Itineraries
Let us plan your weekend!
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❤️ Date Night
Saturday, Dec 6
Check a few things off your shopping list and shop small at Denver Winter Market. Don’t miss the vibrant, high-energy market that brings together local businesses, artisans, and the community.
Wrap up the day with a festive cocktail at the Home Alone Pop-Up Bar at Electric Cure.
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🎉 Friend Date
Saturday, Dec 6
The only thing better than brunch is the Holiday Drag Brunch Sing-Along & Toy Drive at Charlie’s! Get ready to sing your heart out with talented performers while enjoying delicious food and drinks. Don't forget to spread some holiday cheer by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate to children in need.
Don’t stop the fun just yet, stop by Moans and Groans: Amateur Comedy Night! where the Sexploratorium turns into Denver’s naughtiest comedy club, where brave (and slightly unhinged) amateurs take the stage.
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🌲 Family Day:
Saturday, Dec 6
Slide into some weekend fun for everyone at McGregor Skate, perfect winter activity for guests of all ages. With skates available on-site, the rink can be enjoyed by locals and travelers
Then get everyone in the holiday spirit at Parade of Lights. This beloved holiday tradition will once again light up Downtown Denver with more than 40 dazzling floats, giant balloons, marching bands, equestrian units, cultural displays, and special guest appearances from Major Waddles the penguin and Santa himself.
Denver Event Calendar: Dec 5-7, 2025
Your curated guide to the most fun, unique, and can't-miss events happening in and around Denver.
Seasonal Fun
12/6 | Denver
This beloved holiday tradition will once again light up Downtown Denver with more than 40 dazzling floats, giant balloons, marching bands, equestrian units, cultural displays, and special guest appearances from Major Waddles the penguin and Santa himself.
12/5-7 | Denver Spots Castle
It’s back! Don’t miss the vibrant, high-energy market that brings together local businesses, artisans, and the community. We believe shopping local should be an experience, not just a transaction—where vendors thrive, shoppers discover something unique, and every event is centered around connection.
12/7 | Union Station
Denver Union Station is thrilled to host FREE visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus. All visits take place indoors, within The Great Hall of Union Station. Photos will be taken by Santa’s helpers on your personal phone or camera
Thru 12/28 | Stanley Marketplace
This season, Stanley Marketplace transforms into a winter wonderland like never before. Camp Christmas, the beloved holiday extravaganza created by local artist Lonnie Hanzon in partnership with DCPA Off-Center, returns bigger and brighter, filling every corner of the Marketplace with community spirit, creative magic, and festive fun!
Denver Christkindlmarket
Thru 12/23 | Auraria Campus (Tivoli Quad)
Explore the classic holiday-market magic with handcrafted gifts, warm drinks (Glühwein, cider), classic European treats, and festive lights — a cozy way to start your holiday shopping.
Blossoms of Light
Thru 1/11 | Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street, Denver
Walk through the gardens transformed into a glowing, festive wonderland — with sparkling light displays, holiday decorations, and a warm, magical atmosphere for families and friends.
Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo
Thru 1/4 | Denver Zoo
Bring the family for a night under millions of lights, festive decor, and holiday fun on the zoo grounds — a seasonally spectacular, animal-themed light experience.
Cherry Creek Holiday Market
THru 12/24 | Cherry Creek North, Denver
Browse dozens of local artisans’ booths for unique gifts and enjoy the holiday-market ambiance with festive decor and drinks at the adjacent Mistletoe Lounge.
Food & Drink
Holiday Drag Brunch Sing-Along & Toy Drive
12/6 | Charlie’s, Denver
Come join us for a fabulous holiday drag brunch at Charlie's Denver! Get ready to sing your heart out with our talented performers while enjoying delicious food and drinks. Don't forget to spread some holiday cheer by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate to children in need. Let's make this holiday season extra special for everyone!
12/6 | Crazy Mountain Tap Room
It’s time to send off the year in true Colfax style! Join us for the final Colfax Bar Crawl of the year. Throw on your ugliest holiday sweater, grab your friends (or your parents, cousins, even that coworker who needs some cheer), and get ready for a festive night out. We’ll be hopping between some of Colfax’s favorite bars with holiday-themed games, challenges, and plenty of surprises along the way.
Thru December | Electric Dure, Denver
The Electric Cure is turning into a full-blown Home Alone Holiday Pop-Up all December long! Expect booby-trapped cocktails, nostalgic chaos, and enough holiday mischief to make Kevin proud.️ Drop by and get your scream-face ready — it’s gonna be electrifying.
KRAMPUSNACHT — A Night of Mischief, Music & Mayhem!
