Holiday Events In The Denver Boulder Area in 2023

Find Freezie – Downtown Boulder, CO – Nov. 19th – Dec. 9th

Head downtown to the participating businesses listed below starting on Sunday, November 19. Find a Freezie and scan its QR code to be entered to win! You can also stop by our Visitor Information Center and fill out a paper from to be entered. select businesses will be handing out FREE plush snowmen to the first 25 people to ask! Be entered for a chance to win a $25 Downtown Boulder Gift Card! Winners will be chosen the week before Freezie Fest! 

St. Nick on the Bricks at 1300 Block of Pearl Street Mall – Nov. 24th – Dec. 23rd

Kids of all ages can visit with Santa for FREE outside on the 1300 Block of the Pearl Street Mall. Bring your list and a camera to capture priceless holiday memories. 

Snowflake Express at 1300 Block of Pearl Street Mall – Nov. 24th – Dec. 23rd

Tired of waiting in line? Take a FREE ride on the 100% Electric Tebo Train aka Snowflake Express. Children ages 10 and under (along with accompanying adults) will chug along Pearl Street in this one-of-a-kind experience.  The Snowflake Express boards in front of the Capital One Café. The last train leaves the station at 2 pm. 

Snow Much Fun Virtual (AR) Experiences – Nov. 19th – Jan. 31st

Explore downtown Boulder through a new lens as you adventure through a self-guided AR tour of the district. Scan QR codes on each block of the Pearl Street Mall as well as the East End and West End and throughout the Civic Area to access fun filters via Instagram. Follow along on this winter wonderland trail and meet snowmen, penguins and more as you go!

Longmont Recreation Ice Rink at Roosevelt Park – Nov. 27th – Mar. 7th

Longmont Recreation Services’ Longmont Ice Pavilion, 725 8th Ave. in Roosevelt Park, is a seasonal outdoor full service ice rink facility, offering public ice skating, hockey, skating lessons, private facility rentals, throughout the winter, weather permitting. Come enjoy the ice, get some exercise and have a great time in the facility.

Old Town Skate (Downtown Louisville) – Nov 16 – Jan 2025

Old Town Skate, previously Winter Skate, is an outdoor ice skating rink located at the Steinbaugh Pavilion (824 Front Street) in Louisville, Colorado. It is owned by the City of Louisville and managed by an independent contractor.  Click here for hours and admission information.

FREE Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides at (Downtown Louisville) – Nov 29-Dec 31

Back for 2024! Enjoy a festive ride around downtown with the Kodiak Ranch Clydesdales, compliments of the Louisville Downtown Business Association and other sponsors! Pickup is on Front Street across from the skating rink. Carriage leaves approximately every 20 minutes, and runs in the early afternoon on select dates.

Olde Town Arvada Holiday Winter Market (Arvada) – Dec 7, 14, 21

xplore the Olde Town Arvada and Arvada Farmers Winter Market from 11:00am to 3:00 pm on December 7, 14, and 21. This bustling market will showcase 60+ vendors offering handmade gifts, toys, and delectable local food. Discover locally crafted candles, clothes, jewelry, soaps, and more! The Holiday Winter Market is a collaboration with the Arvada Farmers Market for a unique shopping experience filled with holiday spirit!

The Polar Express Train Ride – Golden, CO – Nov 24-Dec 23rd

Be sure to purchase early as this event SELLS OUT nearly every year!! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride returns once again to the Colorado Railroad Museum! Sure to re-kindle the Christmas spirit in True Believers, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ offers a unique, three-part theatrical extravaganza of Holiday Magic. Holiday Caroling and the “Hot Chocolate” song and dance kick things off each evening, performed in our newly renovated, heated POLAR EXPRESS™ Pavilion. A ride to the North Pole aboard vintage coaches, pulled by an authentic, coal-fired steam locomotive, is next. And finally, visiting with Santa tops off the experience!

The Rink at Belmar – Lakewood, CO – Nov 17-Jan 28th

*If you are an organization or business that wants to bring a group during public skating hours, please call (303) 742-1525 to make arrangements. The Rink does not guarantee everyone will get on the ice at the same time, during public skate hours, it is first-come first-serve. Groups are required to adhere to the same process as other guests; wait in line, sign liability waiver, check in with the payment desk, pick up skates, and are limited to 1-hour skate time. The Rink will do its best to accommodate groups during public skating times and encourages groups to show up at the same time with waivers filled out/signed to expedite the check-in process.

Christmas in The Rockies Food & Gift Show at Aspen Grove Shopping Center – Littleton – Now through December 23rd

Come enjoy holiday shopping again this year at the ‘Christmas in the Rockies Food and Gift Show’ at Aspen Grove Shopping Center! Enjoy 18 days of great indoor shopping with many wonderful vendors from the Metro Denver Farmers Market vendor family. Open 10am-6pm each day.

