Here’s what’s new at Winterfest 2026… Battle of the Soups! Fresh from your kitchen…
Start perfecting your recipe and join us for this exciting showdown. Whether you are a Professional Chef or a Home Cook, this inaugural competition at Winterfest promises to be one of our most exciting yet, as community members and local restaurants go ladle-to-ladle for the Golden Ladle Awards. Guests will have the chance to taste, vote, and celebrate your creations, while enjoying the bonfire and music that makes Winterfest so special.
Archuleta County Fairgrounds, CSU Extension Building
Friday, January 16, 2026
5pm – 7pm (set up at 4:15pm)
Start perfecting your recipe — we can’t wait to see (and taste) what you’ll be serving up in pursuit of bragging rights and a bit of hometown notoriety.
Golden Ladle Awards will be given for the Best Homemade Soup, Best Restaurant Soup and People’s Choice Soup.
Look forward to all these Winterfest activities:
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
Bonfire, Battle of the Soups
Live Music by WONDER BREAD
Archuleta County Fairgrounds 5-8pm
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
Mass Balloon Launch
Pagosa Lakes Area 8:30am
BB Gun Biathlon
Yamaguchi Park 9:15-11:45amn
Presented by Pagosa Nordic Club
Skijor Pagosa
Fairgrounds 10am-6pm
Live Band 8pm
Presented by Skis and Saddles
Penguin Plunge
Visitor Center 1pm
Registration at noon
Sledz on Rez (Weather Contingent)
Reservoir Hill 2:30pm
Registration at 1pm
Presented by Build Pagosa
Barkus Parade
Town Park 9:30-11:30am
Dress your pet and let’s boogie down the Riverwalk.
Presented by Rugby’s Rescue House|
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
Mass Balloon Launch
Pagosa Lakes Area 8:30am
Learn to XC Ski
Cloman Park 10am
Presented by Pagosa Nordic Club
Skijor Pagosa
Fairgrounds 10am-4pm
Presented by Skis and Saddles