The holiday season has arrived in Denver! There are so many ways to celebrate as a family from outdoor activities to free events to elaborate light displays to cozy nights at home. Read on for 101 ways to make your days merry and bright during the holidays in Denver.
101 Things to Do During the Holidays in Denver
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- Visit the ice castles in Cripple Creek.
- Learn how your favorite holiday candy is made at the Hammond’s Factory Tour.
- Experience Elitch Gardens under the lights at Luminova.
- Drive through one million lights at Christmas in Color.
- Shop for holiday gifts, hear caroling and see Santa on Dec. 7 at Holiday in the Ranch.
- Check out the ice carvings under the lights at Denver Zoo’s Zoo Lights.
- Walk through a twinkling winter wonderland at Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
- Put on your most hideous sweater for the Ugly Sweater 5k on Dec. 15 in Washington Park.
- Sip and be merry while enjoying Holiday High Tea at Brown Palace Hotel, an elegant seasonal tradition.
- Ride the Ferris wheel at the North Pole park at the base of Pike’s Peak.
- Relive the beloved story of Polar Express at Christmas at Gaylord Rockies.
- Attend the 2024 Parade of Lights on December 7 in Downtown Denver.
- Take a ride on the Polar Express at the Colorado Railroad Museum.
- Give back at Denver’s Giving Machines.
- Experience the magic of The Nutcracker with the Colorado Ballet.
- Ride the Santa Express Train at the Royal Gorge.
- Visit the Trail of Lights (don’t miss the children’s play area) at Chatfield Farms.
- Revel is the nostalgic feeling of Downtown Parker’s Hometown Holiday Experience.
- Attend the Denver Brass Holiday Concert for a spirited evening of holiday classics.
- Lace up your skates at the Downtown Denver ice rink.
- Ride in a horse-drawn carriage and tour Santa’s cottage at Chautauqua’s Winterfest 2024 (Dec. 5-7).
- Shop at Christkindlmarket, an authentic German-style holiday market, Nov. 22-Dec. 23.
- Witness the Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade in Telluride.
- Join one of the fun winter workshops at the Children’s Museum of Denver.
- Kick off the holidays with the Catch the Glow Parade in Estes Park on November 29.
- Marvel at the Mile High Tree and immersive show at Civic Center Park.
- Plan a date night at Hudson Garden’s Hudson Holidays.
- Watch The Nutcracker Circus a Winter’s Dream featuring acrobats and large puppets.
- Let it go at Disney on Ice’s Magic in the Stars at Ball Arena.
- Go sledding at Denver’s Barnum Park.
- Celebrate the season at Christmas in Conifer, celebrating its 41st year!
- Stand in awe at the Grand Illumination at Denver’s Union Station.
- Shop under twinkling lights and festive décor during Larimer Square’s “Larimer Lights”.
- Celebrate an Austrian Christmas at Schweiger Ranch on Dec. 7.
- Have fun at Camp Christmas at the Stanley Marketplace.
- Commemorate the first night of Chanukah at Cherry Creek North.
- Have breakfast with Santa at the Downtown Aquarium before seeing all the underwater wildlife.
- Get new Christmas decor in the cute gingerbread house store, Simply Christmas, in Estes Park.
- Head to Winter Fest at Cherry Creek North for a day of festive fun.
- Prepare for eight crazy nights at Latkes and Lights at the JCC Denver.
- Grab your sled and head to Bison Park in Castle Rock.
- Continue a tradition with a viewing of The Christmas Carol at the Buell Theatre.
- Sign up for the Denver Nugget’s Kids Club and catch a game.
- Order holiday cookies from The Flour Shop, which also delivers locally.
- Get a babysitter and head to The Miracle Pop-Up Bar at Union Station (get reservations!)
- Ice skate at McGregor Square.
- Jingle all the way with Inside the Orchestra’s Christmas concerts for tiny musicians.
- Learn to fly at Santa’s Flight Academy in the 22-foot tall sleigh at Cherry Creek Shopping Center (reservations required).
- Celebrate the magic of the season through dance, music, and spoken word as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance explores holiday traditions from around the world!
- Support your favorite Colorado non-profit through December 10 in honor of Colorado Gives Day.
- Go sledding at Ruby Hill Park, a favorite for families and kids.
- Kick off the holiday season with the Hometown Holiday Parade at the Southlands.
