– Researched & written by Mike Hamers
1. Denver Christkindlmarket, Civic Center Park Denver
***November 18 – December 23, 2022 • FREE & Open Daily
Experience the warmth and charm of an authentic German Holiday Market right in the heart of Denver. Stroll through alleys lined with cozy wooden huts and shop for unique, finely-crafted artisan gifts and tasty treats brought to you by local and international small businesses. As cheerful sounds of live holiday music fill the air, savor the season with traditional glühwein, German beers, and traditional holiday fare from across Europe.
LOCATION: Civic Center Park, 101 West 14th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204
WEBSITE: https://www.
2. Polar Express Train Ride, Durango
***November 18 – January 1, 2023 • Tickets available • 2-hour ride
Join us for a truly magical recreation of the classic holiday story, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Climb aboard a vintage steam train as it departs our Durango Depot for the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus himself. Upon arriving at our depot, you’ll be immersed in the story as our chefs serve you hot chocolates and sweet treats while the conductor recites a reading from the Polar Express book. After arriving at the North Pole, you’ll enjoy an incredible light show set to holiday music. On the return trip to Durango, Santa will visit each coach and hand out the first gift of Christmas to each passenger.
While the train excursion is 65 minutes in duration, we recommend allowing 2 hours for the entire adventure to enjoy the full experience! The weather can be cold, so we recommend layering properly, even though all the cabins are heated aboard the train. As always, we recommend wearing pajamas to capture the Christmas spirit!
LOCATION: Durango Depot at 479 Main Avenue, Durango, CO
WEBSITE: https://www.
3. Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas, Breckenridge
***December 3rd (Santa Race 7:00–10:00pm)
Breckenridge ups the ante on small town holiday charm with the return of Lighting of Breckenridge and Race of the Santas. The 1st weekend of December kicks off a festive holiday scene in the streets of Breckenridge. Hundreds of Santa look-alikes will run down Main Street in a race to kick-off the holiday season. Hang out post-race to watch the town transform into a real life holiday card thanks to more than 13,000 ft and 250,000 LED holiday lights.
Event details & schedule (Some events have a fee): Holiday Dog Parade at 2:30pm | Moose March at 4:00pm | Race of the Santas at 4:20pm | Santa Arrives at 4:45pm | Countdown to Tree Lighting with Santa Claus at 5:00pm.
LOCATION: Main Street, 208 N Main St Breckenridge, CO 80424
WEBSITE: https://gobreck.com/
4. The Santa Express at the Royal Gorge, Canon City
***November, December, and Early January (4 times daily)
Join us for a journey to the North Pole in Colorado’s Royal Gorge and meet Santa himself. The Santa Express Train travels to the North Pole in the Royal Gorge up to 4 times daily: 9:15 am, 12:30 pm, 4 pm & 7 pm.
Enjoy your favorite Christmas tunes and cheerful decor. Your Holiday Train ticket purchase includes your journey through the spectacular Royal Gorge. Our 403 Grill and full bar are stocked and open on every departure. All dining, beverages and server gratuities are additional to the cost of your ticket. Once the guest of honor boards the train, Santa will greet every child and give each of them a very special gift and cocoa and cookies.
LOCATION: 401 Water St, Cañon City, CO 81212
WEBSITE: https://www.
• Reservations: 719-276-4000
5. Parade of Lights, Denver
This holiday spectacular features more than 40 units including extravagantly illuminated floats, giant helium-filled character balloons, magnificent marching bands, traditional equestrian units, and vibrant cultural displays. And of course, a special appearance by Major Waddles the Penguin and Santa! A fun-run and costume contest, new this year, are set to kick-off festivities Saturday, Dec 3rd. Downtown Denver is accessible by bus, light rail, bicycles, walking and the 16th Street Free MallRide.
LOCATION: Bridgepoint Plaza, 1515 Arapahoe St, Tower 3, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80202
WEBSITE: https://www.denver.
PARADE ROUTE: https://www.
6. Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo, Denver
***Dec. 3rd – Jan. 15, 2023, 5:00–10:00 pm (hours vary by day)
With 2 million LED lights sparkling over 83 acres, Zoo Lights is Denver’s wildest holiday gathering. Of course, outdoor animal viewing during Zoo Lights is limited to cold-weather species such as Amur tiger, Bactrian camel, Przewaskli’s horse and most of our pachyderms. But our popular Tropical Discovery building will be open, offering access to 1,800 animals—including fish, frogs, snakes, lizards, capybaras and sloths—in a cozy indoor space. In addition, El Pomar Village Hall is home to fishing cats and Asian small-clawed otters, both of which are busy hunting and playing at night. And, as always, your ticket helps create a brighter future for wildlife, here and around the world.
LOCATION: 2900 E 23rd Avenue, Denver, CO 80205
WEBSITE: https://denverzoo.
