Find the must-see holiday events in Denver! Explore our guide for all the top festive highlights. Whether you're intimately familiar with Denver or just getting to know it, this guide maximizes your seasonal joy.
One of the highlights of the holiday season is the enchanting Zoo Lights, where the Denver Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with dazzling light displays and festive decorations. Another favorite is the Parade of Lights, showcasing beautifully decorated floats and local performers that bring the streets to life. And the Mile High Holidays is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering an array of seasonal activities throughout the city. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Denver
- Mile High Holidays
- Zoo Lights
- Parade of Lights
- Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light
- The Nutcracker
- Winter Wanderland
- Elitch Gardens Luminova Holidays
- Denver Christkindlmarket
- Luminova Holidays
- Camp Christmas (Aurora)
See these and even more events listed below!
Denver Holiday Light Displays
Winter Wanderland
What to Expect:
One million lights illuminating the neighborhood.
Description:
Cherry Creek North's Winter Wanderland features over 1 million twinkling lights wrapping more than 600 trees, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere in the neighborhood.
Where: Denver | More Info: Winter Wanderland
Luminova Holidays
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and festive rides.
Description:
Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens features over 4 million dazzling lights, rides, visits with Santa, and interactive activities for all ages.
Where: Denver | More Info: Luminova Holidays
Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light
What to Expect:
Immersive, luminous displays highlighting plant collections.
Description:
Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light is a spectacular holiday light display featuring a mile-long path through immersive, luminous displays that accentuate and highlight the gardens' plant collections. The event is a cherished holiday tradition for nearly four decades, consistently lauded as one of the top holiday light shows in the nation. All lights used are LED, and holiday treats and warm drinks are available for purchase.
Where: Denver | More Info: Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light
Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Illuminated floats and helium-filled character balloons.
Description:
The 9NEWS Parade of Lights is a spectacular holiday event produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership, featuring over 40 illuminated floats, giant helium-filled character balloons, and marching bands. It brings thousands of people downtown to celebrate Denver's most iconic holiday tradition.
Where: Denver | More Info: Parade of Lights
Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Denver Zoo transforms into a vibrant holiday spectacle with over a million LED lights, featuring various light displays, animal habitats, and special attractions like ice sculpting and a train ride through the zoo.
Where: Denver | More Info: Zoo Lights
Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland
What to Expect:
One million lights illuminating the entire neighborhood.
Description:
Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland features over 1 million twinkling lights wrapping more than 600 trees, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere in Denver's must-see destination.
Where: Denver | More Info: Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland
Elitch Gardens Luminova Holidays
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and rides.
Description:
Elitch Gardens Luminova Holidays features over 4 million dazzling lights, rides on featured Elitch Gardens attractions, visits with Santa Claus, and immersive light displays including a 65 ft. Christmas tree and 300 ft. candy cane tunnel.
Where: Denver | More Info: Elitch Gardens Luminova Holidays
Denver Holiday Markets and Shopping
Mile High Holidays
What to Expect:
Unique boutique shopping experience with over 100 merchants.
Description:
The 45th Annual Mile High Holiday Mart offers a unique boutique shopping experience with over 100 merchants, featuring unique gifts and supporting the Junior League of Denver's mission.
Where: Denver | More Info: Mile High Holidays
Denver Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
Interactive Kinder Wunderland play area for children.
Description:
The Denver Christkindlmarket is an authentic German-style holiday market at Denver Civic Center Park, featuring local and European vendors selling crafts and food, with live entertainment for all to enjoy.
Where: Denver | More Info: Denver Christkindlmarket
Georgetown Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday entertainment with Victorian carolers and dancers.
Description:
The Georgetown Christmas Market is an annual event held in historic Georgetown, Colorado, featuring an outdoor European marketplace with handcrafted gifts, an Alpine Biergarten, and additional shopping at Christmas Alley. Visitors can enjoy roasted chestnuts, horse-drawn wagon rides, and appearances by St. Nicholas and the Santa Lucia Children’s Procession. The market also includes museum tours of historic sites like the Hamill House and Hotel de Paris.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Georgetown Christmas Market
Evergreen Winterfest
What to Expect:
Celebration of local artisanal talent with a variety of handcrafted items.
