Experience the magic of the holiday season in Denver, CO, where festive lights, authentic German markets, and dazzling parades transform the city into a winter wonderland. Embrace the holiday spirit at the Denver Christkindl Market, savoring the aromas of mulled wine and freshly baked strudel while finding unique gifts from traditional artisans. Wander through the Denver Botanic Gardens' Blossoms of Light, where thousands of twinkling bulbs illuminate trees and pathways, creating an enchanting landscape.
For an unforgettable spectacle, join the crowd at the Parade of Lights, a vibrant event featuring illuminated floats, marching bands, and giant balloons weaving through downtown Denver. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Denver's diverse holiday events promise a season filled with joy and wonder.
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The Top Christmas Events in Denver
- Denver Christkindl Market
- Blossoms of Light
- Parade of Lights
- Zoo Lights
- Mile High Tree
- Cherry Creek Holiday Market
- A Christmas Carol
- The Nutcracker
Denver Holiday Light Displays
Blossoms of Light
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays in a botanical garden setting
Description:
Blossoms of Light transforms the Denver Botanic Gardens into a luminous landscape of color. Thousands of lights adorn trees, shrubs, and structures, creating intricate patterns and designs. Visitors can interact with certain displays, changing colors with a touch. This annual event began in 1988, originally featuring only 10,000 lights. Today, it incorporates over a million bulbs, illuminating the garden's diverse plant collections and architecture. Stroll through the twinkling pathways and discover the beauty of nature enhanced by technology.
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Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Two-mile-long illuminated parade through downtown Denver
Description:
The Parade of Lights electrifies downtown Denver with a dazzling procession of illuminated floats, marching bands, and giant balloons. This two-mile spectacle weaves through the city streets, captivating spectators with its vibrant displays. You'll marvel at the intricate designs and creative use of lights on each float. The parade has been a Denver tradition since 1975, growing from a small event to a major holiday attraction. Listen to the lively music as performers in glowing costumes dance their way through the heart of the city.
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Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Animal-themed light sculptures and displays
Description:
Zoo Lights illuminates the Denver Zoo with a menagerie of glowing animal sculptures and themed light displays. This unique event combines wildlife education with holiday cheer, featuring over 80 acres of light installations. Visitors can spot illuminated versions of their favorite zoo animals, from towering giraffes to playful penguins. The event began in 1990 and has since become a beloved Denver tradition. Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa as you explore the twinkling pathways and learn about wildlife conservation efforts.
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Mile High Tree
What to Expect:
110-foot-tall digital Christmas tree with immersive light shows
Description:
The Mile High Tree stands as a towering testament to holiday innovation in downtown Denver. This 110-foot-tall digital marvel is the tallest digital tree in North America, featuring vibrant light shows synchronized to music. Visitors can step inside the base of the tree for an immersive audio-visual experience. The tree's cutting-edge technology allows for ever-changing displays, ensuring a unique show each visit. Introduced in 2019, this modern take on the traditional Christmas tree has quickly become a Denver icon, blending art, technology, and holiday spirit.
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Denver Holiday Markets and Shopping
Denver Christkindl Market
What to Expect:
Authentic German-style Christmas market
Description:
The Denver Christkindl Market transports visitors to the heart of Germany without leaving Colorado. This lively marketplace buzzes with the aroma of freshly baked strudel and mulled wine. Artisans showcase traditional German crafts, offering you a chance to find unique gifts. The market pays homage to its Bavarian roots, featuring live performances of German folk music. Dating back to the 14th century, Christkindl markets have been a cherished tradition in German-speaking countries for centuries.
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Cherry Creek Holiday Market
What to Expect:
European-inspired open-air market in Denver's upscale shopping district
Description:
The Cherry Creek Holiday Market infuses Denver's premier shopping district with European flair. This open-air bazaar features local artisans, gourmet food vendors, and live entertainment. Visitors can browse unique, handcrafted gifts while sipping on hot spiced wine. The market's location in Cherry Creek North, known for its high-end boutiques, adds an extra touch of sophistication. Established in 2020, this relatively new event has quickly become a cherished addition to Denver's holiday scene. Warm your hands by a fire pit as you take in the sights and sounds of this bustling marketplace.
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Denver Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Immersive theater experience of the classic Dickens tale
Description:
A Christmas Carol at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts breathes new life into Dickens' timeless tale. This immersive production surrounds the audience with Victorian London, bringing the story to life through innovative staging and special effects. Visitors can marvel at the detailed set pieces that transform the theater into Scrooge's world. The Denver Center has been presenting this adaptation since 1990, refining and enhancing it each year. Listen closely for the ghostly chains of Jacob Marley, a sound effect that has become legendary among regular attendees.
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The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Colorado Ballet's lavish production with live orchestra
Description:
The Colorado Ballet's production of The Nutcracker dazzles audiences with its grand scale and attention to detail. This beloved holiday tradition features stunning choreography, elaborate costumes, and sets that transport viewers to a world of sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers. Visitors can lose themselves in Tchaikovsky's iconic score, performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. The company has been presenting The Nutcracker since 1960, continuously refining the production. Watch in awe as the Christmas tree grows to towering heights, a technical feat that never fails to impress.
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Nearby Events
A Hudson Christmas (Littleton)
What to Expect:
Historic mansion and gardens transformed into a winter wonderland
Description:
A Hudson Christmas brings holiday splendor to the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion and its surrounding gardens. The event showcases the beauty of this 1891 landmark, adorned with thousands of lights and decorations. Visitors can explore the illuminated pathways, discovering hidden vignettes and surprises along the way. The mansion's rich history adds depth to the experience, blending Victorian-era charm with modern light technology. Snap a photo with Santa in the beautifully decorated great room, capturing a moment of holiday magic in this historic setting.
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Georgetown Christmas Market (Georgetown)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era themed Christmas market in a historic mining town
Description:
The Georgetown Christmas Market transports visitors to a Victorian-era celebration in this charming Colorado mining town. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, the market features horse-drawn wagon rides and roasted chestnuts. Shoppers can peruse unique gifts from local artisans while enjoying the sounds of carolers in period costumes. This event has been a tradition since 1960, honoring Georgetown's rich mining history. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time as you wander the festive streets lined with historic buildings dating back to the 1870s.
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Santa's Village at Chatfield Farms (Littleton)
What to Expect:
Christmas village set in a historic farm and botanical garden
Description:
Santa's Village at Chatfield Farms brings North Pole charm to a historic Colorado farm setting. This unique event combines agricultural heritage with holiday festivities, set against the backdrop of the foothills. Visitors can enjoy hayrides through illuminated fields and meet Santa's live reindeer. The village is built around the farm's restored 1918 dairy barn, offering a glimpse into Colorado's rural past. Create your own ornament in Santa's workshop, using materials that reflect the farm's natural surroundings.
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Santa's Village at Chatfield Farms
Camp Christmas (Lakewood)
What to Expect:
Immersive, over-the-top holiday installation art experience
Description:
Camp Christmas at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park pushes the boundaries of holiday celebrations with its immersive art installations. This unconventional experience takes visitors on a journey through the history and future of Christmas, featuring outrageous displays and interactive elements. You can explore themed areas ranging from vintage holiday scenes to futuristic winter wonderlands. Created by renowned installation artist Lonnie Hanzon, Camp Christmas debuted in 2019 and has since evolved into a must-see holiday spectacle. Snap a selfie in the kaleidoscopic Santa's workshop, a favorite spot among visitors.