TICKETS: Online, timed-entry tickets are required • Entry privileges for members
7. Holiday & Christmas Shows at Denver Theater
***Holiday & Christmas Shows in Late November & December:
• Colorado Ballet: “The Nutcracker” Nov 26 – Dec 25, 2022.
• “A Christmas Carol,” Nov. 18th – Dec 24, 2022
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve“, Nov. 19th
• “A Magical Cirque Christmas” mind-blowing acts and variety acts, Nov. 30th at 7:30
LOCATION: Bellco Theatre,700 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202
WEBSITE: https://www.denver-
8. A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol, Cripple Creek
***Thursday, December 9th, 7:00–9:00 pm, $22
Cripple Creek history meets the classic Dickens’ Christmas Carol in this holiday season is a perfect past, present and future holiday experience. This show is a great holiday outing for the entire family as its plot is based on the classic tale – with a Cripple Creek twist that relies on Bob Womack (who in 1890, discovered the gold that made Cripple Creek famous) to rescue the Scrooge-like Gooch from his selfish ways. Bob is aided in his task of saving Gooch by several other figures from the historic gold camp including Winfield Scott Stratton and Mollie Kathleen.
LOCATION: Butte Theater, 139 E. Bennet Avenue, Cripple Creek, 80813
WEBSITE: https://www.cpr.org/
9. Old Colorado City Christmas Stroll, Colorado Springs
***Saturday, November 26, 2022 • 5:00–8:00 pm
Celebrate the Holidays in Old Colorado City! Get Photos with Santa and Prancer the Reindeer in Bancroft Park. The Colorado Dickens Carolers will be singing and strolling Colorado Avenue. Holiday treats and fun at many of the avenue shops. Plus Christmas specials galore!
LOCATION: Old Colorado City, 2400 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO
INFO: https://krdo.com/
10. Winter Wonderlights at Chapungu Sculpture Park, Loveland
November 14 – January 1, 2023 • 6 am–10:30 pm • FREE and open daily
Holiday Special — Each night, visitors can walk through the beautiful park and enjoy 80,000+ lights including holiday string lights, twinkling bulbs, LED mappable snowflakes, illuminated African stone sculptures and immerse in a 30-minute music and light shows every night. The light and music show features six songs and moving lights on the 20 ft tall LED Christmas Tree. If you’ve never been, Chapungu Sculpture Park (CHA-poon-goo) is a one-of-a-kind outdoor exhibit, displaying 82 monumental stone sculptures from Zimbabwean artisans traversing 26-acres of natural and landscaped gardens.
LOCATION: 5995 Sky Pond Drive, Loveland, CO 80538
WEBSITE: https://www.colorado.
11. Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens
***Nov. 18 – Jan. 7, 2023 (closed on Nov. 24 & Dec. 25), 4:30-9:00 pm
The Gardens’ signature event for more than three decades, this annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms our York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland. Join us for this family-friendly event that has become a holiday tradition for thousands of Front Range families. In line with our core value of sustainability, all lights used in the event are LED. Holiday treats and warm drinks will be available for purchase at Offshoots Café and the Hive Garden Bistro. $24 (+ discounts for kids, seniors, military & members)
LOCATION: 1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
WEBSITE: https://www.
12. The Mile High Tree, Denver
***Nov. 18 – Dec. 31, 2022 • 5:00 – 10:00 pm (open every day)
Create a new family tradition and join in the free nightly festivities at Denver’s latest holiday attraction, which returns after making its debut last year. Step inside this brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation accompanied by dazzling music and lighting. It’s the largest installation of its kind in North America. The tree was created by ILMEX Illumination, a globally-renowned decorative lighting production company in Spain. Madrid-based Brut Deluxe handled the lighting design using pixel-mapping technology.
LOCATION: To be announced
WEBSITE: https://www.denver.
13. Switch On the Holidays AND St. Nick on the Bricks, Boulder
***Sunday, Nov. 20 • FREE (Lighting event 5:00–5:20pm; Santa visits at 7:00pm)
Help kick off the holiday season as we flip the switch that illuminates lights along the Pearl Street Mall, Civic Area and around the Boulder County Courthouse during “Switch On the Holidays!” Joining in to usher in the holidays with the annual lighting of the entire downtown will be youth and adult members of the Boulder Ballet, Santa, Mrs. Claus and downtown’s very own Freezie the Snowman! Attendees count down to the grand illumination of downtown Boulder — including the iconic art-deco Boulder County Courthouse — with the flip of the switch at approx. 5:20 pm.
LOCATION: 1300 block of the Pearl Street Walking Mall
WEBSITE: https://
***St. Nick on the Bricks, Friday, Nov. 25 & Saturdays from Nov. 26–Dec. 24
On the Pearl Street Mall in historic downtown Boulder, kids of all ages can visit with Santa during St. Nick on the Bricks. Have your camera ready!
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