‘Tis the season for holiday events in Colorado. Christmas and the month leading up to it make for a magical place and time in the Rockies. And from Denver to Boulder, and all along the Front Range, Christmas cheer is spreading. Join in on the fun with this holiday event guide to the Mile High City.
In addition to the holiday events around Denver, it’s also the perfect time of year for road trips. You can visit one of these top Christmas towns, which celebrate the festivities so well. Or for a truly Old West Xmas, hop aboard one of these holiday train rides for an unforgettable narrow gauge journey to the North Pole.
Photos With Santa at OTC — Westminster
Old Saint Nick will be visiting the Orchard Town Center 13 times from mid-November to mid-December. Snap a free photo with Santa in his cozy cottage. He loves getting drawings and letters from his visitors. People can take their own photos with Santa, too. Reservations are not required.
OTC – 14697 Delaware St, Westminster | November 15-December 21, 2025 | theorchardtowncenter.com/event/grinchmas
Denver Christkindlmarket
Do as they do in Germany, well, almost like it, by shopping Denver’s Christkindlmarket. Stroll the artisan marketplace, taste authentic German cuisine, sip on hot chocolate, listen to live music, and sample a Glühwein with your souvenir mug. Admission is free.
Civic Center Park, Denver | November 21–December 23, 2025 | christkindlmarketdenver.com
Camp Christmas — Aurora
For the first time ever, join in with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park for Camp Christmas. This elaborate immersive installation turns the holiday spirit up a notch by combining old traditions with new ones, exploring what Christmas means to all in a 10,000-square-foot wonderland.
Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, Aurora | November 21-December 28, 2025 | stanleymarketplace.com/all-events/camp-christmas
Blossoms of Light — Denver
Be mesmerized by thousands of twinkling lights decorating Denver’s Botanic Gardens. As the garden’s premier event, Blossoms of Light showcases a colorful winter wonderland with a 360-degree immersive light experience. Holiday treats, a cup of hot cocoa, and a holiday dinner are available for purchase.
Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street | November 21, 2025-January 11, 2025, 4:30-9 pm (closed Nov. 27 & Dec. 25) | botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/blossoms-light
Trail of Lights — Littleton
Chatfield Farms lights up every holiday season with its festive lights and winter wonderland displays. Meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his reindeer at Santa’s Village. Kids will enjoy hayrides, a giant snow globe, and will be able to drop their wish list at Elf Boulevard just in time for Christmas Eve.
Chatfield Farms, Littleton | Nov. 21 – Jan. 11, 5-8:30 p.m. (closed Nov. 27 & Dec. 25) | botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/trail-lights
Denver Zoo Lights
Step inside Colorado’s wildest winter wonderland at the Denver Zoo Lights. This year’s event is Illuminated with Life, with more than two million lights twinkling throughout the Denver Zoo. Other activities include a hula hoop dance party, ice carving artisans, a holiday shopping bazaar, and more. Tickets are available for purchase online, and the event sells out every year, so get yours today!
Denver Zoo | November 24, 2025–January 4, 2026 | denverzoo.org/events/zoo-lights
The Nutcracker — Denver
The beloved classic, The Nutcracker, makes its annual appearance at locations in Denver at the Paramount Theatre and Grand Junction’s Avalon Theatre in late November. This rendition is not to be missed, with a visit to the Sugar Plum Kingdom, where beautiful ballet dances come to life.
Grand Junction and Denver | November 28-30, 2025 | nutcracker.com
Grinchmas at OTC— Westminster
From 11 am to 1 pm, Orchard Town Center (OTC) in Westminster hosts The Grinch! He takes over Santa’s residence, offering a fun meet-and-greet and photo session. It’s free to attend.
OTC – 14697 Delaware St, Westminster | Saturday, November 29, 2025 | theorchardtowncenter.com/event/grinchmas
Hometown Holiday & Winter Market — Highlands Ranch
Join in on some hometown holiday fun at the Highlands Ranch Holiday & Winter Market. Festivities include caroling, entertainment, a visit with Santa, and a tree-lighting ceremony that begins at 5 p.m. The market also provides a chance to shop for those on your list with food and gift items from local businesses.
Highlights Ranch | Friday, December 5, 2025, 3:30 pm – 7 pm | hrcaonline.org/about-us/guides-communication/calendar-schedules/event-details/hometown-holiday
Holiday Walk — Evergreen
Main Street in downtown Evergreen shuts down for the festive 33rd Annual Holiday Walk. Join in on the fun with caroling with Santa, tree lighting, and pictures with Santa. The main stage will be located at the National Bank parking lot in downtown Evergreen.
Highway 74 from Evergreen Lake to downtown | Friday, December 5, 2025, from 5 pm – 9 pm | members.evergreenchamber.org/events/details/holiday-walk-91287
Olde Golden Holidays — Golden
During the holiday season, Golden comes to life with an extensive line-up of small-town holiday celebrations. The city-wide celebration includes a candlelight walk, several holiday parades, a holiday art market, a colorful light display along Clear Creek, a live theater, and its very own Santa tracker, so visitors can track where Santa will be in town throughout the holiday celebrations.
