November is when Colorado Springs starts to feel like the holidays. The ice rink goes in downtown, the craft shows fill up, and Thanksgiving weekend brings parades of shoppers, music, and lights from Acacia Park to Manitou Avenue. The Treasure Davis Team has been helping families buy and sell homes in Colorado Springs for more than 20 years, and these are the local events we look forward to every fall.
Here is our guide to the best things to do in Colorado Springs and the nearby towns for the rest of November 2026, sorted by date and type so you can plan around your family's calendar.
Quick Calendar: November 2026 Events in Colorado Springs
Nov. 13: Skate in the Park opens in Acacia Park, plus the free Acacia Park Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting
Nov. 13 to 15: Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show at the Colorado Springs Event Center
Nov. 13 to 15: Free Colorado Springs Home Show at Norris Penrose Event Center
Nov. 14 to 15: Colorado Springs Philharmonic with violinist Stefan Jackiw at the Pikes Peak Center
Nov. 19: Santa Express Train season begins in Cañon City
Nov. 20 to 22: Vintage Market Days of Colorado Springs at Norris Penrose Event Center
Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving): YMCA Turkey Trot 5K and Kids' Tiny Trot at the Briargate Family YMCA
Nov. 27 to 29: The Nutcracker with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Nov. 27: Christmas in Magic Town opens in Old Colorado City
Nov. 28: Small Business Saturday in Downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, and Manitou Springs
Nov. 29: Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge begins
Family-Friendly November Events in Colorado Springs
Skate in the Park and the Acacia Park Tree Lighting (Nov. 13)
Downtown's outdoor ice rink is the unofficial start of the holiday season in Colorado Springs. Skate in the Park opens Friday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. in Acacia Park, 115 E. Platte Ave., and runs through Jan. 31, 2027. According to Visit Colorado Springs, admission is $15 per person with skate rental included, and children 4 and under skate free with a paying adult. Tickets are sold at the rink only, so plan to buy on site.
Opening night also brings the free Community Caroling and Acacia Park Holiday Celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. In past years the celebration has included a carol singalong with the Soli Deo Gloria Choir, a visit from Santa, U.S. Figure Skating demonstrations, and the lighting of the downtown tree, as the City of Colorado Springs described last season. Active-duty military and first responders receive $2 off admission, a nice perk for our Fort Carson, Peterson, and Schriever families.
YMCA Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Morning (Nov. 26)
The YMCA Turkey Trot 5K is a Colorado Springs Thanksgiving tradition, now in its 29th year. The race starts at the Briargate Family YMCA, 4025 Family Place, with the Kids' Tiny Trot at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K at 9 a.m. It is stroller friendly and dog friendly, walkers are welcome, and proceeds support YMCA community programs. Register through the Pikes Peak YMCA.
Santa, Trains, and Holiday Magic Nearby
North Pole, Santa's Workshop (Cascade): The classic Pikes Peak Highway holiday stop is open with Santa visits through Dec. 24. Peak days require reservations. Check northpolecolorado.com for dates and pricing.
Santa Express Train (Cañon City): Beginning Nov. 19, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad runs Santa-themed trips with cocoa and a cookie. It is about an hour from Colorado Springs and makes a great Saturday outing.
Christmas in Magic Town (Old Colorado City): Starting Nov. 27, the Michael Garman Museum and Gallery on West Colorado Avenue dresses its famous miniature city for the season. Adult admission is $10 and kids 5 and under are free.
Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge (North Colorado Springs): Starting Nov. 29, Great Wolf Lodge at 9494 Federal Drive hosts its Snowland holiday programming through Dec. 23.
Colorado Springs Holiday Markets and Shopping
Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show (Nov. 13 to 15)
One of the largest holiday shopping events in southern Colorado returns to the Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. Expect handmade gifts, seasonal decor, holiday treats, and a kids' market. It is a good way to knock out a big chunk of your gift list in one weekend.
Vintage Market Days of Colorado Springs (Nov. 20 to 22)
Vintage Market Days brings antiques, original art, clothing, jewelry, and home decor to the Norris Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road. Friday is the early buying day, Saturday and Sunday are general admission, and hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Kids under 12 get in free, and one ticket covers re-entry all weekend.
Small Business Saturday (Nov. 28)
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is the best day of the year to shop local in Colorado Springs. Downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City both host Small Business Saturday events highlighting more than 160 independent businesses. Downtown, the Auric Gallery holiday market at the Mining Exchange Hotel, 8 S. Nevada Ave., runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with local artists, pottery, jewelry, and live painting.
