Boulder WinterFest Weekend: Carriage Rides, Fairy Forests & Festive Magic
❄️ Your Quick Guide for WinterFest at Chautauqua
photo by muora
Happy Friday, Boulder! 🌞
Ben here — and if you’re craving pure holiday energy, Chautauqua WinterFest is the place to be this weekend. Think carriage rides, fairy forests, cottage tours, and enough twinkle lights to power all of Boulder. Here’s the quick, no-fuss rundown so you can jump straight into the magic.
Want more local recs? Check out our Things to Do in Boulder, Best Restaurants, and Date-Worthy Spots for even more ideas.
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Craving something a little polished but still very Boulder? Spruce Farm & Fish inside the historic Boulderado delivers seasonal New American dishes, standout seafood, and some seriously good cocktails — all in a warm, classic setting that feels like a treat without being stuffy. From scallops to trout to a wildly good Brussels sprouts plate, it’s an easy yes for date night or a slow, late dinner.
📍 Downtown Boulder (2115 13th St, inside Hotel Boulderado) | 💰 ~$20–$40 entrées | ⏰ Open until 10 PM
❄️ WinterFest at Chautauqua: Your Quick Guide
If you need an instant boost of holiday spirit, Chautauqua WinterFest is serving it by the sleigh-load this weekend. From carriage rides to cottage tours to a full-on fairy forest, it’s Boulder at peak December. Here’s the super-short version so you can jump right into the festive chaos.
🎟️ WinterFest Pass (Saturday, Dec 13 | 10 AM–4 PM)
One pass = all the fun.
Includes: Carriage rides, Fairy Forest, Santa’s Cottage, crafts, cookie decorating, petting zoo.
Pricing: Adults $36.59 • Members $31.44 • Kids $27.35 • 2 & under free • Four-pack saves 15%.
🏠 Cottage Tours
Fri 3–5:30 PM | Sat 10–4 PM
Tour five historic, beautifully decorated cottages + the 1919 Columbine Lodge.
Tickets: $33.50 ($27.95 members). Kids 10 & under free.
🎶 Live Music & Traditions
• Jeff & Paige Concert + Tree Lighting — Fri 4 PM (concert sold out, tree lighting at 5:15 PM is free).
• Lantern Walk — Fri 5:30 PM.
• Breakfast with Santa — Sat (sold out).
🎄 Free Festivities
• Holiday Market — Sat 10–4 PM
• History Tours — Sat at 11 AM & 2 PM
• Caroling Hike — Sat 10–11:30 AM
• Bear Walk — All winter long
🎵 Holiday Performers
The Spark • Boulder Chorale • Joyful Ruckus • The Choral Forge
🍽️ Food & Drink
La Rue Bayou • Georgia Boys BBQ • Abo’s Pizza • Peak State Coffee
🛍️ Local Vendors
Jewelry, soaps, textiles, art, gifts, plus Chautauqua General Store faves.
🎶 What’s Happenin’ Boulder 🎭
Friday, December 12
Saturday, December 13
Sunday, December 14
Want more? See the full calendar → Boulder Event Calendar
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Local Happenings
Boulder Awards $5M+ to Local Nonprofits for 2026
Boulder just approved over $5 million in grants to support local nonprofits next year, with funding coming from two major city programs: the Health Equity Fund and the Human Services Fund.
The breakdown:
$3.04M from the Health Equity Fund (powered by Boulder’s sugar tax)
$1.99M from the Human Services Fund
Who received the biggest boosts:
Clinica Family Health & Wellness — more than $293K (HEF) + $500K (HSF)
Boulder County Farmers Market — over $254K (HEF)
Both funds support programs focused on health, economic equity, housing, and community wellbeing.
It’s one of Boulder’s largest annual investments in local organizations working to improve quality of life — and the 2026 dollars are already on their way.
🎁 That’s Your WinterFest Cheat Sheet
Wrap up warm, charge your phone (you will take photos), and soak up the holiday magic under the Flatirons.
💬 Got ideas for making What’s Happenin’ Boulder even better?
Want to feature an event or share a festive photo? Hit reply — I’d love to see it.
Forward this to a Boulder buddy and spread the cheer — see you out there!
— Ben
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