Post Date: November 1, 2022
Happy November, Downtown!
It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is already upon us…say hello to frosty temperatures, peppermint mochas, jingle bell tunes and all the things that signal we are about to enter into winter. Whether you are itching to get on the slopes or ready to curl up with a good book this time of year, downtown Boulder has activities and places to warm your spirit. Check out my winter bucket list below and feel free to add these fun events to your winter plans!
1. Admire all the shining lights downtown at Switch on the Holidays.
Be sure to mark your calendars for November 20 to attend one of my favorite events of the year - Switch on the Holidays! This annual kickoff to the holiday season is filled with breathtaking decorations, stunning lights and plenty of merry cheer to go around.
This year, be sure to come downtown early to shop and dine locally. Not only are you sure to find perfect gifts for friends and plates to fill you up, but select businesses will be giving away free plush snowmen in honor of the start of Find Freezie to the first 25 people to ask! And don’t forget to keep an eye out for Freezie snowmen located throughout the downtown district during the winter season. Play along for a chance to win a $25 Downtown Boulder Gift Card!
2. Explore downtown through a new lens by taking the Snow Much Fun Virtual (AR) Tour.
Have an augmented reality (AR) experience in the heart of Boulder! Start on the East End and work your way down each block of Pearl Street to the West End, scanning QR codes as you go. (Look for the signs that will be posted in the flower beds.) Each block offers a different winter filter (accessed via Instagram), so you can snap, save and share fun photos as you go! Say hi to polar bears, step into an igloo to see what some mischievous penguins are up to and explore the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) all through your phone camera. This is a brand new offering that I am so excited to try! I’ll definitely be grabbing friends and hitting the bricks to capture some winter memories.
3. Get in the holiday spirit with the Lights of December Parade and Freezie Fest.
Some of the most festive events this season are the Lights of December Parade (December 3) and Freezie Fest (December 10). I love bundling up and watching all the colorful floats go past during the parade, from local community organizations to Santa himself. Pro tip: Grab a hot chocolate from Gelato Boy before the parade begins!
If you have children in your life, you have to plan on attending Freezie Fest. This magical day features reindeer arts and crafts, free train rides and visits with Santa, and of course, Freezie himself. Sure to be a day to remember for any young one (or snowman enthusiast)!
4. Shop and dine locally during Small Business Saturday (Weekend) and throughout the entire season.
Did you know that Downtown Boulder is home to over 80% locally owned/operated businesses? Small business owners are passionate, resilient and creative entrepreneurs. They are also the friends that know you when you walk through the door. Show them love during Small Business Saturday (Weekend) and throughout the whole holiday season. When you shop local, you uplift the entire community! I know just a few of the stores on my list for this year include Peppercorn, Art Source International and Paradise Found Records & Music. There is no better feeling than finding the perfect gift!
Don’t forget all the other activities sure to keep you in a festive mood like the Firefly Handmade Holiday Market (November 12 and 13), St. Nick on the Bricks (November 25 and 26, December 3, 10, 17 and 24) and Chanukah on Pearl (December 19). With so much happening this season, it’s always a good time to come downtown.
Winter downtown is one of the brightest and merriest times of the year. Make your own bucket list of places and events to explore this season!
-DBP Emi
Mentioned in this Post: Art Source International Inc., Gelato Boy (Pearl Street Mall), Paradise Found Records & Music, Peppercorn
Tagged: Holidays