The holiday season is one of our favorite times of the year. It’s the time where the city lights up in a completely new way, with festive lights dazzling the streets and trees being set up in public plazas. Creative, holiday-themed events hit the city, and it feels like everyone’s in a bit of better spirits. To keep you in the most festive of spirits this holiday season, we rounded up 12 can’t miss, joyous, and fantastically festive things to do in and around Denver this holiday season. Enjoy, and happy holidays!
1. Experience a magical and festive candlelight concert
Picture this: stepping out from a crisp winter evening into a beautiful venue surrounded with flickering candles. Once you take your seat and the performance begins, the venue comes alive with the classical sounds of some of the world’s finest classic composers and contemporary hits played by a talented string quartet. That’s exactly what you’ll get with the globally recognized Candlelight series. This year, the wildly popular series is even hosting a couple of holiday specials, like a ballet special and a performance dedicated to the greatest contemporary hits by Adele.
2. Experience the magic of Shondaland’s Bridgerton at this immersive, grand ball
The Queen’s Ball is one of the most divine experiences happening now in Denver and the ballroom doors to this extravagant party has already opened its doors. This epic dance party replicating Netflix’s hit show Bridgerton will have interactive sets, themed libations, and a chance to be crowned the Diamond of the Evening. Make haste and get your tickets today, esteemed Denverites, since the holiday party of the season is only available for a limited time.
3. Hit the ice at one of these awesome ice skating rinks
Downtown Denver is partnering up with Southwest Airlines to bring back the holiday ice skating rink to Skyline Park. Bundle up, don your skates, and enjoy a jolly good time hitting the ice as you’re surrounded by twinkling Christmas lights and ornaments. The rink opens on November 24th at 4pm and is sticking around until February 20th!
4. Go on a wintry road trip to one of these snowy cities
Prepare for snowy season this year by hitting the road and heading to a charming, snowy mountain village. Places like Vail, Aspen, Crested Butte, and Telluride are all waiting for you and your family to hit their slopes, check out their downtowns, and enjoy a beautiful, cozy stay.
5. Take in the beauty of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in your own backyard
For a limited time, you can now explore the stunning details of Michelangelo’s iconic masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel, up close and personal at Cherry Creek Mall in Denver! Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition showcases the awe and wonder of arguably one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements while allowing its visitors to experience this art from an up-close, life-sized, and never-before-seen perspective, so get your tickets before you miss your chance to see it this holiday season.
6. Be dazzled by one of Denver’s Christmas light shows
Some of Denver’s biggest spaces and venues are lighting up for the holidays in spectacular, immersive art installations. Enter these winter wonderlands, be dazzled by millions of twinkling lights, and enjoy the Christmas spirit in style. Some you may have experienced before, some are brand new, and some are bigger and better than ever.
- Denver Zoo Lights
- Denver Botanic Gardens – Blossoms Of Light
- Elitch Gardens – Luminova Holiday
7. Take a ride on the Polar Express
The Polar Express is returning to the Colorado Railroad Museum for another year. From mid-November to December 23rd, take a magical journey, starting out at the Polar Express Pavilion. Sit around the table as a holiday performance of the iconic Polar Express story takes place as you get to nibble on tasty treats. Once the performance is over, head outside to see the arrival of the Polar Express train pull into the station where you’ll climb aboard and meet Santa. Tickets range in price, starting at $80 a person, so check out their website for all the information.
8. Sip Glühwein and shop local at a holiday market
Experience a German holiday market right in your own backyard at Denver’s Christkindlmarket where you can stroll down lanes of enchanted merchants selling artisanal wares and tasty holiday goodies from local and international businesses alike. Or, head over to Cherry Creek for their annual holiday market where they’ve got dazzling light decorations and a rotating list of over 80+ small vendors.
9. Watch a holiday musical or theater performance
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is back this year with an amazingly festival line up! Here’s a few of our favorites below:
- Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer: The Musical (Dec 16-18)
- A Christmas Carol (Nov 16-Dec 24)
- My Fair Lady (Nov 15-27)
10. Enjoy a wild, colorful, and quirky Christmas activity
Get ready for the most over-the-top Camp Christmas since 2019. For 2022, Camp Christmas will be taking place at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park to ensure an amazing venue for this festive’s holiday season. At Camp Christmas you can
- Enjoy a season’s greetings with Santa himself at a safe photo opp
- Drink seasonally-themed cocktails
- Enjoy photo-worthy, immersive light displays
11. Head to Larimer Square for all your holiday needs
Larimer Square has got a whole lot of activities to do this holiday season so if you’re nearby, you can start the festivities off on December 2nd with Lights on Larimer from 6pm-8pm. Watch the tree lighting ceremony and local merchants and enjoy. On December 3rd and December 17th from 12-4pm, Santa will be here in the Square for visits. The He(art) of the Market arrives to Larimer on December 10th from 12-noon with local vendors, holiday goodies, and more. Finally, there’s the Songs & Sights Holiday Experience on December 20th and 23rd from 6-8pm with live music and a beautiful projection mapping across Larimer Square.
12. Enjoy this free tree installation at Denver’s Civic Center
