Denver has some jolly events lined up this week. Start it off by imbibing in seasonal delights with a Holiday Tree Lot and end it by laughing a little at an ApocaLips Comedy Show. Wherever the week takes you, make sure to take a gander at this roundup of events happening in Denver.
Reminder, masks and social distancing are mandatory at any of these in-person events. Also due to current restrictions, they can only be attended with members of your household.
Wednesday, December 16
Holiday Tree Lot
When: December 16-24
Where: Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th St., Denver
Cost: Various prices
The Lowdown: Find the perfect greenery to decorate at Little Man Ice Cream’s Holiday Tree Lot. The lot offers trees of all sizes and shapes for a chance to find the perfect tree for your home. Sweet Cooie’s in Congress Park also holds a lot as well.
Blossoms of Light
When: December 16 – January 16
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
Cost: $21 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Denver Botanic Gardens returns with its magical Blossoms of Light display. The wondrous interactive light display features sound-reactive animated LED lights for a wild experience. You can explore the lights, delight in holiday treats, warm drinks and more throughout the gardens.
Visions West Contemporary Exhibitions
When: December 16 – January 23
Where: Visions West Contemporary, 2605 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Visions West Contemporary hosts two new running exhibitions – Pioneer Project and Mothers & Daughters. Pioneer Project, created by artist Jennifer Nehrbass explores the contribution of women in western expansion, while rewriting accounts from the female view. Mothers & Daughters features works from Madeline Bialke that dive into a post-apocalyptic world impacted by a romantized pollutant.
Zoo Lights
When: December 16 – 31
Where: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., Denver
Cost: $15 – $25 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Zoo Lights are back at the Denver Zoo for its 30th annual appearance. You can take a stroll through more than 80 acres of lit-up animals for a magical winter wonderland experience. Zoo Lights is widely popular so make sure to book your tickets soon.
9News Parade of Lights
When: December 16 – 31
Where: Starts at Denver Pavillions, 500 16th St. Mall, Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: The annual 9News Parade of Lights returns for the holiday season. This year the parade is a multi-day event with floats stationed all around downtown Denver starting at Denver Pavillions and ending at Denver Union Station. You can experience an amazing array of lights and stay socially distanced.
Cherry Creek Holiday Market
When: December 16 – 23
Where: Fillmore Plaza, 105 Fillmore St., Denver
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Make some marks off of your gift list at the Cherry Creek Holiday Market. The outdoor market hosts 30 vendors offering products to purchase in convenient containers, live music from local bands and carolers and more throughout the month.
Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum
When: December 16 – January 2
Where: Online
Cost: $30 – $80 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance presents Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum. The holiday celebration features a live stream performance, a chance to learn choreography from instructors and a chance to meet the talents behind the performance with a Zoom event.
Days of Giving Toy Drive
When: December 16 – 20
Where: Sweet Cooie’s, 3506 E. 12th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Give back to those in need this holiday season with a Days of Giving Toy Drive. You can stop into Sweet Cooie’s to donate an unopened toy for a child in need of some extra joy this Christmas..
Holiday Market
When: December 16 – 20
Where: Raices Brewing Co., 2060 W. Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: Free RSVP here
The Lowdown: Find some locally made crafts during a Holiday Market at Raices Brewing Co. Raices’ will feature one to two artisans offering products every day for five days for your holiday shopping ventures.
Nan Goldin on Art and Activism
When: December 16, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Listen to artist Nan Goldin on Art and Activism. Goldin will speak about her activism, her photography and strategies used inside and outside of the studio.
Piano Christmas
When: December 16, 6 – 7:15 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Get a little festive with Piano Christmas. You can listen to Chappell Kingsland perform over a Zoom and Facebook stream. More information here.
Handmade Holiday: Art Market Art Show
When: December 16 – 26
Where: Spectra Art Space, 1836 S. Broadway, Denver
Cost: Free – $5 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Spectra Art Space hosts Handmade Holiday: Art Market Art Show. Shop from small businesses from the pop-up style art show with artists such as Alexander Stone, Macey Sigaty and Simie Alexander.
Thursday, December 17
Surfing 100 Million-Year-Old Sandstones
When: December 17, 12 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Learn more about the Cretaceous Codell Sandstone during Surfing 100 million-year-old sandstones. You can hear about how the rock units were formed, how they hold an oil and gas reservoir and more. You can tune into the live stream on Facebook or YouTube.
Jingle Bell Bar
When: December 17 – 18
Where: Belleview Station, 6785 E. Chenango Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Denver Holiday Bazaar hosts the Jingle Bell Bar. The festive outdoor bar has hot and seasonal themed cocktails, seasonal brews, wines and more. You can grab a drink and take part in a gingerbread house DIY night.
