Trailborn Jackson Hole Blog
Christmas and New Year’s in Jackson Hole: Lights, Torchlight Parades and Holiday Traditions
Christmas in Jackson Hole brings a different kind of holiday glow. Lights wrap the elk antler arches in Town Square, skiers come down from the mountains for dinner, and horse-drawn sleigh rides head out onto the National Elk Refuge. By New Year’s Eve, the celebrations move toward the slopes, where torchlight parades and fireworks mark the end of the year.
You can make skiing the focus of your stay or fill your days with wildlife, shopping and time together. The best holiday trips leave room for both: a morning outdoors, somewhere warm for lunch and a reason to head back out after dark.
From Town Square to Teton Village, here’s how to enjoy Jackson Hole in December and welcome the new year in the mountains.
Start with the Lights in Jackson’s Town Square
An evening in Town Square is one of the simplest ways to settle into a Jackson Hole Christmas. The illuminated elk antler arches frame the square, while the surrounding streets give you plenty of reasons to linger over a little holiday shopping.
The annual Town Square Lighting brings the community together for lights, music, seasonal treats and Santa’s arrival. If you are visiting around Thanksgiving, check the Jackson Hole Chamber’s holiday calendar for the ceremony’s confirmed date and schedule.
You do not need to catch the switch-on to enjoy the setting. Build an evening around the square during your December stay: browse the shops, stop for something warm and return after dark for photos beneath the arches.
For gifts with a sense of place, look for local artwork, Western wear, books and pieces you will use long after winter. Leave yourself time to wander rather than treating downtown as a quick stop between activities.
Visit Santa on the Square
Santa on the Square is another local holiday tradition, giving families a chance to share wish lists and take photos in the center of town.
Check the current dates before promising a visit, then pair it with an early dinner nearby. For younger children, an evening with Santa, the lights and a warm meal may be plenty of celebration without adding another scheduled activity.
Spend Christmas Eve in Teton Village
Christmas Eve at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort comes with an arrival worth looking up for. On December 24, 2026, Santa is scheduled to descend from the Aerial Tram at 4:30 p.m., with the gathering centered on the tram dock in Teton Village.
Families can bring last-minute letters, watch Santa arrive and stay for photos afterward. You do not have to make it a full ski day: the event can be the centerpiece of an afternoon in the village.
If you are skiing first, allow time to return equipment, change out of ski boots and find your viewing spot. If you are traveling from Jackson, arrange the return journey as well as the ride out, particularly if you have dinner reservations afterward.
Santa’s tram arrival is the Christmas Eve highlight; the resort’s torchlight parade takes place on New Year’s Eve.
Join the Holiday Fun at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
The resort’s WinterFest celebrations add family activities around the Christmas and New Year period. You can work a few into your ski trip or visit Teton Village specifically for an afternoon event.
Published highlights for December 2026 include:
- December 21: Ornament decorating and a Christmas movie at The Hostel, from 3–5 p.m.
- December 22: Cookie and gingerbread house decorating at Café 6311, from 3–5 p.m.
- December 23: Sledding at the base of Bridger Gondola, from 4:30–5:30 p.m.
- December 25: Ski with Santa, scheduled from 10 a.m.–noon.
- December 30: Meet avalanche dogs and handlers and take a look at a snowcat at Kids Ranch, from 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Choose the events that fit your family’s pace. A decorating afternoon can provide a break between ski days, while meeting the avalanche dogs gives curious children a glimpse of the people and animals working on the mountain.
Schedules can change, so check event details before heading to the village. Skiing activities also require appropriate mountain access and ability.
Take a Sleigh Ride on the National Elk Refuge
A horse-drawn ride onto the National Elk Refuge is one of the area’s distinctive winter experiences. As snow deepens in the surrounding mountains, elk move toward lower-elevation winter habitat, making December an interesting time to learn about their seasonal migration.
The ride offers more than a scenic outing. Guides explain the elk’s behavior, the refuge’s role and the wildlife sharing this landscape. Bring your questions and a camera, while remembering that the animals move freely and every outing is different.
When Do the Sleigh Rides Begin?
National Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides 2026–27 season runs from December 19, 2026, through April 3, 2027, conditions permitting. Rides are closed on Christmas Day, so reserve another day of your holiday stay.
The sleigh portion lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour, with additional time needed for check-in and the shuttle. Follow the operator’s arrival instructions when booking.
