Get into the spirit of the season and enjoy all the wonderful holiday events Durango has to offer!
Singing with Santa
Friday, November 28
Kick off the holidays with this annual holiday event, Friday, November 28, 2025. 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.(while supplies last) 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 and Clearnetworx.
Holly Jolly Gift Card Drawing!
November 28, 29 & 30
Shop and dine locally November 28-30 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 $3,000 in local gift cards. One person will win $1,000. See our website for complete rules.
Reindeer Scavenger Hunt
Friday, November 28
Calling all La Plata County littles! Santa's reindeer have escaped and are hiding in Downtown Durango, and we need your help finding them all. On Friday, November 28, you can pick up a clue card at the Durango Welcome Center between 10 am and 5 pm and start rounding up the reindeer. This is an excellent activity for children while parents shop and dine locally on Black Friday. When you find a correct location, collect a stamp and bring your clue card to Singing with Santa after rounding up at least seven of the reindeer. The first 50 clue cards submitted will receive a special-edition souvenir: a Singing with Santa hot chocolate mug. Read the contest rules and details at SingingWithSanta.org/Scavenger-Hunt, and enjoy the adventure of searching for Santa's Reindeer.
The Polar Express Train Ride
November 21 - January 3
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-winning 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 fireside 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
November 14 - December 29
It's that time of year when lights twinkle and magic and cheer are in the air. As you prepare your holiday shopping list, add the Durango Arts Center to your list of places to visit for your shopping extravaganza. The DAC has a new Gift Gallery, open Tuesday- Saturday from November 14 through December 29. The Gift Gallery features a variety of local artists. This is a great place to find a special, unique gift for the one you love. The gift gallery is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Holiday Family Drive
November 28 - December 17
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 28, 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 17. Stop by any TBK Bank in Bayfield or Durango to adopt an 'angel'.
Noel Night
December 5
Join friends and neighbors for Noel Night on Friday, December 5, 2025. Kick off the Holiday Shopping season with special treats, entertainment, and store specials.
Festival of Trees
December 5, 6, & 7
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 5-7, 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
December 5, 6, & 7
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 an excellent 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 5, 6, and 7, 2025, at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and Event Center.
St. Mark's Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, December 6
St. Mark's Christmas Bazaar will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. 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 you are sure to find something for everyone on your list.
Parade of Gingerbread Homes
December 12
Stop by the Animas Chocolate & Coffee Co. for a festive evening and view all the gingerbread home entries on December 12 from 5 pm -7 pm. Vote for your favorite and see who wins in each category. Plus, enjoy a free glass of sparkling wine or free hot chocolate on us.
People’s Choice voting will close at 5:30 pm on December 12th, and the winner announcement in all categories will take place at 6:00 pm.
Don’t miss this fun, festive evening! Gingerbread homes will be on display in our chocolate café from December 6th through December 31st.
Interested in registering to build a house? Sign up before December 4th at https://animaschocolatecompany.com/products/gingerbread-house-contest.
Durango Choral Society Family Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 7 at 3pm
The Durango Choral Society returns to the Community Concert Hall to bring a night of the best seasonal holiday music on Sunday, December 7, starting at 3 pm . 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.
Winter Wonderbands Live Student Music Showcase
Friday, December 13, 12:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Winter Wonderbands youth music showcase is on Saturday, December 13th, from 12:00-6:30pm at the Light Box at Stillwater Music. Come hear 14 unique performances from youth bands ranging from ukulele, vocal, rock, beginner to advanced!
Drink some cider, bid on something at our silent auction, and cheer on your favorite youth musician! Tickets are free!
State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara's "Nutcracker"
December 12, 13, & 14
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!
The Bizarre Bazaar
Friday, December 12 - 5-9pm
Saturday, December 13 - 10am-6pm
Sunday, December 14 - 11am-4pm
A Holiday Marketplace where you can buy directly from local artists. Featuring the work of 17 local artists in one location. The bizarre Bazaar is located at Studio & Gallery and runs over 3 days.
"Odds-N-Ends" Christmas Bazaar
Friday, December 13, 11am-4pm
The "Odds-N-Ends" Christmas Bazaar will take place at The Subterrain at 900 Main Ave in downtown Durango. Showcasing locally handmade gifts, cards, pottery, jewelry, soap, gemstones, hair tinsel, chair massage and more - and enjoy locally crafted beer, wine and spirits while you shop!
Holiday Farmer's Market
December 13, 2025
Christmas shop at the Holiday Farmer's Market, Saturday, December 13, from 9-2 pm. 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 as 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 13, 10am - 1pm
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 20
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 19
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. Claus Visit The Mountain
December 21
Bring your little ones to see Santa & Mrs. Claus at Purgatory Resort. They will be at the beach area from 1:30 to 3pm 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! Watch ski instructors and mountain patrollers put on a light show as they ski down the slopes with bright torches, and then stay for a fantastic fireworks display over the snow-covered mountain. This is a great family-friendly event and a fun way to kick off the new year!
NYE African Dance Party
December 31 at 8pm
Ring in 2026 with an electrifying night of rhythm, song, and celebration at the Durango Arts Center. Zimbabwean percussionist, vocalist, and bandleader Blessing Bled Chimanga headlines an unforgettable New Year's Eve, with soulful support from the Eli Emmitt Band and late-night grooves by DJ Panacea. Dress to shine, bring your friends, and dance your way into the new year!
Tickets:
$50 Online Pre-sale
$55 Day Of Show
$75 VIP- includes front-row seating, 1 bottle of champagne per table for 2 (two tickets/seats), and an authentic African souvenir