If you’re looking for a holiday experience that doesn’t feel like a plastic, mass-produced mall crawl, you’ve probably heard of the Georgetown Christmas Market 2024. But here is the thing: there isn’t just one "Georgetown." Depending on who you ask, you’re either heading to a snowy mountain pass in Colorado or a posh cobblestone street in Washington, D.C.
Honestly, I’ve seen people book flights to the wrong state because they didn't realize the difference. Don't be that person.
The 2024 season was a wild one, especially for the historic Colorado market. We’re talking about the 64th annual celebration in a town that looks like it was ripped straight out of a Thomas Kinkade painting. It’s tiny. It’s high-altitude. And it is unapologetically Victorian.
The Colorado vs. D.C. Confusion
Let’s clear this up immediately. When most people search for the Georgetown Christmas Market 2024, they are looking for the European-style outdoor market in Georgetown, Colorado. It usually runs the first two full weekends of December. For 2024, those dates landed on December 7–8 and December 14–15.
If you were in Washington, D.C., you weren't looking for a "market" so much as the "Georgetown Jingle" or the "Swedish Holiday Market" at the House of Sweden. D.C. is great, but it’s a different vibe. It’s more "upscale shopping with a cocktail," whereas Colorado is "I might get frostbite but this roasted chestnut is life-changing."
Why the 2024 Colorado Market Was Different
The 2024 event felt like a return to form. After a few years of "is it happening or not?" uncertainty post-pandemic, the town really leaned into the 64th anniversary.
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You had the Santa Lucia procession, which is basically a group of local school kids dressed in white robes with candle crowns. It sounds a bit cult-y if you've never seen it, but it’s actually a beautiful Swedish tradition that honors the town’s mining history. Most people don't realize how much Swedish heritage is baked into this tiny mountain town.
The weather in December 2024 was... intense. If you were there, you know. A massive storm rolled through I-70 during the second weekend. It turned the 6th Street corridor into a literal snow globe. Beautiful? Yes. Terrifying to drive? Also yes.
What You Actually Do There
It’s not just a place to buy ornaments.
- Roasted Chestnuts: They actually roast them on an open fire. It’s not just a song lyric. They’re hot, salty, and kinda difficult to peel, but they’re the "must-do" item.
- The St. Nicholas Appearance: Forget the mall Santa in the cheap polyester suit. The Georgetown St. Nicholas wears traditional robes and actually looks like he could be from the 1800s.
- Museum Tours: The Hamill House and Hotel de Paris are the two big ones. Usually, you have to pay, but during the market, they often have special displays that make the ticket price worth it.
The Logistics Most People Ignore
Georgetown is about 45 miles west of Denver. That sounds like a 45-minute drive. In the summer? Sure. In December during the market? Good luck.
Traffic on I-70 is a beast. In 2024, parking was a nightmare as usual. The town is tiny—only about 1,000 residents live there year-round. When 10,000 people show up for a weekend, the infrastructure screams.
Pro tip for next time: Don't even try to park on 6th Street. Aim for the outskirts and take the shuttle. It’s free, and you won't spend two hours circling for a spot that doesn't exist.
The "Secret" D.C. Side of 2024
Now, if you were actually in Washington, D.C. looking for the Georgetown Christmas Market 2024, you probably ended up at the "Merriment in Georgetown" events.
The Swedish Holiday Market at the Embassy of Sweden is the closest thing to the Colorado "Old World" vibe. It happened on December 7, 2024. They had the St. Lucia choir too, but with the Potomac River as a backdrop instead of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a lot more "refined." You drink Glögg (mulled wine) and buy Orrefors glass instead of eating a greasy bratwurst in a snowbank.
What to Keep in Mind for Future Visits
If you're planning a trip based on what happened in 2024, learn from the chaos.
- Layers are non-negotiable. I saw people in 2024 wearing light fashion coats in Georgetown, CO. They were shivering by 11:00 AM. It’s 8,500 feet up. The wind whips through those canyons.
- Cash is still king. A lot of the smaller craft vendors in the outdoor European marketplace have spotty Wi-Fi for their card readers. Bring twenty-dollar bills.
- Book lodging early. If you want to stay in Georgetown proper (like at the Hotel de Paris or a local B&B), people book those a year in advance. Literally.
The Georgetown Christmas Market 2024 proved that people crave something authentic. Whether it was the Victorian carolers in Colorado or the boutique pop-ups in D.C., the "market" is less about the stuff you buy and more about the fact that it feels like time actually stopped for a second.
To make the most of your next visit, check the official Historic Georgetown, Inc. website or the Georgetown Main Street (D.C.) calendar at least two months before December. This helps you snag "Cookie Tour" tickets in D.C. or dinner reservations in Colorado before they vanish. If you're heading to the mountains, ensure your vehicle is "Traction Law" compliant, as the I-70 corridor is strictly policed during December snowstorms.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Check the Elevation: Georgetown, CO is at 8,500 feet; hydrate more than you think you need to.
- Arrival Time: Aim to be in town by 9:30 AM to beat the "Denver rush" that hits around noon.
- Dining: Most local restaurants like Lucha or the Alpine Restaurant fill up instantly; grab food from the street vendors instead to save time.
Next Steps:
If you're already looking toward the 2025 season, the dates are projected for December 6–7 and 13–14. Mark your calendars now and consider booking a VRBO in nearby Silver Plume if Georgetown is already full.