Looking for a winter day trip from Denver that feels like stepping into a Christmas card? Just about an hour away, the little mountain town of Georgetown, Colorado has it all in winter: a Christmas market, a holiday train with Santa, and a frozen lake.
We go to Georgetown often, and in this guide, I’ll share how I’d plan one winter day there with the family: the Georgetown Christmas Market, the Georgetown Loop holiday train, and the frozen lake, plus where to park, what to wear, and where to eat. For more ideas around the state, check out my Colorado travel guide.
Last November, we rode the holiday train with friends, and the kids looked like they were having fun the whole time.
Quick Summary: Georgetown, Colorado in Winter
The Georgetown Christmas Market runs only on the first two weekends of December, and admission is free. Georgetown is about an hour from Denver, so it makes an easy family day trip.
- 📅 When: The first two weekends of December.
- 🚂 Holiday Train: Santa rides along on every train before Christmas.
- 🧊 Frozen Lake: Fun to see in winter, but the ice varies.
- 🧥 What to Wear: Dress for real winter cold.
Read on for the year round Christmas shop we never skip, the lakeside brewery where kids are welcome, and where we’ve spotted bighorn sheep.
Expert take by Tomo: Based on our family’s many trips to Georgetown as Colorado locals, including the daytime holiday train in November 2025.
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📋 Table of Contents (tap to open)
Why We Love Georgetown in Winter
Georgetown is such a cute town. It has a bit of an Old West feel mixed with the charm of a small mountain town, and it’s only about an hour from Denver.
In winter, we’ve often seen deer walking right through town. Georgetown is also known for its bighorn sheep, and we’ve spotted them on the side of the road. If you’re lucky, you might see some, too!
Georgetown is also where the Guanella Pass drive begins. If you come back in the fall, here’s our Guanella Pass fall colors drive from Denver.
Georgetown Christmas Market: Dates, Parking, and What to Eat
The Georgetown Christmas Market only happens on the first two weekends of December. In 2026, it’s December 5 and 6, and December 12 and 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Dates and hours can change, so check the Historic Georgetown website before you go.
Go Early
The market opens around 10 a.m., and I recommend getting there early. If there’s bread or a treat you really want, you won’t have to worry about it selling out, and it’s a little less crowded.
Where to Park for the Christmas Market
When we went to the market, we parked in downtown Georgetown. It gets busy, so your best bet is to arrive early or park a little farther away and walk. The organizers also run a free shuttle from the event parking lot, so check the official website for details.
What We Buy: Stollen and Bread
We usually pick up stollen and bread. Some of the tents sell alcohol, too.
My Favorite Part: Carolers and Horse Drawn Wagons
My favorite part is the carolers. They come right out into the street and sing Christmas songs while horse drawn wagons pass by. The whole scene is just so sweet.
Free Kids’ Craft at the Library
There’s also a free craft for kids at the library. What they offer may change from year to year, so check the market schedule before you go.
Shoppe Internationale and Nara Visa Coffee
Whenever we’re in Georgetown, a stop at Shoppe Internationale is a must. The shop sells Christmas goods all year round, and it’s packed with European Christmas decorations.
There’s usually no line, but on Christmas Market weekends, you’ll have to wait in line to get in.
Need a warm drink? Nara Visa Coffee is close by, and it’s a spot I recommend for a coffee break.
Riding the Georgetown Loop Holiday Train
The Georgetown Loop holiday train is a cozy, festive ride, and Santa comes on board. We rode Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure, the daytime holiday train, in November 2025.
Daytime or Evening Train?
The Georgetown Loop Railroad runs a daytime holiday train, Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure, and an evening train, Santa’s Lighted Forest, with holiday lights in the forest. Santa joins both before Christmas. We took the 12:15 p.m. departure, which is easy to fit into a day trip from Denver. Schedules and prices change every season, so check the Georgetown Loop Railroad website for the latest.
Our Seats: The Parlor Car
We sat inside the parlor car at a table for four. We got a snack box with cheese, crackers, sausage, and brownies, and there was hot cocoa, too.
Coach or parlor? Here’s the difference, according to the Georgetown Loop Railroad website:
- Coach: Fully enclosed cars with bench seating along both sides. There’s no onboard service, but you’re welcome to bring a sack lunch and non-alcoholic drinks. Seating is first come, first served.
- Parlor: Fully enclosed cars with booth seating at tables for two to four. Snacks and a non-alcoholic drink are included, and beer, wine, and holiday cocktails are available to buy. Kids 12 months and older need their own seat.
Prices vary by date and seat class, so check the official booking page for current fares.
Santa Comes to Your Table
Santa came by our table during the ride.
Parking and the Depot
The train has its own parking lot, so we parked there. At the depot, an elf was serving hot cocoa.
If you want to ride on a Christmas Market weekend, I recommend booking your train early.
Walking on Frozen Georgetown Lake (Ice Safety First)
Georgetown Lake in December
Georgetown Lake usually starts to freeze around November. One November day, our boys and their friends tossed rocks onto the frozen lake and enjoyed watching them roll across the ice.
The photos here are from December. In November, though, the ice really depends on the year and the weather, and it isn’t safe unless you check carefully. When we walk on the ice, we stay right along the shore. We never go out toward the middle.
Georgetown Lake in December
🧊 Ice Safety Before You Step Out
- The ice changes: It depends on the year and the weather, and early season ice can be thin.
- Not sure? If you can’t tell whether the ice is safe, enjoy the lake from the shore.
- Stay by the shore: If you do walk on the ice, stay right along the shore like we do, and never head toward the middle.
How I’d Plan a One Day Georgetown Itinerary
We’ve done these on different days, but if I wanted to fit it all into one day, here’s how I’d do it. The key is booking your train for one of the two Christmas Market weekends.
1. Morning: The Christmas Market
Get there around 10 a.m., when the market opens, so parking is easier and the bread you want isn’t sold out yet.
2. Coffee and Shoppe Internationale
Warm up at Nara Visa Coffee, then browse Shoppe Internationale. On market weekends, expect a line to get in.
3. Midday: The Holiday Train
Take a daytime departure of Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure. The train has its own parking lot, so you can drive straight over from town.
4. Afternoon: The Frozen Lake and Cabin Creek Brewing
End the day at Georgetown Lake. If the ice isn’t solid, just enjoy the view from the shore. Cabin Creek Brewing sits right in front of the lake, and kids are welcome. We had pizza and soup there.
Staying in Denver for a few days? Here’s my Denver downtown travel guide, and for more easy outings, check out these free attractions around Denver.
What to Wear in Georgetown in Winter
By December, it’s really cold, so you’ll want a down jacket and a beanie.
Colorado weather changes a lot depending on the temperature and the wind, so I recommend bringing extras like gloves and a scarf, too.
Georgetown in Winter FAQ
When is the Georgetown Christmas Market in 2026?
In 2026, it’s December 5 and 6, and December 12 and 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s always held on the first two weekends of December, but check the official website for the latest.
Where do you park for the Georgetown Christmas Market?
We parked in downtown Georgetown. It gets crowded, so arrive early or park a little farther away and walk. There’s also a free shuttle from the event parking lot.
Should we take the daytime or evening holiday train?
We took the daytime train, Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure, which is easy to fit into a day trip. The evening train, Santa’s Lighted Forest, features holiday lights in the forest. Santa joins both before Christmas. Check the official website for schedules.
What’s the difference between coach and parlor on the holiday train?
Coach cars have bench seating and no onboard service, but you can bring a sack lunch and non-alcoholic drinks, and seats are first come, first served. Parlor cars have booth seating at tables, with snacks and a non-alcoholic drink included. We rode in the parlor car.
Can you walk on Georgetown Lake in winter?
The lake usually starts to freeze around November, but the ice depends on the year and the weather. We only walk right along the shore and never go toward the middle. If you’re not sure, enjoy it from the shore.
Can you do the Christmas Market and the holiday train in one day?
Yes, as long as you book a train on one of the two market weekends. I’d go to the market in the morning and take a daytime train after.
Is Georgetown a good day trip from Denver with kids?
We think so. It’s about an hour from Denver, there’s a free kids’ craft at the library, and Cabin Creek Brewing by the lake welcomes kids.
Got Questions?
Planning a winter day trip to Georgetown? Leave your questions in the comments below, and I’ll answer them there. For more Colorado winter ideas, follow along on Instagram @tomo.travel.camping, and save this post for next December!
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