Vail kicks of Holidays in Vail celebration Saturday; Beaver Creek tree lighting Friday

Holidays in Vail, an annual celebration presented by the Town of Vail, takes place this Saturday evening with the annual Mayor's Tree Lighting ceremonies in Vail Village and LionsHead. Beaver Creek's annual celebration also gets under way this weekend (see below).

The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with the lighting of the 50 foot tall spruce tree at Slifer Square in Vail Village. Then at approximately 6:15 p.m., a Children's Light Parade will make its way along Meadow Drive into the LionsHead Mall. Members of the public are invited to take part in the approximately one-mile parade route. In LionsHead, the tree lighting begins at 6:15 p.m. near Billy's Island Grill restaurant.

Firewords over Beaver Creek Village.
By Cody Downard/Beaver Creek Resort
www.beavercreek.com

Mayor Dick Cleveland will do the honor of lighting both holiday trees that evening. In addition, the Arrabelle at Vail Square will offer free cider and cookies at the LionsHead location prior to the tree lighting. Also, ice skating and skate rentals will be offered nearby from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A free outdoor movie will be presented by Quiksilver in the Arrabelle Square beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event also includes an appearance by Santa Claus, plus carolers and other entertainment.

“We're excited to be part of this year's holiday season,” said Laurie Asmussen of Eagle Valley Events, organizer of Holidays in Vail. “It has been a great collaborative effort on behalf of many entities including the Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, Highline Sports & Entertainment and the Vail Recreation District.”

The collaboration has created more events between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve than ever before, including Snow Daze and the new Vail Holidaze events, she said. “Our merchant community and the town worked hard over the past few years to be sure we had our holiday decorations up, trees lit and activities happening for celebrations leading up to the Hanukah, Christmas and New Year's holidays,” said Asumssen. “The fantastic opening of Vail Mountain has definitely contributed to a festive spirit in anticipation of a great holiday season.”

Event Highlights

Please join B'nai Vail and the Jewish Community for a Menorah Lighting each day at 4:30 p.m. during Chanukah, Dec. 1-8, on the north side of the covered bridge in Vail Village. Call the B'nai Vail office at 477-2992 for more information.

The Grand Menorah lighting will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in the LionsHead Mall.

Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa & Friends, presented by the Vail Recreation District, during four outings with crafts and decorations during the visit. The dates and locations are as follows:
Dec. 2 Santa Workshop at the West Vail Holiday Inn, 3 to 6 p.m.
Dec. 9 Santa & Friends at La Tour Restaurant, 3 to 6 p.m.
Dec. 16 Santa & Friends at Arrabelle at Vail Square, 3 to 6 p.m.
Dec. 23 Santa & Friends at Vail Marriott, 1 to 4 p.m.

Vail Snowdaze takes place Dec. 6-12 with an entire line-up of exciting activities and free events. For a complete schedule, visit www.vailsnowdaze.com.

Vail Holidaze, a new event this holiday season offers a variety of family-oriented events Dec. 18-24. For a complete schedule, visit www.vail.com/holidaze.

On New Year's Eve, the Torchlight Ski Down and Fireworks will take place at Golden Peak beginning at 6:15 pm. The event is free and open to the public. Also on Dec. 31, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., the Arrabelle at Vail Square will host the Vail First Night Family Event with ice skating, children's activities and entertainment. Come watch the “Ball Drop” in Times Square on the big screen in a family-friendly, non-alcohol atmosphere.

For the latest schedule and additional information, visit www.vailgov.com or call the Holidays in Vail office at 970-477-3699.

Holiday events include:

Nov. 27 Tree Lighting at Slifer Square, Vail Village 5:30 p.m. Free
Children's Parade, Vail Village to Lionshead 6:15 p.m. Free
Tree Lighting in Lionshead Mall 6:45 p.m. Free
$5 Ice skating in Arrabelle Square 5:30-7:30 $5
Quicksilver Movie at Arrabelle at Vail Square 7:30 p.m. Free
www.vailgov.com

Nov. 30 Colorado Ski Museum Tours (every Tues.) 1 p.m.
Historic Vail Village Tours (every Tues.) 2 p.m.
www.skimuseum.net

