Lionshead Tree Lighting and Smile with Santa

Lionshead Village · Photo: Luis Barrera via Google

• When: Friday, November 27, 2026, 3:30-5:30 pm
• Where: Lionshead Village, Lionshead Village, Vail, CO 81657
• Cost: Free photos with Santa
• Organizer: Discover Vail and the Town of Vail (Vail Apres)

Official Event Page

The day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27, 2026, Santa joins the tree lighting in Lionshead Village from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Families can take free photos with him, shared digitally or printed on site. It opens Smile with Santa, part of the town's Vail Apres program presented by Discover Vail and the Town of Vail.

After the tree lighting, Santa moves to International Bridge in Vail Village for select days through December 22, 2026, again from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Check the official page for the exact days before you plan a visit around it.

Make an afternoon of it

The same evening in Lionshead, elite skaters give short free figure skating shows on the Arrabelle ice rink at 4:45 and 5:30 pm, so you can see both. The next night the renovated Dobson Arena reopens with a ticketed concert.

Good to know

This is an outdoor event in late November. Bring warm layers for children waiting in line, and plan to park at the Lionshead parking structure and walk into the village.

Details checked against the organizer's official event page on September 28, 2026. Dates and times can change; confirm with the organizer before you go.