Celebrating the Holidays in Denver
Celebrating the Holidays in Denver
If you’re celebrating the holidays in Denver and looking for some fun things to do, we’ve put together a list of great activities! Whether you’re hosting friends or family or just celebrating with your own, these events are fun for everyone! From everyone here at the Fuel family, we wish you all the best this holiday season! Click each event title to be taken directly to the site for all of the details.
Tuesday, December 17th
Create a new family tradition and join in the free nightly festivities at Denver’s newest holiday attraction, including a dazzling lights and music show every 30 minutes throughout the evening. At 39-feet in diameter, the conical structure can host up to 140 guests at a time for an immersive viewing experience within the tree itself. The tree will be surrounded by dazzling, oversized holiday ornaments – a perfect selfie spot – as well as vendors selling holiday treats and drinks.
The Mile High Tree is the largest installation of its kind in North America. The tree was created by ILMEX Illumination, a globally renowned decorative lighting production company in Spain. Madrid-based Brut Deluxe handled the lighting design using pixel-mapping technology.
Friday, December 20th
This tour is a delightful, enchanted stroll through the historic area of downtown Denver. You will hear and see some of the most significant landmarks in Denver, set to the backdrop of holiday lights. This is great for groups of friends and families. This is the best way to see and enjoy the "Christmas city", in all its glory. At the end of the tour, you may want to continue the festivities, by taking the 16th Street Mall shuttle, to the Denver's German market, Christkndl. There you will enjoy festive shopping, food, and an awesome beer tent. Note: This tour ends at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, at the Denver Pavilions. It is not a round trip tour. You can easily return to the start by taking an Uber or Lyft, or if you want to do a short walk, you can take the 16th Street Mall shuttle, until you get to Cleveland (look for the McDonald's), and walk back to the start of the tour; our guides will help you to get back. (For the best possible experience, we recommend Lyft or Uber. Please arrive at 5:25, in front of the giant broom and dustpan, in front of the Hamilton building, at the Denver Art Museum. We can not hold tours, for late comers. Please plan your time accordingly. Please dress for the current weather conditions. This is a walking tour. We are unable to issue refunds
Currently open now until December 23rd
This annual event brings authentic German and European holiday traditions to Denver!
The Market opens every year on the Friday before Thanksgiving, and lasts through the 23rd of December. The event offers an authentic German holiday experience, including opportunities to meet St. Nikolaus, Krampus and the Christkind herself. Guests can savor the season as they enjoy authentic Glühwein, Bavarian-style Biers, European coffee, or hot chocolate while wandering through the Market. Each charming wooden hut offers finely crafted artisan gifts and holiday treats sold by local Coloradan and international merchants. Guests are invited to cozy up inside the heated Festival Hall to enjoy live entertainment while snacking on Bavarian-style pretzels, fresh smoked salmon, or Goulasch with their family and friends.
Entertainment:
The Denver Christkindl Market features live talent every day! On the Mercedes-Benz Stage, guests can find The Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, German polka music, German traditional dancers, holiday hymns in multiple languages, blue grass music, and much more. Dancing is encouraged!
Every day in December through December 30th (closed on December 25th)
For 29 years, Zoo Lights has been transforming Denver Zoo into Colorado’s WILDEST winter wonderland. And this year, we’re Illuminated with Life—from a spectrum of luminous new experiences to all kinds of unexpected holiday fun! With more than two million lights sparkling over 80 acres, Zoo Lights is the perfect way to make special holiday memories in Denver’s most beloved community gathering place. Whether it’s a family tradition, fun with friends or date night, we invite you to light it up! Like Denver Zoo and our 3,000 wonderful animal residents, Zoo Lights is yours to explore.
PLEASE NOTE: Zoo Lights sells out every year—please book online or in advance to secure your spot. Tickets will not be available at the gate.
Santa will not be present during Zoo Lights. He will be available to meet and greet daytime visitors on December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th.
Currently at Denver Center: Ellie Caulkins Opera House playing now until December 29th
Audiences simply can’t get enough of Colorado Ballet’s acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. Returning for its 59th season, this beloved holiday favorite sells out every year. Experience this whimsical trip to the sugar plum kingdom where magical dances come alive. Secure your seats early for this holiday tradition as most performances fill up prior to opening night.
See link above for specific dates and times.
Light up the holidays at A Hudson Christmas—an extravaganza of dazzling, colorful Christmas lights.
A Hudson Christmas has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families and friends from across the Denver area! Walk arm-in-arm with loved ones at this winter wonderland decorated with thousands of outdoor lights. Explore the trails where bursts of light and color wrap around trees, shimmer on bodies of water, illuminate happy faces, and bring a twinkle to your eye. Share your holiday wish list with Santa Claus (through December 23rd), watch Christmas trees dance to holiday music, sip a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and stop for photo opportunities along the way.
The extravaganza lights up Hudson Gardens starting the night after Thanksgiving. Event dates are November 29 and 30; December 1, 6-8, 13-24, and 26-31. Tickets aren’t dated or timed, so they can be redeemed on any one night of the extravaganza!
Hudson Gardens’ members can purchase $9 tickets at the box office by presenting a valid membership card (limit 4). Active and retired members of the military can purchase $9 tickets at the box office by presenting a valid photo ID (limit 4). Groups with 15 or more adults can purchase $9 tickets with one transaction at the box office.
December 29th
Come celebrate the last night of Chanukah with The Orchard’s Grand Menorah Lighting Celebration December 29, 2019. Enjoy live music, latkahs, donuts, hot beverages and a variety of performances. Hosted by The Chabad of NW Metro Denver in loving memory of Jessica Ridgeway on The Orchard Entertainment Stage.
