Things to Do Over Thanksgiving in Boulder

This Thanksgiving, we hope you get to dine on delicious food prepared just for you, spend quality time with the ones you love, and enjoy getting outside to soak up the Boulder sun on a hike or stroll.

Thanksgiving Dining

A number of Boulder restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day, with special menus and fabulous feasts. Check the Thanksgiving Day options listed on our Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving page.

Events

The Nutcracker

Saturday-Sunday, November 30-December 1, 2024
The Boulder Philharmonic and Boulder Ballet bring the magic of the holidays to center stage in a dazzling production of "The Nutcracker" at the historic Macky Auditorium. 

Friday Night Jazz at Hotel Boulderado

Friday, November 29, 2024, 5-8pm
Enjoy some live jazz in Hotel Boulderado's historic lobby lounge. Try cocktails and food from a special happy hour menu. More details here.

St. Nick on the Bricks

Friday, November 29, and Saturdays, November 20-December 21, 2024
On the Pearl Street Mall in historic downtown Boulder, kids of all ages can visit with Santa during St. Nick on the Bricks. Have your camera ready!

Live DJ at Rosetta Hall

Thursday-Saturday, November 28-30, 2024, 10pm
Tear up the dance floor at the stylish Rosetta Hall after a day of indulgence.

Things to Do

Hike

Thanksgiving time can be an excellent time to hike and explore Boulder's vast trail system. Here are 5 great winter trails, although the weather over the Thanksgiving holiday is as likely to be sunny as it is snowy. Find more trails here.

Snow Much Fun Light Displays

Mid-November through end of January
During Snow Much Fun, hundreds of thousands of colorful LED lights illuminate Boulder’s Civic Area, next to the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, and throughout downtown Boulder. Each year there are fun, themed light displays. Grab a hot cup of cocoa and enjoy a wonder-filled stroll outside, and scan QR codes for fun augmented reality experiences.

Ski Like a Local

An easy, 30-minute drive from downtown Boulder, Eldora ski resort offers snowboarding, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Eldora has a laid-back local vibe with enough skiing and riding for skiers and boarders of all levels.

Sign Up for a Race

Wake up early for the 2024 Boulder Thanksgiving Day 5K get in a great run while doing some good. A donation from all race proceeds will go to Boulder's Harvest of Hope Pantry. There is also an opportunity to donate non-perishable packaged and canned foods on the morning of the event.

Play a Round of Family Disc Golf

Boulder has a great disc golf course with beautiful Flatirons views that could be the scene of a fun, new family tradition. All you need is a frisbee and yourselves. The course is located off Valmont Road, across the street from the amazing Valmont Bike Park (another great option that even has a toddler course).    

Shopping

Small Business Saturday

November 30, 2024
Shopping local is the Boulder way, and Small Business Saturday is a great day to do so. Head to Pearl Street, where historic buildings are filled with boutiques and indie shops, plus cute eateries, bookstores, and coffee shops. Holiday lights will be twinkling overhead. Don’t forget to explore "off the bricks" on West Pearl and East Pearl, too. Other small business hot spots include The Hill and North Boulder Art District.  

Twenty Ninth Street 

Twenty Ninth Street is an outdoor center with amazing views of the Flatirons (spectacular when dusted in snow) and plenty of popular national retailers such as Anthropologie, H&M, Apple, Sephora and Nordstrom Rack that are sure to have great Black Friday deals. 

Shop the Makers

Boulderites are a creative bunch, and their wares make perfect holiday gifts. Shop artisan markets and local maker galleries like the impossibly elegant The New Local on West Pearl and Art Mart in central Pearl Street.