Get into the spirit of the season and enjoy all the wonderful holiday events Durango has to offer!
Singing With Santa
Kick off the holidays with this annual holiday event, Friday, November 29, 2024. Come Join us at Buckley Park as we light our community Christmas Tree, sing Christmas carols and welcome Santa Clause. Free hot chocolate and cookies for all to enjoy. Plus, a free photo with Santa! Bring your own camera! It all starts at 5:30! Proudly Sponsored by TBK Bank and Durango Motor Company.
Holly Jolly Gift Card Drawing!
Shop and dine locally on Black Friday (November 29) and enter the Holly Jolly Gift Card Drawing to win a local gift card.
Visit a retail or food and beverage business within the district. Save your receipts. Once you have collected at least $100 in receipts, you can submit them online to our website. The more you spend, the more entries you will receive. We will give away $1,000 in local gift cards to four lucky winners! See our website for complete rules.
Reindeer Scavenger Hunt
Calling all La Plata County littles! Santa's reindeer have escaped and are hiding in Downtown Durango and we need your help to find them all. While you're shopping and dining local on Black Friday, pick up a clue card at the Durango Welcome Center between 10 am and 5 pm and start rounding up the reindeer. When you find a correct location, collect a stamp and bring your clue card to Singing with Santa after rounding up at least six of the reindeer. The first 50 clue cards turned in will receive a special edition souvenir Singing with Santa hot chocolate mug. Read the contest rules and details at SingingWithSanta.org/Scavenger-Hunt, and have a holly jolly search!
The Polar Express Train Ride
Enjoy the magical recreation of the classic holiday story of the Polar express aboard a vintage steam train that travels from Durango to the North Pole. During the journey to the North Pole visitors will enjoy the reading of the award-wining book by Chris Van Allsburg. Each rider will receive cookies and hot chocolate as they make their way to the North Pole with a light show set to holiday music. The book comes to life through the chefs, hobos, conductor, Hero Boy, Billy, Santa and all the elves on the historic Steam train. It’s a magical experience for all ages. Do you believe? Book your golden ticket!
Tickets are available starting in November
Cascade Canyon Winter Train
Departing from the Durango Depot, this excursion takes you up into the Rocky Mountains with incredible views of the San Juan National Forest as you travel alongside the beautiful Animas River while relaxing in heated coaches. Cascade Canyon is a destination like no other and is the perfect setting for a fire-side lunch, photo opportunities or a walk along the Animas River during your 60-minute layover. Spanning 26 miles each way, this 5.25 hour round trip experience is offered on select dates from November until May.
Gift Gallery at the Durango Arts Center
It's that time of year when lights twinkle and magic and cheer are in the air. As you prepare for your holiday shopping list, add the Durango Arts Center for places to visit for your your shopping extravaganza. The DAC has a new Gift Gallery will be open from mid November through January and feature a variety of artists. This is great place to find a special unique gift for the one you love. Be sure to stop by on Noel Night to enjoy their hot chocolate bar for both adults and kids to warm you up while you shop. (closed on Thankgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Holiday Family Drive
TBK Bank is partnering with Housing Solutions for the Southwest to Adopt 15 La Plata County Families this holiday season. The event will kick off at Singing with Santa on November 29, where you can learn more about how you can adopt an 'angel' this holiday. No donation is too small, and any gift is greatly appreciated. Donations and adoptions will continue through December 13. Stop by any TBK Bank in Bayfield or Durango to adopt an 'angel'.
Noel Night
Join friends and neighbors for Noel Night on Friday, December 6, 2024. Kick off the Holiday Shopping season with special treats, entertainment, and store specials.
Festival of Trees
A perfect event for the whole family! The Festival of Trees is a free family-friendly holiday event. Come tour an enchanted forest of Christmas trees and wreaths decorated by our generous sponsors, bid on creative gifts and festive decorations, and vote for your favorite! This event occurs at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum from December 6-8th, from noon to 5pm. Support for this event will help continue Community Connections' mission to help people with disabilities lead healthy and fulfilling lives in Southwest Colorado.
Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival
This unique shopping experience features a variety of local vendors selling an array of handmade items, including paintings, jellies, Christmas treats, decor, jewelry, and much more. This is a great opportunity to shop at over 75 booths for unique items for everyone on your list. This event occurs over three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 6, 7, and 8, 2024 , at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and Event Center.
St. Mark's Christmas Bazaar
St. Mark's Christmas Bazaar will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 8:30 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. The Bazaar will feature a variety of local artists selling handmade goods, including hand-knit items, jewelry, paintings, pottery, home decor, and more. You will be amazed at the wide variety of items available and are sure to find something for everyone on your list.
Parade of Gingerbread Homes
December 13, 2024
Stop by the Animas Chocolate & Coffee Co. for a festive evening and view all the gingerbread home entries. Vote for your favorite and see who the winners are in each category. Plus, enjoy a free glass of sparkling wine or free hot chocolate on us.
Native American Round Dance & Native American Arts Market
Celebrate the start to the winter months with the Durango Native American Education and NAPAC with the annual Round Dance & Native American Arts Market. The event will take place on Saturday, December 7, from 12pm-11pm at the Durango High School. The Native Arts Market will feature local Indigenous artists and local students from the 9-R Native American Education Program. The Market hours are from 12pm-4pm and 5pm-11pm. The Community supper will start at 4:30pm. All proceeds from this event will go back to the students to help with school clothes, snacks for students, lunches, activities, and more.
Durango Choral Society Family Christmas Concert
The Durango Choral Society returns to the Community Concert Hall on Sunday, December 8, to bring a night of the best seasonal holiday music. The event will feature the Durango Choral Society, Women’s Choir, Youth Choir, Children’s Choral, and pianist extraordinaire Adam Swanson. Join us for a wide selection of music from around the world. And who knows, Santa Claus may even sing with us. Bring your cameras and get your photo with Santa after the show.
State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara's "Nutcracker"
December 2024
The holiday wouldn't be complete without "The Nutcracker". The State Street ballet of Santa Barbara and Durango's own San Juan Symphony create the magical story that is a holiday favorite for all ages. Guests will enjoy the backdrops of glittering snowflakes, waltzing flowers, Sugar Plum Fairy and all the enchanting castle of characters. A traditional holiday event you won't want to miss!
Holiday Farmer's Market
December 14, 2024
Christmas shop at the Holiday Farmer's Market, Saturday, December 14 from 9-2pm. The market is located at the La Plata County Fairgrounds inside the Exhibit Hall. The event offers a wide variety of artisans and local farmers. You'll find a variety of handmade holiday gift items as well fresh vegetables, meats, cheeses and more! This is a great way to pick up holiday gifts for everyone on your list!
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa
December 14, 2024
Santa and his crew are visiting TBK Bank! Bring the family for crafts, letters to Santa, caroling with Durango Choirs, cookies, cocoa, and pictures with Santa. This is a free event.
Bar D Wranglers Christmas Jubilee
December 2024
Durango's Much loved cowboy musicians visit the community Concert Hall for their traditional cowboy Christmas show. Their performance brings the traditional loved Christmas tunes with a cowboy twist and some fantastic humor. This is a fun-loving show for the whole family that brings you back to the true meaning of the holidays. Check the Community Concert Hall's Website for more information and tickets.
San Juan Symphony Beyond the Concert Hall Presents Majesty of Christmas
December 20, 2024
Join the SJS Chamber Singers, Chamber groups, and more as they perform heartfelt holiday selections. We are back again with two different performance times for friends of the symphony to enjoy! 4 pm and 7 pm at St Mark's Episcopal Church, Durango
Santa & Mrs. Clause Visit The Mountain
December 22, 2024
Bring your little ones to see Santa & Mrs. Clause at Purgatory Resort. They will be at the beach area from 1:30 to 3:30pm for kids to put in their last minute requests before the big night
New Year's Eve Celebration Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Display
December 31 at 6pm
Come out for a festive night at Purgatory Resort! Come watch ski instructors and mountain patrollers put on a light show as they ski down the slopes with bright tourches and then stay for a fantasitc fireworks display over the snow covered mountain. This is a great family friendly event and a fun way to kick off the new year!