Downtown Golden | Friday, December 5, 2025 (Olde Golden Candlelight), Saturday, December 13, 2025 (Old Golden Holiday Parade), December 20, 2025 (Jingle On The Avenue) | visitgolden.com/olde-golden-holidays
Downtown Parker Holiday Market
The Downtown Parker Holiday Parade replaced the Christmas Carriage Parade as a favorite tradition. There is a holiday farmer’s market with 100+ vendor booths for those last-minute shoppers. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as reindeer. The event is free and open to the public.
Horse-drawn carriages run from 10 am to 3 pm. Children will enjoy the bungee jumping, bouncey castles, face painting, and kids’ crafts. There are also food trucks and live holiday performances.
O’Brien Park,Downtown Parker | Saturday, December 6, 2025 | downtownparker.com/downtownparkerholidaymarket
Holiday Lighting Ceremony — Westminster
Experience the magic of the holidays at the Holiday Lighting Ceremony at the Westminster City Hall. Enjoy holiday music, delicious food trucks, games, and a visit with Santa. Parents, be sure to bring your camera and snap a photo with your kids on the full-size sleigh and kid-size train. Admission is free.
Westminster City Hall | Saturday, December 6, 2025 | https://www.westminsterco.gov/calendar.aspx?eid=1225
Denver Parade of Lights
A Denver tradition, the Parade of Lights will fill the streets once again for its downtown display. Ringing in the holiday cheer, the parade features marching bands, festive floats, all complete with a visit from Santa and the parade’s mascot, Major Waddles the Penguin. The event is free to the public, with available tickets for purchase in the grandstand in front of the City & County Building.
Civic Center Park | Saturday, December 6, 2025 | visitdenver.com/milehighholidays/holiday-weekends/parade-of-lights
Festival of Lights — Brighton
Enjoy the bright lights of the holiday at the Festival of Lights in Brighton. The annual Festival of Lights Parade and Winter Festival is a hometown holiday tradition that the entire community participates in. Festivities begin at 10 am, with winter festival activities beginning at 2 p.m. at Historic City Hall.
The parade begins at 5 p.m. and features more than 75 fully-lit floats that exemplify the hometown holiday spirit. The event is free and open to the public.
Historic City Hall, Brighton | Saturday, December 6, 2025 | brightonco.gov/459/Tree-Lighting-Ceremony
Reindeer Games — Castle Rock
Designed with the kids in mind, Reindeer Games brings a whole host of holiday fun all set in a winter-themed wonderland. See live reindeer, visit with Santa, eat chocolate chip cookies, sip on hot cocoa, and ride the winter Express Train. The free event is held at The Millhouse and Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park.
Philip S. Miller Park, Castle Rock | Saturday, December 6, 2025, 1 to 4 pm | crgov.com/calendar.aspx?eid=10340
It’s a RiNo-Ful Life
It’s a RiNo-Ful Life is an annual holiday market held in the River North Art District of Denver. Expect a turnout of over 25 vendors selling their handmade goods and crafts. There will also be live music, food, drinks, and complimentary crafts.
Truss House, Denver | Saturday, December 6, 2025 | rinoartdistrict.org/do/its-a-rino-ful-life-2025
A Colorado Christmas with the Colorado Symphony — Denver
Listen to Christmas classics such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Silent Night at the Colorado Christmas performed by the Colorado Symphony. Don’t be shy, be sure to sing along to your favorite Christmas carol as you ring in the holidays with this Colorado classic. This family-friendly event is hosted by Devin DeSantis, a Denver vocalist. An appearance by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus keeps the holiday cheer high.
Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex | Friday-Sunday, December 12-14, 2025 | coloradosymphony.org/productions/colorado-christmas
Lights of December Parade — Boulder
Join in on Boulder’s annual hometown parade. Winding through the historic downtown, onlookers will enjoy the sounds of a marching band and watch as floats go by in Boulder-style fashion. And of course, what Christmas parade would be complete without a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus?
15th & Walnut, Boulder | Saturday, December 13, 2025 | boulderdowntown.com/light-up-the-holidays/events/lights-of-december-parade
Santa Paws at OTC — Westminster
Bring your well-behaved dog(s) to the Orchard Town Center from noon to 2 pm. There will be photo opportunities and a chance to win a giveaway contest. Goody bags will be handed out while supplies last. Guests can take their own free photos.
OTC – 14697 Delaware St, Westminster | Saturday, December 13, 2025 | theorchardtowncenter.com/event/grinchmas
Breakfast with Santa at OTC — Westminster
Windfall Brewing Company in the Orchard Town Center hosts a breakfast buffet with Old Saint Nick. Families will cherish their memories of dining with Santa Claus. The menu will include breakfast staples like eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, biscuits, and potatoes.
OTC – 14697 Delaware St, Westminster | Saturday, December 13, 2025 | windfallbrewing.co/breakfast-with-santa
Christmas Sweater 5K — Denver
What are the holidays without an ugly Christmas sweater get-together? Join in on the fun with thousands of your best friends as you all run through the streets of Washington Park wearing your ugly Christmas sweater at the Christmas Sweater 5K.
Washington Park, Denver | Sunday, December 21, 2025 | coloradorunnerevents.com/Christmas
Thanks for checking out some of the best Christmas holiday events around the Mile High City. Remember to be nice.
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