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The 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 and take advantage of great hotel deals.

WE STRIVE TO POST THE MOST CURRENT AND ACCURATE EVENT INFORMATION, BUT CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS DO OCCUR, SO PLEASE CHECK THE OFFICIAL EVENT WEBSITE TO CONFIRM ALL DETAILS BEFORE ATTENDING.

PARADE OF LIGHTS

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Throughout downtown Denver
The Downtown Denver Partnership is transforming the community tradition, 9News Parade of Lights, in 2020! This year's parade will be a multi-week, socially safe extravaganza of activities across downtown. The floats you know and love will be displayed throughout downtown, from Denver Pavilions to Denver Union Station, offering multiple chances for our community to relish in the charm and excitement of the holiday season again and again. Download the mobile app for the exact locations.

PERFORMING ARTS 

'GRANNY DANCES TO A HOLIDAY DRUM'

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Online
A Denver family tradition for 29 years, this incredible blend of dance, music, and spoken word lifts the spirit and fills the heart with joy, love, and peace! Even in challenging times, the magic of "Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum," presented by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, continues. Guided by the Three Angels of the Rainbow, Granny visits Africa, the Americas, Mexico, Asia, and the Caribbean to celebrate the joy of Holiday Times! From the African Harvest to Kwanzaa, from the Chinese New Year to Junkanoo.... a celebration of both diversity and oneness!

THE POLAR EXPRESS TM TRAIN RIDE 

WHEN: TBA 2021
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. This year, a whole host of carefully crafted updates have been made in order 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. 

OTHER HOLIDAY EVENTS

ZOO LIGHTS

WHEN: TBA 2021
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.

A STORYBOOK HOLIDAY IN EVERGREEN

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Throughout Evergreen
This ice extravaganza brings favorite holiday stories alive through a series of beautiful, life-size ice sculptures staged throughout Evergreen. Enjoy the sculptures as you meander through Evergreen while visiting local shops and restaurants. As the sun sets, the sculptures come to life as holiday lights illuminate them.

DENVER LIGHTS & SIGHTS WALKING TOUR

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Denver City & County Building
There's nothing quite like an evening stroll under twinkling holiday lights to celebrate the season! Embark on a fun-filled 1.5-hour Holiday Lights & Sights walking experience as you take in all of the magic and cheer of this festive time of year in The Mile High City. Along the way, you'll learn about the unique history, architecture and holiday traditions of Denver and Colorado.

BLOCKBUSTER EVENTS

'Stonehenge' at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science


PARIS TO HOLLYWOOD: THE FASHION AND INFLUENCE OF VÉRONIQUE AND GREGORY PECK

Thru July 18, 2021
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
A selection of haute couture, fashion sketches, photographs, film clips, family snapshots, and documents will be exhibited publicly for the first time, providing a unique look into the style of one of Hollywood's most beloved couples. Through more than four decades of material from the 1950s to the 1990s, the presentation provides an overview of how fashion changed as the roles of women in society evolved in the 20th century. In conjunction with the exhibition, Véronique and Gregory's daughter, Cecilia Peck Voll, has gifted the Denver Art Museum 20 of her mother's iconic looks for the museum's collection.

SALVADOR DALÍ: GARDENS OF THE MIND

Thru Aug. 22, 2021 
Salvador Dalí: Gardens of the Mind features two rarely seen series of fanciful color lithographs of flowers and fruits on loan from The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mixing flora with the artist's signature motifs, these works underscore Dalí's ongoing infatuation with his native landscape of Catalonia and the intriguing images of his Surrealist works. See it at Denver Botanic Gardens.

STONEHENGE: ANCIENT MYSTERIES AND MODERN DISCOVERIES

Thru Sept. 6, 2021
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
After centuries of speculation, experts are finally starting to understand the mysteries of Stonehenge, thanks to archaeological excavations and advances in scientific techniques. Explore where, when, why, and perhaps most intriguing, how Stonehenge was built. 

VAN GOGH ALIVE THE EXPERIENCE

July 9–Sept. 26, 2021
Don't just admire Van Gogh's paintings — immerse yourself in them at the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world, coming soon to Stanley Marketplace in Aurora! This large-scale, multi-sensory digital art experience gives visitors the unique opportunity to immerse themselves into Van Gogh's artistry and truly venture into his world. From start to finish, visitors are surrounded by a vibrant symphony of light, color, sound and fragrance that has been called an 'unforgettable' multi-sensory experience. Van Gogh's masterpieces come to life, giving visitors the sensation of walking right into his paintings. 

