Holiday Favorites
WHEN: Nov. 17–Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Civic Center Park
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.
WHEN: Nov. 16–Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
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.
WHEN: Dec. 2, 2023–Jan. 7, 2024
WHERE: Denver Zoo
It's official: Zoo Lights has been making magic, memories, and even marriages for 30 amazing years! Presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores, 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.
WHEN: Nov. 17, 2023–Jan. 7, 2024 (closed Nov. 23 and Dec. 25)
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
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.
WHEN: Nov. 24–Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
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.
WHEN: Nov. 16–Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Stanley Marketplace
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.
Performing Arts
WHEN: Nov. 17–Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Wolf Theatre
Essential to the holiday season in Denver, "A Christmas Carol" is a joyous and opulent musical adaptation that traces money-hoarding curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge’s triumphant overnight journey to redemption.
WHEN: Nov. 10–Dec. 23, 2023
WHERE: Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden
The story of The Polar ExpressTM is theatrically re-created and combined with a magical train ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum. Children get to meet Santa and experience all the sights and sounds of this classic tale as if happening all around them. This year, a whole host of carefully crafted updates have been made to ensure the health and safety of guests, cast and crew, so put on your pajamas and your most fashionable mask and bring the family to enjoy sharing hot cocoa and cookies together as the "Hot, Hot, Hot—Chocolate" song and dance unfolds before your eyes.
WHEN: Nov. 16–Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Stanley Marketplace
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.
WHEN: Nov. 25–Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Ellie Caulkins Opera House
The beloved holiday favorite returns in a dazzling production like no one's ever seen, featuring all-new sets and costumes created especially for Colorado Ballet. A sellout every year, this magical tale of Clara, the Nutcracker and the Mouse King is going to be dreamier than ever.
Santa Sightings
WHEN: Nov. 26; Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 2023 (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
WHERE: Denver Union Station
Enjoy free visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus inside the Great Hall at Denver Union Station. Food and drink are available for purchase throughout the building. Photos will be taken by Santa’s helpers on your personal phone or camera.
WHEN: Dec. 9, 2023
WHERE: Longmont Museum
Celebrate the holidays at a story time with Santa at the Longmont Museum. They will be serving cookies, hot chocolate and holiday cheer as Santa entertains your whole family with seasonal stories. Make sure to bring your holiday wish lists and a camera for this special event designed for children accompanied by an adult. The event sells out fast. Get your tickets early!
WHEN: Dec. 9–24, 2023 (recurring weekly on Sunday and Saturday at 10 a.m.)
WHERE: Downtown Aquarium
Santa is once again stopping by the aquarium. Dine with him and the aquarium's mascot, Sharkey, and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, exhibit discounts and more! Reservations are required.
WHEN: Dec. 3, 2023
WHERE: Hilton Denver City Center
Enjoy a heartwarming story time with Tattered Cover Book Store and let the kids get creative with cookie decorating. There will be a hot chocolate station and a delicious breakfast buffet featuring "Green Eggs and Ham" frittata, freshly fried hash browns, assorted pastries, cheddar/chive biscuits, oven-roasted bacon, chef's selection of fruits and Black Forest cakes. Kids can savor eggs, hash browns and bacon. There will also be a pancake station: choose from strawberry, chocolate or plain pancakes with a variety of toppings. ($39 for adults, $20 for kids)
More Holiday Fun
WHEN: Nov. 18, 2023–Feb. 14, 2024
WHERE: Skyline Park
Bundle up for some free ice skating in the heart of downtown and enjoy special events. Skate rentals for adults are $11 and $9 for kids 12 and under. Bring your own pair and skate for free! If you need a skatewalker for assistance, you can also rent one $5.