- Go on a winter hike at Elk Meadow Park’s South Loop.
- Visit with an elf, toy solider and Rudolph at the Hometown Holiday Experience in Parker.
- Have fun with Elf Goat Yoga at The Orchard.
- Attend Tuba Christmas at Skyline Park, a quirky holiday concert featuring tubas and euphoniums.
- Burn the Yule log, go on a hike and enjoy roasted marshmallow for Winter Solstice at Bear Creek Lake Park.
- Discover the true meaning of Christmas at A Charlie Brown’s Christmas – Live, Dec. 16-24.
- Attend the Festival of Lights Family Fun Day in Colorado Springs on Dec 7.
- Line up for the Lights of December Parade in Downtown Boulder on Dec. 2.
- Experience the light festival at The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins.
- Pick up a Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Kit at Maggie & Molly’s.
- Go tubing at Echo Mountain for all the adrenaline junkies in your family.
- Take part in snow day activities at the Children’s Museum of Denver Marsico Campus starting Dec 7.
- Get unlimited train rides and roast s’mores at the Englewood Holiday Express, tickets required.
- Travel back in time at the Littleton Museum’s Holiday Evening on Dec. 8.
- Catch a magical sleigh ride through the snow in Breckenridge.
- Climb abroad the Leadville Railroad Holiday Express with lighted (and heated) train cars.
- Attend the Chanukah Menorah Lighting on Pearl in Boulder on Dec. 30.
- Delight in the holiday music by CU Presents’s Holiday Festival, Dec. 6-8.
- Watch Santa arrive in a helicopter and celebrate with families on Dec. 15 at Wings Over the Rockies.
- Drive through the Franktown Lights, a synchronized musical light show.
- Go on a holiday beer and cookie tour downtown!
- Check things off your shopping list at the Holiday Bazaar in the Belmar District, Dec 7-8.
- Take part in a friendly game of holiday putt-putt under the lights at Adventure Golf and Raceway.
- Search for elves and candy canes on Dec. 6 at Winter Day in the Park in Woodland Park.
- Watch the Mile High Holidays Drone Show!
- Visit Elfie’s Enchanted Lounge for festive fun, music, drinks and food. All ages welcome.
- Take your littles to the Santa James story time at Second Star to the Right Books.
- Test out your winter boots and hike at Roxborough State Park‘s kid friendly trails. Try the Willow Creek Trail.
- Schedule a prince or princess tea at the Miramont Castle.
- Go to Booked for the Holidays, hosted by Douglas County Libraries. It’s a feast for the eyes and ears!
- Take a day trip to the Moose Visitor Center at State Forest State Park.
- Go on a girls night night to the Sleigh Bar at Milepost Zero.
- Hit up Freezie Fest and Inaugural Cookie Crawl for its snowman extravaganza, free train rides, visits with Santa, cookie handouts, games, crafts and other activities.
- Watch the floats go by and drop off letters to Santa at the Olde Golden Holiday Parade.
- Check out the lobby of The Brown Place Hotel with impressive lights and poinsettias.
- Go on an indoor scavenger hunt at Garden of the Gods, Wednesdays in November.
- Take photos with Batman and other superheroes in front of one of the largest residential Christmas light displays in Colorado. It’s free, but donations for the Autism Society of Colorado will be accepted.
- Get ready for ski season at Ski Cooper’s ski and snowboard lessons.
- Take part in a holiday theme murder mystery show at The Dinner Detective.
- Get a holiday treat at the Inventing Room (reservations required).
- Try out snowshoeing with a ranger-led walk at Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Head to the Ballpark District for an Elfin’ Ballpark Holiday on Dec 6. It’s a free event filled with lights, Christmas trees, gift vendors, food and drink, music and a “Find the Hidden Elves” contest.
- Go on an Electric Safari at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
- Attend a classic yet entertaining Christmas performance, Mannheim Steamroller, Dec 6-8.
- Make winter-themed crafts at the Aurora Public Library branches.
- Attend the family friendly concert, A Colorado Christmas, with the Colorado Symphony.
- Get tickets to Acana Holiday at Meow Wolf for a mind-bending outing.
- Shop for unique gifts at the Georgetown Christmas Markets the first two weekends in December.
- Get cozy with hot chocolate and your favorite holiday movie an enjoy a night in as a family!
