FAMILY-FRIENDLY NEW YEAR’S ACTIVITIES
NOON YEAR’S EVE
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Children can experience the excitement, thrills and festive fun of New Year’s Eve in Times Square right here in Denver — all before bedtime! Noon Year’s Eve celebrates the New Year with glittery ball drops, rainbows of confetti and huge sheets of bubble wrap (the museum’s version of fireworks) for kids to stomp on. After the ball drops, the celebration keeps going with sparkling art projects and heaps of activities on the plaza.
NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS IN DENVER
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Downtown Denver
The sky will once again sparkle over downtown at the close of 2017 with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Downtown. The two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and midnight. For the best viewpoints, stand along the 16th Street Mall. Costumed entertainers will interact with crowds between shows, including magicians, mascots, balloon artists, stilt walkers and comedians.
Please note, between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m., RTD Light Rail trains will not cross the 16th Street Mall, and mall ride shuttles will stop temporarily during the two fireworks shows.
DENVER PAVILIONS HOLIDAY CAROUSEL
WHEN: Dec. 15, 2017–Jan. 2, 2018
WHERE: Denver Pavilions
Create Memories for years to come at the Denver Pavilions beautiful downtown Holiday Carousel. Throughout December, families can enjoy the magic of the holidays from the perch of a horse on a beautiful carousel. $3 per ride.
ZOO YEAR’S EVE
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017, 5:30-9 p.m.
WHERE: Denver Zoo
This New Year’s Eve, take the kids on a safari through the Denver Zoo, where you’ll spot more than 150 illuminated animal sculptures, from swinging monkeys to jumping kangaroos.
DOWNTOWN DENVER RINK AT SKYLINE PARK
WHEN: Nov. 21, 2017–Feb. 14, 2018
WHERE: Skyline Park, the corner of 16th and Arapahoe
Grab your family and friends and head to 16th and Arapahoe in downtown Denver to the Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park. Skate rentals are $6-$8, or bring your own pair and take a spin on the ice for free! Free days for kids will take place throughout the season. Look for regularly scheduled entertainment and activities each week including: Friday night DJs; Saturday morning skating lessons; Saturday night concerts; and Sunday afternoon family entertainment.
COMEDY WORKS’ RING IN THE NEW YEAR
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017, 5 and 6 p.m.
WHERE: Comedy Works Downtown and South Locations
Both of Comedy Works’ locations will offer all-ages family comedy shows on New Year’s Eve. Comedians are Al Goodwin, Dan Cummins, and Steve ‘Mudflap’ Mcgrew.
NEW YEAR’S FOR GROWN-UPS
CITY NYE – DENVER NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: McNichols Civic Center Building, Denver Arts and Venues
This New Year’s bash boasts three floors of DJs, dance parties, live music, art installations and open bars. Don’t want to miss the fireworks? You don’t have to! The McNichols Building offers a direct view of the Denver New Year’s Eve Fireworks show.
DENVER’S GRANDEST NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Grand Hyatt Denver
Can’t decide what to do for NYE? Enjoy three parties in one at the Grand Hyatt Denver! Rock out to the sounds of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s with the Nacho Men; dance to today’s hottest beats with Club X; or make your own music in the karaoke lobby. Denver’s Grandest New Year’s Eve Party includes open bar with premium pour, a dinner buffet, balloon drops and a champagne toast at midnight.
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017 starting at 9 p.m.
WHERE: Denver Union Station
Denver Union Stationis offering three separate rousing New Year’s Eve events: 1) Great Hall Light Show & Silent Disco: The Ultimate NYE Experience. Dance the night away at a Silent Disco leading up to an extravagant light show on the Great Hall ceiling at midnight. Tickets: $50 in advance, $75 at door. 2) VIP Lower Level Lounge Party. An exclusive lounge party in an intimate setting in the Lower Level event space at Denver Union Station. Tickets: $150 in advance, $175 at the door. 3) NYE Countdown in the Cooper Lounge. Countdown the clock in Denver’s most romantic spot, the Cooper Lounge. $75 per person, reservations required: 720-460-3738. Each event has limited availability, so advanced purchase is highly recommended. Please visit www.unionstationindenver.com for more details or to purchase your tickets today.
NYE GREAT GATSBY 16TH WHITE ROSE GALA
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Ellie Caulkins Opera House
It’s been nearly a century, but the Roaring 20’s are still the epitome of glitz and glamor, swing and style — everything you want in a New Year’s Eve celebration. Don your best flapper dress or fedora and enjoy multiple rooms of music, from live swing bands to DJs spinning the latest club music and hip hop.
TAVERN DOWNTOWN’S NEON NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Tavern Downtown and Cowboy Lounge
Attendees gain access to both Tavern Downtown and the adjacent Cowboy Lounge to enjoy three DJs, a photo booth, balloon drop and raffle prizes. Revelers will have a front-row seat to the biggest fireworks show in LoDo, with the display going off directly across from Tavern Downtown’s rooftop.
TAVERN TECH CENTER’S A TOTALLY ’80S NYE PARTY
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Tavern Tech Center
This celebration will take you back to the days of leg warmers, shoulder pads and Madonna-esque attire. Guests are encouraged to search through their closets and don their finest ’80s outfits. Admission includes a beer, Fireball shot, champagne toast, party favors and big raffle prizes.
COLORADO AVALANCHE VS. NEW YORK ISLANDERS – WITH FIREWORKS!
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Pepsi Center
Fireworks on ice? Believe it. Come cheer on the Colorado Avalanche as they take on the New York Islanders, and stay for the post-game fireworks show — an Avs game first!
DENVER BRONCOS VS. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Celebrate the end of the year by cheering on the Denver Broncos as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
UMPHREY’S MCGEE
WHEN: Dec. 29–31, 2017
WHERE: Fillmore Auditorium
Jam out to the psychedelic stylings of Umphrey’s McGee at the Fillmore Auditorium this New Year’s Eve weekend.
SLIM CESSNA’S AUTO CLUB
WHEN: Dec. 29–31, 2017
WHERE: Globe Hall
Slim Cessna, Munly Munly and the rest of the Auto Club captivate with their weird and wild brand of country music in this three-night series that culminates on New Year’s Eve.
DECADENCE 2017
WHEN: Dec. 30–31, 2017
WHERE: Colorado Convention Center
The theme of this two-night dance and music celebration is “City Beyond Tomorrow” —and what better time to look to the future than when you’re ringing in a new year? This year’s event features artists like Bassnectar, Diplo, Gramatik, Armin van Buuren, Galantis, ODESZA and many more.
A NIGHT IN VIENNA
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Join the Colorado Symphony as they transport you to Austria with an evening of polkas, waltzes and marches conducted by Music Director Brett Mitchell. This annual tradition is the perfect way to say Auf Wiedersehen to 2017.
MY MORNING JACKET
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: 1STBANK Center
Rock in the new year with My Morning Jacket at Broomfield’s 1STBANK Center.
NEW YEAR’S EVE ON THE ROCKS
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2017
WHERE: Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Colorado’s most iconic music venue is welcoming 2018 with its first-ever New Year’s concert, featuring The Migos, Post Malone, Young Thug, Lil Yachty, Dizzy Wright, King Green, Maleman, Jairon, Cassidy and Splyt.
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.
