It’s ramping up to be a wonderful holiday season here in sunny Boulder. The gorgeous fall weather and colors are all around us and turkey day is already next week!
If you’re needing some help in the kitchen this year, or craving something special from one of your favorite spots, check out this great list from the Boulder, Colorado website. They have also included some great ideas for the whole family to enjoy if you’re looking for activities around town.
Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day
Hotel Boulderado Thanksgiving Buffet
Seasonally prepared buffet and dessert menu on the historic mezzanine.
Boulder Cork
Traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Open 12-7pm.
Chautauqua Dining Hall
Open, special holiday menu.
The Corner Bar at Hotel Boulderado
Full menu and Thanksgiving specials. Open 11am-8pm.
Frank’s Chophouse
Open, special holiday menu.
Greenbriar Inn
Traditional Thanksgiving buffet. Open 11:30a-7pm (reservations required).
Jill’s Restaurant at St. Julien Hotel and Spa
Thanksgiving Day buffet 11:30am-1:30pm and 5:30-7:30pm.
The Kitchen
Open noon-8pm.
Salt Bistro
Open noon-7pm.
Spruce Farm and Fish at Hotel Boulderado
Full menu and Thanksgiving specials. Open 7am-8pm.
Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Take-Out
Zolo Grill Throwback Pop-Up at Centro Mexican Kitchen
Ready-to-heat trays of Zolo’s classic enchiladas, banana cream pies and large-format cocktails for pre- or post-Thanksgiving Day feastin’. Order here.
Smoked Thanksgiving Turkeys from West End Tavern
Whole smoked turkeys, cranberry sauce, brown gravy, pumpkin pie and cocktails. Order here.
Holiday Sides & Raw Bar Platters from Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Large-format dishes for takeout, including lobster mac and cheese, crawfish gumbo and steamed PEI mussels. Jax is closed on Thanksgiving but will be open the day before and after. Order here.
Events
Trevor Hall at Boulder Theater
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 26 and 27, 2021, 8pm
Come hear this singer-songwriter in his element at the intimate and historic Boulder Theater. Ticket prices vary.
St. Nick on the Bricks
Fri., Nov. 26 and Sat., Nov. 27, 2021, 11am-2pm
On the Pearl Street Mall in historic downtown Boulder, kids of all ages can visit with Santa during St. Nick on the Bricks. Have your camera ready!
Friday Night Jazz at Hotel Boulderado
Fri., Nov. 26, 2021, 5-8pm
Enjoy some live jazz in Hotel Boulderado’s historic lobby lounge. Try cocktails and food from a special happy hour menu. More details here.
New Something Fridays At Supermoon
Fri., Nov. 26, 2021, 10pm-2am
Dance all that holiday feasting off at Supermoon, featuring organic house music and blissful beats.
Fresh Air Friday
Fri., Nov. 26, 2021
Free access to all 41 Colorado state parks on Fresh Air Friday, including Eldorado Canyon State Park, just 15 minutes from Boulder.
Find Freezie Bingo
Fri., Nov. 26, 2021
Head to downtown Boulder and visit participating businesses for Find Freezie Bingo. Find enough “Freezie” plush snowmen and be entered to win a $25 gift card.
The Song of the Lorax at Dairy Arts Center
Fri., Nov. 26 and Sat. Nov. 27, 2021
Watch and learn from this immersive, multi-media show, including original live music performed by the Ivalas String Quartet, a forest sound installation, spoken word and photography by conservation photographer T.J. Watt. Tickets and more details here.
Yoga Pearl’s Small Business Saturday Market
Sat., Nov. 27, 2021, 10am-5pm
Shop from local makers, creators and small businesses in Yoga Pearl‘s studio. A percentage of sales will be going to BIPOC holistic wellness.
Things to Do
Hike
After you’ve had enough pie and need to get up and move, explore Boulder’s vast trail system. Here are 5 great winter trails, although the weather over the Thanksgiving holiday is as likely to be sunny as it is snowy. Find more trails here.
Snow Much Fun Light Displays
Nov. 21, 2021-Jan. 9, 2022
During Snow Much Fun, more than 275,000 colorful LED lights illuminate Boulder’s Civic Area, next to the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, and throughout downtown Boulder, including all along historic Pearl Street. Each year there are fun, themed light displays (like a candy cane forest and gumdrop lane). Grab a hot cup of cocoa and enjoy a wonder-filled stroll outside. This year, also enjoy warm refreshments, seasonal caroling, free train rides around the park, and self-guided tours each Friday, Dec. 3, 10, and 17, 2021, 5-7pm in the Civic Plaza next to the Boulder Dushane Teahouse.
Sign Up for a Race
Wake up early for the 2021 Boulder Thanksgiving Day 5K and earn your dinner while doing some good. A donation from all race proceeds will go to Boulder’s Harvest of Hope Pantry. There is also an opportunity to donate non-perishable packaged and canned foods on the morning of the event.
Play a Round of Family Disc Golf
Boulder has a great disc golf course with beautiful Flatirons views that could be the scene of a fun, new family tradition. All you need is a frisbee and yourselves. The course is located off Valmont Road, across the street from the amazing Valmont Bike Park (another great option that even has a toddler course).
Shopping
Small Business Saturday
Nov. 27, 2021
Shopping local is the Boulder way, and Small Business Saturday is a great day to do so. Head to Pearl Street, where historic buildings are filled with boutiques and indie shops, plus cute eateries, bookstores, and coffee shops. Holiday lights will be twinkling overhead. Don’t forget to explore “off the bricks” on West Pearl and East Pearl, too.
Twenty Ninth Street
Twenty Ninth Street is an outdoor center with amazing views of the Flatirons (spectacular when dusted in snow) and plenty of popular national retailers such as Anthropologie, H&M, Apple, Sephora and Nordstrom Rack that are sure to have great Black Friday deals.
Shop the Makers
Boulderites are a creative bunch, and their wares make perfect holiday gifts. On East Pearl Street (between 17th and 21st streets), you’ll find Angie Star (handmade jewelry) and Sherpani (bags designed in Boulder). Elsewhere on Pearl are emporiums that house several local makers under one roof: R Gallery & Art Bar and Art Mart.