‘Tis the season for holiday events in Colorado. Christmas and the month leading up to it make for a magical place 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.
Aurora
Camp Christmas
For the first time ever, join in with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts at the 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 explore what Christmas means to all in a 10,000 square-foot wonderland.
- Where: Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park
- When: November 18, 2021 – January 2, 2022
- Website: denvercenter.org/tickets-events/camp-christmas
Ice! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Note: Ice! is canceled for 2020 and will return in 2021. For now, visitors can enjoy a walk-through of their favorite Christmas movies at their multi-sensory exhibit.
Bring the entire family along for Ice! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Experience the classic story we all know and love with your favorite scenes brought to life right before your eyes in this winter wonderland all carved from more than two million pounds of ice. Bring your jackets as this ice display is kept at a very cold 9 degrees. But if you forget yours, complimentary parkas are provided for both children and adults. Priced from $13.99 child/$24.99 adults.
Arvada
A Christmas Carol
Note: The Christmas Carol performance has been canceled for 2020.
A true holiday classic brought back to life, A Christmas Carol: The Musical is now performing at the Arvada Center. Charles Dickens’ classic tale guides us through a journey from the past to the present and into the future with a storyline all will enjoy.
Special note: Friday, December 6, stay after the performance for happy hour with the cast. Complimentary light snacks and a cash bar will be available.
Boulder
Lights of December Parade
- Where: 15th & Walnut, Boulder
- When: December 4th, 2021
- Website: boulderdowntown.com…
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?
Brighton
Festival of Lights
Enjoy the bright lights of the holiday at the Festival of Lights in Brighton. In its 26th year, the Festival of Lights Parade and winter festival is a hometown holiday tradition the entire community participates in. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. 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.
- Where: Historic City Hall
- When: December 11, 2021
- Website: brightonco.gov…
Castle Rock
Reindeer Games
Note: This event has been canceled for the 2020 holiday season. But visitors will be able to enjoy the Holiday Light Show at Philip S. Miller Park beginning December 3rd, 2020. View holiday events here.
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 event is free and open to the public.
Storytellers and S’mores
Note: This event has been canceled for the 2020 holiday season.
Sit around the hot fire eating smores and drinking hot cocoa all while listening to your favorite stories at the Storytellers and S’mores event in Castle Rock. Fun for the entire family, storytellers include Buddy the Elf, characters from Frozen, with Santa concluding the event with ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The event is free and open to the public.
Denver
Denver Christkindl Market
Do like they do in Germany, well almost like it, by shopping Denver’s Christkindl Market. Stroll the artisan marketplace, taste authentic German cuisine, sip on hot chocolate, listen to live music, and sample a Gluhwein with your souvenir mug. Admission is free.
- Where: Civic Center Park
- When: November 20 – December 23, 2020
- Website: christkindlmarketdenver.com
Blossoms of Light
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.
- Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street location
- When: November 20, 2020 – January 16, 2021
- Website: botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/blossoms-light
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Note: This event has been canceled for the 2020 holiday season.
Spread the holiday cheer with the classic Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas this holiday season at the Buell Theater. Reminisce with old songs such as “Where are you Christmas” and “Christmas, why can’t I find you?” all staged at the beautiful Buell Theater.
The Nutcracker
Note: The live performance of The Nutcracker is canceled for the holiday 2020 season. An online broadcast will be available on Rocky Mountain PBS.
The beloved classic, The Nutcracker, makes its annual appearance at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House throughout the holiday season. The Colorado Ballet’s rendition is one not to be missed with a visit to the Sugar Plum Kingdom where beautiful dances come to life.
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- Where: Rocky Mountain PBS
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- When: Live streaming begins on Thanksgiving at 7 p.m.
- Website: coloradoballet.org
9News Denver Parade of Lights
A Denver tradition, the Parade of Lights will fill the streets once again for their 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.
- Where: Civic Center Park
- When: Beginning November 27th, 2020
- Website: downtowndenver.com/9news-parade-of-lights
Christmas Sweater 5K
What’re 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.
- Where: Washington Park
- When: December 20, 2020
- Website: coloradorunnerevents.com/Christmas
Denver Zoo Lights
Step inside Colorado’s wildest winter wonderland at the Denver Zoo Lights. Now in its 30th year, this year’s event is Illuminated with Life with more than two million lights twinkling throughout the Denver Zoo. Other activities include hula hoop dance party, ice carving artisans, holiday shopping bazaar, and more. Tickets are available for purchase online and the event sells out every year, so get yours today!
- Where: Denver Zoo
- When: November 23 – December 31, 2020
- Website: denverzoo.org/events/zoolights
A Colorado Christmas with the Colorado Symphony
Note: The event has been canceled for the 2020 holiday season.
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.
Evergreen
28th Annual Holiday Walk
Note: This event has been canceled but with plans to host other holiday events. View details here.
Main Street in downtown Evergreen shuts down for the festive Annual Holiday Walk. Join in on the fun with caroling with Santa, a tree lighting, and pictures with Santa. The main stage will be located at the National Bank parking lot in downtown Evergreen.
Golden
Olde Golden Christmas
Note: The event has been canceled but with plans to host other holiday events. Visit their website here.
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.
Highlands Ranch
Hometown Holiday & Winter Market
Note: This event has been canceled for the 2020 holiday season.
Join in one 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.
Breakfast with Santa
Note: This event has been canceled for the 2020 holiday season.
Celebrate the spirit of the season with a delicious breakfast buffet with none other, than Santa! Kids will enjoy crafting creations, singing along to holiday music, and reading along with stories from Mrs. Claus at Santa’s workshop.
Littleton
Trail of Lights
Chatfield Farms lights up every holiday season with its festive lights and winter wonderland displays. Come 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.
- Where: Chatfield Farms
- When: Fri-Sun November 26 – December 12, 2021 | Nightly December 17, 2021 – January 2, 2022 | Closed Christmas
- Website: botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/trail-lights
Parker
Christmas Carriage Parade
Hosted every year on the second Saturday in December, the Christmas Carriage Parade is a favorite tradition in Parker. Come see the all-equestrian parade with horse-drawn carriages, wagons, and stagecoaches, all decked out for the event. In tow, there is a holiday farmer’s market for those last-minute shoppers. The parade is free and open to the public.
- Where: Downtown Parker
- When: 2021 canceled indefinitely
- Website: parkercolorado.net/parker-co-parades
Westminster
Holiday Lighting Ceremony
- Where: Westminster City Hall
- When: December 4, 2021
- Website: cityofwestminster.us…
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 upon the full-size sleigh and kid-size train. Admission is free.
Thanks for checking out some of the best Christmas holiday events around the Mile High City. Remember to be nice.
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