Bernese Mountain Dog owners, you’ve probably thought of vacationing somewhere snowy, where you’d take your dogs with you to come and play outside. With their thick coating, they are able to withstand the cold temperature!
Consider Breckenridge, Colorado, the next time that you’re thinking of heading somewhere cold, and sign your Berners up for their annual parade called “Berner Fest.” It’s a parade for Bernese Mountain Dogs where they get to dress up in their winter clothes and socialize with their breed. You can also socialize with other Berns owners and learn from each other how to take care of this breed better!
In a December 9 video by Jessica McAleenan (@rosienoir91) on TikTok, we can see the Berns dressed in either winter clothes or Christmas costumes like Christmas trees. Some even rode a wagon decorated with holiday garlands. They’re all leading the crowd towards the Breck Tree Lighting Parade. If you’re a dog lover, this is literally the dream!
The people were thrilled, as seen in the comment section of the TikTok video. Many were convinced to go and join their Berns in the parade next year, while others just wanted to watch. One commenter even asked if they could join her Bernedoodle breed dog, which is a mix between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles. McAleenan replied that all dog breeds were welcome to come and that some dog breeds even dressed as Berns. How cute would that be?
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What’s The Bernese Mountain Dog Annual Parade?
The return of the Lighting of Breckenridge and Race of Santas gather people from all over the country to celebrate the holiday season. While there’s a Race of Santas, another highlight is the Holiday Dog Parade, where Berners from across the country come together for the festivities.
Bernese Mountain Dog’s thick coating makes them the perfect breed to join in the festivities. They may look big and built for hard work, as the American Kennel Club would describe, but they are very sweet and affectionate in nature.
The Holiday Dog Parade parades Berners and their pawrents as they lead the procession. The route will take them around the historic Main Street, which is about half a mile from the dazzling Christmas lights and decorations. The Berners added holiday colors as crowds gathered on every side to catch a sight of the Berners parading at the center. Hundreds of Berners greet and wish the onlookers a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
The event kicks off every first week of December in the streets of Breckenridge in Colorado. Other events include hundreds of Santa look-alikes running around Main Street to open the holiday season. Crowds choose to gather post-race to see the town transform like a “real-life holiday card” with decors of 59,000 and around 250,000 dazzling LED lights. Because of the oozing Christmas spirit with the iconic holiday lights from downtown, it remains one of the most photographed spots all winter long.
Here are the event highlights:
- Holiday Dog Parade
- Race of Santas
- Children’s Moose March
- Countdown to tree lighting with Santa Claus
- Holiday carolers and revelry
Unfortunately, you would have to wait until next year again, December 6, 2025, if you want to join in the fun together with your Berners. Now, if you plan to join your Berners on the annual parade next year, you can sign them up here. Don’t worry; it’s free to participate, plus you get to pet all of the Berners during the festivities. It’s one event to look forward to all year long.
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From The Club
I would love to head over to Breckenridge, Colorado, and join in the festivities, most especially the Holiday Dog Parade. As much as I want to join my chihuahua, Lilygirl, I’m not sure if she could take the cold winter weather and if she would like to be surrounded by hundreds of people and dogs. You know, a chihuahua being a chihuahua. 🤣 But I’d love to see those giant Mountain Bernese Dogs in funny costumes!