The two-night 9NEWS Parade of Lights is the signature event of the holiday season in downtown Denver. But that's not all! Check out other fabulous events like blockbuster museum exhibitions and holiday-themed events.
Stay for the weekend and take advantage of great hotel deals.
9NEWS Parade of Lights
WHEN: TBA 2020
WHERE: Downtown Denver
See countless sparkling lights, marching bands, giant balloons, majestic floats and delightful characters like Major Waddles the Penguin and Santa. The 9NEWS Parade of Lights begins at the Denver City and County Building on 14th Avenue and Bannock Street and makes a rectangular, two-mile pattern, finishing on 14th Street and Glenarm Place. While viewing is free along the route, there is a ticket charge for grandstand seating at the City and County Building: $16 for children 2–12 and $19 for 13 and up for advance tickets; $25 for all tickets when purchased on the day of the event.
PERFORMING ARTS
'CAMP CHRISTMAS'
WHEN: Nov. 21, 2019–Jan. 5, 2020
WHERE: Stanley Marketplace
"Camp Christmas" is The Mile High City's newest holiday experience, where holiday traditions of the past and present get merrily mashed together in a giant 10,000-square-foot winter wonderland. This over-the-top indoor immersive installation turns the Christmas spirit all the way up with awe-inspiring displays of decorations that shift time and reality.
'A CHRISTMAS CAROL - THE MUSICAL'
WHEN: Nov. 22–Dec. 22, 2019
WHERE: Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Based on Charles Dickens' classic novel, this joyous and opulent musical adaptation traces money-hoarding skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge's triumphant overnight journey to redemption. "A Christmas Carol" illuminates the meaning of the holiday season in a way that has resonated for generations.
'THE NUTCRACKER'
WHEN: Nov. 30–Dec. 29, 2019
WHERE: Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex
The holidays are not complete until you see the Colorado Ballet perform their annual "The Nutcracker," featuring unforgettable characters, dazzling costumes, classic choreography and Tchaikovsky's extraordinary arrangement performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. This dazzling spectacle of glittering snowflakes and shimmering sugarplums will transport audiences to the Land of Sweets.
'GRANNY DANCES TO A HOLIDAY DRUM'
WHEN: Dec. 13–15 and 20–22, 2019
WHERE: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Enjoy this holiday favorite that blends dance, live music, spoken word and seasonal celebrations and customs from around the world in a story about Granny's memories. What makes "Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum" so unique and magical is that the memories are relived and told to her grandchildren through a beautiful display of dance, live music and storytelling.
CELTIC WOMAN: THE BEST OF CHRISTMAS TOUR
WHEN: TBA 2020
WHERE: Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Celebrate this holiday season with the celestial voices of multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman as they return for another spectacular evening with your Colorado Symphony. Featuring music from the all-female music ensemble's extensive repertoire featuring holiday favorites "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Silent Night."
'DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS'
WHEN: TBA 2020
WHERE: Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Kids and adults alike will love this retelling of the classic Christmas movie. Max the Dog narrates as the Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," schemes to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos.
BLOCKBUSTER EVENTS
CLAUDE MONET: THE TRUTH OF NATURE
WHEN: Oct. 21, 2019–Feb. 2, 2020
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
This is the most comprehensive exhibition of Monet paintings in the United States in more than two decades, featuring more than 120 paintings spanning Monet's entire career.
Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits
WHEN: Sept. 13, 2019–Apr. 12, 2020
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Learn about the psychology of extreme athletes and the science behind some of the riskier sports such as wingsuit flying, ice and rock climbing, free diving, and much more.
The Science Behind Pixar
WHEN: Oct. 11, 2019–Apr. 5, 2020
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Take a look into the Pixar process and explore the science and technology behind some of the most beloved animated films and their characters.
Beer Here! Brewing the New West
WHEN: May 18, 2019–Aug. 9, 2020
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Learn about Colorado’s beer brewing history from Prohibition to the nation’s first aluminum cans.
