Fun events in Denver this week include the popular TubaChristmas, Elf the Musical, Breakfast with Santa and much more. See our event calendar for more details.
Free infant CPR and adult hands-only CPR training sessions at North High School
Dec 16, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
The American Heart Association will offer a free infant CPR and choking relief training session at 8 a.m. and free adult hands-only CPR training sessions at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at North High School, 2960 N. Speer Blvd, Denver, CO. Each session will take approximately 45 minutes.
Story Time with Mrs. Claus at Outlets at Castle Rock
Dec 8 – 15
Join Mrs. Claus in the Food Court for fun holiday stories and munch on cookies and milk.
Elf the Musical at Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Dec 13 – 17
ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Third Annual Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins Brewery Lights
Dec 14 – 17
Every Thursday through Sunday* from Nov. 16 to Dec. 30**, witness the beauty of the Third Annual Brewery Lights where guests 21+ will receive a wristband good for four 6 oz. beer samples. During the family-friendly event, be dazzled by the Digital Light Show, find your way through the Holiday Tree Maze, explore the newly expanded Family Zone and warm up by the fire while roasting s’mores available for purchase on-site.
Dew Tour at Breckenridge Resort
Dec 14 – 17
Winter Dew Tour ski and snowboard competition and festival will return to Breckenridge! The event will serve as a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Olympic qualifying event for men’s and women’s halfpipe and slopestyle snowboarding and skiing competitions.
A Colorado Christmas at Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Dec 15 –17
The warm sounds of the holidays fill Boettcher Concert Hall with your favorite songs this December. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, narrated live from stage, will put a smile on your face and set a festive tone for this treasured holiday program, and you won’t want to miss other favorite works like “Sleigh Ride,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from The Nutcracker, and more!
Caroling Night with Santa at Park Meadows Retail Resort
Dec 15, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
It’s Caroling Night at the North Pole! Hear all of your favorite holiday classic songs performed live by carolers! Get in the festive spirit and enjoy the wonderful sounds of Christmas carolers while taking a photo with Santa.
Holiday Cheer
Dec 15 – 16
Voices soar from two choruses, Colorado Repertory Singers and Young Voices of Colorado, as they join our orchestra to celebrate the season! Revel in beloved holiday classics from The Nutcracker to Home Alone. An annual favorite, Holiday Cheer! enriches your spirit with music that will send you back to your childhood — complete with cocoa and caroling!
Breakfast with Santa at Downtown Aquarium
Dec 16 – 17
Join Sharkey and Santa for a delicious breakfast buffet, exhibit discounts and more! (Reservations Required)
Breakfast with Santa at CU South Denver
Dec 16, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by to enjoy breakfast with you and yours and to jot down everyone’s wish list. Families will enjoy a breakfast buffet. Adults can sip bloody marys and mimosas (for an additional charge) while the kids make festive crafts and give their wish lists to Santa.
St. Nick on the Bricks
Dec 16, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Kids of all ages can visit with Santa at the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center for FREE. Bring your list and a camera to capture priceless holiday memories.
Boulder Chorale: All Things Bright & Beautiful
Dec 16 – 17
Let our singers ages 8 to 85 remind you of “All Things Bright and Beautiful” this holiday season.
Christmas with Colcannon
Dec 16 – 17
Colorado’s premier Irish music ensemble is back with the BSO for two special holiday performances.
Longmont Museum Holiday Festival
Dec 16 – 17
Join us for songs of the season and holiday cheer from some of the finest musicians and performers in the region. Featuring the Heath Walton Jazz Quintet, Longmont’s Centennial State Ballet in excerpts from the Nutcracker, Venezuelan rhythms from Gonzalo Teppa, and much more.
Dianne Reeves: Holiday Concert
Dec 16, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Usher in the holidays with the world’s greatest living jazz and R&B vocalist, who dazzles audiences worldwide with her breathtaking virtuosity and remarkable improvisation. The Grammy-winning singer celebrates the joy and warmth of the season with a concert of holiday favorites.
