Though The Broadmoor’s holiday merriment extends all December long, attending the White Lights Ceremony over Thanksgiving weekend is an annual kick-off to Christmas my family will always cherish.
Upon check-in, we received a synopsis of activities so long it rivaled my children’s own list to Santa (a major undertaking, indeed). On Friday, there were two Christmas movies in the Little Theater, jewelry making and even silk scarf paining. Saturday’s holiday offerings were almost overwhelming. From Breakfast with Santa to story time with Mrs. Claus to family bingo to an entire ballroom filled with winter wonderland fun, we had a glorious, fun-filled day.
Cookies Galore
We’ve done plenty of sub-par cookie decorating but cookie painting? Colorado Springs-based Art & Style Baking headed up cookie painting with a variety of holiday-themed shapes and edible fondant, paint and glitter. They even provided each child with a “Cookie Artiste” certificate. 
It should be duly noted the bar has been set WAY too high for future attempts.
Christmas House
There are gifts galore at the Christmas House, which is a must-visit during the holidays. The themed rooms are brimming with whimsical snowmen, ornaments and elegant décor. Santa has his very own house and greets families every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (photos with Santa are $14). During the White Lights Ceremony weekend live reindeer were present.
The only thing missing from this North Pole-esque experience: snow.
Winter Wonderland Fun
New this year, the resort wisely consolidated many of their most popular holiday activities into Winter Wonderland Family Fun at the Broadmoor Hall’s ballroom. Under a big top of glistening lights and ribbons, my kids built gingerbread houses. 
Don’t they look peaceful? Gingerbread houses are our annual tradition and this was the first year we didn’t argue. Or, as Jamie diplomatically stated, “had artistic differences.”
The kids also decorated Santa cupcakes, indulged in the hot chocolate station, wrote letters to Santa, did holiday crafts and made their very own magical reindeer food. jumped in the bouncy castles and built their own Broadmoor bears.
- Bear stuffing
Sounds exhausting? It was. But if those few hours we spent in Winter Wonderland Family Fun didn’t ignite our Christmas spirit, nothing could.
White Lights Ceremony
The climax of the weekend was, of course, the White Lights Ceremony on the West Terrace at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. An hour prior, my family purchased s’mores kits from the West Lobby Bar to roast on the outdoor terrace’s fire pit. 
This was by far our most civilized s’mores roasting experience ever because we’re usually covered in camping grime.
As a live band exuberantly belted out Christmas classics on stage, my kids joined legions of their peers to dance, sing and whirl their green and red glow-stick necklaces.
All activity froze when Santa was spotted traversing the bridge. Without hesitation, my daughter darted away like a crazed Santa groupie to follow his arrival with Mrs. Claus and their band of merry elves.
Masters of Ceremony Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted their enthusiasts and started the countdown to flip the switch. And just like that, 250,000 flashes of light set the sky and Cheyenne Lake ablaze. As we marveled at this visual spectacle of The Broadmoor’s perfectly manicured grounds coming to life, we hugged one another and relished in the delighted squeals that filled the night air. 
And we knew The Broadmoor was one reason this would be one Christmas season we’d never forget.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 