Last updated on November 3rd, 2023 at 08:36 am
The holiday season is upon us! This is my absolute favorite time of year and I always strive to take advantage of Christmas in Denver as much as I can. If you are looking for the best ways to celebrate the holiday season in Denver, look no further!
Holiday Markets in Denver
If you are looking for specialty gifts, shop at these markets for cute, unique, and often handmade gifts from small businesses. There are also plenty of gifts perfect for foodies.
Sugar Plum Bazaar
The Sugar Plum Bazaar takes over The Arvada Center with over 75 vendors this year. I have gotten so many gifts here in the past. The Sugar Plum Bazaar offers many cute and unique gifts from local artisans. This is the perfect place to shop for foodies as well as they have several stands dedicated to decadent treats.
Location: The Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003
Times: November 18 – 19, 2023, 10 AM – 4 PM
Looking for a winter wonderland getaway? Check out my favorite things to do in Estes Park.
Cherry Creek Holiday Market
Fetch Markets provides an opportunity to shop during the holiday season, this year with the Cherry Creek Holiday Market. They have many local vendors and there will be music, food, and drinks. Not to mention that Cherry Creek will be decked out in almost 1 million holiday lights this year. This is not one to miss if you are eager to get in the holiday spirit. I also got many of my Christmas presents here last year.
Location: Fillmore Plaza, 105 Fillmore St, Denver, CO 80206
Times: November 16 – December 24, 2023
Sunday – Wednesday 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Thursday – Saturday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thanksgiving and Christmas 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Closed 11/20, 11/27, 12/4
Urban Holiday Market
The earliest event out of all of these, the Urban Holiday Market is for people, like me, who can’t wait for the holiday season to get started. Support local vendors and get your shopping done ahead of time at this holiday market in Denver. It is a bit smaller than some of the others, but still worth a visit.
Location: Wynkoop Plaza at Union Station, Denver, CO 80202
Times: November 3 – 5, 2023, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Denver Christkrindl Market
The Christkrindl Market is the place to go if you are looking for a traditional German holiday market. It is my favorite Christmas market in Denver and I make a point to visit every year. This feels like you just stepped off a plane into another country. Eat spätzle, drink beer or glühwein out of a signature mug, and shop around for Christmas ornaments. They have many German food and drink options, as well as plenty of cute Christmas gifts. Don’t miss this one!
Location: Civic Center Park, 101 West 14th Avenue, Denver, CO 80202
Times: November 17 – December 23, 2023
Sunday – Wednesday: 11 AM – 7 PM
Thursday – Saturday: 11 AM – 9 PM (Festive Hall open until 10:00 PM)
Thanksgiving Day: 11 AM – 4 PM
December 17 – 23: 11 AM – 9 PM
Check out other things to do in Denver in the winter!
Horseshoe Holiday Market
Handmade and vintage goods as well as food, drinks, and live music will be available at the Horseshoe Holiday Market. I visited this Christmas Market for the first time last year but I loved it. There were a ton of vendors selling unique gifts and I had to really exercise control to not buy everything for myself. There is also the opportunity to donate money to Denver Public Schools. This year, the Horseshoe Holiday Market will have holiday markets on two different weekends and locations.
Denver: November 25 – 26, 2023, 10 AM – 4 PM at Highlands Masonic Temple, 3550 Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80211
Littleton: December 2 – 3, 2023, 10 AM – 4 PM at Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Ln, Littleton, CO 80120
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
There is no shortage of Christmas cheer in Denver this year! Whether you prefer your cheer in a warm cup or with a shot of whiskey, these are the perfect ways to celebrate Christmas in Denver.
Miracle
Miracle is a pop-up Christmas cocktail bar that provides decadent holiday-themed drinks in a setting decked out in Christmas décor. This holiday season they are bringing many pop-up bars to Colorado, with locations in Denver, Golden, Louisville, and even Estes Park. See all the locations below. This is a great way to get into the festivities, so don’t miss out! I recommend making reservations ahead of time. Last year featured Christmas cookies to go with the festive cocktails as well as Christmas glassware for purchase.
Locations:
Denver: Terminal Bar, Union Station, Denver, CO 80202
Golden: The Eddy Taproom & Hotel, 1640 8th St, Golden, CO 80401
Louisville: /pôr/ wine house, 701 Main St, Louisville, CO 80027
Fort Collins: The Post Chicken & Beer, 1002 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Colorado Springs: Trainwreck, 812 S Sierra Madre St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Estes Park: Cousin Pat’s Pub & Grill, 451 S St Vrain Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Sippin’ Santa
Brought to you by Miracle, Sippin’ Santa is a Christmas Tiki bar. If that doesn’t sound like an intriguing way to celebrate Christmas in Denver, I don’t know what is. I recommend the Shaka Kalikimaka, a frozen tiki drink with gin served in a large tiki mug, and the Christmas Eve of Destruction. Reservations are required for Sippin’ Santa.
