Denver’s Biggest Events for 2023-24

Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland (Nov. 16–Dec. 24, 2023) – Winter Wanderland displays a collection of free holiday offerings and festivities throughout the neighborhood! Festivities include a dazzling display of nearly one million twinkling lights on more than 600 trees spread throughout the walkable neighborhood. Throughout the holiday season, enjoy Saturday Night Lights with complimentary holiday treats and festive entertainment, a Chanukah celebration, and the Cherry Creek North Holiday Market, produced by Fetch Markets.

'Camp Christmas' (Nov. 16–Dec. 24, 2023) – Welcome back to Colorado’s campiest, quirkiest holiday tradition! Make merry and immerse yourself in a 15,000-square-foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer. It’s fun, it’s fleeting and just the right amount of camp; it’s everything you love about the holidays wrapped into one sparkling experience. Leave your worries behind, discover your holiday superpower, visit Santa, and sample craft cocktails from the Base Camp and Fairy Bars. Wander through a surreal mashup of nostalgic scenes, scratch your head at playful pun trees, and, most importantly, reconnect with the joy of the season. 

Blossoms of Light (Nov. 17, 2023–Jan. 7, 2024 (closed Nov. 23 and Dec. 25​) – This annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms Denver Botanic Gardens into a twinkling winter wonderland. Sip warm drinks and nibble on tasty treats as you stroll.

The Mile High Tree Presented by Xfinity (Nov. 17–Dec. 31, 2023) – Join in the free festivities at the Mile High Tree. It’s a brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation that provides a dazzling lights-and-music show. And, for the first time, you can experience two of Denver's most popular holiday attractions in one place: America’s tallest digital tree and the Denver Christkindlmarket, the city’s only authentic German holiday market.

Luminova Holidays (Nov. 24–Dec. 31, 2023) – This family-friendly event brings larger-than-life holiday displays and immersive experiences for all to enjoy. It features millions of dazzling lights, a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, twinkling snowmen who never melt, a 300-foot-long candy cane tunnel, giant presents and ornaments, a wall of lights, rides on Elitch Gardens attractions, interactive activities like a light-up hopscotch, strolling holiday entertainers, Old Saint Nick and his elves, and more. 

Trail of Lights (Nov. 24, 2023–Jan. 1, 2024; 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – closed December 25) – Stroll through the Colorado countryside along a winding path glistening with lights. Features this year include singing Christmas trees, three-sided light tunnels, illuminated antique and model tractors, a children's play area with synchronized music, and warm holiday food and drink for purchase. Visit the Holiday Market to purchase holiday gifts.

Zoo Lights (TBA 2023) – This illuminating annual event transforms Denver Zoo into Colorado's wildest winter wonderland. Don't miss this year's historic celebration, with more than a million lights sparkling over 80 acres—plus a host of special measures to keep your family safe and healthy.

Downtown Fireworks (Dec. 31, 2023; 9 p.m. and midnight​) – The sky will once again sparkle over downtown at the close of 2023 with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks. The two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and midnight. For the best viewpoints, stand along the 16th Street Mall. The identical fireworks shows will be synched to a music playlist from live DJs along the mall. Each show will run for about eight minutes and can be viewed from anywhere along the mall. The DJs will play tunes from 8 p.m. to midnight. 

'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™' in Concert (Jan. 5–7, 2024) – Cars fly, trees fight back and monsters are on the loose in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! This concert features the film in high-definition on four giant screens, while the Colorado Symphony performs John Williams’ unforgettable score. Relive every magical moment as the music brings life to a story that has enchanted the world.

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (Jan. 6–21, 2024) – Held every January at the National Western Complex, it's the nation's premier livestock, rodeo and horse show, serving agricultural producers and consumers throughout the world. Enjoy rodeos featuring top-notch bull riders, horse shows, livestock competitions and auctions. And don’t miss acres of shopping at Colorado’s largest Western trade show.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute and Humanitarian Awards (Jan. 9, 2024) – Known as the most prominent spokesperson and leader in the American civil rights movement, Dr. King remains one of the most inspirational figures in history for his pursuit of equal rights and his nonviolent approach to civil rights protests. The evening will feature special guest performances and will honor recipients of the 2024 humanitarian awards.

Harlem Globetrotters (Jan. 9, 2024) – See the 2024 tour featuring these amazing athletes. See them at Ball Arena.

Litton Conducts feat. the NYC Ballet (Jan. 12, 2024) – Andrew Litton once served as music director of the Colorado Symphony and since then has led the illustrious New York City Ballet.

Drake with J. Cole (Jan. 18–19, 2024) – See this legendary rapper and singer perform along with J. Cole at Ball Arena. 

'Jesus Christ Superstar' (Jan. 23-28, 2024) – Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and helmed by the acclaimed director Timothy Sheader ("Crazy for You," "Into the Woods") and cutting-edge choreographer Drew McOnie ("King Kong," "Strictly Ballroom"), this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival garnering unprecedented reviews and accolades. Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring.

Costa Rica: Long Live Peace and Labor (Thru Thru Jan. 28, 2024) – When you think of Costa Rica, do you think of the country’s biodiversity and anti-militarist culture? What you may not know is that beneath the surface, contrasting realities intertwine. Beyond its idyllic image, Costa Rica represents a fresh societal landscape, giving rise to new social groups that voice their opinions and question prevailing national political choices. With this exhibition at Museo de las Americas, the country's rich cultural heritage comes to life as a seamless blend of ancient artifacts and contemporary art illuminates both the country’s intriguing past and vibrant present.

