Usher in the Holiday Spirit

The Vail Valley is the perfect place to get in the holiday spirit with a variety of holiday events and activities taking place from Vail down to Gypsum.

Downvalley, folks have a chance to get in the spirit early and even get a jump on holiday shopping at the annual Holiday Artisan and Craft Show on Nov. 16 and 17 at the Eagle River Center. Visit www.eaglevalley.org for all the details.

The annual tree lighting ceremony and gingerbread house competition in Beaver Creek kicks off the holiday spirit on Nov. 23. Enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate, free ice skating, fireworks and carollers at the celebration. The elaborate gingerbread house entries (there’s both professional and amateur divisions) are on display at the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek. To learn more, call (970) 845-9090.

Hanukkah begins at Sun down on Dec. 4, and Bnai Vail congregation will be hosting a Sabbath dinner and Hannukkah celebration at the Vail inter-faith chapel. Contact Bnai Vail at (970) 477-2992, or visit www.bnaivail.org.

Eagle County public libraries have holiday parties and open houses all through December. On Dec. 5, Avon library hosts a children’s holiday party from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children can help trim the tree in the children’s room, listen to some holiday stories, make a craft and enjoy a special treat. The Eagle library will host a Holiday Open House on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. Both children and adults are invited for music and refreshments. Kids can enjoy crafts and stories and a special guest from the North Pole. Gypsum library joins in the fun on Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. with their Winter Wonderland Party. “Celebrate the winter season and spirit of giving by learning about some holiday traditions and making a feeder to give to our feathered friends who stick around all year.” Visit www.evld.org, where you can find more information.

Celebrate with the Avon Recreation Center on Dec. 15 with Avon’s Icing on the Lake, Sponsored in part by The Parents Handbook. Families can enjoy ice skating with $1 skate rental fees, make winter holiday themed crafts and enjoy hot chocolate and a bowl of hearty chili while enjoying the Dickens Carrolers and the Alpine Bass Trio. The event runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is free. Check out www.avon.org.

The Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek has a handful of holiday themed shows on the docket for this season. Catch “A Viennese Christmas” with the New Sigmund Romberg Orchestra & Soloists on Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. The orchestra, widely considered America’s first touring pops orchestra, will play holiday classics like “This Little Drummer Boy” and “I Wonder as I Wander.” On Dec. 21 get ready for Charles Dicken’s holiday tradition — A Christmas Carol — performed by the acclaimed Nebraska Theatre Caravan. There will be a matinee and evening performance, so even the little ones can enjoy the show. Ottmar Liebert, a Grammy nominated, platinum selling guitarist and composer, will perform on Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and the next evening, on Dec. 23, the Vilar Center welcomes “The Lettermen” for a Christmas show.With their trademark harmonies and love ballads, the Lettermen are one of the most popular groups of the ‘50s and ‘60s. “Their Christmas show has garnered rave critical and fan reviews, and promises to put the entire audience in the holiday spirit,” according to the Vilar website. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.vilarcenter.org.