Christmas In Color: Drive Thru Animated Live Show at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds – Nov. 27th-Dec 30th

Immerse yourself in holiday cheer and watch in awe as 1.5 million Christmas lights dance around you to some of your favorite holiday tunes. This drive-through, socially distanced experience at Water World in Federal Heights (Denver area) is back by popular demand.

Christmas In Color: Drive Thru Animated Live Show at Water World Family Water Park – Nov. 27th-Dec 30th

Immerse yourself in holiday cheer and watch in awe as 1.5 million Christmas lights dance around you to some of your favorite holiday tunes. This drive-through, socially distanced experience at Water World in Federal Heights (Denver area) is back by popular demand.

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop – Nov 5th – Dec. 24th

The magic begins with Santa’s arrival on November 5. Families are invited to a festive, FREE Christmas parade in the store’s parking lot with fun giveaways, carols and magical fun building up to Santa’s arrival from the North Pole. Every holiday season, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s transforms its stores into a festive wonderland with fun and games. Families who visit Santa receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo, as well as a free customized digital video they can share on social media. Bring the whole family to create unforgettable memories.

Mile High Tree at Civic Center Park – Nov. 17th – Dec. 31st

Create a new family tradition as the Mile High Tree puts on a dazzling music and lights show. And, for the first time, you can experience two of Denver’s most popular holiday attractions in one place. America’s tallest digital tree and the Denver Christkindlmarket (open Nov. 17–Dec. 23, 2022), the city’s only authentic German holiday market, will converge in Civic Center Park  to offer The Mile High City’s newest holiday celebration. The Mile High Tree was created by ILMEX Illumination, a globally renowned decorative lighting production company in Spain. Madrid-based Brut Deluxe handled the lighting design using pixel-mapping technology.

Denver Christkindlmarket at Civic Center Park – Nov. 17th – Dec. 23rd

Experience an Old World Christmas at the annual Denver Christkindlmarket. It’s downtown’s favorite free holiday celebration, back for another month of festivities and holiday crafts. The market brings German and European flare to the Mile High City. Every year it opens up the Friday before Thanksgiving and lasts thru Christmas Eve’s Eve. 

Mistletoe Market at Dairy Block Alley – Nov. 25th – Dec. 15th

Held in the Dairy Block Alley, the Mistletoe market will feature a wide variety of vendors offering clothing, home goods and more, representing both local Colorado businesses and top national retailers. Shoppers can also enjoy food & drink specials and a robust lineup of holiday entertainment, including performances by the Jingle Belles and visits from Santa Claus, himself!

Downtown Denver Ice Rink – Nov. 20th – Dec. 24th

The Downtown Denver Partnership proudly invites you and your family to join us at the Downtown Denver Rink presented by Southwest Airlines  – Downtown’s destination for fun this winter.

Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens – Nov. 17th – Jan. 7th

The Gardens’ signature event for over three decades, this annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms our York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland. Join us for this family-friendly event that has become a holiday tradition for thousands of Front Range families.

Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms – Nov. 25th – Jan. 1st

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 through the Green Farm, Crossroads, 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.

Fun features this year:

• New this year: Lights in the amphitheater synchronized to music
• Synchronized music in children’s play area
• Singing Christmas trees
• Two three-sided light tunnels
• Illuminated antique and model tractors on display
• Hot beverages, nuts, kettle corn as well as fudge and caramels are available for purchase from our vendors with cash, debit or credit card
• Visit with Santa (additional ticket)

Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo – Dec. 2nd – Jan. 15th

When it comes to holiday magic, you can always count on Zoo Lights—where natural wonders take on a whole new light. This year, our newest installations illuminate nature’s brilliant animation, with enchanting additions like Aurora Borealis, Savannah Sunset and Electric Jungle. As you wander through our winter wonderland, keep an eye out for nightly ice-carving demonstrations, cozy fire barrels and all kinds of festive holiday food and drink!

Cherry Creek Annual Holiday Market – Nov. 16th – Dec. 24th

Located just North of 1st Ave and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Fillmore Plaza will be blocked off to traffic between 1st and 2nd Avenue, to hold the third annual Cherry Creek Holiday Market.

16th Street Mall Holiday Festival – Closed Due to Construction

Closed due to construction this year – please check back next year! The 16th Street Mall Holiday Festival is a the Holiday shopping event of the year taking place on the historic 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver.  This highly attended curated marketplace will feature an awesome selection of one of-a-kind seasonal items, high quality handcrafted goods, fabulous holiday gift ideas, delicious specialty foods, home décor, and unique holiday gifts. 

Located in the Center of the Winter in the City attractions including a 100 foot LED Mile High Christmas Tree which is the largest electronic tree in North America and floats from the Parade of Lights.

Christmas In Color: Drive Thru Animated Live Show at Bandimere Speedway – Nov. 27th – Dec 30th

Immerse yourself in holiday cheer and watch in awe as 1.5 million Christmas lights dance around you to some of your favorite holiday tunes. This drive-through, socially distanced experience at Water World in Federal Heights (Denver area) is back by popular demand.