With Thanksgiving over, the candor for Christmas enthusiasm goes into overdrive. This week in Denver, begin getting into the Christmas spirit with an ugly sweater party, cookie decorating, breakfast with Santa, the Colorado Holiday Bazaar and the 50th Annual Parade of Lights.
Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony
When: Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, 1400 Curtis St., Denver, CO
Cost: $62+
The Lowdown: Sarah Brightman is an English soprano and singer. She brings “A Christmas Symphony” to Buell Theatre, along with an exclusive holiday cocktail party, before she performs her holiday classics and greatest hits with orchestra, choir and special guests.
Buy tickets here
On The Rise: Songwriter Showcase
When: Dec. 5, 7 – 9 p.m.
Where: Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont, CO
Cost: $18 GA, $15 members
The Lowdown: On the Rise: Songwriter Showcase is curated by Bonnie and Taylor Sims featuring Michael Kirkpatrick, Andrew McConathy and Alexa Wildish. It will be an evening filled with original music from emerging artists and singer-songwriters from all over the Front Range and beyond.
Buy tickets here
Barclay Crenshaw
When: Dec, 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO
Cost: $54.59+
The Lowdown: Some may know Barclay Crenshaw by his house music persona Claude VonStroke. He founded San Francisco-based underground house label Dirtybird Records. These days, he’s going by his legal name, Barclay Crenshaw. This new project stays in the electronic music genre but delves deeper into an exploration of bass, dub, jungle, funk and hip-hop. This show at Mission will include openers LYNY, Mary Droppinz, Strategy and Shanghai Doom.
Buy tickets here
Girl Named Tom
When: Dec. 7, 8 p.m.
Where: The Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO
Cost: $49.95
The Lowdown: Girl Named Tom is a folk sibling trio from Ohio. The band name originates from their childhood, when Joshua Liechty would call his younger sister “Thomas.” The band includes Bekah Grace Liechty, Joshua Liechty and Caleb Liechty. They take to the Bluebird Theater for The Joy of Christmas Tour.
Buy tickets here
Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker
When: Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO
Cost: $75.16+
The Lowdown: Singer-songwriter Chelsea Cutler is joined by Jeremy Zucker (Love Is Not Dying, Crusher). Cutler’s latest release is the alternative/indie album Stellaria (2023). For this leg of the Present Brent Forever: The Tour, Paige Fish will be a special guest at The Mission Ballroom.
Buy tickets here
Litmas Rooftop Pop-Up
When: Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
Where: Linger, 2030 W. 30th Ave., Denver, CO
Cost: Prices vary
The Lowdown: Linger is getting in the holiday spirit with this pop-up that entails a boozy holiday cocktail menu, igloos, lights, decor and a Christmas (s)elfie/mugshot heaven. This event is weather permitting, if temps are below 40 degrees, they will rein(deer) check.
Whiskey Wonderland Ugly Sweater Party
When: Dec. 5, 7 – 10 p.m.
Where: School House Kitchen & Libations, 5660 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO
Cost: $55.20
The Lowdown: A ticket to this event includes a whiskey tasting experience and a selection of shared appetizers. Compete in wearing your ugliest sweater (it’s required for entry) and be entered in raffle and giveaways with prizes — a special award for whoever wears the ugliest sweater of all.
Buy tickets here
Mile High Chalet – Christmas Pop-Up Bar
When: Dec. 6, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Where: Mile High Spirits – Tasting Room, 2201 Lawrence St., Denver, CO
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Every Friday and Saturday night throughout December, Mile High Spirits is hosting their Mile High Chalet – Christmas Pop-Up Bar with holiday themed cocktails and decorations. Those who show may also take a shot with Santa every Saturday night!
Reserve a spot here
Holiday Charcuterie Workshop Benefiting A Precious Child Charity
When: Dec. 7, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: A Precious Child, 7051 W. 118th Ave., Broomfield, CO
Cost: $81.88
The Lowdown: The Holiday Charcuterie 101 Workshop is an interactive event where guests will get to create their very own 17 by 12 inch charcuterie board to take home. A board this size easily feeds 4-6 people. Kristin, the Owner of The Perfect Platter Colorado will guide attendees through the process of selecting meats, cheese, fruits and other accompaniments. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Colorado charity, A Precious Child.
Buy tickets here
Breakfast with Santa and Gingerbread House Decorating
When: Dec. 8, 9 – 11 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s Little Italy, 7401 S. Clinton St., Englewood, CO
Cost: $41.01
The Lowdown: Meet Santa for breakfast and let him know what you’re pining for this holiday season. With ticket purchase, each child will also get to build their own Gingerbread House with breakfast provided for all. There’s also a cash bar for adults looking to sip on a Mimosa or Bloody Mary.
Buy tickets here
Movements Toward Freedom
When: Dec. 4 (recurring weekly, every day except Monday) on view through Feb. 2, 2025
Where: MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St., Denver, CO
Cost: $0 – $14
The Lowdown: This exhibit explores the power, possibility and vulnerability of bodily movement in contemporary life. “‘Movements Toward Freedom’ examines how the articulation of our bodies, collectively and singularly, informs and shapes a vital society.” The works include sculpture, video, painting and installation by a plethora of artists. For more information, look here.
Buy tickets here
Denver Potters Association’s Winter Show and Sale
When: Dec. 5, 3 – 7 p.m. (recurring daily)
Where: Sixth Avenue United Church, 3250 E. 6th Ave., Denver, CO
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Members of Castle Clay, as well as guest artists, will display their ceramics, wood, glass, jewelry and more over Dec. 5 through Dec. 8 for the Denver Potters Association’s Winter Show and Sale 2024. This is a great opportunity to find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces made by Denver artists.
Colorado Holiday Bazaar
When: Dec. 6, 5 – 9 p.m.
Where: 3950 River Point Pkwy., Englewood, CO
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: The Colorado Holiday Bazaar is here for three weekends in December (Dec 6-8, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22). There is so much to interact with at this special event: photos with Santa, cookie decorating, baby goat yoga, puppy rescues, holiday music, a coffee and hot cocoa bar, funnel cakes and churros, Winter Wonderbar, holiday movies, Santa’s Workshop with demos and crafts, food and more!
Reserve a spot here
50th Annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights
When: Dec. 7, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Downtown, from Denver Union Station to the City and County Building
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: With decades of spreading holiday magic under their belt, 9NEWS continues to bring cheer to the city with the Parade of Lights, produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership. The parade will feature more than 40 floats, giant balloons, marching bands, equestrian units, cultural displays and special guest appearances from Major Waddles the penguin and Santa.
Light the Lights
When: Dec. 8, recurring nightly at 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. through Jan. 26 (except for Dec. 7 and Dec. 21)
Where: Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver, CO
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Denverites may have missed the Light the Lights 2024 kickoff last Wednesday but that is okay, because the thrilling light and music show will repeat nightly through Jan. 26 at two different times at the City and County Building.