There’s no shortage of things to do in Denver and this is especially true during the holiday season! With a variety of outdoor activities and events and specialty indoor performances, you can’t possibly be a Grinch when it comes to celebrating Christmas in the Mile High City! We’re highlighting our top 12 favorite Christmas things to do in Denver this year.
Ice skating
Start off with a winter favorite: Ice skating! The ice rink at Skyline Park (on the popular 16th Street Mall) is open from right before Thanksgiving to early February and best of all, it’s free! You can bring your own skates or rent a pair for like $3 – it’s a great deal for some fun on the ice.
Christkindl Market
Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts or share a treat or two after your lap around the rink by visiting the Christkindl Market, also in Skyline Park! The market is open until December 23 this year and offers a great variety of ornaments, handcrafted works of art, and brings the feeling of Germany to Denver with stalls offering gluhwein, a hot mulled wine, perfect for pairing with your treats.
Santa on the Square
During the weekends of December, head to Larimer Square to shop trendy boutiques and visit some of the best restaurants in the city. You can pop by and tell Santa what’s on your wishlist, listen to the carolers, or take a romantic carriage ride in the neighborhood.
Union Station
See the train station all lit up in festive green and red and then enter to see a glittering display of golden hues with a towering Christmas tree. Grab a drink from Terminal Bar and make use of the comfy chairs and couches and enjoy the festive atmosphere inside this busy landmark.
Miracle
This Christmas themed pop-up bar is at Avanti this year and it’s expected to be just as popular as it was last year. They take decking the halls to another level and offer holiday-themed cocktails where their names are half the fun and is a cool place to get into the holiday spirit with a spirit.
Zoo Lights
This family-friendly event isn’t just for the kids! Rick and I have gone to check out the lights and see the zoo after dark. Be sure to grab a cup of hot chocolate and dress warmly as you walk outside under the light displays – many of which move through the zoo! It’s festive. It’s fun. And it’s a cool date night idea in Denver in December.
Blossoms of Light
Another dazzling display is located at the Denver Botanic Gardens! See the gardens come to life with color, this time of the LED variety and not floral. Check out the synchronized lights and music in the amphitheater, wait for nights when carolers will stroll the gardens, and just enjoy the delightful ambiance of the gardens all lit up. Hot drinks and treats are available.
Santa’s Village
Another Botanic Gardens option, but down at Chatfield Farms, is to visit Santa’s Village on the weekends. Stop for a visit with Santa or peek into his workshop, take a hayride, see the lights, and meet the reindeer at the village.
Nutcracker by the Colorado Ballet
Head inside for a wonderful performance of The Nutcracker at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Downtown Denver. The costumes, the dancers, the orchestra – it’s all perfect and makes you feel like you’ve left the city and are in your dreamy version of the Land of Sweets. Rick and I both enjoyed seeing the Colorado Ballet’s performance – and we actually saw it on the night we got engaged!
A Christmas Carol
Another Christmas classic is the performance of A Christmas Carol in Denver. This theater production captures the message of Charles Dickens’ book and brings it to life in a way that even your friends who are bah humbugging the season away will love. Not sure if I can make bah humbug into a verb, but I’ll try.
The Santaland Diaries
My sister and I did this last year, and if you love the works of David Sedaris, you cannot miss this hilarious one-man show. The stage show follows David during his tenure as Crumpet the Elf at Macy’s and the behind-the-scenes stories only David can conjure. Crumpet is snarky, sassy, and all-around smart-assy. I was crying I was laughing so hard during the show. If you want a holiday-themed show that’s not your traditional Christmas tale, this is it.
What’d we miss from our guide to Christmas in Denver? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!
