I highlighted some of our favorite holiday season events in my last post about upcoming events, seeing as they already kicked off back in November. But never fear, the Denver Botanic Garden Blossoms of Light, Camp Christmas Takeover at The Stanley Marketplace, Royal Gorge Santa Express Train, the Cherry Creek Holiday Market, the Denver Zoo Lights, and the Denver Christkindlmarket are still going strong and worth checking out now!
Here are other events happening around town this month:
Rides and Santa visits at Elitch Gardens
Until January 4, the park is open with rides, Santa, a holiday show, holiday lights and displays, plus hot chocolate and s’mores. See their website for details..
Walk the Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms
Head out to the foothills for this beautiful walk-through light display synchronized to music at the Denver Botanic Garden’s Chatfield Farms location. The organizers say the lights can be seen for miles! Open evenings until January 11th (except for Christmas Day); see website for details.
Celebrate Chanukah with a menorah lighting at the State Capitol
At 5pm on December 18, Governor Jared Polis will join the Denver community at this celebration of Jewish pride with a giant menorah, barbeque, donuts, gelt, dreidels, balloon art, a fire show, and more. See the website for details.
Go ice skating at McGregor Square
This outdoor rink in the middle of Lodo is open most days until January 25th. Bring your own skates or rent them there! Check the website for exact hours, including ice-cleaning times.
Celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa
The Kwanzaa Committee of Denver has planned a variety of events around Denver for this holiday that uplifts African-American and African culture between December 26 and 31, including kinara lightings, a children’s celebration, and a senior luncheon. See website for more events and details.
Watch New Year’s Eve fireworks downtown
There will be two eight-minute fireworks shows, one for early birds at 9pm and another at midnight on 16th Street. Free!
And a few family-friendly Noon Year’s Eve events:
All on December 31: The Denver Children’s Museum will do hourly ball drops outside from 10am to 3pm, the Museum of Nature and Science will host three New Year’s countdowns for a space-themed Cosmic Countdown, and Northfield Plaza’s gathering from 10:30am to 12:30pm will include a balloon drop, face painting, and more. See websites for details.
