Denver has some uniquely festive events lined up this weekend. Kick it off by hearing from an icon at Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama and end it by getting your jingle on during a Ho Ho Ho Slapdown. Whatever you end up doing, make sure to check out this roundup of events in Denver.
Thursday, December 13
Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama
When: December 13, 8 p.m.
Where: Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Cir., Denver
Cost: $29.50 – $500 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Learn from the former first lady about her life in the White House, politics and more during Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama. You can hear from Mrs. Obama in person at the Pepsi Center. The show is extremely popular so make sure you purchase your tickets soon.
12 Firkins of Christmas
When: December 13 – 24
Where: Copper Kettle Brewing Company, 1338 S Valentia St. Ste 100, Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: The 12 Firkins of Christmas is back. The event features a tapping of 12 “firkins” over the 12 days leading up to Christmas. The challenge? You must partake in each firkin each day until December 24 to be able to win a prize and make sure to get a stamp for every beer. The first released beer, on December 13, is an All Spruced Up Pale Ale with spruce tips followed by a Baby It’s Quald Outside winter warmer, a #Basic Red Cup peppermint milk stout and a Respect your Elders Triple elderflower tripel. See the event page for the full list of firkins.
The Spins! ft. Mavis Staples
When: December 13, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Where: Black Shirt Brewing Co., 3719 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Black Shirt Brewing Co. partners with Vinyl Me, Please and BSB to host The Spins! ft. Mavis Staples. The event features a reissue of Mavis Staples’ album. You can sip on brews and cocktails from Black Shirt and party all night long to some groovy beats.
3rd Annual Pintastic
When: December 13, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
Where: Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Ratio Beerworks teams up with Lowbrow Denver to host the 3rd Annual Pintastic. The event features a celebration of pins with a myriad of enamel pins available for purchase. You can sip on a beer from Ratio and peruse all of the tiny works of art. Even though Lowbrow is closing its physical location, Pintastic is set to continue on through Ratio Beerworks and Fort Greene Bar.
READ: Local Art Boutique Lowbrow to Close its Doors and Focus on Pop-up Events Instead
The Ugly Sweater Soiree
When: December 13, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Poka Lola Social Club, 1850 Wazee St., Denver
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Poka Lola hosts The Ugly Sweater Soiree. The event features a night of cocktails created by some magic elves, bangin’ beats from DJ F -eather and more. You can have your photo taken with a naughty Santa and dance all night long. Make sure to wear the ugliest sweater you can find to fit the theme.
The Black Mile
When: December 13, 8 – 11 p.m.
Where: Next Stage Gallery, 1025 13th St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Next Stage Gallery hosts a live show of The Black Mile. The Black Mile is a podcast created by Demetria (Demi), a local social media influencer and digital marketing master and Isaiah (Zaddy Zay), a young black professional and soccer player. The podcast discusses topics such as the workplace, societal norms and more from the perspective of a black millennial.
Hakkaisan X Mizu Sake Pairing Dinner
When: December 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Mizu Izakaya, 1560 Boulder St., Denver
Cost: $80 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Mizu Izakaya hosts a Hakkaisan X Mizu Sake Pairing Dinner with Timothy Sullivan, the founder of UrbanSake.com and brand ambassador of Hakkaisan Brewery. The dinner features a five-course meal with each course paired perfectly with five different sakes. You can learn more about each sake and dine on the best dishes prepared by the chefs of Mizu Izakaya.
Friday, December 14
Punk Rock Drag Show
When: December 14, 8 – 10 p.m.
Where: Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Ratio Beerworks presents a Punk Rock Drag Show. The event features a drag show to raise funds for One Colorado and the local LGBTQ+ community. You can watch performances from Vivica Galactica, Izzy Dead, Noveli and more while sipping on Ratio brews.
Midnight Madness
When: December 14 – 15, 11:59 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Landmark’s Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St., Denver
Cost: $9.50 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Landmark’s Esquire Theatre presents Midnight Madness. The event features a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The wacky holiday film shows the Griswold family as they deal with SWAT teams, an exploding turkey, thousands of lights and more.
Resistmas Holiday Celebration
When: December 14, 8 – 11 p.m.
Where: Mercury Cafe Denver, 2199 California St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Mercury Cafe hosts a Resistmas Holiday Celebration. The event features a night of holiday fun to celebrate your traditions with others. You can bring a dish that represents your culture or bring a toy to donate for children in need. And make sure to bring cash for the cash bar.
A Ridiculous Holiday Extravaganza
When: December 14, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Alternation Brewing Company, 1539 S Broadway, Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Alternation Brewing Company presents A Ridiculous Holiday Extravaganza. The event features a night of live music from The One and Only Jon Ham, ramen from Mu Denver, holiday photo ops and more. You can also shop from a holiday market and dress up in your wackiest holiday apparel to win prizes.
Ugly Sweater Party
When: December 14, 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Howl at the Moon Denver, 1735 19th St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Howl at the Moon presents an Ugly Sweater Party. The party features a chance to show off your ugliest holiday sweater. You can dance all night long to live music, sip on drink specials and participate in an ugly sweater contest to win prizes.
A Colorado Christmas
When: December 14 – 16
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall, 1325 Curtis St., Denver
Cost: $20 – $94 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Listen to some classic holiday music during A Colorado Christmas. The event features performances of songs from The Nutcracker, traditional Christmas Carols, bits from Too Hot to Handel and more. The Colorado Symphony is ready to fill the air with seasonal tunes.
