Denver Art Museum
Audio By Carbonatix
Are you ready to deck the halls?
Because of construction in Civic Center Park, much of the traditional holiday action has moved to the Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus, home to Denver’s Christkindl Market as well as the Mile High Tree (and a carousel!); this is a great spot for catching the Mile High Drone Show, too. But at least the City and County Building is glowing again, and will stay that way through the National Western Stock Show. And across Civic Center, the Denver Art Museum is hosting a free day today.
For more entertainment options, check our weekly list for one-off activities worth the price of admission; for events that run through the end of the 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:
Ongoing
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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. The Denver Art Museum is free on Tuesday, December 9, and the Denver Botanic Gardens’ High Plains Conservation Center on Thursday, December 11. For more upcoming bargains, check the SCFD site.
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.
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. This year is extra-festive, with Ugly Sweater Decorating and a visit from Santa on December 13. (Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)
Cherry Creek Holiday Market and Winter Wanderland
Daily through Wednesday, December 24. Open noon to 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
Fillmore Plaza, 100 block of Fillmore Street
All of Cherry Creek North is aglow as part of Winter Wanderland. 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 live music and festive drinks at the Mistletoe Lounge, as well as Giving Machine Denver, where visitors can make donations to local and national charities. (Open noon to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve.)
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 shows continue through the Stock Show!
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.
Denver Christkindlmarket
Daily through Tuesday, December 23. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and 1 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer Street
The Christkindl Market is back for 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. every night. Roll out that barrel!
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 Santa will be at the station for free visits from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Santa’s Little Factory
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, private ice cream-making parties, gingerbread house building, letters to Santa craft stations, live holiday music, community caroling, Santa Baby Swing and a Chanukah celebration: “Oiy to the World.”
Larimer Lights
Daily through Wednesday, December 31
Larimer Square
Historic Larimer Square is now decked out for the holidays. Every night, there’s a projection mapping light show by the giant Christmas tree, with special events on the weekends.
Denver’s Swirly, Twirly Market
Through Saturday, December 21. Open Friday, 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, 11 to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2620 Walnut Street
It’s not the North Pole, but it’s not the Lincoln Tunnel, either. RiNo’s Holiday Bazaar Market is bursting with handcrafted goods, shots of “syrup” and more paper snowflakes than seems reasonable. There’s work by more than fifty Colorado makers, along with plenty of photo ops, a candy cane forest and a pop-up bar.
The Collective at BASECAMP Visit Denver
Through Sunday, December 22. Open 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays
1465 16th Street
BASECAMP is hosting a three-week pop-up art show, Crossing Into Winter, with work by local artists and outdoor enthusiasts, including Brent Bishop, Mark Risius, Dolan Geiman, Fred Becker, Ariana Barnstable, Chris Beedy, Dave Reiter and Brittany Horrigan.
New This Week
Rino Community Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 9, 5 to 8 p.m.
Two Moons Music Hall, 2944 Larimer Street
Celebrate the season in RiNo as you mingle and hear the annual update. Guests are encouraged to bring bring non-perishable food donations to support local community fridges. RSVP and your first beverage is free.
Winter Market & Music
Wednesday, December 10, 4 to 8 p.m.
Wibby Brewing, 422 2nd Avenue, Longmont
Local artisans will be at Wibby Brewing, offering affordable, hand-crafted gifts in the spirit of traditional European-style Christkindl markets. There will be live musical accompaniment, too: Tyler Grant along with Dylan McCarthy and Taylor Shuck. The fire pits will entice s’more-makers, and a screen will show holiday favorites. The market returns December 17.
Purnell Stein’s Cool Yule Memorial
Wednesday, December 10, 6 to 9 p.m.
Dazzle, 1080 14th Street
Pianist Purnell Steen was a frequent performer at Dazzle, and this performance by the Five Points Ambassadors will honor his memory. Read Michael Roberts’s story on the late musician, then register for the free memorial here.
Tours & Treks Summit
Wednesday, December 10, 6 p.m.
History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway
At History Colorado’s 2026 Tours & Treks Summit, the team will unveil new overnight trips, walking tours, and one-of-a-kind events enriching our understanding of the history of the Centennial State. Reserve your free ticket here.
Author Talk: Tommy Orange
Wednesday, December 10, 7 p.m.
History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway
In partnership with the Sand Creek Massacre Foundation and the University of Colorado Center of the American West, History Colorado Center is hosting Pulitzer Prize finalist and MacArthur Fellow Tommy Orange, Oakland-based author and citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. He’s the author of There There, which received the 2019 American Book Award, and Wandering Stars, published in 2023. The talk is free (and currently full); get on the waitlist here.
White-Out Night
Thursday, December 11, 6 p.m.
McGregor Square, 1900 Wazee Street
Ice, ice baby: While skating is normally $6 at McGregor Square, it’s free on theme nights for those who dress up (and they’ll get 50 percent off rentals). The first theme is White-Out Night; dress in white and skate for free (coming December 18: Ugly Sweater Party).
Governor’s Mansion Holiday Tours
Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion, 400 East Eighth Avenue
See the official home of Colorado’s governor decked out for the holidays on a free tour. Walk-ins welcome.“Come rock around the Christmas Trees,” says Governor Jared Polis. “I invite you to come tour the historic home adorned in trees, ornaments and holiday cheer. Free for all, these holiday tours are the best time of the year to visit Colorado’s Home. Happy holidays, Colorado!”
RiNo Gem & Mineral Show
Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, December 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Truss House, RiNo ArtPark, 3400 Arkins Court
This new, three-day event celebrates gems, minerals and art, bringing together independent miners, jewelers,and artists from all over Colorado. Not only will there be a gem-inspired art gallery, but creative workshops and a kids’ gem dig area.
CSU Spur Winter Festival
Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CSU Spur campus, 4777 National Western Drive
The Colorado State University Spur campus comes alive every second Saturday of the month with interactive activities for the whole family. December’s theme is “Winter Festival,” and numerous vendors will be selling local goods at an artisan market. You can also make a customized reusable gift pouch in Spur’s Makerspace, hear a guest performance by local artists in the Music Lab, get your own “cookie in a bag” at CAM’s Ag Academy, and meet CSU Spur’s two mini horses…as well as see veterinarians perform surgery on dogs. And it’s all free.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.