There's Something Special About Boulder During the Holidays — Here's Why

There’s a point on a winter evening in Boulder when the foothills are still visible but the streets below have already gone dark. Look west and you might catch the Boulder Star above town. Walk a few blocks downtown and you’ll find a different kind of light in the trees and storefronts along Pearl Street. I like that you can take in both in the same evening, and that neither takes much planning.

The Boulder holiday traditions that stick with me are the ones you can make your own. Maybe that means taking the kids downtown for the parade, going back on a quieter weeknight to see the lights, or making a detour on the way home to spot the Star. In 2026, the Star is already shining, and downtown’s busiest holiday weekends are still ahead. Here’s the story behind the lights, who keeps the traditions going, and how I’d plan a visit.

The Star That Watches Over Boulder

The Star first lit up on Flagstaff Mountain in December 1947. CU Boulder’s alumni magazine traces it to Boulder’s business community, which gave the city a winter landmark that could be seen from downtown, campus, and across the valley. Once you know where to look, it’s easy to understand how it became part of the way people mark the season. It sits just above the places they already go every day.

The hillside lights have told more than one story. In 1969, antiwar activists installed a separate lighted peace sign above the Star, as organizer John R. Olsen recalled firsthand. The Star’s own lights spelled out “No. 1” after CU’s 1990 national football championship. I shared some of the more unusual changes in my Boulder Star Instagram post. The history also includes more solemn occasions. CU Boulder records that the Star shone to remember the people killed in the 2021 Table Mesa King Soopers shooting and offered a sign of solidarity after the Marshall Fire.

This year the City of Boulder and the Boulder Chamber lit the Star on Veterans Day, November 11. The City plans for it to shine in the evenings through December 31, with an automatic shutoff in high winds. The area around the Star on Flagstaff is closed to protect sensitive habitat. The City’s guide to viewing the Star from afar lists places such as Chautauqua Park, Dry Creek, and Cherryvale Trailhead. Give yourself time to find a view before it gets dark.

When Pearl Street Becomes a Holiday Destination

The reason Pearl Street works so well at this time of year goes back farther than most of the events. The City designated the downtown pedestrian mall in August 1977. Today the brick blocks between 11th and 15th streets give you room to slow down, step into a shop, or hear a performance on the way to dinner. When the trees and the courthouse are lit, the same stretch feels different enough to be worth another lap.

The Firefly Handmade Holiday Market comes first, November 14–15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. It’s free and outdoors, with 80 or more artists, makers, and designers, plus live music. Look for something you can ask the maker about, whether that’s a ceramic glaze or where the wood for a cutting board came from. I posted a short Firefly preview on YouTube with the market basics.

The following Sunday, November 22, is Switch on the Holidays. Participating businesses will host the Cookie Crawl from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last. TubaChristmas is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on the 1300 block. At 5 p.m., the switch-on will illuminate Pearl Street Mall, the Boulder County Courthouse, and the Civic Area. If you’ve only ever visited Pearl Street by day, this is a good evening to see it after dark.

The Community Behind Boulder’s Traditions

One easy way to see who puts the holidays together is to watch the Lights of December Parade. The floats come from local schools, businesses, faith communities, nonprofits, and other groups. For the people on the floats, the season starts long before parade night, with time spent figuring out how to turn a trailer and a few strings of lights into something that gets a cheer from the curb.

There’s a similar effort behind the Star. The Boulder Chamber and the City share responsibility for it. Sales of the annual Boulder Star Card and other partner contributions help keep it going. Local artist Kelly Angelovic designed the 2026 card. Downtown, businesses make their own contribution during the Cookie Crawl and give people a reason to explore blocks they might otherwise walk straight past.

The time between big events is part of this, too. For a small shop, a family that comes downtown to pick out a book every December can matter just as much as a busy event night. If you’re meeting someone for a walk, you can make the outing do double duty by starting at a café or giving yourself time to stop into a shop on the way.

Holiday Experiences Beyond Shopping

For a low-key afternoon, start along the Boulder Creek Path near the Main Library and follow the creek toward the Civic Area and the Dushanbe Teahouse. The City’s multi-use path connects all three, so you can make the outing as short as you need. I’d go in daylight and check for ice, especially in shaded stretches. If the weather turns, a library stop and a warm drink still make a good afternoon.

For an outing with kids, St. Nick on the Bricks gives you four chances to visit Santa at the Visitor Information Center. Downtown Boulder lists Friday, November 27, and Saturdays, November 28, December 5, and December 12. The visits are free, with a suggested donation of $10 per group. If you have someone in your group who tires easily in a crowd, choose one event and leave time for a sit-down break.

For a December outing indoors, CU Boulder’s Holiday Festival runs December 4–6 at Macky Auditorium. The College of Music brings student ensembles, soloists, and faculty together for the program. If you’re choosing between a daytime performance and an evening one, think about what you’d like to pair it with. A matinee leaves time for a walk and an early dinner, and an evening concert gives you a reason to see campus after dark. Check the university’s listing for performance times and tickets.

Where to Experience Boulder’s Holiday Atmosphere

For a first visit: Walk the pedestrian blocks of Pearl Street between 11th and 15th. Make the 1300 block and courthouse your anchor, then head west or east depending on where you want to eat. If you’d like to plan around a coffee stop or a bookstore, my Pearl Street Mall guide covers the blocks and nearby side streets in more detail.

For the parade: Be downtown before 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 12. The route starts at 15th and Walnut, heads west to Broadway, then turns north to Spruce and east to 15th. Pick a viewing spot ahead of time and give yourself some extra room if you’re with kids or using a mobility aid. If you’re coming by bus or on foot, my guide to getting around Boulder without a car can help you plan the trip.

For a quieter evening: Pick a weeknight after November 22 to see the lights at your own pace. For a view of the Star, Chautauqua Park puts you close to the foothills, while the City lists several viewpoints farther east for a wider view back toward town. Clouds or wind can change what you see, so give yourself a second evening if the forecast looks iffy.

Why These Traditions Matter

When people ask what living in Boulder is like in winter, these are the details I think of. There’s a Star first put up by local businesses that a family can see on the drive home nearly eight decades later. There’s a pedestrian street that can hold a market one weekend, a tuba ensemble the next, and someone’s regular coffee walk in between. The traditions last because they fit around everyday life.

Try one outing this year that you can imagine doing again. It could be a walk after dinner, a parade spot your family comes back to, or a few minutes looking west as the sky gets dark. If you’re getting to know Boulder or looking for another part of town to explore, you’ll find more of my local guides at Eric Sells Boulder. I’ll see you downtown.