Mile High Holiday Events in Denver
Denver shows its true colors during the holiday season, with millions of twinkling lights, festive parades, special events, and great bargains. 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.
Grand Illumination of Downtown
Downtown Denver
November 27
www.denver.org/events/detail?e=37518
This year's Grand Illumination of Downtown Denver features beautiful lighting displays at the City and County Building, Denver Pavilions, Union Station, Skyline Park, the 16th Street Mall and the historic D&F Tower. Downtown's unique holiday atmosphere is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Festivities start at 6 p.m. and feature an evening of FREE holiday fun for the entire family, including live music, a visit from Rockies mascot Dinger-Claus, complimentary refreshments, special guest speakers and a countdown to “light the lights” live with 9NEWS at approximately 6:30 p.m.
LoDo Aglow
Lower Downtown (LoDo)
November 27 – January 24, 2010
www.lodo.org
Experience winter in a whole new light this holiday season, with LoDo Aglow, LoDo District, Inc.’s window design contest. Many of the street level windows will be decorated with holiday and winter scenes that will be sure to transform LoDo into a winter wonderland. The themed windows will be unveiled on Friday, November 27, 2009, the night of the Grand Illumination of Union Station and last through the Stock Show on Sunday, January 24, 2010.
Christkindl Market
Skyline Park, (16th St. Mall and Arapahoe, Denver)
November 27 – December 24
www.denverchristkindlmarket.com
The Denver Christkindl Market features quality merchandise from the Old Country, as well as food and drinks, including authentic German beer and Glühwein. The market will have normal hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, with special extended hours for the 9NEWS Parade of Lights.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Trail of Lights
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
December 4, 2009 – January 3, 2010, Wed. – Sun.
Blossoms of Lights
Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street
December 4, 2009 – January 3, 2010, nightly
www.botanicgardens.org
See Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield in a different light this holiday season during Trail of Lights, as you wind through a charming forest path decorated with more than one million colorful lights. At the Gardens’ York Street location, experience Blossoms of Light, where countless festive lights draped in elegant designs enhance the winter beauty of this unique Denver attraction. Romantic kissing spots can be found throughout the gardens and intricate ice sculptures further highlighting the Gardens as a winter wonderland will be placed throughout the gardens path. The popular HoloSpex glasses, which magically transform the lights into shimmering 3-D shapes, will be available at both locations for just $1.
9NEWS Parade of Lights
Downtown Denver
December 4 – 5
www.denverparadeoflights.com
The 9NEWS Parade of Lights is the signature event of the Denver holiday season. The 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. Friday’s event begins at 8 p.m., while Saturday’s event begins at 6 p.m.
The Snow Globes featuring the Polar Express
Cherry Creek Shopping Center
November 6 – December 24
www.shopcherrycreek.com
The Snow Globes have become a must-see family tradition at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. This year's theme, The Polar Express, based on Chris Van Allsburg's timeless book, lets visitors experience the wondrous Polar Express train with multi-sensory sights and sounds. Kids can play in the engine room with the train whistle, be in a real-life blizzard inside the giant snow globe, and be transported to the North Pole.
Zoo Lights
Denver Zoo
December 11, 2009 – January 3, 2010
www.denverzoo.org
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. Good to know: In the past year, more environmentally friendly LED lights, or light-emitting diodes, have been added to the Zoo and they now compose 100 percent of the Zoo Lights.
Winter Break at the Denver Art Museum
Denver Art Museum
December 19 – January 3, 2010
www.denverartmuseum.org
Kids 18 and under are free during winter break at the Denver Art Museum! Come join the fun. Family Backpacks and Art Tubes will be available daily during winter break, offering youngsters a chance to explore the family friendly side of the museum.
Find out about great Holiday deals in Denver at www.MileHighHolidays.com!