Description:
Evergreen Winterfest is a free community event celebrating local artisanal talent with an artisan gift market, holiday crafts, face painting, food trucks, and live holiday music.
Where: Evergreen | More Info: Evergreen Winterfest
Holidays at Outlets at Castle Rock
What to Expect:
Extended holiday shopping hours with special deals.
Description:
Outlets at Castle Rock is offering extended holiday hours and special deals, including 25% off at 20 participating stores. Families can also enjoy Santa House and Santa Cares events.
Where: Castle Rock | More Info: Holidays at Outlets at Castle Rock
Holiday Arts Bazaar
What to Expect:
Three-day event showcasing locally made artisan crafts.
Description:
The Holiday Arts Bazaar is a lively holiday tradition featuring a wide variety of fine crafts, including artisan jewelry, organic body products, gourmet food, ceramics, and clothing, all made by hand.
Where: Telluride | More Info: Holiday Arts Bazaar
Denver Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker is a timeless ballet tradition featuring mischievous dancing mice, sweet Sugar Plums, and a symphony of swirling snowflakes, set to Tchaikovsky's enchanting score.
Where: Denver | More Info: The Nutcracker
Home for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Classic holiday entertainment with celebrity appearances.
Description:
Home for the Holidays is an old-school variety show featuring dancers, singers, holiday songs, and celebrity appearances, including Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event boasts an updated storyline with a few spectacular surprises, ensuring a delightful holiday experience.
Where: Denver | More Info: Home for the Holidays
Camp Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday installations with flexible ticket options.
Description:
Camp Christmas is a 15,000 square-foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer, featuring handcrafted installations by Denver-based magic makers. It offers a surreal mashup of nostalgic scenes, playful pun trees, and the opportunity to meet Santa. The event includes various themed nights, flexible ticket options, and special VIP experiences.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Camp Christmas
Sound of The Rockies
What to Expect:
Award-winning ensemble performances.
Description:
Sound of the Rockies is Colorado's premier nonprofit men's a cappella group and barbershop chorus, featuring over 100 singers. They share captivating music through community outreach initiatives and performances, always welcoming new talent.
Where: Denver | More Info: Sound of The Rockies
Santa at the Hangar
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with Santa visits and interactive installations.
Description:
Visit Santa at Camp Christmas, where he speaks English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, and offers a special experience for kids to share their Christmas wishes.
Where: Denver | More Info: Santa at the Hangar
Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Immersive theatrical re-creation of "The Polar Express" with hot chocolate and a light show.
Description:
Climb aboard a vintage steam train for an immersive theatrical re-creation of the classic holiday story, "The Polar Express." Enjoy hot chocolate and a sweet treat while listening to a reading of the Polar Express book. After arriving at the North Pole, experience an incredible light show set to holiday music. On the return trip, Santa will visit each coach to hand out the first gift of Christmas to each passenger.
Where: Durango | More Info: Polar Express Train Ride
Denver Other Holiday Activities
Downtown Denver Rink
What to Expect:
Free ice skating in downtown Denver.
Description:
The Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park offers free ice skating from November to February, with special events and skate rentals available.
Where: Denver | More Info: Downtown Denver Rink
Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade
What to Expect:
Employees carrying torches down the slopes.
Description:
The Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade in Telluride features resort employees descending the slopes with torches, creating a stunning red-hue display that lights up the mountain and town.
Where: Telluride | More Info: Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Wheat Ridge (5 miles)
- Commerce City (5 miles)
- Lakewood (6 miles)
- Englewood (6 miles)
- Arvada (7 miles)
- Westminster (7 miles)
- Aurora (8 miles)
- Littleton (9 miles)
- Thornton (9 miles)
- Northglenn (10 miles)
- Southglenn (11 miles)
- Columbine (11 miles)
- Castlewood (12 miles)
- Centennial (12 miles)
- Golden (13 miles)
- Highlands Ranch (13 miles)
- Ken Caryl (13 miles)
- Broomfield (14 miles)
- Louisville (18 miles)
- Lafayette (18 miles)
- Brighton (19 miles)
- Parker (19 miles)
- Erie (22 miles)
- Boulder (24 miles)
- Castle Rock (26 miles)
- Longmont (30 miles)