The holidays are the best time to take the little ones out on the town to experience a whole range of festive fun and family-friendly experiences. From a unique one-of-a-kind party dedicated to Netflix and Shondaland’s Bridgerton Experience, to a dazzling, wild night of twinkling displays at the Denver Zoo. There’s a whole lot of magical events to enjoy this holiday season, and this guide has got your quick guide to our favorites. Don’t forget to bookmark this page to ensure you don’t forget any of these wonderful, family-friendly holiday activities.
1. The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience Family Sessions
Get ready to transport the entire family to Regency-era splendor—at the Queen’s Ball: a Bridgerton Experience Family Sessions. Until now, this glorious ballroom party has been available only for adults but for two very special nights, your little Duke or Duchess can join in on the fun. Tickets are selling fast, so make haste to get your tickets for the family sessions, taking place on November 19th and December 3rd.
2. Zoo Lights
Have a wild encounter this holiday season at one of Denver’s most enchanting experiences: Zoo Lights, a colorful light show at the Denver Zoo that’s perfect for the whole family. Kids can learn about some of the most amazing, nocturnal animals in the world (and potentially feed them if you’re interested in the Giraffe feeding experience) while parents sip on holiday seasonal cocktails. Then, take a tour of the entire park, transformed by over 1 million festive lights in unique, and dazzling displays like Aurora Borealis and Savannah Sunset (both of which are new this year). A tour around the zoo typically takes 45 to 90 minutes with Non-Member prices at $15 for kids and $25 for adults.
Where: 2900 E 23rd Ave, Denver, CO 80205
3. Downtown Denver Rink
Ice skating is back for another season this winter and Downtown Denver Rink re-opening onNovember 21st is the perfect holiday season family-friendly activity. For $11, adults can skate while kids 12 and under only cost $9. P.S. We recommend you bring your own skates for free entry to this skating rink (perfectly suited against Denver’s magnificent skyline) but if you don’t have skates, there’s skate and sock rentals available for a small price.
Where: 1601 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO 80202.
4. Denver Blossoms of Light
Grab the kids and head over to one of Denver’s most iconic and dazzling light displays. Blossoms of Light is returning to Denver on November 18th for another stunning year of gorgeous, twinkling lights, unique flora and fauna, and holiday treats and drinks. Blossoms of Lights has been around for three decades now, and has quickly become a display that you’ll want to cross off your Denver bucket list this holiday season. This dazzling, family-friendly activity will be around all the way until January 7th.
Where: 1007 York Street Denver, CO 80206
5. Denver Christkindlmarket
The entire family can enjoy a visit to an authentic German Christmas Market without the price point of a ticket to Europe. The Civic Center Park will be the place for authentic German cuisine, a festive holiday market, and traditional Christmas music. And this year, Denver’s Mile High Tree, Denver’s tallest digital tree, will also be a centerpiece of the Denver Christkindlmarket. The market takes place from November 18th to December 23rd.
Where: 101 West 14th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204
6. Camp Christmas
“Denver’s quirkiest holiday tradition” is back in town for another holiday season at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park on November 17th until December 24th. Explore the park as kids get to ride the carousel, have a one-on-one visit with Santa himself, and sip on hot cocoa, while adults can enjoy craft holiday cocktails at one of their themed bars. Don’t forget to explore every dazzling light display and immersive experiences that Camp Christmas has to offer.
Where: 801 S Yarrow St, Lakewood, CO 80226
7. Light the Lights
Every year, Denver Civic Center displays an 8-minute holiday light and song performance that’s free to attend. Bundle up the kids and yourself in a warm scarf and sweater, and head over to Civic Center Park. The show will light up the wall of the Civic Center at two different times each night: 5:45pm and 6:45pm from November 23rd until January 22nd nightly (except for a few choice evenings/and excluding Mondays).
Where: 101 W. 14th Ave.Denver, CO 80202
8. Polar Express Train Ride
Experience the magic of the Polar Express with the kids at Colorado Railroad Museum. A three-part theatrical experience that will ignite the magic of the holiday season for True Believers in Santa. And although the ride to the North Pole might seem cold, they’ve newly renovated their heated Polar Express Pavillion to ensure everyone’s comfort as you take in the cheery Holiday Caroling. After that hop on to the vintage locomotive to be taken to Santa for a wonderful, holiday experience the kids will love.
Where: 17155 W. 44th Avenue Golden, CO 80403