'CHICAGO' (Jan. 30–Feb. 4, 2024) – After 25 years, CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. No wonder CHICAGO has been honored with 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations.

Cowboy (Thru Feb. 18, 2024) – This exhibition speaks to the MCA Denver's (Museum of Contemporary Art Denver's) ambition to challenge, revise and reconceive how such a myth originated and might be probed in exciting, courageous and nuanced ways. It brings together loans and new commissions from 27 artists representing a wide range of perspectives, including Asian American, Latinx and Native American/Indigenous.

Golden Legacy: Original Art from 80 Years of Golden Books (Thru Feb. 18, 2024) – Whimsical children’s book illustrations highlight animals and nature as a source of love, wonder and joy. Featuring more than 30 framed illustrations from the Little Golden Books series, vintage books and a reading nook, Golden Legacy at Denver Botanic Gardens showcases works from some of the best-known children’s books of the past 80 years, including "The Poky Little Puppy," illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren, and Chicken Little, illustrated by Richard Scarry.

Amoako Boafo: Soul of Black Folks (Thru Feb. 19, 2024) – This is the debut solo exhibition for Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo at Denver Art Museum. It features more than 30 works the artist created between 2016 and 2022 that tells stories about the beauty and complexity of Black life.

'The Wizard of Oz in Concert' (March 2–3, 2024) – Witness this American classic like never before with the full score performed live by the Colorado Symphony.

All Stars: American Artists from The Phillips Collection (Thru March 3, 2024) – The Phillips Collection showcases some of the best American art from one of the most celebrated collections in the United States. At Denver Art Museum, see landmark works by more than 50 artists, including Jackson Pollock, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jacob Lawrence, Childe Hassam and more!

Cirque du Soleil: Crystal (March 13, 2024) – It's more than an ice show. For the first time, Cirque du Soleil pushes the boundaries of performance, redefining the artistic possibilities of ice at Ball Arena.

Madonna - The Celebration Tour (March 19, 2024) – The legendary singer and performer is coming to Ball Arena. 

Tim McGraw (April 4, 2024) – The country legend will be performing live with Carly Pearce at Ball Arena.

Wild Color (Thru April 7, 2024) – Delve into the color spectrum like never before as you make your way through immersive rooms, each representing a color of the rainbow. Discover some of the brightest and boldest examples from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s collections — alongside experiences designed to awaken your senses. Anywhere you look in nature, color holds meaning. It evokes emotion, signals alarm, and creates disguise and illusion. In this special exhibition, you’ll learn how to decode the hidden messages that different colors can send. Then, explore some of nature’s mysteries that are hidden in plain sight.

An Evening with John Cusack and Screening of 'Say Anything' (April 12, 2024) – The popular actor will be discussing this fan-favorite movie that he starred in back in 1989.

Revolt 1680/2180: Runners + Gliders (Thru May 2024) – Transport yourself to the year 2180 at History Colorado Center's new multi-sensory exhibition. Created in partnership with world-renowned artist Virgil Ortiz, a visionary hailing from Cochiti Pueblo, this unprecedented experience brings Indigenous Futurism to The Mile High City through a combination of history, science fiction, art, fashion and fantasy.

Spotlight: Inside Collections Care and Conservation (Thru May 5, 2024) – This unique exhibition highlights how the Clyfford Still Museum stewards and preserves its collections for future generations through careful display; scientific and historical research; and art conservation. The show is organized chronologically, providing visitors with a thorough overview of Clyfford Still’s 60-year career and includes never-before-seen works.

Yo-Yo Ma with the Colorado Symphony (May 5, 2024) – Multi-Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma returns to perform Elgar’s renowned Cello Concerto with the Colorado Symphony. Yo-Yo Ma’s multifaceted career is a testament to his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences, and to his personal desire for artistic growth and renewal.

Colfax Marathon (May 17–19, 2024) – The Colfax Marathon weekend is the largest marathon weekend in the Rocky Mountains with 20,000 runners in 2019. Races include a marathon, half marathon, urban 10 miler and a 5K. 

Zach Bryan (June 14–15) – The Quittin Time Tour with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Turnpike Troubadours, Sheryl Crow, The War And Treaty, Mt. Joy, Sierra Ferrell, The Middle East, Matt Maeson, Levi Turner and SunDown47 live for two nights at Empower Field at Mile High!

Steve Martin and Martin Short (June 19) – Don't miss the comedy duo live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre along with Steep Canyon Rangers and Jeff Babko.

'Disney's Frozen' (June 19–July 3, 2024) – Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters.

2024 BMW Championship (Aug. 20–24, 2024) – It's the penultimate event of the PGA Tour's FedExCup Playoffs, featuring a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings. All proceeds from the BMW Championship will benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation and its mission of awarding full tuition and housing college scholarships to caddies.

Winter Warriors: The 10th Mountain Division in World War II (Thru Nov. 11, 2024) – Using photos, video and first-hand personal accounts from the troops themselves, the newly constructed marquee exhibition gallery at the History Colorado Center explores the history of the U.S. Army's first winter warfare division from its training at Camp Hale in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains through their crucial breakthrough against the Nazi German Army in the mountains of Italy.