Christmas and New Year's in Vail: Where to Stay

By Patrick W. Davis, Director of Sales & Marketing

Christmas and New Year's in Vail

Vail's holiday calendar includes a tree lighting in early December and a New Year's Eve torchlight parade. Manor Vail Lodge sits at the Golden Peak base. Contact the lodge to plan your holiday week.

A nighttime ice-skating rink at Solaris Plaza in Vail Village, with illuminated buildings around the square.

At a Glance

Vail Village Tree Lighting: scheduled for December 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Vail Ice Spectacular: scheduled for December 23, 2026, at Dobson Ice Arena
New Year's Eve: the torchlight parade (confirm 2026 times)
Manor Vail Lodge: a five-minute walk to Vail Village

The Holiday Calendar

Discover Vail lists the Vail Village Tree Lighting for Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Children's Fountain in Vail Village.

The Vail Ice Spectacular is scheduled for Wednesday, December 23, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Dobson Ice Arena. That is two days before Christmas.

A winter view of Vail Village.

New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade

The New Year's Eve torchlight parade is an annual event conducted by the Vail Ski and Snowboard School. In Discover Vail's 2022 listing, the parade was listed to begin at 6:15 p.m. at Golden Peak, with a fireworks display listed at 6:25 p.m. and viewable from all base areas.

Times can change from year to year, so confirm the 2026 schedule on the official Discover Vail calendar before you plan your evening.

A Holiday Week at the Lodge

A residence gives a holiday group room to spread out: studios and one-bedrooms are about 700 square feet, and two- and three-bedrooms are about 1,400 square feet. Every residence has a full kitchen, a gas fireplace and a private balcony or patio.

Skiers walking through snow.

Mornings begin with a hot breakfast buffet included for registered guests. After the mountain, apres-ski cookies and hot chocolate are included as well. A resort service fee applies in addition to the room rate. Confirm what the fee includes when you book. Two heated outdoor pools and four hot tubs are open year-round. Complimentary ski valet is available at Chair 6, and the Vail Ski and Snowboard School's Golden Peak campus is just across the street from the lodge.

Vail Village is a five-minute walk, and the lodge offers complimentary in-town shuttle service.

Planning Ahead

Vail Mountain is scheduled to open for the season on November 13, 2026. To plan this season's holiday week, contact the lodge. For future seasons, plan early.

Three children in ski helmets and goggles smiling on a snowy slope.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Vail Village Tree Lighting?

It is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Children's Fountain in Vail Village.

How do I confirm the New Year's Eve schedule?

Check the official Discover Vail calendar for the 2026 schedule. The torchlight parade is an annual event conducted by the Vail Ski and Snowboard School.