My small historic mountain town in the Rockies knows how to celebrate holidays. Georgetown, Colorado’s Christmas Market, held the first two weekends of December each year, often places in the top ten as best holiday market in the country, despite competing with large cities around the United States. There are lots of visiting vendors and food stalls along with the usual gift shops and restaurants downtown on our beautifully lit street bedecked with garlands. We’re making national news this year: the Today Show is coming to film us this week as one of the “Merriest Main Streets” (airing live December 8th).
Although I was not raised Christian and do not participate in any religion, I enjoy the festivities and volunteer at the event each year. This is our 63rd Market; it was in full swing long before I moved here. Here are some highlights of our wonderfully warm (even though it’s very cold) nod to the old-fashioned celebration. Most of these photos are from past years.
A line waiting to enter Shoppe Internationale, imported gifts and a popular Christmas store.
The Santa Lucia singers, a Swedish tradition that recognizes an early immigrant community to this area, is composed of young students from Georgetown Community School. They walk from the school to the 6th Street library stage each day of the Market and sing carols. Under those robes are warm clothes to withstand our temperatures in the twenties or teens Fahrenheit. The oldest girl, Star Girl, hands out cookies to the crowd. Saint Nicholas, resplendent in handmade robes, instead of Santa Claus who is seen in most towns, joins the procession. He then wanders the town handing out candy canes. Our St Nick of the last decades died recently, a dear friend I miss.
A ride on the horse wagon learning about the history of the town.
Many holiday-related performances can be seen around town, attracting singers, bands, and dancers from around Colorado.
I volunteer to run the library book sale.
At the Hamill House Museum, a restored mansion from the late 1800s, a memorable Christmas evening is a fundraiser for Historic Georgetown, Inc., one of the nonprofits in town. The Plume Singers, from the neighboring town of Silver Plume, harmonize and lead carols. A local child reads The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, spotlit in the shadow of a live tree from our mountain forest decorated with historic ornaments. My son was a reader at many an evening at this event in his younger years.
Wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday, however and whatever you celebrate.
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
So many beautiful and festive photos, Ruth! Your town looks amazing during the festivities. There’s just something magical about this time of the year which is filled with wonder and joy, familiar songs, beloved traditions, and unbelievable smells. We just came back from a trip to the Belfast Christmas market and couldn’t be happier to experience the uplifting festive cheer surrounding the city. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thanks so much for your kind comment, Aiva! I imagine Belfast has a great market too.
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I love Georgetown Christmas Market Ruth! Thanks for capturing it so well. Ps, I think we share the same hat💕
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Thank you! I haven’t seen another hat like it, glad you found one. I bought it in Ireland. 😊
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Your pics are amazing!!!
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Thanks so much, Luisa!!
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You’re more than welcome, dear Ruth 🤗
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Such a great Christmas market. I live that it’s St. Nicholas and not Santa Claus.
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Thanks for your comment. It’s always a good time.
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Hi. I hope that one of the Today show hosts interviews you.
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Unfortunately I won’t be here when they visit. But there will be plenty of good locals to speak up.
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Wonderful festivities which take in many European traditions, all the while being in the US. Although Christmas is centered around Christianity, it’s become such a commercialized holiday that many people, religious or not, celebrate it. Georgetown Christmas Market looks like a worthwhile travel destination to visit during the holiday season!
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Thanks so much for your comment, Rebecca!
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Truly magical. Love the photo of you and Frank ❤️
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Thanks, my friend. That’s one to treasure.
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Your town does Christmas right. I wish Christmas markets were a tradition more widely followed in the U.S..
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It’s very European inspired, and not as commercial. Although we have many vendors, they are mostly very small businesses just doing craft fairs and such. Glad you enjoyed this post!
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Looks like a fun event. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Barbara! Hope all is well with you.
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We’re OK! We’re planning a trip – the first since Covid hit – to FL in two weeks. Our English family is going to meet us there for a couple of weeks. We are looking forward to it! How are you doing?
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Have a good trip! I’m leaving tomorrow for one of my Canadian niece’s wedding in Las Vegas (not my favorite place). My brother will come back to Colorado with me after for a week. All good! Say hello to H.
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I like the unique nature of this celebration as it departs from the usual cookiecutter promotional events most of the rest of the country does.
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It is a fun, heart-warming event. Very European inspired and not as commercial.
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What a lovely celebration, and it’s amazing you volunteer every year. It feels part of the community’s tradition and looks unique. It’s nice to see a Christmas celebration which isn’t all glitter and loud colours.
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Glad you enjoyed this post. This is a small town and most of us volunteer for many things during the year, serve on boards, plan and staff events. It’s our way of life.
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Who needs a European Christmas market when you have Georgetown?! How neat that you’ll be on the Today Show. Your festival looks very inviting. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend, but I’ll bet he’d be pleased that the tradition continues…
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Thanks, Architect, for your kind thoughts. I’m sure you can picture this, having walked our Georgetown 6th Street! He already had a St Nick in training who covered some of the events last year, so the tradition certainly goes on.
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It’s lovely to see a town embrace the spirit of Christmas like this! And great that the traditions of immigrant families to the area, like the Swedes, are represented 🙂
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It does keep old traditions alive, although it’s very European inspired. Glad you enjoyed this post!
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I love the innocent faces of the children’s choir. So many friends and acquaintances have mentioned their fond memories of Georgetown (whether holiday season or otherwise). It’s a huge oversight we lived in Colorado so many years and never stopped by on our travels west on I-70.
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Thanks for your comment, Dave. It’s too bad you didn’t visit while you lived in Colorado.
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What a lovely community event to continue tradition. Amazing that you volunteer there yearly as well!
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It’s a small town. Everyone volunteers throughout the year!
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This looks really lovely. You’d have to be a complete curmudgeon to not enjoy all the festivities. What fun.
Alison
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It appears that the spirit of Christmas is very much a part of the community…how nice.
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Thanks so much for your visit and comment, Karen!
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I’m such a fan of Christmas markets. This one looks very festive and nicely organized. Good for you for volunteering.
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It’s a warm and wonderful time. This little town runs on volunteers!
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A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Ruth, I hope all is well in your world and that you have a great 2024 ahead. I appreciated this insightful look into your town’s distinctive Christmas traditions. The merriest of streets indeed, no wonder the TV cameras came calling. It was also wonderful to see an up-to-date shot of you, though I was sorry to hear about the passing of a close friend.
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Thank you, Leighton, it’s great to hear from you. I tend not to share photos of me, but this one needed to be a part of the holiday story. I hope you had an enjoyable holiday and the year ahead will be a good one for you.
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