These are the best ways to spend the most wonderful time of the year.
The ignitor are twinkling , Mariah Carey is on loop in your head , and the consumerist tactic are in full force — it ’s the holiday time of year , folk ! Though not a small European village , Denver pulls out the stops for the holidays , offering occupier ( and those in townspeople visiting ) particular lighter displays , immersive artistic creation experience and themed pop - up bars , and all the howling winter activities that make the time of year extra bright . fortify up the ice skate , snaffle your favourite red-hot cocoa thermos bottle , and check out all of the holiday merriment happen in Denver this year by shopping , feeding , drunkenness , and enjoy in as much playfulness as your soul can handle .
Holiday Markets in Denver
Christkindlmarket
Friday , November 17 - Saturday , December 23Civic Center Park , FreeDenver’sChristkindlmarketis one of the oldest holiday markets in the city , its wooden vendor booths spanning Civic Center Park . impart the whole family for a day browse store and crafter ’ wares and munching on sizzle hot European delicacies like Knödel , fluffy pretzels , and pierogies . Warm your bones in the eventide by one of the firepits with some hot cider and listen to the unrecorded music run in the entertainment tent , and consider it a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. well spent .
Cherry Creek Holiday Market
Thursday , November 16 - Sunday , December 24Cherry Creek , FreeAlso back this year is theCherry Creek Holiday Marketand its more than 50 vendors as part of the one-year Cherry Creek Winter Wanderland experience . Enjoy live music and dazzling light display after shopping to your fondness ’ message . fantasy a beverage and a property to rest your feet when you ’re done ? tick off out the libation at the Mistletoe Lounge .
Winter Holiday Art Market
Saturday , December 9 - Sunday , December 10Baker , Cost variesNew this year is the WHAM — Winter Holiday Art Market — put on by the Art Students League of Denver . This weekend upshot will showcase the works of more than 30 ASLD staff and faculty vendors ; if you ’re looking for the gross prowess piece for your abode or a dandy gift for a loved one , this market should be stop act one .
Holiday-Themed Bars and Pop-Ups in Denver
Blazing Bright pop-up
Through DecemberEnglewoodThe Blazing Bright soda pop - up at Fireside Bar & Grill ( insideThe Inverness Denver ) will feature sleigh shot , an Angry Elf peppermint martini , Ugly Sweater Weather scuff , and Not So Silent Night sangria alongside charcuterie card and other snack . There will also be a Bah Humbug Hot Cocoa Bar and plenty of vacation interior decoration , plus a cozy firepit to toast your feet by .
Miracle at Union Station
Wednesday , November 22 - Friday , December 29Union Station , $ 2 reservation feeMiracle at Union Stationis where you ’ll recover impressively fun , over - the - top Christmas ( & Hanukkah ) decorations , tasty seasonal and peculiarity cocktail , and all the vacation whimsy you could hope for , andZeppelin Stationis asking the eternal motion this year : Naughty , or Nice ? Its themed pop - up ginmill is a “ Choose your own adventure ” type of experience this year , where your just the ticket time ( and some decisions the sidereal day - of ) determines whether you ’ll be hanging out with the delightful Mrs. Claus and dulcet confect canes or Krampus and some seriously naughty elves .
Other seasonal cake transformations to note includeAdrift Tiki Bar ’s SnowdriftandThe Ramble Hotel ’s Death & Co. , both of which are offering glitz , gloating , and near drink to observe the vacation time of year .
Other Holiday Activities in Denver
Light shows
Various locationsFor the holiday light magic , the options are plentiful . TheDenver Botanic GardensandDenver Zooboth have incredible displays ( as they do every year ) , with some extra fun at each , too , like ice carving exhibitions and seasonal beverages . Littleton ’s Hudson Gardensis always a family favorite , as is the holiday staple of visitingDowntown Denver ’s Mile High Tree .
Ice skating
Various locationsItching to get out onto the shabu ? snaffle your skates and head to one of the many rinks across Denver , from the Instagram - worthyDowntown Denver Rinkto the quaintDowntown Belmarice skating rink , where you may skate and holiday shop all in the same stumble . If you ’re coordinated enough , you could view whatever ’s on the enceinte screen while you curl around the skating rink atMcGregor Square , and not to be missed this twelvemonth is the rooftop rink atHalcyon on Ice . Skate among the cloud and repay yourself with hot drinks , tasty bites , diffused blankets , relaxing music , and breathtaking views of the Mile High City .
Live holiday shows
Various locationsPerhaps you ’re looking for something more along the phone line of alive entertainment — we get it . turn over the talented Colorado Ballet ’s output ofThe Nutcracker , which runs through December 24 . Or , for something a bit more immersive , chief toStanley Marketplacefor Camp Christmas — a hypnotize holiday wonderland that includes visit Santa at his Glampsite and savour a campy Drag Queen experience .
Union Station
LodoUnion Stationshines every holiday season . From its Grand Illumination celebration , featuring the inflammation of a 40 - foot - tall outdoor Christmas tree , live music , and tons of family - friendly activities to its vacation on the Block , an extensive lineup of festive event include a local makers grocery and winter nontextual matter installations , Union Station has all the vacation fun cover .
Cherry Creek Holiday Market|Courtesy of Cherry Creek North
Blazing Bright Bar|Photo by From The Hip Photo
Courtesy of Union Station
