Denver Union Station
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Let there be lights!
Because of construction in Civic Center Park, much of the traditional holiday action has moved to the Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus, this year home to Denver’s Christkindl Market (which features a performance by accordion player Joann Birsa today, and closes at the end of tomorrow) as well as the Mile High Tree. This is also a great location for catching the Mile High Drone Show, which 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; for events that run into the new year, see our Winter Guide listings. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond) not just this week, but through December.
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This Week
Christmas Tree Giveaway
Tuesday, December 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, December 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Echter’s Garden Center, 5150 Garrison Street, Arvada
Free Christmas trees, stands, ornaments, toys and more will be available for those in need. Santa will make an appearance on Christmas Eve.
Merry Movies at Magic on Main: Elf
Tuesday, December 23, 6 p.m.
Little Man Ice Cream, 2449 Main Street, Littleton
Hit a free screening of the holiday classic Elf.
Denver Christkindlmarket
Monday, December 22, and Tuesday, December 23, 11 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.
Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer Street
The Christkindl Market is wrapping up its 25th anniversary edition, although in a new location. The authentic, German-style holiday market hosts local and European craft and food vendors, as well as plenty of magical entertainment. The Festival Hall is open until 10 p.m. Roll out that barrel!
Cherry Creek Holiday Market and Winter Wanderland
Monday, December 22, and Tuesday, December 23, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, noon to 3 p.m.
Fillmore Plaza, 100 block of Fillmore Street
All of Cherry Creek North is aglow as part of Winter Wanderland, which ends this week after three great live performances: David Lawrence today from 4 to 7 p.m.; Dzirae Gold from noon to 7 p.m. on Tuesday; and folk duo Many Mountains on Decemer 24. The Cherry Creek Holiday Market has returned for a sixth year, bringing nearly fifty Colorado makers and artisans to Fillmore Plaza, with gifts ranging from handmade textiles to fine art pieces and bottled craft cocktails. Produced by Fetch Concepts, the market also features festive drinks at the Mistletoe Lounge, as well as Giving Machine Denver, where visitors can make donations to local and national charities.
Camp Christmas Takeover at Stanley Marketplace
Daily through Sunday, December 28
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. (Closed Christmas Day.)
Foothills Art Center Holiday Art Market
Daily through Sunday, 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. (Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)
Mile High Tree
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.
Visit Denver
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. The Miracle Bar is open through Christmas, and you can experience the Impulse art-installation seesaw outside the station anytime.
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, bingo with Mrs. Claus on December 23, private ice cream-making parties, gingerbread house building, letters to Santa craft stations, live holiday music, community caroling.
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 Monday, because of the Denver City Council meeting, and the lights will be off altogether on December 21 because of a vigil). And the shows continue through the Stock Show!
Coming up
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.