Friday, December 18
A Virtual Colorado Christmas
When: December 18, 5 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: $15 tickets available here
The Lowdown: Colorado Symphony celebrates the holidays with A Virtual Colorado Christmas. You can watch as Boettcher Concert Hall fills with sweet festive tunes such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – narrated by vocalist Devin DeSantis.
16th Street Mall Holiday Festival
When: December 18, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: The 16th Street Mall, 1000 16th St. Mall, Denver
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Take a stroll through downtown Denver and pick up some holiday gifts at the 16th Street Mall Holiday Festival. The festival holds an array of vendors offering handmade crafts, art, seasonal bites and more.
Home for the Holidays Beer Release
When: December 18, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Denver Beer Co., 1695 Platte St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Denver Beer Co. gets in the holiday spirit with a Home for the Holidays Beer Release. You can grab the white IPA crowler, pick up a sugar cookie decorating kit and sip on a mug of Apple Jack Ale throughout the evening.
December Delights
When: December 18, 5 – 9 p.m.
Where: Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Denver
Cost: $9 -$14 at entry
The Lowdown: Four Mile Historic Park celebrates the holidays with December Delights. You can snack on seasonal bites, imbibe in beverages, skate in an ice rink and more within the park’s spacious 12 acres. You can also see a life-sized holiday card created by artist Brian Corrigan.
Saturday, December 19
Victorian Stories with Santa & Mrs. Claus
When: December 19, 10 a.m. & December 23, 6 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: $24 per household
The Lowdown: Molly Brown House Museum hosts Victorian Stories with Santa & Mrs. Claus. You can listen to Santa and Mrs. Claus read traditional stories, get a little crafty and more throughout the day.
Christmas Drive Thru
When: December 19, 12 – 9 p.m.
Where: Coors Field, 2001 Blake St. Unit A, Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Denver Dream Center hosts a Christmas Drive-Thru. If you or someone you know needs some extra cheer this holiday season, you can join in a drive-thru Christmas Party.
Holiday Music at Dairy Block
When: December 19, 1 – 3 p.m.
Where: Dairy Block, 1800 Wazee St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Get your jolly spirit on with Holiday Music at Dairy Block. The Jingle Belles will rock Dairy Block with sweet melodies while you shop from the various shops, restaurants and more.
Holiday Bazaar
When: December 19 – 20
Where: Belleview Station Dog Park, 6785 E. Chenango Ave., Denver
Cost: $5 tickets available here
The Lowdown: Belleview Station partners with Denver BAZAAR for a Holiday Bazaar. You can take a look-see at the outdoor market that is chalk-full with local vendors offering crafts, fashion, handmade products and more for your seasonal shopping.
It’s A Wonderful Bear Creek Distillery Christmas Spectacular
When: December 19, 5 – 7 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Bear Creek Distillery presents It’s A Wonderful Bear Creek Distillery Christmas Spectacular. You can order cocktails to-go from Bear Creek Distillery and mention “The One And Only Jon Ham’s Holiday Special” for 10% off and then tune into a Zoom party for a rockin’ night. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Urban Peak.
Sunday, December 20
Foul-Mouthed Cross-Stitch
When: December 20, 12 – 9 p.m.
Where: Grandma’s House, 1710 S Broadway, Denver
Cost: $5 at entry
The Lowdown: Grandma’s House is back at it with Foul-Mouth Cross-Stitch. You can create your own dirty cross-stitch with the instruction of one of Grandma’s House best instructors. You can bring your own materials and get stitching for $5. Come with a nasty saying or pattern in mind to create your scandalous cross-stitch masterpiece.
ApocaLips Comedy Show
When: December 20, 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: $10 – $224 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Get your giggle on during an ApocoLips Comedy Show. You can listen to sets from comedians such as Chuck Roy and Mike Langworthy while kicking back at home. Ten percent of the profits will be donated to Elevating Connections.
You made it all the way to the end! Congrats! We hope this guide was helpful. We worked really hard to put it together and would appreciate any support to help us keep going. Consider donating today and you’ll support our team of local writers.
Mark Your Calendar
Keep This Mug: Camp Christmas
When: December 21, 12 p.m.
Where: Stem Ciders, 2811 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: $12 per person
Hip Hop Nutcracker Denver
When: December 22, 7 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: $25 tickets available here
Hallelujah! Holy Sh*t Where’s the Tylenol? 2020 Christmas Barley Release
When: December 23, 11 a.m.
Where: Platt Park Brewing Company, 1875 S. Pearl St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
Winter Onesie Land
When: December 23, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Denver Christkindl Market, Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission