Downtown Greeley to jumpstart holiday fun with 3 weeks of ‘Winterfest’

With Thanksgiving only a few days out, most are focused on catching up with family, giving thanks and, of course, eating enough that it is hard to move come about 6 p. m. But by Saturday, the belts should finally be back to that pre-Thanksgiving loop. And with the first of the Christmas presents tucked away after snagging those Black Friday deals, the holiday season will be officially upon us. So, the Greeley Downtown Development Authority invites everyone downtown for three weeks of holiday cheer at “Winterfest.” The celebration kicks off with a “Holiday Open House” from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Saturday across several downtown businesses. Pick up a bingo card at any participating business and fill it out by stopping in to other businesses, no purchase necessary. “It’s to give those businesses foot traffic,” Greeley Downtown Development Authority Marketing and Events Coordinator Daniela Hernandez said. “And then the businesses have a chance to sell people on what they have to offer.” Once filled out, participants can drop their bingo card off at any participating business. The following week, the DDA will hold raffle of all the completed bingo cards to win one of three gift baskets. Once the sun goes down, it’s time to head over to Lincoln Park, 802 10th Ave., for the “Light up Lincoln” ceremony at 5: 30 p. m. Nearly 120 trees will be lit, causing the park to glow and allowing Santa Claus to see the park from his sleigh, the DDA said in a release. “Everyone just walks around like a Hallmark movie and takes pictures,” Hernandez said. “It’s so cute and sweet.” Along with the lighting ceremony, there will be reindeer provided by Generations Church, as well as ice skaters, carolers and Santa Claus ready to take photos. The DoubleTree Hotel will provide hot chocolate and sweet treats, along with raffle to win a winter getaway, Hernandez said. On Dec. 6, the holiday season will kick into overdrive with “Holiday Lane Downtown” from 4: 30-7: 30 p. m. Though the two events overlapped in 2023, downtown’s holiday lane serves as a replacement of sorts for what was known for years as the Greeley Lights the Night Parade. That event ceased in 2024 after rising insurance costs and dwindling volunteer numbers made it untenable for the chamber to continue. The downtown version will feature holiday displays throughout the 8th and 9th Street Plazas, as well as carriage rides and performances from local dance companies, marching bands and more. “People can engage with the community members,” Hernandez said. “It’s not just a ‘wave as they’re going by.’ ” The event will also serve as a second chance to buy crafts from local children for anybody who missed out or maybe just didn’t get enough of the Kid’s Market Fair on Saturday. Just in case anybody is still shaking off the last of their curmudgeon-liness and late to get into the holiday spirit, Winterfest returns for Week 3. On Dec. 13, Santa will hold his workshop from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. at the LINC, 501 8th Ave. The workshop is a reimagining of last year’s “Maker’s Workshop,” which sprawled across downtown. While most of the festivities such as building Yule logs, decorating cards and ornaments and writing letters to Santa remain the same, it will all take place in the friendly, and warm, confines of the LINC. Children and adults, too can get their letters to Santa stamped with a custom design by the Greeley Creative District, who will have a booth inside. For more info on “Santa’s Workshop,” go to GreeleyCreativeDistrict. org.
https://www.greeleytribune.com/2025/11/23/downtown-greeley-winterfest/

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