Each Thursday, explore Denver’s essential weekend events curated by The Denver Gazette. Dive into cultural experiences and entertainment delights across the city. Whether you enjoy art galleries, pottery, or outdoor sports, there’s something for everyone in Denver’s vibrant cultural scene. To submit an event for consideration, email listings@gazette.com.
FRIDAY
Holiday lights will fill the skies above Denver for 40 days of the inaugural Denver Drone Show, nightly starting Friday through New Year’s Eve. Breathtaking holiday animations by 400 drones, 400 feet high and 500 feet wide, at 7 p.m. for free viewing. On 3 nights, special sports shows dedicated to our teams: Dec. 2, 5:20 p.m., before the Broncos on Monday Night Football; Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. above the west skyline; Dec. 25, 7 p.m. before the Denver Nuggets Christmas Day game; Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m. before the Colorado Avalanche New Year’s Eve game. Watch shows west of downtown, several clear viewing spots are Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Ball Arena parking lot and the terrace at Denver Art Museum’s Lanny & Sharon Martin Building. denver.org
THURSDAY
The Million Light Plug-In Night: One of the most stunning, don’t-miss holiday areas ever, the Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland lights go on Thursday at 6 p.m. Stroll through 600 trees twinkling with a million lights along Fillmore Plaza. Free activities all around and chic marketplace shopping until Christmas Eve. Schedule: tinyurl.com/2wf98jrb
THURSDAY-JAN. 12
Amazingly beautiful Blossoms of Light at York Street are open evenings starting Thursday, 4:30-9 p.m., with a mile-long path of LED lights through Denver Botanic Gardens. A four-decade holiday tradition with a 200-foot-long light tunnel and other special features. Advance tickets required,$18-$31; botanicgardens.org Opening Nov. 29, the Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms. A mile-long trail past the Green Farm Barn and through the Crossroads Garden, Deer Creek Discovery Children’s Play Area and 1880s Hildebrand Ranch homestead. Singing trees, light tunnels and antique tractors. A shorter hike available. Advance tickets required, $10-$18. Holiday Market and hot beverages. botanicgardens.org
FRIDAY-DEC. 31
The lights go on for The Mile High Tree in Civic Center Park at 5:15 p.m. Friday and can be enjoyed every night, 5-10 p.m., through a special countdown at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Music programs tied to the light displays every 15 minutes in the 110-foot-tall tree filled with 60,000 LED lights. denver.org/milehighholidays/mile-high-tree
FRIDAY-DEC. 23
Near The Mile High Tree in Civic Center Park, the colorful, traditional Denver Christkindlmarket, a German holiday village with shops in delightful little huts. Bavarian food, mulled spiced wines, gifts and vendors. The market opens with festivities at 6 p.m. Friday at the Greek Amphitheatre stage in the park. christkindlmarketdenver.com.
SATURDAY-JAN. 5
Starting Saturday, the Denver Zoo shines and twinkles with 3 million lights across its 80 acres during its 34th year of Zoo Lights. Thousands of visitors will stroll the zoo during the holidays with its animated animal-themed light sculptures; Down Under, the new habitat focusing on Australia; and immersive light installations such as Aurora Borealis, Colorado Christmas, Electric Jungle and Caribbean Coral Reef. Timed ticket reservations at DenverZoo.org. Tickets start at $25 for adults and seniors and $18 for kids 3 and up. Sensory-Friendly Night on Dec. 31. Friday is an Adults-Only Night that sells out.
THURSDAY-JAN. 5
A unique way to donate to charities during the holidays, the Giving Machines, large vending machines on Fillmore Plaza, near the entrance to the Cherry Creek North Holiday Market between 1st and 2nd Ave. on Fillmore Street. For a list of the local nonprofits receiving the donations: tinyurl.com/mpwr937n.
SATURDAY
Family fun as you experience the lighting of the iconic giant star seen from the busy interstate below and all around the area after the Castle Rock Star Lighting. A chili supper at the Firehouse, caroling, nonprofit booths, food, hot chocolate, multiple entertainment stages and, at 5 p.m. from the main stage at 4th and Wilcox, the star gets its lights. Fireworks follow. A schedule of the 2-6 p.m. activities Saturday: castlerock.org/castle-rock-starlighting
SUNDAY
It will be a twinkly night Sunday at Boulder’s Switch on the Holidays on Pearl Street, the Civic Area and Boulder County Courthouse, 5 to 7 p.m. Flipping the switch on holiday lights at 5:20 p.m., beloved CU Buffs super fan Miss Peggy. The program also includes musical entertainment and dance organizations. The young ones can visit with Santa during the evening. boulderdowntown.com/light-up-the-holidays
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Visit five homes decorated by top florists and table designers in Denver’s historic Crestmoor Park neighborhood for L’Espirit de Noël Holiday Home Tour. A holiday benefit for Central City Opera Guild, the country’s fifth oldest professional opera company, offering acclaimed summer productions. Tickets for the self-guided tours, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $50, centralcityopera.org
SATURDAY-JAN. 1
Loveland is always stunning with art and sculpture but especially so during its Winter Wonderlights, opening Saturday. Walk through the lights in the Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra 5 to 9 p.m. nightly. Highlights include thousands of string lights, bulbs, LED mappable snowflakes, illuminated sculptures, a 23-foot LED mappable Christmas tree and 30-minute music and light shows starting at 5 p.m. nightly. Live performances on Saturday, Dec. 13 and Dec.14 starting at 4:30 p.m. On Friday, Loveland’s downtown Festival of Lights including walking by stationary parade floats.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY
Ice skating opens at two popular sites. First, the Downtown Denver Rink, 1601 Arapahoe St., Thursday through February. Skate rentals $12 adults, $9 for kids 12 and under. Skate walkers $6. winterindenver.com/rink. Rhinestone Cowboy: Pindustry on Ice Grand Opening is party-time Friday, 7939 E. Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village., 6-10 p.m. and it’s free. All ages. Sparkly Western attire suggested. thepindustry.com/events/pindustry-on-ice-grand-opening-rhinestone-cowboy