THE MILE HIGH TREE, PRESENTING SPONSOR MODELO®

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: 16th Street Mall at Welton Street
Join in the free festivities at this festive holiday attraction, the Mile High Tree. It’s a brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation that provides a dazzling lights-and-music show. 

PRISMATICA

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
Stroll through a modern ice palace with Prismatica, an interactive lighting exhibit where visitors can literally play with light by interacting with 25 pivoting prisms that reflect a rainbow of light and color. See it on Milwaukee Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.

BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens is proud to host Blossoms of Light, an annual family-friendly event that has become a tradition for people across Colorado. Come interact with incredible light displays — a large field of sound-reactive, animated LED lights — plus sip warm drinks and nibble on tasty treats as you stroll. Pre-purchased timed tickets and masks covering the face and nose are required. 

WINTER WANDERLAND LIGHT WALK

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
New for 2020, explore 16 sparkling blocks with more than a half million lights and discover eight twinkling displays choreographed to music.

TRAIL OF LIGHTS

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms
Stroll through the Colorado countryside along a winding path glistening with lights. Features this year include a three-sided light tunnel, illuminated antique and model tractors, a children's play area and warms holiday food and drink. Visitors must purchase a ticket online for a specific day and time.

CAMP CHRISTMAS

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Online
This digital experience takes place on a web-based app where campers can explore fantastical places like Sweetsville, Fairy Forest and Treehouse Village. Each location includes multimedia content about the history and traditions surrounding the holiday season, as well as in-home activities. Campers can earn badges, track their progress and receive up to five packages featuring a wide variety of Christmas-themed activities.

WINTER WANDERLAND LIGHT WALK

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
New for 2020, experience Denver's only free holiday light art walk with dazzling light displays in trees throughout the district, culminating with the transformation of Fillmore Plaza into a sparkling winter light display.

DENVER CHRISTKINDL MARKET

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Civic Center Park
This free outdoor event brings the most beloved elements of an authentic German holiday experience to Denver's Civic Center Park. Stroll through a European village decorated for the holiday season as you shop for finely crafted artisan gifts and treats at charming wooden huts. Fuel your shopping with authentic Glühwein (mulled spiced wine), German Biers and hot chocolate, and nosh on Bavarian-style pretzels, fresh smoked salmon, Knödel, Goulasch, Nürnberger Sausages, pastries, caramels and European chocolates. 

CHERRY CREEK HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Fillmore Plaza
Join the festivities this holiday season as Cherry Creek North visitors fill Fillmore Plaza between 1st and 2nd. Shop from 30 vendors featuring products in European chalet-style clad shipping containers; enjoy live music by bands and carolers, and sip cocktails and hot beverages throughout Fillmore Plaza.

NEIGHBORHOOD CHRISTMAS TREE CO. CHRISTMAS TREE LOT 

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Stanley Marketplace, Aurora
Come get your Christmas tree at Stanley Marketplace! Neighborhood Christmas Tree Co. sources trees direct from farms in a variety of sizes and types, including Noble, Fraser, Nordman and Grand firs. They'll have a selection of Charlie Brown-inspired mini-trees, too, as well as a small assortment of holiday accessories, like wooden reindeer and wooden snowmen.

DECEMBER DELIGHTS

WHEN: TBA 2021
WHERE: Four Mile Historic Park
Join Four Mile Historic Park in December for a winter spectacular this holiday season featuring an ice skating rink, winter scavenger hunt, kids craft activities, seasonal snacks and beverages, art installations and life-size, interactive video games from Oh Heck Yeah!

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

SHANTELL MARTIN: WORDS AND LINES 

WHEN: Thru May 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.

FORTY YEARS ON THE ’FAX

WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Take a nostalgic ride down Colfax, with stops at the quirky and memorable places that gave the street its worldwide reputation. 

SCULPTURE ON THE GREEN II: FEATURING ROBERT MANGOLD  

WHEN: Thru May 2022
WHERE: Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre
MOA presents Sculpture on the Green II, the second installation of an ongoing, annual, rotating exhibition. This year features Colorado sculptor Robert Mangold. The sculptures are made from industrial steel piping. Some are painted a brilliant red, while others are simply polished, allowing for the beauty in the raw material to be revealed.

NIGHT LIGHTS DENVER 

WHEN: Permanent installation
WHERE: Daniels & Fisher Tower
Night Lights Denver features rotating content designed by local artists and the community and projected on the Arapahoe Street side of the Daniels & Fisher Tower. See it for free every Tuesday through Sunday evening.

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