Denver comes to life during the holiday season, with millions of twinkling lights, festive parades, special events and much more. Come to the Mile High City and make a night of it, taking advantage of dozens of incredible Mile High Holiday hotel deals. Learn more at www.MileHighHolidays.com.

Santa Comes to Denver

Magical Lighting Displays and Events

Grand Illumination of Downtown
November 25, 2011
This year's Grand Illumination of Downtown Denver features beautiful lighting displays at the City and County Building, Larimer Square, Denver Pavilions, Union Station, Skyline Park, the 16th Street Mall and the historic D&F Tower. Beginning at 6 pm, there will be special events at Denver Union Station presented by RTD and LoDo District, Inc. including a holiday-themed choir, a Children’s Museum craft table, delicious treats provided by LoDo restaurants, a visit from Dinger Claus (the Colorado Rockies Mascot decked out in holiday uniform), and much more! Following a countdown shortly after 6:30 p.m, Denver Union Station will be ablaze with brightly colored floodlights illuminating the historic structure in the heart of Lower Downtown and its lighted tree in front. A special viewing of the model railroad will take place after the lighting in the basement of Denver Union Station.

LoDo Aglow
November 25-Dec. 31, 2011
The LoDo District Inc.’s LoDo Aglow window design contest sees local business owners, designers and art students letting their imaginations run wild in creating holiday themed window art in Lower Downtown. A panel of guest judges will choose the winners based on the originality and presentation of the design. The winners will be announced the week of December 14.

City & County Building Holiday Lights
Nov. 25, 2011 – Jan., 2012
The largest lighting display in Denver comes on nightly at 6 p.m. at the City & County Building, where 600,000 lights deck the neo-classical building. The bell tower plays carols nightly as well.

16th Street Mall Holiday Lights
Nov. 25, 2011 – Jan., 2012
Denver’s mile-long pedestrian promenade, the 16th Street Mall, is decorated with more than one million white lights. Skyline Park, located at 16th and Arapahoe, will feature nearly 26,000 lights and a 22 foot tall Christmas tree complete with LED lights choreographed to a variety of holiday songs. Denver’s historic D & F Tower, at the center of the park, will also be adorned with holiday lights. More than 400,000 energy efficient LED lights will turn the 16th Street Mall and Curtis Streets between 14th and 16th into an enchanting holiday promenade. Giant holiday snowflakes will also be hung along California and Curtis Streets. Two of Downtown Denver’s major retail destinations, Larimer Square and the Denver Pavilions, will also be illuminated with festive décor on this night and throughout the holiday season. Unique holiday entertainment and special events will take place separately at each destination. Horse drawn carriages ride up and down the mall nightly beginning at 6 p.m., creating a special way to view the display.

Blossoms of Light
Denver Botanic Gardens
December 2, 2011 – January 1, 2012
Embrace the holiday season at Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (York St. location). More than one million colorful lights draped in elegant designs highlight the Gardens winter beauty. Romantic and popular kissing spots will return, as well as the always anticipated HoloSpex glasses, which magically transform the lights into shimmering 3-D shapes. Warm drinks and tasty treats will also be available. Seasonal entertainment will be available on select evenings.


9NEWS Parade of Lights
Downtown Denver
December 2 (8 p.m.) and 3 (6 p.m.), 2011
The 9NEWS Parade of Lights is the signature event of the Downtown Denver holiday season.  The countless sparkling lights, marching bands, giant balloons, majestic floats and delightful characters will once again wow hundreds of thousands.  Viewing along the parade route is free, and grandstand tickets are sold for seating in front of the beautifully illuminated City & County building. 