OTHER HOLIDAY EVENTS
SANTA'S FLIGHT ACADEMY
WHEN: Nov. 7–Dec. 24, 2019
WHERE: Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Let your little ones help Santa ready his sleigh for the big day during Santa's Flight Academy! Visit with jolly St. Nick, try out his Flight Suit Visualizer and enjoy the magical snow and light show at Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
DENVER CHRISTKINDL MARKET
WHEN: Nov. 22–Dec. 23, 2019
WHERE: Skyline Park
The Christkindl Market includes vendors from Germany and other countries, as well as local artisans, offering high-quality, handcrafted gifts such as traditional hand-carved wooden figurines, handmade candles and ornaments. Traditional German food will tempt your taste buds. Sip on warm Glühwein (hot spiced wine) as you listen to traditional Christmas carols and live German music. Entry is free and the entire family is invited to enjoy this great tradition!
SANTA'S VILLAGE AT CHATFIELD FARMS
WHEN: Nov. 29–Dec. 22, 2019
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
Bring the kids to Santa's Village to meet Santa (and his reindeer), make crafts with Mrs. Claus and take a magical hayride under twinkling holiday lights. Afterward, the whole family can shop for handcrafted gifts in Santa's workshop.
ZOO LIGHTS
WHEN: Nov. 29–Dec. 30, 2019
WHERE: Denver Zoo
Zoo Lights will span 70 acres of Denver Zoo's campus with nightly entertainment, animal encounters, Santa meet-and-greets and, of course, illuminated animal sculptures that swing through trees, jump across lawns hide in bushes and appear in places where they’re least expected.
THE POLAR EXPRESS TM TRAIN RIDE
WHEN: Dec. 11–15 and 17–23, 2019
WHERE: Colorado Railroad Museum
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.
A HUDSON CHRISTMAS
WHEN: Dec. 13–24 and 26–31, 2019
WHERE: Hudson Gardens & Events Center
Bundle up for a visit with Santa at Hudson Gardens in Littleton. After sharing your list with Ol' Saint Nick, sip hot chocolate as you stroll the outdoor paths lined with trees decked with more than a million twinkling lights.
BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT
WHEN: Nov. 29, 2019–Jan. 1, 2020
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Embrace the holiday season at Blossoms of Light. The first night will display over one million colorful lights draped in elegant designs highlighting the Gardens' winter beauty. Enjoy sparkling passages, new displays and romantic kissing spots under the mistletoe, all made even more beautiful through HoloSpex glasses. Warm drinks and tasty treats will also be available.
MILE HIGH TREE
WHEN: Nov. 30, 2019–Jan. 1, 2020, 5 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Jan. 2-31, 2020, 5:30 p.m.–9 p.m.; free shows every evening
WHERE: Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Join in the free nightly festivities at Denver’s newest holiday attraction, the Mile High Tree. It’s a brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation that provides dazzling lights and music shows every 15 minutes throughout the evening. At 39-feet in diameter, the conical structure can host up to 140 guests at a time for an immersive viewing experience within the tree itself. There will be areas to purchase both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as holiday treats.
OLDE GOLDEN CHRISTMAS
WHEN: Nov. 30–Dec. 31, 2019
WHERE: 1010 Washington Ave., Golden
Olde Golden Christmas includes a community candlelight walk, Victorian carolers, free Newfoundland dog-pulled cart rides, holiday art market, parades, shopping, music and theater productions, Santa Claus, holiday lights, art and more!
ICE SKATING AT DOWNTOWN DENVER RINK AT SKYLINE PARK
WHEN: Nov. 26, 2019–Feb. 16, 2020
WHERE: Corner of 16th and Arapahoe
Take a spin on the ice — for free! Grab your family and friends and head to 16th and Arapahoe in downtown Denver to the Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park in Downtown Denver! Skate rentals are $7-$9, or bring your own pair and skate for free. Free days for kids will take place throughout the season. Look for regularly scheduled entertainment and activities each week, including Friday night DJs; Saturday morning skating lessons; Saturday night concerts; and Sunday afternoon family entertainment.
LAKEWOOD LIGHTS
WHEN: TBA 2020
WHERE: Lakewood Heritage Center
Get a free family photo with Santa, listen to Yuletide tunes and take a holiday hayride at Lakewood Lights, where all of the buildings at the Lakewood Heritage Center will be lit up in a display of seasonal cheer. Afterward, warm up in the Country Schoolhouse and make holiday ornaments while watching holiday films.
1940S WHITE CHRISTMAS BALL
WHEN: TBA 2020
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center
Set in a beautiful ballroom in downtown Denver, the 1940s White Christmas Ball is one of The Mile High City's most glamorous holiday events. Dance to big band music among vintage vehicles, movie set lights and props, re-enactors, sleighs and Christmas trees under a canopy of glistening lights.
MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
WRITTEN ON THE LAND: UTE VOICES, UTE HISTORY
WHEN: Dec. 8, 2018–Apr. 17, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center
The Ute are Colorado's longest continuous residents. In History Colorado Center's Written on the Land, you'll journey to the places they call home and hear their stories, told in their own voices through art, photography and video.
BAUHAUS CENTENNIAL
WHEN: Jan 25–Dec. 31, 2019
WHERE: Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
The Bauhaus school of art and design in Weimar, Germany, was only open for a few years before the Nazis forced it to close. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of this influential art style, the Kirkland Museum is highlighting Bauhaus pieces from its permanent collection, including many not usually on display.
IMAGES FROM THE TRACKS: PHOTOGRAPHS OF WILLIAM HENRY JACKSON
WHEN: Jan. 28, 2019–Jan. 5, 2020
WHERE: Colorado Railroad Museum
One of the foremost photographers to photograph the great American West, William Henry Jackson's images had an immense influence on the public's perception of the American West. A portion of those images were captured here in Colorado as Jackson traveled throughout the west by rail. See it at the Colorado Railroad Museum.
ONE FELL SWOOP BY PATRICK DOUGHERTY
WHEN: Apr. 27–Dec. 30, 2019
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms
Artist Patrick Dougherty weaves flexible, sustainably harvested saplings into complex and whimsical architectural forms with the help of staff and volunteers. The stickwork installations remain on view until they naturally fall apart, some lasting for years! See it at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms.
THE LIGHT SHOW
WHEN: June 2, 2019–May 3, 2020
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
The Light Show at Denver Art Museum features more than 200 objects drawn from the museum's nine curatorial departments that explore both physical and symbolic representations of light in art.
NATURA OBSCURA
WHEN: Jan 11–Dec. 29, 2019
WHERE: Museum of Outdoor Arts
Step inside a surrealist, dreamlike forest that combines art, sculpture and the latest in virtual, augmented and digital technologies. Designed and produced by the Museum of Outdoor Arts in Englewood and featuring more than 30 Colorado-based artists and creatives.
ALTAR'D CONTINUUM
WHEN: Sept. 13, 2019–Feb. 1, 2020
WHERE: Museo de las Americas
Altar'd Continuum juxtaposes contemporary artists alongside religious ofrendas, retablos and other iconography from the museum's collections to illustrate the altar’s inherent transcendence of time and space.
FRANCESCA WOODMAN: PORTRAIT OF A REPUTATION
WHEN: Sept. 20, 2019–Apr. 5, 2020
WHERE: MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Featuring more than 40 vintage prints, as well as notes, letters, postcards and other ephemera related to the artist's burgeoning career, this exhibition details American artist Francesca Woodman's creative coming-of-age during the years 1975–79.
TERESA HUBBARD/ALEXANDER BIRCHLER: FLORA
WHEN: Sept. 20, 2019–Apr. 5, 2020
WHERE: MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
This exhibition brings to light work by a previously unknown American artist, Flora Mayo.
STILL: ELEMENTAL
WHEN: Sept. 26, 2019–Jan. 12, 2020
WHERE: Clyfford Still Museum
This exhibit explores Still's work in relation to the five perennial elements of Greek philosophy: earth, water, air, fire and æther. Like nature itself, Still's often large-scale, colorful abstract work is intended to be transcendent, experiential and to impact viewers on an intrinsic, emotional level.
SHANTELL MARTIN: WORDS AND LINES
WHEN: Sept. 27, 2019–Jan. 31, 2021
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
London-born, New York-based contemporary artist Shantell Martin has collaborated with iconic brands and artists from Puma and Nike to Max Mara and Kendrick Lamar. This interactive multimedia installation at Denver Art Museum features Martin’s signature black and white drawings that explore intersectionality, identity and play.
EYES ON: ANTHONY MCCALL
WHEN: Nov. 24, 2019–May 31, 2020
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
Between 1972 and 1974, London-born, New York-based artist Anthony McCall recorded a suite of seven fire performances. Landscape for Fire presents five performers dressed in white walking a precisely choreographed pattern across an airfield in North Weald, England, igniting small fires. Shifting configurations of light and dark unfold across a thirty-six-point grid, as the field of grass becomes a meadow of light. See it at Denver Art Museum.