Five Things to Do for Free in Denver (and Beyond) This Weekend

The last of the lights.

December 31, 2022

Get some fresh air at Barr Lake. Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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On this first day of 2022, celebrate your own holiday. Catch the last of the light shows, mark the last day of Kwanzaa...or go on a First Day Hike at a Colorado State Park (they're free, but you'll need a parks pass for admission).

Keep reading for five of the best things to do for free in and around Denver today:

click to enlarge

Get some fresh air at Barr Lake.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

First Day Hike
Sunday, January 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Barr Lake State Park Nature Center, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton
Get some fresh air and a new start to 2023 at a First Day Hike, several of which are scheduled around Colorado at various state parks. Barr Lake, a great site for winter birding (including bald eagle sightings) and observing all sorts of winter wildlife. Spotting scopes will be set up to get a closer look, and hot drinks, kids’ craft projects and giveaways will add to the fun. The event is free, but a park pass is required for entry. Find info and a registration link here; spots are limited and can fill up fast.

First Day Forest Bathing Hike
Sunday, January 1, noon to 2:30 p.m.
Outlook Ridge trailhead, Mueller State Park
For the fourth year, Above the Clouds is hosting this First Day Forest Bathing Walk at Mueller State Park near Divide. Join Forest Therapy Guide and Naturalist Jane on a one-mile walk, with activities to de-stress, quiet the mind, open the senses and get closer to the forest, yourself and others. This experience closes with a tea brewed from local plants. You must pre-register by calling the Mueller State Park visitors center at 719-687-2366, ext. 0; find out more here.

Light the Lights
Daily through January 22, 5 to 10:45 p.m.
Denver City and County Building
City Hall is now lit every night through the Stock Show. There are special eight-minute shows at 5:45 and 6:45 p.m., with static shows in between. Find out more here.

Snow Much Fun Virtual (AR) Experiences
Daily through January 31
Pearl Street Mall, Boulder
Boulder has a new holiday attraction: Snow Much Fun Virtual (AR) Experiences, a self-guided tour along the Pearl Street Mall that has you encountering Boulder’s own mascot, Freezie the Snowman, as well as other characters along the way. It's free; find out more here.

Downtown Denver Rink
Daily through February 14
Skyline Park, 1601 Arapahoe Street
The Downtown Denver Rink is one of the best winter attractions in the city, a space right off the mall to engage in fun and games and celebrate the city. Admission to the rink is always free; bring your own skates to add to the savings, or rent skates on-site ($11 for adults and $9 for children twelve and under). This week, the rink is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until 11 p.m. on Saturday. On New Year's Day, the hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; get all the details here.

Do you know of a great free event in Denver? We'll have a new list tomorrow; send information to [email protected].

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