Locations:
The Arvada Tavern, 5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80002
Allusion Speakeasy, 323 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Death & Co. Denver Christmas Pop-Up
How many Christmas Pop-Up bars is too many? In Denver, the answer is no such thing as too many. This year, for the first time, Death & Co.’s intimate cocktail bar, Suite 6a, is also doing a Christmas Pop-Up featuring eight holiday drinks. Death & Co. was one of the best bars in the world in 2011, so the drinks are always good. This is a smaller space and standing room is an option, so reservations aren’t required. We tried the Its Turbo Time, a beautiful drink worthy of your Instagram. Make a day of it and explore RiNo Art District while you are in the area!
Location: Death & Co. Denver 1280 25th St, Denver, CO 80205
Hours: TBD
Tea at the Brown Palace
Okay, you can get tea at the Brown Palace year-round, but the best time to do that is when it is all decorated for Christmas. They go all out with the holiday decorations. So put on your best afternoon tea outfit to enjoy tea, scones, and finger sandwiches and delight your eyes with the beauty that is the Brown Palace. If tea is not your preference, you can also get cocktails in the atrium. Reservations are required during the holiday season and they tend to fill up fast so book early in advance. Reservations open in June each year. You can always stop by the Brown Palace to see the ornate decor or check out one of their other restaurants if you aren’t able to get a reservation.
Location: Brown Palace 321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202
Times: November 13, 2023 – January 21, 2024
Monday – Friday 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM and Saturday – Sunday 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM for Afternoon Tea
4:30 PM to 8:00 PM Monday – Saturday for cocktails
Camp Christmas at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park
Camp Christmas is an installation created by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with Lonnie Hanzon that will take place at Stanley Marketplace. The adventure begins at the Base Camp and Fairy Bars, where you can grab your festive drink of choice before you explore the art installation that spans 15,000 square feet. This year the installation is an indoor event. This is a ticketed event, so check the ticket calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Location: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010
Times: November 16 – December 24, 2023
Christmas Lights
What’s a better way to celebrate than enjoying Christmas lights and decorations, while you sip on steaming hot chocolate? Here are some of the best light attractions around Denver.
Grand Illumination
After Thanksgiving, Denver gets lit up at Union Station, the City and Country Building, and other major landmarks. This year the Grand Illumination at Union Station will include holiday music performed by the Denver Dolls, seasonal beverages, and the lighting of a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree with over 7,000 holiday lights. This event will kick off the Merry & Bright Lights show that will transform Denver’s Union Station into a canvas of Christmas designs created by local artists through December 26th from 5 PM – 10 PM every night.
Location: Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202
Times: November 24, 2023, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Lighting begins at 6:10 PM.
Parade of Lights
A traditional Denver Christmas, the Parade of Lights is taking place for the 49th time this December. This is a classic way to celebrate the holidays in Denver, so if you haven’t been yet you need to go this year. This parade usually includes over 40 units and includes a variety of floats, balloons, marching bands, and Santa. If you are unable to go in person, you can always watch the live broadcast on 9News.
The floats will be displayed around Denver throughout the holiday season, covering the area between the Denver Pavilions and Denver Union Station.
Location: Starts at the City and County Building, 1437 Bannock St Rm 451, Denver, CO 80202
Time: December 2, 2023, 6:00 PM
Denver Zoo Lights
This is a holiday tradition that has been around for a long time. I have been going to the Denver Zoo Lights since I was little and I still look forward to it every year. Make sure you find time to squeeze in this holiday festivity. There is an entrance fee to visit the Zoo Lights and tickets are available through most of the holiday season, but they do sell out quickly.
This year Zoo Lights is open to members only from November 24th through December 1st and for the general public from December 2nd through January 7th. Tickets go on sale for the general public on November 15th.
Location: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205
Times: December 2, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Sunday – Thursday 5:30 – 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 5:00 – 10:00 PM
A Hudson Christmas
The Hudson Gardens also puts on a light display for Christmas, which includes meeting Santa. This is a great one for kids. Personally, I prefer Zoo Lights, but the light decorations at Hudson Gardens were beautiful as well and there were fewer crowds. This is a ticketed event.
Location: Hudson Gardens & Events Center, 6115 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
Hours: November 24 – December 31, 2023, 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Blossoms of Light
Blossoms of Light is another holiday light display at Denver Botanic Gardens that is worth visiting. Explore the interactive LED lights while you warm up on hot cocoa. I particularly enjoyed the way the Christmas lights reflected in the ponds within the park. This is a ticketed event.
Location: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
Hours: November 17, – January 7, 2023, 4:30 – 9:00 PM (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Which of these holiday activities do you plan to visit this year? Do you have a favorite way to spend Christmas in Denver?
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