denver 2023 holiday events for kids and families

I started building this fun list of Holiday events and happenings about nine years ago after my first holiday spent in Denver.
This list gets a little longer every year as there are so many fun things to do in Denver around this time of year.
As a family we like to mix it up a bit from year to year and try something new in addition to keeping some of our old traditions.

As always - make sure to add a Holiday-styled studio mini at Lily Red Studio to your list! These quick and effortless sessions will allow you to enjoy the season knowing that you’ve captured some beautiful family portraits (without the stress).

Make sure to bookmark this page, share with friends, and add your own local traditions to the comments section.

Happy Holidays
from Suzy at Lily Red Studio!

Denver Holiday Events and Happenings List

• Christmas in Color drive thru light show - Water world or Morrison

• Denver Botanic Gardens - Blossoms of Light

• Chatfield Farms - Trail of Lights

• Gingerbread house exhibit at History Colorado Museum (has happened in years past, not offered every year but many ofthe sister museums offer holiday-themed events and teas)

• Winterfest at Chataqua (Boulder)

• Holiday Tea at Chataqua Dining Hall (Boulder)

• Holiday Tea at The Brown Palace (reserve in June but you can always check to see if there’s a last minute cancellation)

• Holiday Tea at Miramont Castle (Manitou Springs)

• Afternoon Tea at Babe’s Tea Room (Dine-in or Takeaway - this place saved our holiday tradition during COVID with their to-go tea party!)

• Afternoon Tea at D Bar Denver

• Georgetown Christmas market

• Georgetown Loop Winter Holiday Train Experience

• Downtown Denver Rink - Ice Skating at Skyline Park

• Denver Parade of Lights (early December - typically the first weekend in December)

• A Hudson Gardens Christmas (Littleton; be sure to click on that date you want - there are plenty of tickets left even though it says, “$0+”)

• Breakfast with Santa at the Denver Aquarium

• The Polar Express Train Ride - Colorado Railroad Museum (reserve in August; sold out for 2022)

• Holidays at The Broadmoor

• Visit with Santa at Cherry Creek Mall (also offers Sensory Santa experiences)

• Cherry Creek Mall Tree Lighting (happens mid -November)

• December Delights at Four Mile Historic Park

• Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens

• North Pole - Home of Santa's Village (10 miles North of Colorado Springs)

• Camp Christmas (Lakewood)

• Union Station (Santa visits, Holiday Lights Show, Holiday Brunch, Holiday Pop-up Bar and Shopping)

• Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo

• Denver Christkindl Market

• Visit Evergreen to check out Little Bear Saloon for live music and lunch/dinner, and ice skate on Evergreen Lake

• Get your Christmas tree in Evergreen (JP Total Lawn - trees, garland and wreaths)

• Christmas at Gaylord of the Rockies (there is so much to do here and the offerings change every year; book in October for special rates on rooms)

• A Charlie Brown Christmas LIVE at the Paramount Theater (November - two dates ONLY!)

• The Nutcracker at Colorado Ballet

• A Christmas Carol at the DCPA

• Cherry Creek Holiday Market

Local Small Business Shopping

Nick’s Garden Center

Rosy Rings (candles and beautiful gift shop, also offers fun candle making and wreath making classes)

Maggie & Molly’s Bakery (offers cute holiday cookie decorating boxes)

Timbuk Toys (they also offer a toy drive where kids can pick a card and toy for a name on the wishing tree)

Littlebird (clothes and toys)

Tallulah Jones (gorgeously curated toy and gift boutique - one of my favorite places to shop for unique toys!)

UPDATED 10/19/2023