TubaChristmas
Dec 17, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
More than 300 tuba and baritone players will gather for the 43rd annual TubaChristmas concert. Presented by Andrew Hudson’s Jobs List and produced by the University of Colorado Denver’s College of Arts & Media, the TubaChristmas Concert is one of the most celebrated and longest-running holiday festivities in Colorado.
Family Film Night: Polar Express at CU South Denver
Dec 17, 3:30 – 8:00 pm
The Polar Express is coming to Family Film Night again this year. Don’t miss this magical Christmas journey! There will be Christmas crafts, games, carolers, hot chocolate and a photo opportunity with one of Santa’s elves! Don’t forget to wear your favorite PJs!
Ongoing Holiday Events
Blossoms of Light, Denver Botanic Gardens
Nov 24 – Jan 1, 2018
This annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms our York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland.
Zoo Lights 2017
Dec. 1-31, 5:30-9 p.m.
Zoo Lights will span through 60 acres of Denver Zoo’s campus, with nightly entertainment, animal encounters, Santa meet-and-greets and, of course, illuminated animal sculptures that swing through trees, jump across lawns hide in bushes and appear in places where they’re least expected.
Daytime admission (including membership) does not include Zoo Lights.
Denver Zoo will close at 5 p.m. (gates close at 4 p.m.) and reopen at 5:30 p.m. for Zoo Lights.
Santa’s Village at Chatfield Farms
Nov 24 – Dec 24
Santa and his friends are moving to Chatfield Farms in November! Chatfield Farms will be transformed into a magical village. Join us for a new and exciting holiday experience for all ages. Hop on the hayride to catch a short movie at Santa’s cinema and find unique holiday gifts in his workshop.
DEN Ice Skating Rink at Denver International Airport
Nov 24, 2017 – Jan 7, 2018
Once again, the DEN Plaza will be home to a FREE 34’wide X 60’length ice skating rink.
Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park
Nov 21 – Feb. 14, 2018
Ready. Set. Skate. Skyline Park is the place for fun this holiday season. The Downtown Denver Partnership invites you and your family to join us for FREE skating at the Skyline Rink, located at 16th & Arapahoe in Downtown Denver. Ice skating is free! You may bring your own skates or rent a pair for just $2. Through February 14.
A Christmas Carol at Stage Theatre
Nov 24 – Dec 24
Essential to the holiday season in Denver, A Christmas Carol promises to “warm your heart and renew your holiday spirit” according to the Examiner. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, this joyous and opulent musical adaptation traces money-hoarding skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge’s triumphant overnight journey to redemption. A Christmas Carol illuminates the meaning of the holiday season in a way that has resonated for generations.
Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Nov 25 – Dec 24
Recently recognized as the best-loved Nutcracker in the U.S., Colorado Ballet’s holiday classic The Nutcracker features timeless choreography paired with Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary arrangement performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.
Winter Wonderlights at Chapungu Sculpture Park
Nov 18 – Jan 7, 2018
Each night, visitors and locals will revel in holiday string lights, twinkling bulbs, LED mappable snowflakes, illuminated African stone sculptures, the only 20’ LED mappable Christmas Tree in the state and 30-minute music and light shows.
Dec 8 – Jan 1, 2018
‘Tis the season for lights, animals and holiday spirit at America’s only mountain zoo. Take in nearly one million sparkling lights illuminating the crisp winter night, warm up at one of the fires throughout the Zoo, then stop in and see Santa (through Dec. 23).
Dec 15 – Jan 2
Get into the holiday spirit by taking a ride on Downtown’s first and only Holiday Carousel. Due to popular demand the carousel has been extended through the new year, with NEW YEAR’S EVE RIDES! So rekindle some of that childhood magic at Denver Pavilions. $3 per ride of free with a voucher from any Denver Pavilions merchant.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