12/5 | Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Denver
Join us at Bierstadt Lagerhaus for one of our most legendary nights of the year—Krampusnacht! Celebrate the darker side of the season with big flavors, big energy, and unforgettable entertainment. $250 Best Dressed prize.
Thru 12/24 | Union Station
This whimsical pop-up cocktail bar will immerse guests into a non-negotiable state of Christmas spirit. With delightfully ostentatious holiday décor, delectable cocktails, and the nostalgia of childhood’s dancing sugar-plum visions, Miracle at Union Station is certain to convert even the grouchiest of grinches.
Concerts & Live Shows
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
12/5-7 |Buell Theater, Denver
THE GRINCH broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway during its holiday engagements at the St. James and Hilton theatres in New York. Since then, more than 2.1 million theatre-goers across America have been delighted by this heart-warming holiday musical, which The New York Times praised as “100 times better than any bedtime story” and the Gannett papers hailed as “A genius of a show! A total delight for both kids and adults.
80's vs. 90's at The Oriental Theater!
12/5 | Oriental Theater, Denver
Which was better? 80s or 90s? Madonna or Britney? Billy Idol or Billy Joe? There’s only one way to settle this and that’s at 80s vs 90s Night at The Oriental Theater with live performances by 5280s Band and Nothing But Nineties! Dress for your decade of choice and let's battle.
12/6 | Denver
Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient returns with special guest Rainbow Cult for a delightfully freaky holiday twist on The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Unwrap a night of campy chaos, festive frights, and holiday mischief as this cult classic comes alive with a live shadowcast, outrageous costumes, and full-tilt audience participation. Tell Santa Frank N. Furter if you’ve been naughty or nice and snap a photo!
Moans and Groans: Amateur Comedy Night!
12/6 | Sexploratorium, Denver
Think you’ve got the goods to make us howl? Every first Saturday of the month, the Sexploratorium turns into Denver’s naughtiest comedy club, where brave (and slightly unhinged) amateurs take the stage.
A Christmas Carol
Thru 12/28 | Wolf Theatre, DCPA
A festive musical adaptation of Dickens' classic — it’s a heartwarming show full of holiday spirit, perfect for a theatre-night outing.
Arts & Culture
Bookmas Adult Book Fair & Toy Drive
12/6 | The Roxy, Denver
Enjoy a festive day filled with bookish fun and holiday sips! Shop local Authors, bookshops and more! Bring a donation for a chance to win!
12/7 | Denver
Girl Winter is a collection of femme-forward and gender-nonconforming ski and snowboard films created to shift the narrative of who we see on the big screen each fall and uplift new voices in snow storytelling.
Denver Potters Association Winter Show and Sale
12/4-7 | Denver
Enjoy ceramics, wood, glass, jewelry, and more from local artists!
DMNS - 125th Birthday Celebration
12/6 | Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Join us in celebrating our 125th birthday on Saturday, Dec. 6. Come see the Museum’s first dinosaur, the DeWeese Diplodocus, and our rarely seen original Articles of Incorporation. Travel back in time using our 125-scavenger hunt mobile app – match building locations with what they once looked like. All this and more during the hours of 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
First Friday Art Walk in 40 West Arts
12/5 | 40 West Arts District, Denver
Join us on First Friday in 40 West Arts for our art walk! See shows in all of our Art Hubs from 10+ gallery locations!
Outdoor & Community
Thru 1/25 | McGregor Square
McGregor Skate is LoDo’s newest skating rink located in the bustling McGregor Square plaza. Open Daily starting Friday November 28, McGregor Skate is the perfect winter activity for guests of all ages. With skates available on-site, the rink can be enjoyed by locals and travelers alike!
Thru 1/11 | Chatfield Farms
Tucked into the foothills under the dark sky, the glow of lights can be seen for miles. Just under a mile of walking trail, the illumination of cottonwoods, boxelders and pine trees line the pathway past the Green Farm Barn and through the Crossroads Garden, Deer Creek Discovery Children's Play Area and 1880s Hildebrand Ranch homestead. There is the option of an alternative path for those who want to take a shorter stroll.
Beats, Bass & Breath: EDM Yoga Dance Flow
12/6 | RiNo Yoga Social
Get ready to groove and find your state of flow at Beats, Bass & Breath, where we combine the power of mindful movement, yoga, and music.
Ugly Sweater 5k @ Left Hand Brewing Co.
12/6 | Left Hand Brewing Co, Longmont
Join us for the Ugly Sweater 5k, and great, local craft beer at Left Hand Brewing Co. in Longmont on December 6, 2025.
Thru 2/26 | Children’s Museum
Spend your day gliding around the rink, sledding on REAL snow, warming up by a toasty fire and much, much more.
Looking Ahead…
Studio Gold: Where Disco Meets Decadence
A Mile High New Year’s Eve Experience