Saturday, December 15
Denver Beer Festivus
When: December 15, 3 – 6 p.m.
Where: Sports Castle, 1000 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $40 – $65 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Celebrate the holidays during the 7th annual Denver Beer Festivus. The event features a beer-themed party with a gathering of local breweries to present their best brews. An invite is sent to all of the breweries within Denver’s city limits to really give you a chance to celebrate local beers.
STAY UP Saturdays
When: December 15, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Fort Greene Bar, 321 E 45th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Fort Greene Bar presents STAY UP Saturdays. You can stay up till the sun rises and party until you drop to celebrate the weekend. The event features hot beats from CRL CRRLL and friends, drinks from Fort Greene and more.
Shop & Show in Snow
When: December 15, 3 – 10 p.m.
Where: Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse, 3636 Chestnut Pl., Denver
Cost: $5 – $20 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse hosts a Shop & Show in Snow. The event features a double screening of Far Out and Ode to Muir from Teton Gravity Research. During the features, you can shop from local outdoor retailers, get your skis waxed, nibble on bites from Smok – Denver and more.
12 Bars of Charity
When: December 15, 8 – 11:59 p.m.
Where: Sports Column, 1930 Blake St., Denver
Cost: $25 – $35.11 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Grab a group of friends to raise funds for local charities during 12 Bars of Charity. The event features a bar crawl to 12 different bars including The Refinery, Sidecar and The Ginn Mill. You can take part in a competition and earn the most for your favorite nonprofit.
Hudson Hill Festivus
When: December 15, 6 – 11 p.m.
Where: Hudson Hill, 619 E 13th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Party all night long at the Hudson Hill Festivus. The event is the afterparty for the Denver Beer Festivus. You can wear your best ’90s gear, imbibe on beverages, wine prizes and more. You can also munch on hot hand pies from Bistro Georgette while you get festive. The proceeds from the event benefit ONE Colorado.
Grand Opening
When: December 15, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Federal Coffee, 2307 Federal Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Federal Coffee presents its Grand Opening. The event features a chance to explore the shop and sip on some great coffee. You can help welcome Federal Coffee to the Denver coffee scene.
3rd Annual ’80s Ski Party
When: December 15, 7 – 11 p.m.
Where: Alpine Dog Brewing Company, 1505 Ogden St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Alpine Dog Brewing Company hosts its 3rd Annual ’80s Ski Party. The event features a Screening of Zig Zag created by Level 1, live music from Chrispy Von Richthofen and beer galore. Make sure to wear some killer ’80s gear to fit the theme of the party.
Holiday Rumpus and Market
When: December 15, 12 – 9 p.m.
Where: Call to Arms Brewing Company, 4526 Tennyson St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Call to Arms Brewing Company presents a Holiday Rumpus and Market. The event features holiday beer releases, a vendor market full of makers and more. You can sip on tons of different brews and celebrate the holidays with Call to Arms. Make sure to dress warmly as the market is outdoors.
HitchCocktails Improvised Thriller
When: December 15, 6 – 7 p.m.
Where: Syntax Physic Opera, 554 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $10 at entry
The Lowdown: Syntax Physic Opera hosts HitchCocktail Improvised Thriller and drinking game. The event features a chance to play some Alfred Hitchcock style games, sip on drinks from Syntax and more.
Sunday, December 16
Holiday Carousel
When: December 16 – January 9 2018, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Denver Pavilions 500 15th St., Denver
Cost: $3 per ride
The Lowdown: The Holiday Carousel is back by popular demand. The carousel will run all through December and bring in the new year with New Year’s Eve rides. The ride will bring you back to your childhood years with magic and Christmas cheer. All proceeds from the rides will go toward Food Bank for the Rockies to help feed those in need.
Drunken History Comedy
When: December 16, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Crooked Stave Taproom, 3350 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Crooked Stave Taproom host Drunken History Comedy. The event features a Drunken History comedy show with comedians performing history with a tipsy twist. You can grab a drink from Crooked Stave and kick back and laugh. Half of the proceeds from the event will benefit Conscious Alliance.
Sunday Roast
When: December 16, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Rotary, 3200 N Pecos St., Denver
Cost: $25 – $45 get tickets here
The Lowdown: The Rotary presents a Sunday Roast. The event features a three-course meal with a pairing option. You can taste a rotisserie slow-cooked Moroccan-spiced Colorado leg of lamb, a salad made of local greens and more.
Ho Ho Ho Slapdown
When: December 16, 1 – 4 p.m.
Where: Bierstadt Lagerhaus, 2875 Blake St., Denver
Cost: $25 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Bierstadt Lagerhaus presents a Ho Ho Ho Slapdown. The event features a celebration of brews with a gathering of seven Colorado brewers. You can vote on your favorite beers and have the chance to sample some delightful sips. The ticket price includes five-ounce samples of each brew and a vote.
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Mark Your Calendars
PMG Little Red Dress Party
When: December 21, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: NATIV Hotel, 1612 wazee St., Denver
Cost: $20 – $50 tickets available here
Cuffin’ All Thangs R&B Party
When: December 21, 9 p.m. – 1:40 a.m.
Where: Bar Standard, 1037 Broadway, Denver
Cost: Free register here
Shamanic Dolls Solstice Ball
When: December 21, 7:15 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Circus Collective, 2041 Lawrence St. Ste A, Denver
Cost: $35 – $55 tickets available here