Dress for sitting outdoors rather than walking around town: insulated boots, warm layers, a hat and gloves will make the outing more comfortable. The operator does not provide blankets, so bring your own if you would like one. Holiday reservations are strongly recommended.
Make Time for Skiing and Snow King Adventures
For many visitors, Christmas morning in Jackson Hole means pulling on ski boots. Others prefer a slower breakfast before deciding how much time to spend outside.
At the base of Snow King Mountain, Trailborn Jackson Hole makes it easy to work skiing into the day. Snow King has terrain for different abilities, including a summit beginner zone, as well as steeper runs for experienced skiers.
That convenience is useful when your group wants different things. Some can spend longer on the mountain while others take a shorter session before lunch or an afternoon in town. Book lessons and rental equipment ahead of the holiday week.
For a day without skiing, explore winter experiences around Jackson, from guided wildlife outings to snowshoeing. Keep a little flexibility for the weather and everyone’s energy levels.
Plan a Holiday Meal Worth Lingering Over
A Christmas getaway deserves a meal that feels like part of the celebration. Decide which evening matters most to your group and reserve that first, whether it is Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day or a meal before the New Year’s festivities.
In Jackson, look for a setting that fits the occasion: an early family dinner, a leisurely meal for two or a table large enough to bring everyone together. Confirm holiday opening hours and whether the restaurant is serving its regular menu or a special set menu.
At Trailborn, Old Timer Bar & Restaurant serves American grill dishes and alpine comfort food in a relaxed mountain setting. It is an easy option for gathering after a day outdoors, with hearty plates and cocktails giving everyone a reason to stay a little longer.
Ask about Christmas and New Year availability directly when arranging your stay. For meals around evening events, allow time to warm up and change rather than rushing straight from the slopes to the table.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Jackson Hole
New Year’s Eve in Jackson Hole can begin well before midnight. Mountain parades and fireworks make it possible to share a celebration with children, then choose whether to continue with dinner and drinks or head back for a quieter evening.
Watch the Torchlight Parade in Teton Village
The children’s Glow Worm Parade begins at 5:30 p.m., following gondola loading from 4:30–5:15 p.m. Young skiers carry glow sticks, finishing at the base of Sweetwater Gondola. Participation is listed as free with no advance sign-up, but children need skis and boots; check the resort’s guidance on ability and equipment before joining.
The staff-only torchlight parade follows at approximately 6 p.m., with fireworks afterward. For spectators, the appeal is watching the lights make their way down the mountain before the sky lights up above the village.
Choose Teton Village as your main evening destination and arrange transportation around the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Stay Between the Mountain and the Holiday Lights
Where you stay shapes a holiday trip, especially when your plans mix skiing, evening events and time in town.
Trailborn Jackson Hole sits at the base of Snow King, with downtown Jackson within walking distance for guests comfortable with winter conditions. Allow extra time on snowy or icy sidewalks, and arrange transportation for events in Teton Village.
Back at the hotel, the heated outdoor pool and hot tub offer a way to unwind after a cold day. Families can spend an evening at Alley Oop, while couples can make room for a treatment at Ember Lily Spa.
Leave a few gaps between the big holiday plans. Some of the best moments may be the simplest: a walk beneath the Town Square lights, a warm meal after skiing or a slow morning before heading out again. Explore current offers as you plan your Christmas or New Year stay.
FAQs
Jackson Hole suits a Christmas trip that combines mountain activities with small-town holiday traditions. Town Square lights, Santa visits, seasonal events and elk refuge sleigh rides give non-skiers plenty to enjoy alongside the skiing.
Explore downtown shops and galleries, see the Town Square lights, join holiday activities in Teton Village or book a guided wildlife outing. National Elk Refuge sleigh rides are scheduled to begin December 19, 2026, conditions permitting.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s published 2026 Christmas Eve event is Santa’s arrival from the tram. Its torchlight parade is scheduled for December 31. Check individual mountain calendars before planning around other Christmas Eve celebrations.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has confirmed a December 31, 2026, torchlight parade in Teton Village, following its children’s Glow Worm Parade. Snow King also has a New Year’s Eve parade tradition, but its 2026 details are still to be announced.
No. The operator lists Christmas Day as closed. For the 2026–27 season, rides are scheduled from December 19 through April 3, conditions permitting, with holiday reservations strongly recommended.
