Discover what matters with a visit to Chautauqua this season

Discover What Matters

(Photos courtesy : Chautauqua).

WITH AVISITTO CHAUTAUQUA THIS SEASON

BY JULIE KAILUS HOLIDAY GUIDE

From family fun to winter getaways, Boulder’s iconic Chautauqua — a National Historic Landmark — offers something for everyone this holiday season. Here’s your guide to experiencing all the best of this backyard sanctuary. And it all starts with WinterFest, Dec. 9 through 11.

WinterFest kickoff

WinterFest weekend is jam-packed with festivities, starting with a holiday children’s concert led by popular local entertainers Jeff and Paige on Friday, followed by the lighting of Chautauqua’s majestic evergreens.

A WinterFest Day pass (also available as a family four-pack) covers a spectrum of nostalgic activities, including horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa’s cottage, a keepsake Polaroid, a cyber scavenger hunt, and festive craft- and cookie-making.

All WinterFest weekend enjoy delicious food offerings, from a sit-down meal at Chautauqua’s dining hall to pastries from the onsite general store. Take in stunning foothills views from the new Chautauqua Café or sample bites from food trucks and DIY s’mores stations.

You can even get your holiday shopping done at WinterFest. Chautauqua General Store is filled with artisanal gifts, Chautauqua-branded merchandise, and gift certificates for lodging, concerts, shopping and dining. (If you prefer to shop from your couch, look out for a new online store at Chautauqua.com.)

WinterFest is also packed with free gems ranging from guided hikes and history tours to the WinterFest Market of local artisans and the decorated bears of Art In The Park. The famous bears make their first 2022 appearance at WinterFest but will bask at Chautauqua until April 16. tranquil winter and spring, Chautauqua makes for an ideal staycation or overflow lodging for visiting family and friends. The park houses 60 abodes, ranging from studios to three-bedroom cottages and larger lodges for bigger groups. With the Flatirons on the doorstep, 40 miles of trails, and easy on-site dining, concerts and shopping, a stay at Chautauqua feels worlds away — even for locals.

Every Chautauqua cottage features a full kitchen and porch, and many are petfriendly.

More Chautauqua favorites

Year-roundentertainment: Give yourself an unexpected evening out with some Chautauqua-style entertainment and culture. Check the upcoming events section of the website regularly for a diverse yearround lineup of performers and speakers.

Cottagetours: Curious about Chautauqua’s cottages? Get a peek inside with a Historic Cottage Tour ticket, which includes the beautiful and sustainably restored Mary H. Galey Cottage this year.

Onlineauction: Stroll Chautauqua’s delightful gardens during Art In The Park. Pick your favorite artist-decorated fiberglass bear then bid to own one in the online auction which supports Chautauqua, artists and nonprofit partners.

Retreats: Chautauqua runs all-inclusive retreats for women and men throughout 2023. If you own or work for a business, Chautauqua can also help design custom retreats to energize and bond your whole team.

Whether you visit Chautauqua for WinterFest, a retreat, a concert, a vacation, or a hike, tis’ the season to celebrate this vast community treasure.

Memberships&donations: Do your part to keep this nonprofit doing its valued community and preservation work with a membership, donation or commemorative brick celebrating someone special. All are available at Chautauqua.com. Members get discounts on tickets (including WinterFest) as well as many other benefits throughout the year.