Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by Alpine Bank
December 16, 2012; 5:30pm (venue open at 5pm)
Slifer Plaza, Vail Village
Vail Family Holidaze kicks off 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. The venue opens at 5pm with holiday music and complimentary hot chocolate; the ceremony will begin at 5:30pm.
Family Movie Night
December 17 & 18, 2012; 5-7pm
Grand View Room, Lionshead Information Center
Enjoy holiday classic movies with the family at the Grand View room in the Lionshead Information Center. Guests can enjoy movies like A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph and more. Family Movie Nights are complimentary and open to the public.
Candy Cane Patrol
December 17-24, 2012; 2-5pm
Golden Peak, Vista Bahn & Lionshead base areas
Keep an eye out for the Candy Cane Patrol, who will be stationed at the base of Golden Peak, the Vista Bahn and the Lionshead gondola Dec. 17-24 from 2-5pm. They will be passing out festive treats and holiday cheer for everyone to enjoy.
Kids Zone
December 19-24, 2012; 3-5pm
Vail Village & Lionshead
The Vail Family Holidaze Kids Zone will turn Vail Village and Lionshead into a winter wonderland with multiple free, holiday-themed activities for kids and their families. Children can pick up a Kids Zone Passport map at any of the event stations throughout Vail Village and Lionshead marked with a candy cane striped pole. The passport map will guide them through all of the Kids Zone stations and fun. Children who visit all Kids Zone stations between Dec. 19 and 24 will receive a Vail Family Holidaze prize.
Kids Zone activities Include: Vail's 50th Trivia, Fabulous Frosty, O'Jolly Ornament Making, Vail Arctic Express Train Rides presented by Alpine Bank, Santa’s Workshop presented by the Vail Recreation District, Jingle Mingle, Spirit of the Season, The S’more Spot presented by Nature Valley and Epic Elf Photo.
Holiday Concerts
December 19 & 23, 2012; 4pm (venue opens at 3:30pm)
Solaris Plaza
Come enjoy two family-friendly holiday concerts in Solaris Plaza with Aaron Nigel Smith Trio on Wednesday, December 19 and essence on Sunday, December 23.
About Aaron Nigel Smith Trio
Aaron Nigel Smith brings a fun, inspired, and lively show guaranteed to get the audience off their feet. His songs have been described as “some of the best targeted music for kids today.” Smith’s shows have been featured around the country including as a part of the Family Concerts at NBC/Universal, Sony, Warner Brothers, Paramount and Fox Studios. Learn more at http://www.aaronnigelsmith.com/
About essence
In her decade long span as a recording artist, essence has earned a devoted following in San Francisco where she has sold thousands of CDs and performed in some the nation’s most prestigious venues. Traditionally an Adult-Alternative recording artist, essence’s fourth studio album was a collection of children’s songs, both old and new. Essence will perform songs from her album, A Dog Named Moo, on Dec. 23 in Vail. More information at http://adognamedmoo.com/.
Skate with the Stars
December 20-22, 2012; 3:15-4pm
Solaris Plaza Ice Rink & Arrabelle Square Ice Rink
On December 20-22 children are invited to enjoy the experience of a lifetime by joining national and international ice skating champions as they share the ice at the Arrabelle at Vail Square and Solaris Plaza rinks. Participants will have the ability to interact, learn tricks of the trade and show off their skills to the professionals right before they perform in the 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. Skate with the Stars is complimentary but participants must be an intermediate or above ice skater to register. Please visit the FAQ page at www.vail.com/holidaze for more details on registration for Skate with the Stars.
Winter Solstice on Ice
December 20-22, 2012; 5pm
Solaris Plaza Ice Rink
Winter Solstice on Ice returns to the Solaris Plaza ice rink Dec. 20-22 for three amazing performances. Winter Solstice on Ice brings world-class ice skaters, like the talented Todd Eldredge and Ryan Bradley, to the heart of Vail Village to perform singles, pairs and group programs that are sure to delight adults and children alike. This magnificent family event is complimentary and open to the public.
Torchlight Parade & Fireworks
December 31, 2012; 6:15pm
Golden Peak
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.
Vail New Year’s Eve Family Celebration
December 31, 2012; 7-9pm
Adventure Ridge
Following the 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 Family New Year’s Celebration from 7-9pm. All children at the Family New Year’s Celebration must be accompanied by an adult.
Vail NYE 2013 with Thievery Corporation
December 31, 2012; 9pm-1:30am
Dobson Arena
Vail’s Dobson Arena transforms on New Year’s Eve, boasting the biggest dance floor in Vail and what is, hands down, the hottest party in town. With DJ Logic getting the party started and Thievery Corporation rocking the crowd into the New Year, Vail NYE 2013 is guaranteed to be a New Year’s experience guests will not soon forget. Besides rocking out at an epic concert from Thievery Corporation, guests at Vail NYE 2013 can expect to ring in 2013 with a massive balloon drop, confetti storm, midnight champagne toast, party favors and much more.
Tickets are now available online at www.vailnye.com. Vail NYE 2013 is a 21 and over event.