2026 Meeker Winter Events Roundup

Each winter, Meeker comes alive with a variety of local events that showcase our small-town charm. These family-friendly activities provide out-of-town visitors with an opportunity to discover what makes our community so special. If you’re considering traveling to Meeker to work with our orthopedic physicians, winter makes for a great time to combine your procedure with a vacation for your family. You’ll be able to relax and recover in our cozy mountain town while your family soaks in some of Meeker’s signature winter events.

The following guide will help you plan your stay around the Meeker winter events that your family will enjoy the most.

Merry Meeker Holiday Kickoff

The winter events season gets underway on the weekend of November 21-23 with the Merry Meeker Holiday Kickoff. Hosted by the Meeker Chamber of Commerce, you’ll receive special deals from our local retail businesses and enjoy a variety of fun holiday activities. Festivities include a scavenger hunt and our Write a Letter to Santa event. Don’t worry if you can’t make it out for the opening weekend, Merry Meeker runs through December.

Parade of Lights

The Parade of Lights is Meeker’s signature annual holiday event. If you’ve never experienced it, you’re truly missing out on one of the highlights of the winter season. The event is being held on December 6, and this year’s theme is “Old Fashioned Christmas.”

Start your day with the seasonal opening of the Skate on the Square Ice Rink at 2 pm. Then, stick around for the Courthouse Tree Lighting and the Parade of Lights at 5 pm. Enjoy live reindeer, a fire pit with s’mores and a fireworks show following the parade. Prizes and awards will be given, including:

• “It’s a Wonderful Life” Award
• “Clark Griswald” Brightest Award
• Santa’s Elves Choice

The parade route goes along Main Street from 7^th to 4^th. Entrance in the parade is open to the public and it’s free. Click here to fill out the entry form online.

Pioneers Medical Center is proud to be a sponsor of the event. Stop by our Festive Drink Booth and help support some of the Pioneers Health Foundation’s core community programs, including Meals on Wheels, Cancer Screenings and scholarships.

Meeker Skijor

If you’ve never gone to a skijoring event, then this is the perfect time to visit Meeker. Our fifth annual Meeker Skijor Races will be held the weekend of January 3-4, 2026. The event features elements of both an old-fashioned cowboy rodeo and the Winter X Games. Watch as skiers are pulled through a racecourse by a horse and rider team. The course includes a series of technical jumps and rings to grab, which can be downright treacherous at high speeds. This race is nonstop excitement with a bit of danger mixed in (you’ll likely see a few spectacular crashes).

The Meeker Skijor is one of the biggest and most well renowned skijoring competitions in the state, and it features some of the most skilled competitors who enter these races. Skier/rider teams compete for prize money while spectators can bet on the winner during the Calcutta.

The race is held at the Meeker Fairgrounds, and the Calcutta is held at the Meeker Café. The Opening Ceremony is on Saturday morning at 9:45, and the race starts promptly at 10:00. The awards ceremony will take place at the conclusion of Sunday’s race.

Additional Winter Activities in Meeker

If you’re unable to make it to Meeker for these signature events, there’s no shortage of fun activities to enjoy near Meeker throughout the winter. Regardless of the time you travel to CAO for your orthopedic surgery, your family will be able to take advantage of everything winter in Meeker has to offer. Our town is located near the mountains in Northwest Colorado, giving you access to world-class:

• Skiing – Resorts such as Steamboat, Aspen, Vail and Beaver Creek are just a short drive from our town.
• Snowmobiling – The White River Snowmobile Club provides access to over 178 miles of groomed and ungroomed snowmobile trails, including guided tours for beginners. Experienced snowmobilers can explore the back country on their own.
• Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing – Meeker is located in the heart of the White River National Forest. During the summer, this gives you access to some of the best hiking in the state. In the winter, you can put on a pair of snowshoes or cross-country skis to enjoy these snow-covered trails.
• Ski and Snowboard Competitions – Many of Colorado’s biggest ski and snowboard competitions, including the Winter X Games, are just a short drive from Meeker.
• Ice Fishing – Lake Avery and Rio Blanco Lake are great ice fishing spots all winter long. Enjoy an afternoon trying to reel in trout, bluegill and crappie.

Colorado Advanced Orthopedics Can Help You Plan Your Medical Tourism Stay in Meeker

With some of the finest board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons in the state and a year-round outdoor playground in our backyard, Colorado Advanced Orthopedics has become a popular medical tourism destination for patients looking to combine top-tier medical treatment with a fun trip for the family. If you’re planning on traveling to CAO for surgery this winter, our team can help you plan your stay.

We can guide you to the right hotel options for your family’s unique needs, and we’ll give you the local’s scoop on the best restaurants to try while you’re in town. If your family is looking to enjoy an outdoor adventure, we can help you navigate the many activities available near town. If you decide to come during one of Meeker’s signature winter events, we’ll help your family experience some one-of-a-kind moments you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker, the White River Valley, Grand Junction and the entire Western Slope. We also treat out-of-town patients from around the country.