How to Have a Holly Jolly Christmas in Denver
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Holiday traditions have to start somewhere. Why not in Colorado? Fa-la-la in love with the Christmas season in downtown Denver this December! Connect with your family, countdown the days, and channel your holiday spirit this Christmas in Denver!
Denver hosts hundreds of holiday events each Christmas, so we’ve scouted out the stars of the season so that you and your family can skip the search!
Here’s a basic bucket list for a charming mountain Christmas in Denver!
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Christmas in Denver
Wander through the Blossoms of Light
Watch the Denver Botanic Gardens transform this winter into a twinkling wonderland for you to wander through as the snow falls!
From the middle of November to the start of January, the beautiful gardens gather up their Christmas spirit and glow for a dazzling show in downtown Denver. The lights turn on at dusk and end just before 10 pm!
Be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time to attend the light shows; many days are already sold out for the season.
Bundle up, bring the family, and wander through the Blossoms of Light this Christmas in Denver!
Drive through Christmas in Color
Discover the world’s largest drive-thru animated light show in Denver this Christmas by driving through Christmas in Color!
With over one million holiday lights synched to holiday music, these Christmas lights are a must-see for the family! Tickets can be purchased online.
There is a flat fee per vehicle with an additional add-on – the party pack! For an extra fee, get some light wands, 3-D glasses, necklaces, and an air freshener for more festive fun for the family.
Roll the windows down, put on those glasses, sip some hot cocoa, and ring in the holiday season at Christmas in Color!
Attend Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens
As if Elitch Gardens wasn’t fun enough, imagine adding Christmas lights and more to this theme park!
Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens is the biggest, brightest, and boldest Denver Christmas event! This theme park transforms on Thanksgiving weekend, turning on millions of lights and Christmas-themed attractions for the entire family to enjoy.
This interactive winter wonderland will lighten the mood this Christmas season in Denver!
Ride the Polar Express Train
Each season, the Georgetown Loop Railroad partners up with Santa and turns into the Polar Express! Bring the animated movie to life this season by dropping by Denver’s very own Polar Express Train!
Train tickets are available starting in November for daytime departures or nighttime adventures through the lighted forest.
Enter the Polar Express by reserving your seats this season and enjoy some hot-hot-hot cocoa on the Polar Express Train during your Christmas in Denver!
See the Colorado Ballet’s “The Nutcraker”
The nutcracker has been a classic Christmas decoration for decades, dating all the way back to the 1800s, all because of a featured ballet set.
This short story set to music is brought to life each season on stage by stunning performers. There are only a number of performances set each Christmas season so be sure to snag your tickets for a sensational show this Christmas in Denver!
Watch history come to life this season by stopping by and seeing Colorado Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”
Visit Denver Union Station
There’s something magical about trains and trees around Christmas time. Each year, Denver Union Station transforms the train station, train cars, and trees to start spreading the holiday cheer!
Visit the Grand Illumination event after Thanksgiving for a night of carols and the Clauses. This event usually kicks off the start of the Merry & Bright Lights Show which can be seen each night of the season.
Countdown the clock until Christmas at Denver Union Station this Christmas in Denver!
Peruse Winter Wanderland at Cherry Creek
Plug-in to Christmas this season as you peruse a whole lot of lights during Winter Wanderland at Cherry Creek!
From November until Christmas, this free outdoor event is a holiday destination you won’t want to miss – well, more like can’t miss! Twinkling lights wrap more than 600 trees, illuminating parts of Denver for an unforgettable trail of Christmas lights in Denver.
Gather up some holiday cheer at Cherry Creek this Christmas in Denver!
Sled at Ruby Hill
What’s the Christmas season without sledding?! Skip the dangerous hills and sled at Ruby Hill this season!
This spot in Denver easily has the best view of the entire city. The park features three great hills for sledding and a winter wonderland of a playground nearby. You’ll certainly cover some ground at Ruby Hill once the snow begins to pile up!
Witness the magic of the mountains while shredding the snow in your sled down Ruby Hill! These memories will surely last a lifetime.
Watch the Mile High Tree Light Show
You’ve heard of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, but have you heard of the Mile High Tree? This seven-story immersive piece of art puts on a spectacular show each Christmas season and actually stands taller than that in Rockefeller Center!
Every 15 minutes throughout the month of December, the tree puts on a timed light show to the sounds of Christmas songs! If you’re feeling extra cheery this Christmas, be sure to attend the annual lighting ceremony to start your Christmas in Denver!
Enjoy the Denver Christkindl Market
Mark your calendars for the Christkindl Market this Christmas in Denver! In fact, you can throw it on the same day as the Mile High Tree Light Show because for the first time this season, you can experience both holiday events in one place!
From November 17th to December 23rd, the Denver Civic Center transforms into a festive market lined with craft and food vendors. The Christkindl Market hosts local and European vendors for an authentic German-style holiday market!
This holiday event in Denver is perfect for finding last minute Christmas gifts, local goodies for hosting this holiday, and some Christmas cheer!
Ice Skate at Evergreen Lake
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? Skate under the stars at Evergreen Lake this season and stand a chance at watching Santa’s sleigh secretly soar through the sky with the family!
Evergreen Lake is the largest outdoor ice skating rink in Denver. This charming Christmas tradition can be enjoyed by the entire family this Christmas in Denver. Hours and dates are weather-dependent, but if the snow is falling, you can bet on it being open!
Attend the Parade of Lights
It may not be the Macy’s Day Parade that we all have on our bucket list, but Denver’s Parade of Lights is still the signature event of the season! It wouldn’t be a Denver Christmas without attending the annual parade!
The parade begins downtown at 6 pm on December 2nd with dozens of balloons, bands, and brilliant displays for hours of holiday fun! And to end every Christmas parade, enjoy a special appearance from Santa Claus.
See the Denver Zoo Lights
Find not only crocodiles, or rhinoceroses but hippopotamuses too at the Denver Zoo! Bring this children’s Christmas song to life this season at the Denver Zoo under dozens of dazzling lights.
The Denver Zoo has made the spirit bright and animated these animal habitats for the entire month of December! Discovering the Denver Zoo Lights has become a holiday hit and family favorite in Denver.
Have fun at Camp Christmas
Explore the enchanting world of Camp Christmas this Christmas in Denver! This immersive experience brings imagination to life and is sure to bring out your inner Christmas spirit!
At camp, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the man of Christmas himself, sip on some savory cocktails, and discover some dazzling decor for an eclectic one-of-a-kind experience.
Collect your tickets online or at the door, and enjoy your Denver Christmas!
Enjoy the holidays at Gaylord Rockies
Grab the keys! We’re headed to the Gaylord Rockies! Step into the scenes of a Christmas Story carved by ice this Christmas in Denver.
This resort and indoor water park transforms into an icy immersive story of the Christmas classic, A Christmas Story. Purchase tickets online anytime in November to indulge in this icy holiday event!
Final Thoughts: Denver holiday events
I know we’re dreaming of a white Christmas… aren’t you?! We expect that you’ll experience the true meaning of a white Christmas as you wander through these winter wonderlands of downtown Denver and explore the endless festivities they have to offer.
Discover the true meaning of Christmas this season by spending time with those you love and sharing these experiences together for an enchanting Christmas in Denver.
Happy Holidays!
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