PHOTOS: Ho Ho Ho! Santa spotted in Aspen during tree lighting ceremonies

News | Dec 10, 2025

Austin Colbert

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Santa’s belly-shaking laugh brought the joyful sound of the holidays to Aspen over the weekend with a trio of tree lighting ceremonies around town. St. Regis Aspen hosted its 14th annual ritual on Saturday night, while The Little Nell followed suit on Sunday.

And, not to be forgotten, the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony literally closed down a section of Main Street for about an hour on Sunday as guests enjoyed a series of carolers and other musical acts before new Aspen Fire Chief Jake Andersen, with help from some little elves, led the lighting countdown.

Young guests meet Santa and Mrs. Claus during the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.

A dancer performs for guests as part of the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, inside the St. Regis Aspen Resort.

Aspen High School students sing Christmas carols during the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Holiday cookies await guests during the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The branches glow during the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Young guests meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus during the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Guests enjoy the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Young guests meet Santa and Mrs. Claus during the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A local high school student plays the saxophone during the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Holiday cookies await guests during the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Young guests meet Santa and Mrs. Claus during the 41st annual Sardy House tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Guests enjoy the annual tree lighting ceremony at The Little Nell on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Santa Claus chats with a young guest at the annual tree lighting ceremony at The Little Nell on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Santa Claus sits with a young guest at the annual tree lighting ceremony at The Little Nell on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Snow falls during the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Guests gather in the snow for the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Guests gather in the snow for the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Live holiday music is played during the snowy 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Snow falls during the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Snow falls during the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A dancer performs for guests as part of the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, inside the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Guests gather in the snow for the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Snow falls during the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A dancer performs for guests as part of the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, inside the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A highly adorned stilt walker interacts with guests as part of the 14th annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times