Find Denver-area activities for kids in our event calendar!
New feature: You may now add your own family-friendly event to our calendar below for free! Please no fundraisers, camps, or ongoing events (longer than a week). Only two listings per organization per month. Events must be geared to families or will not be approved.
A Christmas Carol, the Musical is a spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most well-known story by Broadway heavy hitters, Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island). Ebenezer Scrooge believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!” Scrooge is forced to face his selfish ways on Christmas Eve when three ghosts visit to lead him through his Past, Present and Future.
2018 Polar Express Train Ride performances run select dates November through December. Show Times: 5:00PM, 6:30PM & 8:00PM
Each performance will last approximately 75 minutes.
Witness the magic of twinkling lights during the fourth annual Brewery Lights at the Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins Brewery! Starting on Nov. 15, guests are invited to marvel as the brewery is turned into a remarkable holiday experience with something for everyone, including new family-friendly activities and theme nights, beer samples for guests 21+, delicious food and festive entertainment.
To kick-off the holiday season at the Brewery, the community is invited to a festive lighting ceremony, which will take place on Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m. Brewery General Manager Gene Bocis and a world-renowned Budweiser Clydesdale will “flip the switch” to officially mark the start of this year’s Brewery Lights.
New this year, kids can explore and express their creativity in the kids craft area, where they can make holiday stockings and crowns. The brewery will also be hosting special theme nights each Thursday, and will host family nights on Saturdays. Guests can also explore a new inflatable reindeer alongside last year’s 30-foot inflatable snowman.
To celebrate the arrival of Jolly Old St. Nick, Outlets at Castle Rock hosts a special family-friendly celebration dubbed ‘Santa’s Big Day.’ The morning begins with a pancake breakfast, by Flippin’ Flapjacks, with Santa in the Food Court with all proceeds benefiting Denver Rescue Mission.
The event will also include children’s Christmas coloring activities, sleigh rides, and even real reindeer!
Breakfast will be served from 8:30-10:00am with Santa, Sleigh Rides and real reindeer will be available from 10-11:00am, and at 10:30am the Elves will kick off Run Run Rudolph.
The breakfast will cost $5.00, which will go directly to Denver Rescue Mission, or instead of a $5.00, you can bring a new or gently used item to be gifted to a family in need for the holidays. A list of items needed is below.
- Warm hats
- Warm gloves
- Warm socks
- Warm coats
- Toys
- Holiday canned food items (Boxed mashed potatoes, dry stuffing, canned vegetables, etc.)
We hope to see everyone in the food court to eat breakfast with Santa Claus and to contribute to a local organization that serves the community. For more information about Denver Rescue Mission please go to: www.denverrescuemission.org
During Thanksgiving Break, Nov. 19-25, kids and parents can make art with Create-n-Takes, explore the galleries, visit the Print Studio and more. Included in general admission, free for DAM members and youth 18 and younger.
Run your yams off at the annual Mile High United Way Turkey Trot in Denver’s beautiful Wash Park. The four-mile race and quarter-mile family fun run is expected to host over 10,000 participants in support of Mile High United Way’s work in the community to improve the lives of children, families and individuals in need. This year’s Turkey Trot will include a start and finish village featuring entertainment, music, booths and a beer garden sponsored by Great Divide Brewing Co.
Come down to the Sugar Plum Bazaar and enjoy the lighting of the lights at the City and county building the same night. We will have over 100 local artisans and businesses as well as a couple bars and food trucks. It is the perfect place to bring your family that is in town for the weekend and get ALL your holiday shopping done while supporting small businesses.
Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra
Boulder Ballet
Gary Lewis, conductor
This Thanksgiving weekend, the curtain rises for America’s favorite ballet. Don’t miss this thrilling and heart-warming spectacle, all performed to Tchaikovsky’s masterful score.
A holiday tradition with exciting choreography and a full, live orchestra!
The City and County of Denver and 9News present the annual lighting of Denver’s City and County Building.
This fun and heart-warming tradition is nearly 100 years old and is the perfect kick-off to the holiday season! Don’t miss the ceremonial flipping of the light switch between 6:30 and 7 p.m., in person or live on 9News. Be sure to explore the winter festival in Civic Center Park and bring hats, gloves and scarfs for the Giving Treeto benefit Denver families in need.
3 – 7:30 p.m. Winter festival in Civic Center Park with family-oriented activities, food trucks and a beer garden
6:15 – 6:30 p.m. Entertainment begins on the main stage in front of the City and County Building
6:30 – 7 p.m. Live broadcast on 9News – Entertainment continues. Formal remarks from Mayor Michael B. Hancock at 6:45 p.m. followed by the lighting of the light
The University of Denver Women’s Basketball team takes on Lamar on Friday, November 23 in the Hamilton Gym for the Thanksgiving Classic.
Denver Union Station will officially launch the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 23rd with Denver’s grandest Grand Illumination celebration yet.
Held from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., this festive annual Grand Illumination event will feature a performance of classic holiday hits by the Denver Dolls, a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus, Christmas carolers and more. The highlight of the evening will be the lighting of the landmark train station’s NEW outdoor Christmas tree, a 40 foot tall tree that will feature more than 7,000 holiday lights. The tree will officially be lit by Dinger, the beloved mascot of the Colorado Rockies.
Milkbox Ice Creamery will be serving a Hot Chocolate Bar featuring an amazing selection of holiday flavored chocolate creations with extensive toppings. Pigtrain Coffee will be offering a Spiked Coffee Beverage Bar featuring Irish Coffee’s, Hot Tea Toddy’s and spiked ciders.
Denver Union Station will be hosting several festive events this holiday season, including:
- The Union Station Holiday Market by Denver Flea
- Ticketed event will feature a variety of wide variety of locally made goods, including outdoor gear from Mountain Standard, local honey from Bjorn’s Colorado Honey and jewelry from Harper Made.
- The Holiday Market will be held on the outdoor plaza over four weekends:
- Friday, Nov. 23 – Sunday, Nov. 25
- Friday, Nov. 30 – Sunday, Dec. 2
- Friday, Dec. 7 – Sunday, Dec. 9
- Friday, Dec. 14 – Sunday, Dec. 16
- FREE visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus
- Available from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 25th, Dec. 2nd, Dec. 9th, Dec. 16th and Dec. 23rd
- Sundaes with Santa
- Available from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons enjoy a make-your-own-Sundae Bar featuring including a variety of sauces & toppings for $5 per person
For more information on all of the Denver Union Station holiday events, please visit www.unionstationindenver.com.