Best Holiday Events in Salida, CO

There are few places as majestic as the Colorado Rockies during the holiday season, and Salida, in the southwestern corner of Chaffee County, offers a textbook setting. As soon as the Thanksgiving weekend rolls in, this laid-back mountain town transforms into a festive retreat where sparkling lights, community traditions, and crisp Colorado nights come together with genuine small-town warmth. From its iconic Christmas Mountain to festive arts markets and downtown strolls filled with independent galleries, Salida delivers a holiday experience equal parts nostalgic and authentic.

Below is a look at Salida's best seasonal events, celebrations, and holiday-themed experiences—whether you're planning a Thanksgiving weekend visit or a cozy winter getaway anytime through New Year's.

Held each year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Salida's Parade of Lights community celebration provides the perfect start to the holiday weekend. This year, the parade and lighting festivities fall on November 28, 2025.

The evening begins with floats wrapped in twinkling lights rolling down historic F Street, where locals line the sidewalks with hot chocolate in hand. Marching groups, light-covered bikes, and musical performances give the parade its cheerful, homespun charm. Families also love stopping by the Caboose at the F Street bridge, where Santa visits with kids after the ceremony.

If there's one event that defines the season in Salida, it's the town's beloved Christmas Mountain tradition. Every year, once the Parade of Lights winds down, all eyes turn to Tenderfoot Mountain. Set aglow with thousands of LED lights that illuminate the valley below, the mountain transforms into a spectacular 750-foot tree, with celebratory fireworks as a fitting backdrop to close out the light-filled festival.

The tree remains glowing every night throughout the holiday season, creating a magical backdrop visible from nearly every corner of town. Many evenings include special programming, but even on a quiet night, there's something extraordinary about seeing the mountain sparkle over the Arkansas River.

Thanksgiving weekend in Salida has another spirited tradition: the Christmas Mountain 5 Mile Run. Scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2025, the race begins and ends in Riverside Park, creating a scenic route along the river and through downtown.

It's relaxed, festive, and a great way to start the holiday weekend before the Parade of Lights and mountain lighting later that evening. Whether you're participating or cheering from the sidelines, it adds an energetic boost to the day's celebrations.

Located in Riverside Park, Holiday Park features 100 decorated trees sponsored by local businesses, non-profit organizations, and local families. Each tree is uniquely designed, ranging from elegant to quirky, and the display creates a charming holiday path that's especially beautiful after dark, when the lights glow against the winter landscape.

More than just a memorable holiday event, Holiday Park also serves as a scholarship fundraiser, helping Salida students on their way to college or vocational school.

Salida has a well-earned reputation as an artist's haven, and the holiday season puts that creative energy on full display with several markets throughout November and December. Among the best is Salida Arts & Culture's Holiday Popup Art Market. Held annually at the SteamPlant Ballroom, the market showcases handmade goods and art from local and regional artists. One of the best places in town to discover standout, one-of-a-kind gifts, the burgeoning tradition—2025 is the market's 6th year—also offers refreshments and holiday music while visitors shop.

Salida's small but mighty performing arts scene brings plenty of holiday charm. A Merry Little Christmas Carol, hosted by A Church and performed by the Salida Theater Project, promises patrons an engaging, live stage adaptation of the seasonal Charles Dickens classic. Along with after-show events including a hot cocoa party, a toy drive, and an ugly sweater contest, it's the perfect way to spend a holiday night out in Salida.

Considered Colorado's largest national historic district, Salida's landmark downtown encompasses more than 110 buildings across nearly 100 acres. A year-round treat, during the holidays it becomes an especially enchanting place for a stroll. Art galleries, shops and boutiques, and restaurants line streets wrapped in lights and seasonal greenery. Warm up with a seasonal cocktail, pick up unique, one-of-a-kind gifts, or simply enjoy the small-town holiday atmosphere.

To experience the full scope of Salida's holiday celebrations, plan your trip around Thanksgiving weekend, when the Parade of Lights, Christmas Mountain lighting, and holiday markets converge. Festivities continue through New Year's, so even a December visit offers plenty of seasonal charm, glowing lights, and snowy mountain scenery.

Salida may be best known for its arts community and mountain spirit, but during the holidays, it also becomes one of Colorado's most enchanting winter escapes. With a calendar full of beloved traditions, markets that showcase local creativity, and a downtown wrapped in festive warmth, it's the kind of place where the season feels both familiar and magical.

If you're interested in learning more about available homes and land for sale in Salida—or you're interested in listing a Chaffee County property for sale—contact First Colorado Land Office today to begin your real estate journey.