Hometown for the Holidays

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Nov-Dec Annually | City-Wide

Welcome to Cortez, Colorado, your Hometown for the Holidays.

The holiday season is a time to celebrate family, friends and home. During November and December, the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association (CREA) promotes ways we can all show support for the local restaurants, retailers and organizations that make Cortez a great place to live.

Help our hometown of Cortez continue to thrive. Shop local and show your support – each holiday season and throughout the year!

Shop, Dine, Create & Listen Cortez

Make your holiday extra bright while supporting Cortez businesses with these creative ideas.

SHOP

  • Avoid holiday crowds – and shop local early!
  • Enjoy personal service by local owners who are passionate about their business and products.
  • Give unique and locally made gifts to everyone on your list.
  • Create a “shop local” Wish List to help others buy for you.
  • Need a last-minute or hard-to-buy-for gift? Purchase gift cards and certificates!
  • Give “outside the box” gifts like a gym membership, oil change or car service, a tattoo, hair salon visit or yoga class.
  • Have items to donate? Support our local thrift shops and help other shoppers by donating.

DINE

  • Enjoy meals out at your favorite local restaurants or try somewhere new!
  • Take a break from the kitchen and use take-out or delivery.
  • Shop for your holiday meal ingredients from Winter Farmer’s Markets and local grocers.
  • Tip generously for dine-in or take-out/delivery to support wait and kitchen staff!
  • Stock your kitchen with fresh, flavorful ingredients, from honey to homemade jam to spices, from local retail locations.
  • Purchase yummy baked goods and desserts from local bakeries.
  • Book a holiday party at a favorite eatery for your family or work team.

CREATE

  • Visit Cortez galleries and art locations for seasonal inspiration.
  • Purchase one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts by local artists, from original artwork to pottery to jewelry.
  • Rent a local art venue for a holiday event.
  • Enjoy holiday performances from music to movie night.
  • Watch for CREA Out for Art announcements supporting local restaurants and special gallery and art events.

LISTEN

  • Support our local radio stations by tuning in for holiday music, local stories and updates on what is happening in Cortez for the season!
  • Donate during fund raisers as a gift. Give in the name of someone special.

CORTEZ CASH

Not sure what to give someone for the holidays? Have wonderful employees or coworkers you’d like to say thank you to?

Give a Cortez Cash Card and let them select their own way to shop, dine and support the arts in Cortez!

2022 Hometown for the Holidays

However you celebrate the holidays, there’s something for you in Cortez! Enjoy CREA-sponsored and other seasonal events while supporting our local businesses.

Here are this year’s “don’t miss” Hometown for the Holidays happenings!

Festival of Wreaths – 11/21/22-12/4/22
Get into the spirit of the season with the Annual Festival of Wreaths – a free and family-friendly Cortez holiday tradition and the focal event of CREA’s Hometown for the Holidays. Tour holiday wreaths displayed at local businesses and organizations throughout our community and play our Scavenger Hunt to win your share of $1000 in Cortez Cash Cards! The more businesses and wreaths you visit, the greater your chance of winning. There are two easy ways to PLAY & WIN: With the free Loquiz phone app or a paper Scavenger Hunt Passport (also available at Colorado Welcome Center and Pioneer Printing). Visit How to Play for Scavenger Hunt details. You may also BID on your favorite Festival wreaths during the online auction starting December 2. Festival events support Community Connections‘ mission to help people with disabilities lead healthy and fulfilling lives in SW Colorado. Find Event details at Festival of Wreaths 2022.

Stuff the Bus – Saturday, 11/12/22

Thanksgiving Weekend Shopping & Dining – 11/25/22-11/27/22

Black Friday – Friday, 11/25/22

Small Business Saturday – Saturday, 11/26/22

The Station Boutique Grand Opening – Saturday, 11/26/22

National Artists Sunday – Sunday, 11/27/22

Giving Tuesday – Tuesday, 11/29/22

National Shop Local Artists Week – First week of December

First Friday Cortez Holiday Edition – Friday, 12/02/22

Holiday Maker’s Market on Market – Friday, 12/02/22

Parade of Lights Day – Saturday, 12/3/22

Saturday with Santa

Four Corners Board of Realtors Parade of Lights

KRTZ Live Broadcast of Parade at Wade Agency

Colorado Gives Day – Tuesday, 12/6/22

Fa la la la LOCAL – Thursday, 12/8/22

KSJD/Sunflower Theatre Troupe Play – 12/9-11, 12/16, 12/17/22

91st Anniversary American Legion Toy & Candy Giveaway – Saturday, 12/10

Pinon Project Christmas For Kids Donation Drive – TBD

Four Corners Community Band – Saturday, 12/10


Visit this page and follow us on
Facebook and Instagram for ongoing holiday updates and details including Cortez Cash Card give-ways, chances to win Cortez Staycations, and special Holiday Cheer gifts from CREA and the City of Cortez!

#shopcortez #shoplocal