Featured Festival: Gold Camp Christmas in Cripple Creek & Victor, Colorado

santas workshop cripple creek parade cunningham
Gold Camp Christmas, photo courtesy of Maria Cunningham & VisitCrippleCreek.com.

The holidays come alive in Cripple Creek and Victor on December 6-9, 2012, during Gold Camp Christmas. One hundred years ago, thousands of people converged on this area of Colorado in search of fortune in the form of gold. The area is rich in mining history and today visitors can explore mines or visit a number of museums that tell the wild story of Cripple Creek’s lively past.

Today, people visit Cripple Creek seeking treasure of a different sort. The town is popular with gamblers who want a friendly environment where the air has always been thick with the anticipation of a big jackpot.

The Sounds of Christmas“ is the theme of this year’s festivities in Cripple Creek and Victor. Please note that activities will be taking place in both towns throughout the weekend. Approximately five miles separate these two historic mining communities.

The party kicks off on Friday with activities during the day followed by the Parade of Lights down Victor Avenue at 6 p.m. Activities are planned throughout the day on Saturday including a Christmas bazaar, ice skating, an Elf Emporium, musical entertainment, a Christmas Parade at noon in Cripple Creek and more.

riders in Cripple Creek parade Charlie Chambers
Photo courtesy Charlie Chambers and VisitCrippleCreek.com.

 

Don’t miss the special Colorado Springs Chorale performance planned for 3 p.m. at the Cripple Creek Baptist Church. That evening, “A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol” is on stage at the Butte Theater (there are multiple shows on the calendar).

Visitors interested in going on the Lighted Mine Headframe Guided Tour on Friday evening can catch shuttles leaving the Aspen Mine Center located in Cripple Creek at 5:30 p.m. There are no reservations, it’s first come, first serve, so arrive early! More info at  1-877-858-4653.

View a comprehensive schedule of all the events planned for Gold Camp Christmas here.

Cripple Creek is a 2-hour drive from Denver and just 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs.

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I’m spending a weekend in Cripple Creek later this month, so watch for a fun travel piece about my adventures in this Wild West town.  

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