‘Tis the season! It’s time for tree lightings, virtual holiday performances, and all things festive and merry! To help you maximize the holiday spirit this year, we’ve compiled some of the best and most-anticipated holiday events around Boulder, Longmont, and Denver.
November 11th- January 10th | Evenings | Flagstaff Mountain, Boulder
Boulder's annual holiday star shines atop Flagstaff Mountain. Gaze upon this iconic symbol from town.
November 14th- December 24th | Hours Vary | Denver and Boulder
Throughout November and December, several holiday markets and gift festivals will be taking place. Admission is free to these extraordinary holiday festivals, and include vendors, live music, and more, sponsored by Colorado Events. Click here to view the different markets.
November 18th- December 11th | Golden
Ready for a magical holiday experience? The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden is once again offering the Polar Express™ Train Rides, a whimsical experience based on the original children's picture book. This event sells out early every year so click here to view their remaining tickets.
November 20th- January 2nd | 5pm- 10pm | 16th Street Mall, Denver
Visit the Mile High Tree throughout the holiday season. Festive and diverse holiday songs will be synced to the tree's light displays. It lasts about 5 minutes and will run approximately every 15 minutes.
November 20th- January 16th (closed 11/26 & 12/25) | Evenings | Denver Botanic Gardens- York St
This annual family-friendly event transforms the Botanic Gardens York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland. Interact with incredible light displays while sipping on warm drinks and nibbling festive treats. Click here to make your reservation.
November 20th- January 5th | Online
The Denver Center of the Performing Arts is taking Camp Christmas online this year! Campers can explore fantastical places like Sweetsville, Fairy Forest and Treehouse Village. Each location includes multimedia content about the history and traditions surrounding the holiday season, as well as in-home activities. Campers can earn badges, track their progress and receive up to five packages featuring a wide variety of Christmas-themed activities.
November 22nd- December 23rd | Civic Center Park, Denver
Skyline Park is turned into a magical European-style Christmas village that features lots of dazzling lights, festive tunes, dancing, wooden vendor huts, and an authentic German Bier Hall.
November 22nd - January 10th | Downtown Boulder
Visit Downtown Boulder and the Civic Area throughout the holiday season for a self-guided holiday lighting tour- perfect for the whole family. Click here to view the map.
November 22nd - January 10th | Downtown Boulder
Kick off the holiday season with Santa flipping on the switch that illuminates lights along the Pearl Street Mall and around the Boulder County Courthouse!
November 27th- December 31st | Downtown Denver
This year the Parade of Lights has become a multi-week, socially safe extravaganza across downtown Denver. The floats will be displayed from the Denver Pavilions to Union Station, offering many chances for public viewing. If you aren't able to make it to the "parade" 9News will present a special broadcast that captures the spirit of the indelible Denver tradition on December 8th at 8pm.
November 28th- December 19th | Downtown Boulder
Find Freezie is a fun annual event where downtown Boulder stores rotate hiding a small stuffed snowman. This year, get your Holiday Freeze Bingo card online and share your completed bingo card for a chance to win gift cards.
December 4th- December 31st | 5pm- 10pm | Denver Zoo
View the twinkling lights at the Denver Zoo as they celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Denver Zoo Lights. This annual event transforms the grounds into a wild winter wonderland with more than a million lights. Click here to purchase tickets.
December 4th- January 4th | Streamed
CU's Holiday Festival showcases faculty and students from across the College of Music as they perform seasonal favorites and other classic selections that were recorded throughout the fall. Click here to purchase tickets.
Starts December 4th | Hotel Boulderado, Boulder
Inside the atmospheric Hotel Boulderado, enjoy a delicate Holiday Tea to the sounds of holiday piano tunes or a lovely children's choir. The Holiday Tea Menu features the classic Boulderado Tea, a Royale Tea including a glass of champagne or Kir Royale, a Children's Tea, and more! There's even a special Nutcracker Tea, benefiting the Boulder Ballet, and a Children's Tea, where proceeds are donated to the Children's Hospital. You can make reservations, check available dates, and find the Holiday Tea Menu here.
December 4th- January 4th | 6:30pm- 8pm | Erie
Erie's annual parade of lights has turned stationary and will be held at the Calvary Church. Each float will be parked, and the public can drive up and down rows to view them. Before exiting, every child will be given a pre-wrapped bag of candy!
December 5th | 6 pm | Live Streamed
Downtown Boulder will host a vehicle-based “Lights of December Motorcade” that community members will be able to stream from their homes. The grand finale includes an appearance from Santa Claus. Click here to view information about the live stream.
December 5th | 11am- 12pm | Louisville
Join the Louisville Chamber of Commerce as they invite Santa Claus to parade through downtown. Click here to view the parade map.
December 5th | 2pm- 10pm | Live Streamed to Facebook, LongmontPublicMedia.org, and local Comcast Channel 8/880
This year, the Longmont Museum's annual fundraiser extravaganza will be streamed live and direct from the Stewart Auditorium. The free show features more than a dozen musical acts over eight hours. Enjoy some of your favorite local musicians as they perform original tunes and holiday staples. And, in classic telethon style, the museum will be taking donations online and over the phone for the duration of the show.