VAIL FAMILY HOLIDAZE PROVIDES FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN DEC. 17-25, 31
- Vail Family Holidaze happens Dec. 17-25 and 31, 2011
- Event provides free, family-friendly holiday activities in Vail Village and Lionshead throughout the holiday season
VAIL, Colo.—Vail Family Holidaze, the annual event for families and children surrounding the holiday season, is set to return to Vail Dec. 17-25 and 31. Vail Family Holidaze 2011 will encompass a wide variety of holiday activities, all of which are complimentary and open to the public.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Vail Family Holidaze kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. with the tree lighting ceremony at Slifer Plaza in Vail Village. An annual tradition in Vail, this celebration is a great way to get in the holiday spirit as the plaza comes alive with holiday carols, appearances by Vail dignitaries and the lighting of the plaza’s iconic 50-foot-tall spruce tree.
Jingle Bellz Snowshoe
Vail Family Holidaze continues at 8 a.m. in Lionshead Sunday, Dec. 18 with the Jingle Bellz Snowshoe, a non-competitive fun run/walk on Vail Mountain. Snowshoers of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate in this event, making it a great activity for the whole family. There is no cost to participate in the Jingle Bellz Snowshoe, and registration includes free jingle bells to wear on course. Pre-registration information can be found at www.vail.com/holidaze and day-of registration will be available on site in Lionshead from 7-7:45 a.m. For those participants needing snowshoes, rentals will be available on site at the event.
Holiday Concerts
On Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 19 and 20, Vail Family Holidaze will present two holiday concerts, both of which will be complimentary and open to the public. On Monday, Dec. 19 at Solaris Plaza, a cappella group Wonder Voice will perform powerful renditions of holiday favorites and greatest hits from the last 70 years. The Colorado Children’s Chorale will take the stage in Solaris Plaza on Tuesday, Dec. 20 for a concert that will feature classic holiday songs as well as other pieces from their extensive repertoire. The venue at Solaris Plaza opens at 3:30 p.m. for both concerts and music begins at 5 p.m.
Winter Solstice on Ice
Winter Solstice on Ice returns to the ice rink at Solaris Plaza Dec. 21-23 for three amazing performances. Winter Solstice on Ice brings world-class ice skaters, like 2011 World Champion Patrick Chan and 2010 U.S. National Champion Rachel Flatt, to the heart of Vail Village to perform singles, pairs and group programs that are sure to delight adults and children alike. All Winter Solstice on Ice performances are free and open to the public. Performances will begin at 5 p.m. each evening.
Skate with the Stars
On Dec. 21-23 from 3:15-4 p.m., children are invited to enjoy the experience of a lifetime by joining national and international ice skating competitors as they share the ice at the Arrabelle at Vail Square and Solaris Plaza before they perform in Winter Solstice on Ice. As spaces will be limited for this event, those interested in participating are encouraged to register early at the skate rental shops at each rink. Participants in Skate with the Stars must be competent ice skaters. Please visit the FAQ page at www.vail.com/holidaze for more details on registration for Skate with the Stars.
Kids Zone
New this year, Vail Family Holidaze will be turning Vail Village and Lionshead into a winter wonderland with multiple free, holiday-themed activities for kids and their families in the Kids Zone. Children can pick up a Kids Zone map at any of the event stations, marked throughout Vail Village and Lionshead with candy cane striped poles, which will guide them through all of the nine Kids Zone stations. Children who visit all the Kids Zone stations between Dec. 19 and 24 will receive a Vail Family Holidaze prize. The Kids Zone will take place Monday through Saturday, Dec. 19-24 from 3-5 p.m. each day. Kids Zone activities include ornament making, snowman decorating, the Vail Arctic Express train rides presented by First Bank, Santa’s Workshop sponsored by the Vail Recreation District, fireside story time and a puppet theater at the Vail Public Library, s’more making, Caroling Karaoke, entertainers and more.
Kids After Dark Party
Children are invited to the base of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead on Saturday, Dec. 24 to enjoy the Kids After Dark Party from 6-8 p.m. The celebration will consist of activities and games complete with music, prizes and glow sticks.
Torchlight Parade and Fireworks
A long-standing Vail tradition, the Torchlight Parade will take place on Golden Peak beginning at 6:15 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. Skiers and riders from Vail Ski and Snowboard School will come down Golden Peak illuminated with glow sticks, creating a trail of light that gracefully snakes down the mountain. The event is a truly fantastic spectacle, and guests are invited to view the parade from the base of Golden Peak. Immediately following the Torchlight Parade, a fireworks display celebrating the New Year will light up the night sky over Vail Mountain.
First Night Family Activities
Following Torchlight Parade and Fireworks on Dec. 31, bring the whole family to Lionshead and head up the Eagle Bahn Gondola to Adventure Ridge for an evening of fun at the First Night Family Activities from 7-9 p.m. The gondola ride and select activities at Adventure Ridge are complimentary and packages will be available to purchase that will include discounted dinner and activities to keep the fun going throughout the evening. All children at First Night must be accompanied by a chaperone.
Vail New Year’s Eve 2012
Vail’s Dobson Arena will become Club Dobson on New Year’s Eve, boasting the biggest dance floor in Vail and what will be, hands down, the best party in town. DJ Logic and DJ Golden b will be on hand spinning everyone’s favorite top 40, hip-hop and dance hits as well as the best from the 70s to the present. In addition to dancing and partying with friends old and new, the event will include a midnight Korbel champagne toast, balloon drop and confetti storm to ring in 2012. Tickets are now on sale starting at $50 at www.vailnye.com, at Last Course Dessert Bar & Pastries in the Riverwalk in Edwards and through the Vail Marketplace Box Office at their location on Meadow Drive in Vail Village or by calling 970-845-8497. Vail New Year’s Eve 2012 is an event for guest 18 and over. For more information on Vail New Year’s 2012, visit www.vailnye.com.
Additional Vail Family Holidaze Activities
The Vail Family Holidaze Candy Cane Patrol will be on duty Dec. 19-24 at the base of Golden Peak, the Vista Bahn and the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead from 2-5 p.m. passing out festive treats for all to enjoy. From Dec. 19-25, the Dickens Carolers will roam through Vail Village and Lionshead as well as the mountain base areas spreading holiday cheer. On Tuesday, Dec. 20, guests can to take part in the first night of Hanukkah during the Menorah Lighting Ceremony in Slifer Plaza. The B’nai Vail Jewish Congregation will light the Menorah at the same time and place each of the following nights of Hanukkah.
For more information on Vail Holidaze, including the full schedule of events and lodging information, visit www.vail.com/holidaze. For information on all activities in the Town of Vail throughout the holiday season, visit www.vailgov.com.
Vail Family Holidaze is presented by Vail Mountain, Cadillac and Town of Vail.
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