BLOG NOTE: This post is from 2015. To view our most recent blog posts, click here.
The town of Aspen is gearing up for its annual 12 Days of Aspen celebration from Dec. 20-31, 2015, and this year’s lineup looks better than ever. With a slew of activities all week long, there will be holiday cheer all through town, with a number of events planned for each day. So how do you know what not to miss during 12 Days of Aspen? This week our blog team breaks down the celebration day by day. Let’s see what’s on tap.
Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015: The 12 Days of Aspen kick off at 3 p.m. with a trio of events. At the Pitkin County Library, there’s Storytime for Adults as part of the Literature Out Loud program. At the St. Regis Residence Club, you can craft your own holiday ornament for $10 per child (reservations recommended) from 3-5 p.m. Or relax at the 12 Days of Apres event at 39 Degrees inside the Sky Hotel from 3-7 p.m. The Wheeler Opera House will be presenting Kevin Smith beginning at 8:30 p.m. Smith is a comedian, writer, podcaster and film director, best known for his movie "Clerks."
Monday, Dec. 21, 2015: Start off the day with a free visit to see Santa’s live reindeer (plus free hot chocolate and cookies) from 12-4 p.m. at the Cooper Avenue Mall, sponsored by the Aspen Chamber of Commerce. Or, head over to the Pitkin County Library’s temporary location at the Old Power House, 590 N. Mill Street, for French Chat for Adults. At 1 p.m., there’s a free Holiday on Ice Skating Exhibition at the Silver Circle Ice Rink. Afterward, head over to 39 Degrees at the Sky Hotel for some more apres-ski from 3-7 p.m. At 4 p.m. the Local’s Vocals Victorian Carolers will be singing in the Hotel Jerome lobby for free.
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015: Baby Storytime kicks off the day at 10:30 a.m. at the Old Power House. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., enjoy free holiday card making at the Red Brick Center for the Arts. From 1-3 p.m., celebrate your spirit with free cookie decorating and a visit with Santa Claus in the Hotel Jerome lobby for free. The Local’s Vocals Victorian Carolers will also perform. The group will perform again at 4 p.m. in the lobby. Pick out you best garb for "Ugly Sweater Apres" at 39 Degrees inside the Sky Hotel from 3-7 p.m. The St. Regis Residence Club is offering holiday Stocking Decorating from 3-5 p.m. in the Aspen Room. The Aspen Historical Society is offering Old-Fashioned Caroling and Cookie Exchange from 4-6 p.m. at the Wheeler/Sallard Museum. Caroling is from 4-5 p.m., followed by a traditional cookie exchange afterward. In the evening, be sure to attend the 24th Annual Aspen Film Academy Screenings at the Wheeler Opera House.
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015: Kids will enjoy Teddy Bear Story Hour from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum ($3 per child) followed by Cookies & Cocoa with the Aspen Police Dept. and Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office from 1-3 p.m. at the Cooper Avenue Mall. More creative types will enjoy creating their own lift ticket at the Aspen Art Museum from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Work with AAM educators to design your own personal lift ticket. Or learn the Art of Gingerbread House Design from 3-5 p.m. at the St. Regis Residence Club. Afterward, the 12 Days of Apres continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m. The Aspen Film Academy Screening continue in the evening at the Wheeler Opera House.
Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015: Christmas Eve begins with Teddy Bear Story Hour from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum ($3 per child). The Local’s Vocals Victorian Carolers perform at 4 p.m. in the lobby at the Hotel Jerome. The 12 Days of Après continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m. The Hotel Jerome is offering a Christmas Eve Dinner from 6-10 p.m. for $165 per person, $50 per child, 3-under is free.
Friday, Dec. 25, 2015: Christmas Day begins with Christmas Day Brunch from 1-7 p.m. at the St. Regis Residence Club. There will be a special appearance by Santa Claus. From 3-5 p.m., enjoy live music in the Shadow Mountain Lodge. The 12 Days of Apres continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m. There will be a Traditional Christmas Day Dinner from 2-8 p.m. at the Hotel Jerome for $165 per person, $50 per child, age 3-under is free. Element 47 inside The Little Nell is featuring a 4-course prix fixe menu for $247 per person and $47 per child. (Reservations recommended.) Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell is also offering Christmas Day Dinner for $95 per person and $35 per child. (Reservations recommended.)
Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015: The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is offering a free ACES Apres Holiday Open House from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Hallam Lake. Celebrate Boxing Day with features light hors d’oeuvres, hot drinks, beer and wine, kids’ crafts, guided snowshoe tours around the preserve and more. At 5 p.m., enjoy Mark Townsend’s "The World of Magic" Family Magic Show at the Aspen Chapel. The 12 Days of Apres continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m., and the Aspen Film Academy Screenings continue in the evening. (Shows and times TBD.)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015 The 12 Days of Apres continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m., and the Aspen Film Academy Screenings continue in the evening. (Shows and times TBD.)
Monday, Dec. 28, 2015 You can Make Your Own S’mores for free from 1-3 p.m. at the fire pit at the Cooper Avenue Mall. The 12 Days of Apres continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., National Council of the Aspen Art Museum cordially invites you to experience THE NOW 2015, an evening of world-class dining, dancing, contemporary art, and both live and silent auctions. The 12 Days of Apres continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m., and the Aspen Film Academy Screenings continue in the evening. (Shows and times TBD.)
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015: Start off the day at the Children’s Winter Workshops from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Aspen Art Museum. Designed for children ages 4-10 to explore contemporary art. (Can be a standalone class or three-day workshop.) Each class is $28 for member, $30 for non-members and runs from Dec. 29-31. Join author Jull Sheeley for Fraser Storytelling, Cookies & Cocoa from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the lobby at the Hotel Jerome. The 12 Days of Apres continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m., and the Aspen Film Academy Screenings continue in the evening. (Shows and times TBD.)
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015: The Children’s Winter Workshops continue from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Aspen Art Museum. At 10 a.m. the Audi Ajax Cup to benefit the Aspen Valley Ski Club begins on the Little Nell Run on Aspen Mountain. The race begins at 10 a.m. with finals scheduled for 1:30 p.m. There will be an Apres-ski party afterward. The 12 Days of Apres continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m., and the Aspen Film Academy Screenings continue in the evening. (Shows and times TBD.)
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015: New Year’s Eve begins with the Children’s Winter Workshops continuing from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Aspen Art Museum. The 12 Days of Apres continue at 39 Degrees from 3-7 p.m. Enjoy a New Year’s Eve dinner from 6-7:15 p.m. (first seating) or 9-10:30 p.m. (second seating) at the Hotel Jerome for $175 per person. Or choose the New Year’s Eve Family Buffet at the St. Regis Residence Club for $105 for adults and $45 for children. (Reservations recommended.)
There’s also dinners planned at Element 47 and Ajax Tavern, both inside The Little Nell. Fireworks over Aspen Mountain are planned for both 8 p.m. and midnight. Be sure to make time for the Slambovian Circus of Dreams New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Wheeler Opera House. Early bird tickets are $89 and $99 until Dec. 15. After Dec. 15, all tickets are $120. All tickets include complimentary wine, beer and light appetizers (until the concert starts between 9-9:30 p.m.), and a celebratory champagne toast at midnight. Lobby will open at 8 p.m. for the fireworks display.
From 5 p.m. until 2 a.m., ring in the New Year at the free New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Shadow Mountain Lodge at the St. Regis Residence Club. There will be a live DJ, cocktail service and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. The St. Regis Residence Club is also hosting a "Midnight Masquerade in Aspen" New Year’s Eve Event from 9 p.m. to 1.a.m. It includes a gala dinner, auction and special live performance by members of the indie rock band Arcade Fire. Individual tickets are $1,500; Debut Table $50,000; Luxe Table $25,000; and Premiere Table $15,000.
At Wagner Park there will be a bonfire and DJ from 8 p.m. until midnight.
The Little Nell Hotel is hosting a Dom Parignon Party from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Happy New Year!