Dec 1-8 Menorah Lighting in Vail Village 4:30 p.m. Free
970-477-2992

Dec 2 Santa Workshop/ West Vail Holiday Inn 3 to 6 p.m. Free
www.vailrec.com

Dec. 3 Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum
10th Mountain Veteran Talk (every Friday) 3 to 5 p.m.
www.skimuseum.net

Dec. 5 Grand Ice Menorah/Lionshead Mall 6 p.m. Free
www.jewishvail.com

Dec. 6 Ski Tours, Colorado Ski Museum 9:30 a.m. ski ticket
www.skimuseum.net

Dec. 6-12 Vail Snow Daze
Dummy Demolition Derby under the lights, free concerts and more!
www.vailsnowdaze.com

Dec. 8 Family Fireside Holiday Party/Vail Library 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free
www.vaillibrary.com

Dec 8 Nordic Town Race Series/Vail Nordic Center 4:30 p.m. (kids)
5:00 pm (adults)
www.vailnordiccenter.com

Dec. 8 Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum,
Give back to the Museum at Colorado Gives Day
www.skimuseum.net

Dec. 9 Santa Workshop/La Tour Restaurant 3 to 6 p.m. Free
www.vailrec.com

Dec. 9 Vail Library Book Discussion: “Eat Pray Love” 5:30 p.m. Free
www.vaillibrary.com

Dec. 16 Santa Workshop/ Arrabelle Hotel and Resort 3 to 6 p.m. Free
www.vailrec.com

Dec. 16 Vail Library Book Talk & Signing: “Running Dry” 5:30 p.m. Free
www.vaillibrary.com

Dec. 18-24 Vail Holidaze
A variety of family-centered events, concerts and activities throughout Vail,
both on-mountain and in town.
www.vail.com/holidaze

Dec. 20 to Erica Bannart Show, Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum
Jan. 15 www.skimuseum.net

Dec. 22 Nordic Town Race Series/Vail Nordic Center 4:30 pm (kids)
www.vailnordicenter.com 5:00 pm (adults)

Dec. 23 Santa Workshop/ Marriott Spa and Resort 3 to 6 p.m. Free
www.vailrec.com

Dec. 24 Vail's Annual Matzah Ball Party/Tap Room 9 p.m. No cover
www.jewishvail.com

Dec. 29 Vail Library Book Talk & Signing:
“In Search of Powder” 5:30 p.m. Free
www.vaillibrary.com

Dec. 29 Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum
Chris Anthony's Talk 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
www.skimuseum.net

Dec. 31 Torchlight Parade & Fireworks/Golden Peak 6:15 p.m. Free
Family First Night Festival/Arrabelle, Lionshead 7:30-10 p.m. Free
www.vailgov.com

Beaver Creek 30th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Begin your holiday season at Beaver Creek with the seventh annual Fantasy Gingerbread Competition and the 30th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and fireworks display on Friday, Nov. 26. Elaborate gingerbread creations will be on display for the Gingerbread Competition in Gerald R. Ford Hall and 100 percent of the silent auction proceeds will go to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a local organization serving abused and neglected children in Eagle, Summit, Lake and Clear Creek counties.

There also will be a special “Kids' Holiday Wish for a Better World Poetry Contest” and the contest winner will read his or her poem at the Tree Lighting Ceremony and will have the honor of lighting Beaver Creek's holiday tree. Local judges will select poems that best reflect the spirit of the holiday season.

Beaver Creek's family holiday celebration on Nov. 26 includes the following, with special programming provided by Blue Creek Productions.

4-8:00 p.m. Free public viewing and silent auction of Gingerbread Competition entries in the Gerald R. Ford Hall at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa.

5:30-6:30 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony on Beaver Creek Plaza with musical performances, fireworks and a visit from Santa Claus.

6:30-7 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies served in the lobby of the Vilar Performing Arts Center.

7 p.m. Free family movie viewing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carey at the Vilar Performing Arts Center. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with tickets available beginning at 5 p.m. at the Vilar Performing Arts Center Box Office.

7-9 p.m. Complimentary ice skating after the event on the Black Family Ice Rink. There will be no skating from 4:30-7 p.m. in order to accommodate the ceremony.

9:30 p.m. Ski fanatics can view this year's Warren Miller film, Wintervention, which includes footage shot at Beaver Creek last season. Tickets are available at Beaver Creek Sports, Vail Sports and the Vilar Box Office.

For more information visit www.beavercreek.com or call (970) 845-5299.