Avoid Boring Gifts This Christmas: Come to the Harvest Craft Festival in Walden!

Ditch the Boring Gifts and Find Some Real Treasures This Christmas

Every year the big box stores and online companies want us to get excited about throwing copious amounts of money into buying gifts. Most of them are just replacements for things we didn’t need or whatever we bought a few years ago that has already broken. Black Friday doorbusters have been lackluster, with very few things even worthy of tempting people out of their homes. Who wants to stand in line on a chilly morning for a $9 toaster?

The Christmas shopping season has become cliche and uninspiring. So why not break from the mundane and start a new tradition? Take a trip to see your friends in North Park for those hard to find and unique gifts you are looking for! 

Harvest Craft Festival

When: Saturday, November, 15, 2025 10am-4pm

Where: The Old Gymnasium, on the corner of 5th and Washington Street in Walden, CO

The season of giving kicks off this year with the Harvest Craft Festival on November 15th. An annual tradition going back nearly 50 years, each year the talented residents of Jackson County and neighboring mountain towns bring out the best gifts they have been creating for the last year.

This year will feature over 25 tables with a large assortment of holiday gifts, handmade products, artwork, and even delicious food and treats. You just might find that unique gift or perfect gift for that impossible to shop for loved one in your life at the Old Gym in Walden. Local businesses and artisans will have their wares on display for sale or custom orders. 

Entry and parking is free! Stop by and see all the inspired creations from some truly talented people of North Park and the surrounding mountain community.

Here’s some of what you’ll find at the show:

• Hand-crafted jewelry 
• Glass artwork 
• Christmas wreaths 
• Holiday decorations
• Traditionally made soaps and lotions 
• Sewn gifts and textiles 
• Windchimes
• Local gunsmithing
• Nails and accessories
• Hoodies and T-shirts from the North Park Area Chamber of Commerce 
• Resin artwork 
• Knife smithing
• Soup lunch provided by local youth group
• Baked goods!
• Tied rope keychains, dog leashes, and other accessories
• The local Girl Scouts will be selling candy, apple nachos, and fudge 
• Local writer and artist of the Leroy Brown book series
• Cookbooks
• Mocktails 
• Chocolate chip cookies, candy, and more! 
• The UMW club will be holding a raffle for a quilt

Where to Find Holiday Gifts in Walden

Even though the Harvest Craft Festival is happening for one day only, you can still visit North Park for plenty of Christmas gift ideas at some of our local businesses! Take a walk downtown on Main Street and peruse our shops and experience the true Colorado in our historic mountain community. You won’t be the first to fall in love with our rustic charm and authentic people–and you definitely won’t be the last.

Places to Shop for Christmas Gifts in Walden, CO

Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen: Confections, ice cream, baked goods and more await visitors throughout the holiday season. Stop by and feel like you’ve been transported to the North Pole. From holiday decorations to something for that sweet tooth, it’s a must-stop shop you need to see to believe. Candy, soda, toys, and more! Smiles are always free!

Walden Candle Company: From local artisans to that perfect North Park swag to commemorate your visit, you never know what you will find at the Walden Candle Company. Located in one of our historic turn of the last century buildings, you can see glimpses of the past peeking out among the multitude of perfect gift ideas. 

Cozy Moose Quilt Cottage: For the avid quilter or someone just starting out on their quilting journey, the Cozy Moose Quilt Cottage has everything you are looking for to inspire and help you create your next beautiful quilt. From notions and patterns to fabric and expert advice, stop by and talk quilting with Melissa! She also offers quilting camps and workshops. You’ll find this shop right next door to the Walden Candle Company.

Never Summer Trading Company: For the discerning visitor, the Never Summer Trading Company is a high-end mercantile featuring a range of clothing, giftware, leather goods, and keepsakes that you’ll cherish for years to come. The Never Summer Trading Company has found its home in one of Walden’s oldest landmarks, the old International Order of Odd Fellows Building. This building was built over 100 years ago from locally quarried sandstone, just like our historic Jackson County Courthouse! Visit a part of local history on your hunt for that elusive Christmas gift.

The Grinch Store: You’ll think you were in Who-ville once you get a load of this place. It will make even the Grinchiest curmudgeon’s heart grow three sizes that day at all the Grinch themed merchandise. From holiday ornaments and plushies to other Grinch-inspired decor from the beloved story by Dr. Seuss, you’ll find it all at the big green shop on the west side of Main Street in Walden, CO.

Your Part in Supporting Local Creatives and Independent Businesses

Rather than fight for a parking spot at a mall or doomscrolling the same old stuff online, find that unique gift you can’t find anywhere else. Every dollar you spend on local businesses goes back into the community. Your support lets artisans and mom and pop businesses continue to grow and thrive so they can bring out even more year after year. 

So give yourself a day to take a road trip to visit North Park. Not only will you get some of the most beautiful views of mountain scenery in Colorado, but you will add a story to whatever treasure you find on your adventure. That’s where the real magic of the holidays comes from—you won’t find an experience like that just clicking on a website and hoping the porch pirates don’t get your package before you get home. 

So ditch the cheap toasters and long lines. Start a new tradition by visiting the Harvest Craft Festival this weekend, November 15, 2025! You might just find the perfect gift.

2025 Holiday Giveaway!

What are you doing on the weekend of December 12-14th? Watching A Christmas Story for the 117th Time? Turning off Love Actually before “All I Want for Christmas Is You” starts playing? Or preparing for that final march into the last ten days before Christmas with Die Hard ready to go to liven things up with the visiting in-laws? Turn off your leg lamp for the weekend and come to North Park! We’ve got a Christmas Giveaway that is certain to sweeten the pot and get you thinking about starting new traditions. Here’s what you need to know!

This year the Lodging Tax Panel wants to make your holiday dreams come true with the biggest giveaway yet! On the weekend of December 12th-14th all the biggest Christmas events in North Park are happening and we want you to join us for the festivities.

Here’s what’s happening in Walden, CO

• A North Park Christmas
• Christmas Market
• Brunch with Santa 
• Holiday sights, sounds, tastes, and memories to last a lifetime!

Here’s what we are giving away

• 2 Nights lodging in Walden at the newly renovated Caribou Crossing Motel on Friday and Saturday nights, December 12th & 13th, 2025.  
• The room has 1 queen bed, 1 full /twin bunk bed, and a pull out queen sofa bed. 
• Perfect for couples or families!  
• A $100 gift certificate for the River Rock Cafe
• A $50 gift certificate for the Stockman Bar & Grill
• A $40 gift certificate for Rita's Cafe
• Tickets to the North Park Brunch with Santa on Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm on December 14th

Here’s what to do!

1. All you have to do is subscribe to our social media pages (either Facebook, Instagram, and/or Substack) and share this post! 
2. Next, email [email protected] Include your name, email address, and phone number. 
3. In the subject line write "North Park Christmas Giveaway". 

That’s it! You’re entered to win!

Rules: Last day to enter will be Saturday, November 22nd.  Drawing will be Sunday, November 23rd.  The winner will be contacted via phone call. Kathi Manville will make arrangements with the winner to get them their prize package. Please limit one entry per person. Good luck!