Trails of Light
Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield
December 2, 2011 – January 1, 2012
With the foothills as a stunning backdrop, more than one million twinkling lights illuminate a winding path through the Colorado countryside. Spread throughout Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, Trail of Lights offers visitors a choice of paths; a shorter route takes visitors directly to the children’s play area, while an extended path allows visitors to explore the Green Farm Barn and silo before continuing onto the children’s area and 1880s homestead. Fun features this year include illuminated antique and model tractors on display, tours of the Hildebrand ranch house, a 1880s homestead decorated in a Colorado Christmas motif, and hayrides highlighting Chatfield’s natural beauty. Warm drinks are available for purchase and seasonal entertainment is provided.

Living Lights
Butterfly Pavilion
December, 2011
Holiday lights are even more festive when they fly, flutter, and crawl! Join us this holiday season at the Butterfly Pavilion for Living Lights event. Experience a journey of indoor and outdoor light displays featuring some of the world’s smallest wonders - invertebrates. You'll see scorpions glow, watch the rainforest come alive with firefly lights, and marvel as the gardens sparkle with thousands of holiday lights. The event will be held nightly from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. during the month of December.

Zoo Lights
Denver Zoo
December 9, 2011 – January 1, 2012
Come and experience a holiday light safari with more than 38 brilliantly-illuminated acres of lights, featuring more than 150 animated animal sculptures that swing through trees, jump across lawns, hide in bushes and appear in places where they’re least expected.

Holiday Performing Arts, Theatre & Dance

The Lion King
Denver Performing Arts Complex
November 2-December 4, 2011
Experience the phenomenon of Disney's The Lion King. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you'll remember forever.

The Nutcracker
Denver Performing Arts Complex
November 26 – December 24, 2011
When a ballet has been performed for more than 100 years and still gives audiences of all ages goose bumps, you know that it’s worth seeing. Whether it’s your first time or 20th time, captivating costumes and scenery, unforgettable characters, and Tchaikovsky's treasured music make Colorado Ballet's rendition of The Nutcracker the ultimate holiday event.

A Christmas Carol
Stage Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex
November 26 – December 24, 2011
The heart-warming holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, returns to the Stage Theatre. Original songs, ghostly chills, laughter, and warmth deck the halls, as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by the spirits of his past, present, and likely future. This evergreen tale of generosity, kindness, and true Christmas spirit comes to joyous life with splendid period sets and costumes.

Stories On Stage: Making Merry
Seawell Ballroom, Denver Performing Arts Complex
December 10 - 11 2011
A variety of holiday stories read live on stage at the Denver Performing Arts Complex have made Making Merry a new Denver holiday tradition.

Christmas at the Hamill House
Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m., 2011
Join the Hamill House Museum for a traditional Christmas celebration. The evening includes lighting of the Christmas tree candles, hors d’oeuvres, open bar, caroling, wassail & toasts, and a jolly-good time. Non-refundable, reservations required, one full-price ticket must be purchased to use discount, reservation must be paid in advance.

Twas the Night Before Christmas Candlelight Christmas Tour
Molly Brown House Museum
December 16 – 17, 2011
Enjoy the holiday traditions of Molly’s time gone by with a special Christmas tour of the Museum along with special holiday readings, treats and perhaps even an appearance from Old St. Nick himself. Perfect for carolers, candy-cane lovers and all the family!

New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Downtown Denver
Dec. 31, 2011
Ring in the New Year with Denver’s annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks with viewpoints along the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. The two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and Midnight, taking place simultaneously at two undisclosed sites along the 16th Street Mall. It is recommended that viewers stand along the 16th Street Mall for optimal viewing. New to the festivities will be six live DJs performing along the 16th Street Mall. Each will play Top 40 music from 8pm to midnight, and will do a live countdown at the 9 p.m. fireworks show. The music and fun will also continue at the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park, where Denver's popular DJ Chonz will perform live at the rink from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. The rink will open at 10 a.m. on New Year's Eve and remain open until 11:00pm. It will reopen on New Year's Day at 10 a.m.

National Western Stock Show
National Western Complex
January 7 – 22, 2012
The holiday season keeps right on going into Jan. when the National Western Stock Show gallops back into town with exciting rodeo action, horse shows, Old West shows and more.

Holiday Concerts