greeley over three incredible weekends.
Holiday Open House
November 25 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The annual Holiday Open House coincides with “Shop Small Saturday.” Begin your shopping day by picking up a bingo card at any one of the participating downtown businesses and embark on your downtown holiday experience. Fill out your bingo card and you could win a gift basket. No purchase is necessary, and participants must be at least 18 years old.
The day also includes holiday crafts, special treats, live music, photo ops for kids, hot cocoa, and more.
Light Up Lincoln
November 25 | 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
As the sun sets, join the community in the heart of downtown Greeley for “Light Up Lincoln.” Plan to grab a bite at one of Greeley’s many locally-owned restaurants and stay for the holiday lighting countdown in Lincoln Park at 5:30 p.m., featuring an expanded tree lighting in 2023.
While there, enjoy carolers, hot chocolate, sweet treats, entertainment, and even a visit from Santa Claus! It’s got all the makings of a Hallmark movie in one spectacular night.
Makers’ Workshops
December 9 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make your holiday extra special with a downtown Greeley Makers’ Workshop. Create cards, ornaments, decorations, holiday foods, or special drinks. Drop off letters for Santa at a special North Pole mailbox for special delivery by the Greeley Fire Department. Bring your holiday greeting cards to LINC between 2 to 4 p.m. to be stamped with a unique Greeley commemorative holiday image.
Homesteader’s Holiday at Centennial Village Museum
December 2 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the history of Centennial Village Museum while it’s decorated for the holidays and shop for unique gifts for everyone on your list. Experience historical house tours with a little extra holiday flair. Don’t miss candle dipping, festive crafts and activities, musical entertainment, costumed interpreters, and more.
Museum at Twilight: Holiday Cheer
December 9 | 4 to 6 p.m.
Explore the Greeley History Museum after normal business hours and get a taste of holiday cheer! Taste the rich history of hot chocolate enjoyed over the decades by community members, decide for yourself if eggnog really is a form of punch, and uncover exactly what wassailing is.
This is a family-friendly event, and kids are warmly invited to sample delicious hot chocolate before joining museum staff for a holiday creative craft near the tasting room.
Holiday Celebrations with Greeley Recreation
The holiday season in Greeley is a time for merriment and joy, and Greeley Recreation has a sleigh-load of festive events to make your holidays even brighter.
Skate Your Turkey Off at the Greeley Ice Haus
November 24 | noon to 5 p.m.
After feasting on Thursday, head over to the Greeley Ice Haus on Friday for the “Skate Your Turkey Off” event. Burn off that delicious turkey dinner with an afternoon of skating and grab the whole family to join in the post-feast fun. Admission is $6 and skate rentals are $3, but with two non-perishable food items, your skate rental is on the house.
“The Greatest Skatetacular” at the Greeley Ice Haus
December 8 | 7 p.m. and December 9 | 3 p.m.
Prepare to be dazzled by the Mountain View Skating Club’s figure skating exhibition, “The Greatest Skatetacular.” This showcase is a perfect holiday experience for the whole family. Admission is $7 and children 2 and under get in for free.
Jingle Bell Jam at the Family FunPlex
December 16 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Get into the holiday spirit with a “Jingle Bell Jam” afternoon at the Family FunPlex. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, sip on hot cocoa, and create your own festive ornaments. It’s a day of holiday magic, and the best part—it’s free!
Skate With Santa at the Greeley Ice Haus
December 16 | noon to 1:30 p.m.
Another Santa sighting, this time at the Greeley Ice Haus. Lace up your skates and experience a different side of Kris Kringle. Don’t forget to capture the magic with selfies in the photo booth, and be sure to get crafty with some festive creations. Admission is $6, skate rental is $3, and the cheer is abundant and free!
Zumba® Holidance at the Greeley Recreation Center
December 20 | 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Join the free Zumba® Holidance class and let the music and moves add some natural endorphins to your holiday season. This class is suitable for ages 12 and up and is free for all to attend. Give yourself a break from holiday preparations and spend one hour focusing on fitness and fun.
No matter how you celebrate, there are plenty of opportunities to delight in beautiful light displays and make some fun holiday memories around Greeley this season.
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Share with us at MyGreeley.com.
