Downtown Denver Partnership
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It’s that limbo land between Christmas and the new year, when you can still catch the last of the holiday events while planning how to welcome 2026.
Because of construction in Civic Center Park, much of the traditional seasonal action has moved to the Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus, this year home to the Mile High Tree and also a great place to catch the Mile High Drone Show. Both will continue through the end of the year (fair warning: parking at Auraria can be expensive).
At least the City and County Building is glowing again, and will stay that way through the National Western Stock Show.
For more entertainment options, check our weekly list for one-off activities worth the price of admission. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond) not just this weekend, but into the new year.
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Ongoing Through the Holidays
Kwanzaa Grand Kinara Lightings
Friday, December 6, through Thursday, January 1, p.m.
2401 Welton Street
“Growing the Voices of Kwanzaa” celebrations begin daily with the grand kinara lighting on Welton Street. On Friday, December 26, that’s followed by the Opening Celebration & Circle of Wisdom Inductees from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater, 119 Park Avenue. On Saturday, the Kujichaula Community Kwanzaa will run from noon to 2 p.m. at the Ford-Warren Library, 2825 High Street. And on Sunday, there will be a Children’s Kwanzaa from 2 to 4 p.m. at Grace Stiles African American Heritage Center, 2607 Glenarm Place, followed by Ujima Game Night at 2900 Welton Street. Find the complete schedule here.
Camp Christmas Takeover at Stanley Marketplace
Daily through Sunday, December 28, 4 to 8 p.m.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas Street, Aurora
Camp Christmas is back at Stanley Marketplace, but in a new form that’s transformed the place into a winter wonderland. You can play the Merry Badge Scavenger Hunt, visit a holiday bar or see a diverse Santa. It’s all free, except for the special Camp Christmas Express, a fifteen-minute immersive journey for $10.
Foothills Art Center Holiday Art Market
Daily through Monday, December 29. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Foothills Art Center at Astor House, 1133 Arapahoe Street, Golden
For fifty years, the Holiday Art Market has been the place where craftsmanship meets festivity, with work by over eighty artists — ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, painting, woodworking, photography and more — starting at just $5.
Mile High Tree Visit Denver
Daily through Wednesday, December 31, 5 to 10 p.m.
Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer Street
The Mile High Tree is a seven-story, 110-foot-tall immersive art experience that can hold up to 140 guests at a time inside the tree, the best place to experience a light show choreographed to multicultural holiday music.
Mile High Holiday Drone Show
Daily through Wednesday, December 31, 7 p.m.
Downtown Denver
Visit Denver has brought back the Mile High Holiday Drone Show for the season – 41 nights of shows through New Year’s Eve, with optimal viewing from the Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus as well as other spots downtown. The display features 600 drones creating holiday-themed animations and Denver icons, as well as scenes depicting favorite winter moments and mountain activities.
Grand Illumination
Daily through Wednesday, December 31
Denver’s Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street
Union Station is decked out with a forty-foot outdoor Christmas tree with more than 7,000 holiday lights that put on quite a show; you can also experience the Impulse art-installation seesaw outside the station.
Larimer Lights
Daily through Wednesday, December 31
Larimer Square
The historic 1400 block of Larimer Street is decked out for the holidays, with a giant tree and shopping deals along the street.
Santa’s Little Factory
Daily through Sunday, January 4
Little Man Factory, 4411 West Colfax Avenue
Get festive at the Little Man Factory, decorated as a very special Santa’s workshop. Recurring signature events include photos with Santa, private ice cream-making parties, gingerbread house building and live holiday music. On December 26, there will be live music by Dzira Gold.
Light the Lights 2025
Daily through Sunday, January 26, 5:45 and 6:45 p.m.
Denver City and County Building
The City and County Building will glow from now through the Stock Show, with a fifteen-minute light show coordinated to a soundtrack of classic holiday songs with an epic, cinematic twist. The show repeats daily Tuesday through Sunday at 5:45 and 6:45 p.m., with static lights from dusk until 10:45 p.m. (there are only static lights on Mondays, because of the Denver City Council meeting…although that’s cancelled on December 29). And the shows continue through the Stock Show!
Coming Up
bRUNch Club: Onesie 5K and Holiday Market Party
Sunday, December 28, 9:30 a.m.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas Street
Get ready to ring in 2026 with a family-and-dog-friendly 5K run or walk around Central Park that ends with a champagne toast. it’s free to participate, but you’ll need to pay for your own brunch at the Stanley Marketplace afterwards.
Westword Pop-Up Concert With Broken Record and Insipidus
Monday, December 29, 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30)
The Crypt, 1618 East 17th Avenue
Are you a Westword member? We’re hosting another free pop-up concert with sets by Denver’s own Broken Record and Insipidus. Learn how to become a member here.
Zero Fare for New Year’s Eve
Wednesday, December 31, 7 p.m., through Thursday, January 1, 7 a.m.
Metro Denver
For the 17th year, RTD is partnering with Molson Coors on Zero Fare for New Year’s Eve. For twelve hours, RTD’s entire transit system — including all buses, light right, Access-a-Ride and FlexRide services — will be provided at no cost. Be sure to check RTD schedules as you make plans!
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Over Downtown
Wednesday, December 31, 9 p.m. and midnight
16th Street
For more than two decades, Denver has celebrated New Year’s Eve by offering free fireworks over downtown, and that’s how the city will ring out 2025, too. The best spot to see the shows is 16th Street.
SCFD Free Days
Locations and dates vary
Thanks to the sales tax you pay into the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, many arts institutions around the metro area offer occasional free days and programs. For upcoming bargains in the new year, check the SCFD site.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.