Fruitcake Toss
Watch the most hated of holiday treats fly at this quirky local event.
The fruitcakes will fly once again in downtown Manitou Springs! Join in for some old-fashioned tossing of those maybe not-so-beloved holiday desserts.
Experience one of Manitou Springs' yearly events with the Fruitcake Toss. Featuring a series of engaging and thrilling challenges, this special winter occasion is just one of the creative and fun ways to explore annual traditions in the Pikes Peak Region.
For more event information and participation details, click here.
Event Details
Date:
January 30, 2027
Time:
12pm - 3pm
Location:
Manitou Springs Memorial Park | 502 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, Colorado
Cost:
General admission for the Fruitcake Toss is $1 per event ticket. Bring canned goods to donate to the Manitou Springs Food Pantry, and for each canned good, you will receive 1 ticket, up to 10 tickets per family.
Bring your own fruitcake for tossing, or for $5, you can "rent" one of the festival's homemade fruitcakes and receive 4 tickets.
Featured Activities & Programs
Fruitcake Tosses
These fruitcake tossing competitions offer family-friendly fun for all ages:
- Distance - Measure the length from the origin of the toss to the landing location
- Accuracy - Hurl the cake through three hoops
- Balance - Run through a race course and hold the cake on a spatula
- Basketcake - Aim to throw the cake in various baskets
Stay until the end for all of the fun prizes! We have winners in every age group.
The "Too Good To Toss" Bake-Off
Although participants will be tossing the traditional cakes, there will also be a fruitcake bake-off for those baked goods that are just too good to be tossed. Local bakers will compete for the title of Fruitcake King or Queen as determined by the community. For more information, email FruitCakeToss@gmail.com.
Requirements:
- Cake must have flour, nuts & fruit
- Drop off the cake for judging at Memorial Park between 12pm and 12:30pm.
Frequently Asked Fruitcake Questions
How did the Manitou Springs Fruitcake Toss start?
This one-of-a-kind event, where enthusiasts traveled from all over to compete for trophies and bragging rights, has been a community highlight for 32 years. The Great Fruitcake Toss is the event of the winter season, as the hapless dessert is launched into space with a variety of mechanical and pneumatic devices. Competitions have included the Hand Toss, Kid's Toss, Launch, Pneumatic Gun or Canon, Team Catch and Accuracy division.
Where do all of the fruitcakes go?
Fortunately, the fruitcakes aren't wasted after the event! These baked goods travel to SunMountain, where friendly creatures, including Jezebel, a pig, munch on the leftovers. Don’t worry, all of the fruitcakes don’t include the preservatives that standard fruitcake does. These fruitcakes are nutritionally safe for Jezebel and all of her friends.
Are leashed dogs allowed?
Yep! Friendly, leashed pups are welcome at the Great Fruitcake Toss.
How do I sign up to toss a cake?
Stop by the park and check in with our Fruitcake Tech Inspect team. They’ll approve your homemade cake for tossing. No cake? You can purchase one for $5 at the entry table.
Can I buy extra toss tickets?
Absolutely. Extra tickets are $1 each, or bring a canned good to earn a ticket instead. Limit 10 tickets per family for donations. All cans go to the Manitou Springs Food Pantry.
What’s actually in fruitcake?
Rum, dried fruit, toasted pecans, butter, candied cherries and ginger, sugar, lemon and eggs… and that’s just the start.
I want to volunteer!
Amazing. The event organizers would love the help! Please fill out a volunteer application HERE or email monica@manitouchamber.com with questions.
Can I eat fruitcake at the Fruitcake Toss?
Yes, really! Fruitcake samples will be available thanks to the event sponsor, Collin Street Bakery.
Will there be food available?
Expect plenty of fruitcake. If you’re focusing on tossing rather than tasting, consider grabbing brunch at a nearby spot like Adam’s Mountain Cafe.
Manitou Springs, Colorado
This quirky mountain town is where natural mineral springs, historic architecture and artistic energy thrive.
