All About The Lighting Of Breckenridge (Including The Holiday Dog Parade And Running Of The Santas)

In celebration of the winter season and the excitement that it brings to the ski town of Breckenridge, Colorado, there are multiple festivals to enjoy. Kicking off the slate of celebrations is the “Lighting of Breckenridge,” which takes place annually the first weekend of December. Not only is it uplifting, but it’s hugely popular for locals and tourists alike, with thousands of people in attendance each year. 

Breckenridge's Main Street filled with people in the midst of the Lighting of Breckenridge festivities.

The name “Lighting of Breckenridge” is a bit misleading, because there is much more to the day than just the illumination of the town center with twinkling Christmas bulbs. The event kicks off around noon with a holiday market at the Arts District’s Old Masonic Hall, where local vendors set up stands to sell their artwork, jewelry, photography prints, and more. It’s a good spot to go if you’re looking to get ahead on your seasonal gift shopping and want to buy from an individual or small business. There are also free kids activities (mainly arts and crafts) and food/drink options available.

Santa Claus seems to have picked up a new profession in the rodeo!

All friendly dogs are welcome at the Lighting of Breckenridge festivities.

At roughly 3:30 PM, in what I can only describe as the most wholesome organized chaos you can imagine, the Holiday Dog Parade begins. Many people around town still refer to this as the “Bernese Mountain Dog Parade,” as the spectacle historically only featured this cold weather-loving breed. Now, all dogs are eligible to participate in the processional, but I’d estimate that over 50% are “Berners,” as they’re affectionately referred to. Their owners dress them in holiday outfits and garb, and onlookers line Main Street to give out pets and belly rubs, provide the furry friends with treats (ask their owner permission first!), and watch the dogs interact. In my opinion, this event is the highlight of the day and is bound to warm your heart. As one of the more popular events during the Lighting of Breck festivities, I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early to secure a front row spot on Main Street.

A spirited Bernese Mountain Dog pulls a wagon with his elderly Golden Retriever sibling in tow during the Holiday Dog Parade.

After the dogs come the kids. Dubbed the “Moose March,” children decked out in holiday costumes race down Main Street while being cheered on by their parents and other spectators. This half-mile race is for kids ages 10-17, with participants getting a free moose hat. (Side note: If you ride the free gondola in Breckenridge, be on the lookout for moose as you pass over Cucumber Gulch, which is in between the Shock Hill neighborhood and the Peak 7 base. They can occasionally be seen munching on foliage or resting in the shade of the evergreen trees there.)

A young moose searching for food in the town of Breckenridge.

The real show is the Running of the Santas, which occurs around 4:20 PM. Hundreds of adults dressed in full Santa Claus outfits gather at Watson Avenue before racing down Main Street along a path lined with excited supporters. Many runners gather to drink beforehand at Breckenridge's local bars and taverns, which generates some added amusement along the race course. It’s a lighthearted way to kick off the Christmas season!

Hundreds of runners in Santa outfits prep for their afternoon race down Main Street.

The final event of the evening is the actual “Lighting of Breckenridge”. Thousands of people flock to Blue River Plaza off of Main Street to witness over 250,000 Christmas lights get turned on simultaneously as the sun sets and the holiday season officially begins. In 2024, the event was emceed by a local radio host and included short speeches by Breckenridge event planners and the mayor prior to the countdown and switch being flipped. I found this portion of the day’s events to be a bit underwhelming due to the high crowd volume and short payoff, but it was still fun to be surrounded by lively onlookers.

Be prepared for crowds: the Lighting of Breckenridge attracts thousands of visitors to the quaint mountain town.

After the Lighting of Breckenridge, kids line up to meet Santa and share their Christmas gift lists with him, while the adults disperse down Main Street to various restaurants and bars to continue the celebration. Once the crowds thin out, you can return to Blue River Plaza with family and friends to take photos in front of the lit up trees for social media posts or holiday cards. It’s especially picturesque when the sun has fully set and the glowing lights shine brightly against the night sky.

Blue River Plaza illuminated with Christmas lights at dusk.

The Lighting of Breckenridge is a wonderful affair, and the Holiday Dog Parade especially is a can’t-miss sight if you’re in the area. The day is a unique and special way to start the holiday season that you can’t find anywhere else in the U.S.

The main Christmas tree in Breckenridge sparkles with thousands of lights against the Rocky Mountain backdrop.