Colorado Favorites: Lighting of Breckenridge + Race of the Santas Edition
Nov. 28, 2025
Note: Direct quotes were edited for typos, to observe AP style guidelines and to fit the listicle structure.
The team behind the annual Lighting of Breckenridge and Race of the Santas event relies on local organizations and businesses for support in bringing cheer to the holiday kickoff.
This week’s “Favorites” entry highlights some of the groups that make this event possible, with roles ranging from hosting donation events to providing prizes.
1. Breck Create
According to their website. Breck Create works to provide Breckenridge with creative events and learning opportunities; they also support local artists and creators by offering them chances to share work with the public.
They will host a free Handmade Holiday Market on Dec. 6 from 2 to 7 p.m.
The event will feature exhibitions showing work from Jodi Stuart and Juan Fuentes, festive public-inclusive performances, art-making contests, crafty Christmas opportunities and “Elixirs at the Ice Bar.”
More information on the Handmade Holiday Market and Breck Create’s year-round offerings is available on their website.
2. Breckenridge Recreation Center
The Town of Breckenridge’s Recreation Center offers a range of fitness-focused programs and activities.
They provide the town with access to local leagues, winter sports programs and opportunities for play, like indoor pickleball events. Most of these require participants to purchase passes from the center, which are available here.
3. Breckenridge Tourism Office
The Breckenridge Tourism Office focuses on promoting everything the town has to offer and optimizing travel experiences. They provide information on transportation, lodging, happenings and more on their website.
4. The Canteen Tap House and Tavern
When it’s not serving as the hub for same-day event registration or as a race starting line, The Canteen Tap House and Tavern offers opportunities for dining, drinks, togetherness and relaxation.
According to their website, three friends developed the restaurant in 2014, and they serve comforting fare, like hamburgers, pizzas and large plates of meat and mac and cheese, in one of the oldest buildings on Main Street.
Their drink menu features cocktails, beers, specialty drinks, nonalcoholic beverages and more.
5. Carriage House Early Learning Center
According to Breckenridge Recreation’s Race of the Santas page, a portion of the proceeds the event raises will benefit Carriage House Early Learning Center.
According to their website, Carriage House is a preschool that accepts children from eight weeks old to six years old. They prioritize tailoring learning to each child during this life period of rapid growth.
6. Mountain Top Cookie Shop
Mountain Top Cookie Shop’s Facebook bio notes that they “specialize in making yummy cookies at high altitudes.”
The shop sells a range of cookies, including gluten-free options; according to the Breckenridge Recreation website, they are providing the prizes for this year’s Moose March winners.
7. Mountain Top Explorium
Mountain Top Explorium is a children’s museum that provides after-school care, camps and special kids events.
According to their website, they also offer occasional opportunities to enjoy the museum for free, as well as programming that showcases groups like the National Repertory Orchestra.
After Santa flips the switch during the town lighting portion of the event, children and their families can gather here to meet him.
8. Peak Running
According to their website, Peak Running has two locations in Breckenridge; they sell athletic gear and apparel, performance running and leisure-friendly shoes and nutrition products.
They are providing the prizes for this year’s Race of the Santas winners.
9. Rotary Club of Summit County
The Rotary Club of Summit County is a local chapter of Rotary International, which is centered around community service and giving back.
According to their website, the “charitable foundation” works to locally “raise and distribute funds to several non-profit organizations.”
They are collaborating with the Breckenridge Tourism Office to host a Holiday Giving Event during The Lighting of Breckenridge and Race of the Santas, with donations benefiting the Adopt an Angel program.
For Adopt an Angel, the club will accept monetary and toy donations dropped off at a designated station.
According to their website, they have ornaments around town with a description of a child, and those interested can grab one, buy a toy that matches and drop it off without gift wrapping.
A list of drop-off locations and age-sorted gift suggestions is available on their dedicated Adopt an Angel page.
