Nov 5, 2026 · @Frank Miulli
There’s no place quite like Vail between Christmas and New Year’s. The village glows with lights, the snow keeps rolling in, and on December 31st fireworks burst in the sky & light up the mountain.
It’s also the busiest, priciest, and most booked-up of the entire ski season. Lodging fills months ahead. Restaurants book out. I-70 can turn a two-hour drive into five pending road conditions and family arriving at Denver International Airport that is trying to do the same thing you are.
This guide covers what to do in Vail and Beaver Creek over Christmas and New Year’s, where to watch the fireworks, how to get here and get around without spending your vacation in traffic, a taxi line, or even worse, stranded.
Christmas in Vail: Holiday Events Worth Planning Around
Vail’s holiday season runs from the tree lightings in late November through the first week of January. Most events are free and happen right in Vail Village and Lionshead, all within walking distance of each other.
Vail Kris Kringle Market (mid-December)
Vail Village turns into a European-style Christmas for one long weekend in December. Expect Colorado artisans, handmade gifts, baked goods, live music, kids’ activities, and plenty of Glühwein (hot mulled wine). Last season it ran December 11–14, so plan for roughly the same weekend this year.
Kringle Crossing and the village lights
The Bridge in Vail Village becomes Kringle Crossing, a mini holiday village that stays up through the first weekend of January. It’s a favorite spot for a family photo, and Santa makes regular appearances there during the weeks before Christmas.
Silent discos and après in the village
Vail’s après series brings DJs and outdoor silent disco nights to the villages through the holidays. Last season’s schedule included silent discos on December 24th and December 31st, which makes them an easy, kid-friendly way to fill Christmas Eve.
Ice skating
Skating at Lionshead’s Solaris in Vail Village is a holiday staple, especially in the evenings under the lights. In Beaver Creek, the rink in the heart of the village is open late through the holiday weeks.
Christmas in Beaver Creek
Just 15 minutes west, Beaver Creek leans into the holidays with a village tree lighting, Santa meet-and-greets, a holiday market, and free cookies at 3 p.m. every afternoon. If you’re staying in Avon or Beaver Creek, it’s worth planning an evening there.
Christmas dinner
Most hotel restaurants in Vail and Beaver Creek offer special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus, as they fill fast. Book by early December. If your group is staying in a rental home, consider a private chef so no one has to cook on Christmas Day. Shelby @ Eat Dank Food is one of the best and well know private chefs in the area.
New Year’s Eve in Vail: Fireworks, Torchlight, and Where to Celebrate
The headline event on December 31st is the Vail fireworks show, which goes off early in the evening so families with young kids can enjoy it and still make dinner.
Vail fireworks: when and where to watch
Last New Year’s Eve, the Town of Vail set off fireworks at 6 p.m., visible from every base area and even from across I-70 in West Vail. The show is short, so be in position a few minutes early. Good viewing spots include:
- Golden Peak base, closest to the launch site
- Vail Village, around Bridge Street and Gondola One
- Lionshead Village, near the base of the Eagle Bahn Gondola
- West Vail, if you’d rather skip the crowds entirely
Discover Vail publishes a fireworks viewing map each year on its events page.
Is there a torchlight parade?
For years, Vail ski instructors skied down Golden Peak carrying flares right before the fireworks. That tradition was skipped last year, so check the town’s schedule in December to see whether it returns.
Beaver Creek’s New Year’s Eve
Beaver Creek puts on one of the most family-friendly New Year’s celebrations in Colorado. Last year’s lineup included:
- A slopeside DJ starting at 4:30 p.m.
- A ski-down parade at 6 p.m. that strong skiers and riders can join (registration opens that afternoon at the Group Lessons Center)
- A first fireworks show at 6:15 p.m. and a second at 10 p.m.
- A “winter light circus” with jugglers, fire dancers, aerialists, ice skating, and late shopping
The 10 p.m. show is a nice compromise for families who want a “midnight” moment without keeping the kids up until midnight.
New Year’s Eve dinners and parties
Vail’s top restaurants run multi-course tasting menus on December 31, and the best tables book out weeks in advance. Hotels such as the Four Seasons, Sonnenalp, and The Sebastian host their own dinners and parties. Reserve early, and plan your ride home before you sit down, you won’t want to be looking for one at 12:30 a.m. ride share in the mountains is not reliable.
Getting to Vail for the Holidays
Holiday week is when getting to Vail gets hardest. Here’s what to expect and how to plan around it.
The busiest travel days
The heaviest arrival days are usually December 20–23rd and December 26–27th. The big departure push comes on January 1–3rd. On those days, airports are packed, rental car counters have lines, and I-70 westbound out of Denver can back up for hours, especially when storm rolls through.
Denver (DEN) or Eagle County (EGE)?
Denver International Airport has more flights and lower fares, but it’s about 120 miles from Vail. On a clear day that’s two hours. On a snowy holiday Saturday, it can be four hours or more. Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) is about 35 minutes from Vail and 25 minutes from Beaver Creek, it’s worth the higher fare for many families during the holidays. Our EGE vs. DEN guide breaks down the trade-offs.
