A sparkling start to 2026 for families, friends and engagements
Glenwood Springs, Colorado (December 19, 2025) – For a joyful transition into a brand-new year, add a touch of mountain sparkle, plenty of blissful hot springs soaking, and memorable celebratory activities at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Here is a guide to happenings at the resort and in the community on Dec. 31 along with several reasons why this mountain paradise is a great place for marriage proposals and sweet elopements that truly shine.
New Year’s Cheer at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
Glenwood Springs and Glenwood Hot Springs Resort go all in for the holiday season with fabulous decor, colorful lighting and fun festivities.
On Dec. 31, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s seven natural hot springs pools open at 9 a.m. and stay open until 1 a.m., providing pool and overnight guests the freedom to float, relax and celebrate well into 2026. The Grand Pool, the world’s largest hot springs pool, is the heart of the action with lively competitions throughout the night starting at 7 p.m. At the resort’s Yampah Mineral Baths, the atmosphere shifts to a quieter, adults-only retreat beginning at 5 p.m. Guests can move between Yampah Mineral Bath’s five warm soaking pools and cold plunges and sit by the cozy fireplace—a favorite spot for conversing and sharing resolutions for the coming year.
The Grill will keep the celebration fueled with a special New Year’s Eve menu served from 4 to 11 p.m., featuring kid favorites and signature dishes like lobster mac and cheese, short rib sliders and bison chili as well as arugula heirloom salad, turkey club sandwiches on focaccia, and Italian subs. For decadent snacks and desserts, try a charcuterie snack box, stuffed pretzels, s’mores bites and gourmet frosted cupcakes.
Schedule of Pool Activities
For all games, except for the treasure hunt, there will be categories: ages 6-10; 11-15; 16 and over.
- 7:00-11:00 p.m. Treasure Hunt for Golden Ducks
- 7:00 p.m. Boogie Board Paddle Race
- 8:00 p.m. Handstand Contest
- 8:30 pm Ping Pong Scramble
- 9:00 p.m. Duck Race
- 9:30 p.m. Noodle Race
- 10:00 p.m. Innertube Basket Toss
- 10:30 p.m. Alligator Wrestling
- 11:00-11:45 p.m. Party Favors
- 11:55 p.m. Countdown to the New Year
For the ultimate in convenience, the Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort features 107 recently renovated guest rooms and suites, complimentary breakfast and unlimited access to the hot spring pools during business hours. Couples looking for a more intimate escape can book a stay at Hotel 1888, the new 16-room luxury boutique hotel located poolside in the historic Stone Bath House. With breakfast, a guest membership to the Athletic Club and a leisurely noon checkout, Hotel 1888 is an effortlessly romantic way to begin 2026 or to celebrate a magical engagement and later a sweet honeymoon or elopement in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
More Ways to Celebrate Around Town
On Dec. 31, Glenwood Springs Community Center hosts a Noon Year’s Eve party that is ideal for families. From noon to 3 p.m., the building comes alive with music, magicians, jugglers, acrobats, face painters, bounce houses and a balloon drop at 2:30 p.m. Participants also can lace up ice skates, take a swim and scramble up the climbing wall. The event is free and open to the public.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers nightly music from December 26–31 as part of Winter on the Mountain, with the Colorado Currys performing on New Year’s Eve. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
For a festive night out, Glenwood Vaudeville Revue hosts two special New Year’s Eve performances—one at 4:30 p.m. and the other at 9 p.m.—complete with party favors, sparkling toasts (sparkling wine or cider), and a theater decked out for the holidays. The two-hour variety show blends comedy, dance and music with food and drinks available à la carte from some of Glenwood Springs’ best restaurants.
When the Ring Involves Diamonds
For some, ringing in the New Year involves asking, “Will you marry me?”, along with popping a champagne cork. Say “Yes” at a place that has welcomed couples from across the world since opening on July 4, 1888. Couples can relax in the hot springs under a star-filled sky and make plans for saying, “I do” or as the sun peeks over the mountains in the morning. The luxurious Hotel 1888 also is perfect for honeymoons, quiet elopements and bridal parties any time of year with several of the guest rooms and suites overlooking the Grand Pool.
Visit www.hotspringspool.com for more information about Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and call 800-537-7946 for lodging reservations.
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Photos: Available here, and feel free to reach out for more options. Credit Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
Media Contacts:
Aly Ackley, Resort Sales Manager
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, 970.945.3324, [email protected]
Beth Buehler
Buehler Communications Inc., 970.901.6970, [email protected]