In Manitou Springs, the Commonwheel Artists Co-op holiday market runs daily through December, and the city has offered free street parking on Small Business Saturday in past years.
Free and Low-Cost Things to Do in Colorado Springs in November
You do not need a big budget to enjoy the season here. Some of our favorite free and low-cost ideas:
Acacia Park Holiday Celebration (Nov. 13): Free caroling, Santa, and the downtown tree lighting.
Manitou Springs Tree Lighting: Manitou traditionally lights its tree at the Wheeler Town Clock the evening before Thanksgiving, with Santa, cookies, and cider. Last year's event was free from 5 to 7 p.m. Check Visit Manitou Springs for the 2026 details.
Free Colorado Springs Home Show (Nov. 13 to 15): Free admission at Norris Penrose Event Center. If you are planning a remodel or getting a home ready to sell in the spring, this is a good place to meet local contractors.
Window shopping in Old Colorado City: The historic district along West Colorado Avenue between 24th and 27th Streets is decorated for the holidays and easy to stroll with kids.
Garden of the Gods: Admission to Garden of the Gods Park is always free, and a cool November morning is one of the best times to walk the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail before the crowds.
Date Night Ideas in Colorado Springs This November
Colorado Springs Philharmonic (Nov. 14 and 15)
The Philharmonic's centennial season continues at the Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., with violinist Stefan Jackiw and conductor Chloé Dufresne. The program features Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. Performances are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
The Nutcracker (Nov. 27 to 29)
Thanksgiving weekend means The Nutcracker at the Pikes Peak Center, with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic playing Tchaikovsky's score live alongside the University of Oklahoma School of Dance and the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale. Shows run Friday through Sunday with afternoon and evening performances. It works as a date night or a family tradition, and buying through AXS or the Pikes Peak Center box office helps you avoid resale markups.
Thanksgiving Weekend at The Broadmoor
The Broadmoor offers Thanksgiving Day specials at its restaurants, and reservations are recommended. Over the holiday weekend the resort unveils its annual gingerbread display. Its White Lights celebration is now reserved for overnight hotel guests, so if that is on your list, book a room.
Planning Tips for November in Colorado Springs
Dress in layers. November days in Colorado Springs can be sunny and mild, but evenings drop fast, especially at outdoor events like the tree lightings and Skate in the Park.
Book Thanksgiving weekend early. The Nutcracker, Broadmoor dining, and Santa visits fill up quickly.
Confirm before you go. Event times and prices can change. Check each organizer's website the week of the event.
Frequently Asked Questions About November in Colorado Springs
When does Skate in the Park open in Colorado Springs in 2026?
Skate in the Park opens Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at 4 p.m. in Acacia Park and runs through Jan. 31, 2027. Admission is $15 with skates included, and kids 4 and under skate free with a paying adult.
What are the best free things to do in Colorado Springs in November?
Free options include the Acacia Park Holiday Celebration and tree lighting on Nov. 13, the Manitou Springs tree lighting at the Wheeler Town Clock, the free Colorado Springs Home Show Nov. 13 to 15, strolling Old Colorado City, and Garden of the Gods, which is always free.
Is there a Turkey Trot in Colorado Springs on Thanksgiving?
Yes. The 29th annual YMCA Turkey Trot 5K and Kids' Tiny Trot is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, at the Briargate Family YMCA. The Tiny Trot starts at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K at 9 a.m. Strollers and dogs are welcome.
When is The Nutcracker in Colorado Springs in 2026?
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic presents The Nutcracker Nov. 27 to 29, 2026, at the Pikes Peak Center, with afternoon and evening performances over Thanksgiving weekend.
Where can I go holiday shopping in Colorado Springs in November?
Top options include the Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show Nov. 13 to 15, Vintage Market Days Nov. 20 to 22, and Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28 in Downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, and Manitou Springs.
Love Living in Colorado Springs? We Can Help You Find Your Place
From the lights in Manitou Springs to the rink in Acacia Park, November is a great reminder of why so many families choose to call Colorado Springs home. Whether you are thinking about moving into a neighborhood closer to downtown, looking for more space on the northeast side, or getting ready to sell, the Treasure Davis Team knows these communities block by block. With 3,500+ homes sold across the Pikes Peak region, our team is here to answer your questions any time of year.
Call the Treasure Davis Team at (719) 249-2020 to talk about your next move.
Treasure Davis Team | eXp Realty