Driving I-70 in winter
Colorado enforces a Traction Law on I-70 during winter storms, which means your vehicle needs proper snow tires, all-wheel or four-wheel drive, or chains. Many rental cars don’t meet the requirements and do not come with studded 3 peak mountain rated tires. Vail Pass and the Eisenhower Tunnel area can close for hours after accidents or heavy snow. If you’re not used to mountain driving, the holidays are not the time to learn.
Book your transportation early
Flights and lodging aren’t the only things that sell out. Shuttle seats, private cars, and large vehicles for groups get booked weeks in advance for Christmas and New Year’s. If you’re traveling with family or a big group, lock in your airport transfer right after you book your flight.
Getting Around Vail Over Christmas and New Year’s
Once you arrive, the free town buses handle most short trips between Vail Village, Lionshead, and West Vail. They get crowded during holiday weeks, though, and they can’t help much with ski gear for a family of five or a late dinner in Beaver Creek.
Parking
The Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures fill early on holiday mornings and charge peak-season rates witch isnt cheap. On New Year’s Eve last year, the town allowed cars that entered after 3 p.m. to stay overnight in those structures for free, as long as they were picked up by 11 a.m. the next day. It’s a good safety option, but it still means someone has to come back for the car.
Buses on New Year’s Eve
Last December 31st, Vail’s inbound bus service stopped at midnight. Outbound buses kept running until about 2 a.m., and in-town service was cut back between midnight and 2 a.m. because of the crowds. If you’re staying outside the villages, plan your ride home before you head out.
Rideshare and taxis
There are only a handful of rides hare drivers in the Vail Valley, even on a normal night. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, waits can run long or a ride may never show up. If you have dinner reservations or a party to go to, a pre-booked private car is the way to go.
Private car service
A private chauffeur takes the guesswork out of holiday. Your driver meets you at the airport, loads the skis and luggage, and handles I-70 so you don’t have to. Once you’re in town, the same service can get your group to dinner, the fireworks, or a party in Beaver Creek and back, at any hour. For larger groups, a Sprinter van keeps everyone together in one vehicle.
A Sample Holiday Week in Vail
Here’s how a relaxed Christmas-to-New Year’s trip can come together, with transportation planned around the busy days.
| Day | Plan | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 26 (arrival) | Land at DEN or EGE, check in, dinner in Vail Village | Private car meets you at baggage claim |
| Dec 27 | First ski day, après in Lionshead, skating at night | Walk or town bus |
| Dec 28 | Ski Beaver Creek, cookies at 3 p.m., village dinner | Private car to Beaver Creek and back |
| Dec 29 | Lessons for the kids, spa afternoon, Kringle Crossing photos | Walk |
| Dec 30 | Ski day, early dinner, rest up | Walk or town bus |
| Dec 31 | Ski the morning, fireworks at 6 p.m., NYE dinner or party | Pre-booked car for dinner and ride home |
| Jan 1 | Slow morning, New Year’s Day ski | Walk |
| Jan 2 (departure) | Leave early to beat I-70 and airport crowds | Private car to DEN or EGE |
Christmas and New Year’s in Vail: FAQ
What time are the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Vail? Last year the Vail fireworks started at 6 p.m. on December 31 and could be seen from all the base areas. Beaver Creek held two shows, at 6:15 p.m. and 10 p.m. Check DiscoverVail.com in December for this year’s times.
Is there a torchlight parade in Vail on New Year’s Eve? Vail traditionally held a torchlight ski-down at Golden Peak before the fireworks, but it didn’t happen last year. Beaver Creek held its ski-down parade at 6 p.m.
Is Vail crowded between Christmas and New Year’s? Yes. It’s one of the busiest week of the ski season outside of Presidents Week. Book lodging, ski school, dinners, and airport transportation as early as you can.
What’s the best airport for Vail during the holidays? Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) is about 35 minutes from Vail. Denver (DEN) has more flights but is roughly two hours away in good conditions, and longer during holiday traffic or storms.
How do I get from Denver to Vail on Christmas week? You can rent a car (make sure it meets Colorado’s Traction Law), take a shared shuttle, or book a private car service. A private car is the most flexible option, especially for families and groups with ski gear.
Do the Vail buses run on New Year’s Eve? Yes, with changes. Last year, inbound service stopped at midnight, and the last outbound buses left the Vail Transportation Center around 2 a.m.
Can I get an Uber or Lyft in Vail on New Year’s Eve? Possibly, but there are very few rideshare drivers in the valley and demand spikes after midnight. Pre-booking a car is the safest way to get home.
Spend the Holidays in Vail, Not in Traffic
Years ago, I landed in Denver on a fall evening headed for Vail, and the rideshare driver refused the trip at the curb when he found out I was going up the mountain. There were no buses or shuttles left that night, so I ended up staying with family in Denver. That night is a big part of why VIP Ground exists.
During the holidays, that kind of scramble is even more common. VIP Ground’s chauffeurs meet you at DEN or EGE, take care of your luggage and skis, and handle I-70 in any weather. Once you’re in town, we’ll get you to Christmas dinner, the New Year’s fireworks, and back home after midnight. Our 14-passenger Sprinter vans keep large families and groups together in one vehicle.
Christmas and New Year’s week fills up fast, and holiday rates apply. Reserve your holiday transportation with VIP Ground today and start your vacation the moment you land.
