Keep reading for dozens of activities in Denver and beyond, listed in chronological order from those now open in metro Denver to others that will be joining the lineup through December, followed by mountain events. And markets, lots of markets (you'll find them at the very end of the list). Only how many shopping days left?
Open now:
Holiday Lights Mini Golf: See Buccaneer Bay, Adventure Cove and the Lost Continent in a beautiful holiday-themed light display with over 100,000 interactive lights on all three courses. Now through January 7, 5 to 9 p.m. nightly; $9 to $15 ($8 to $12 group of ten) at the gate only; Adventure Golf and Raceway, 9650 Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster, 303-650-7587, adventuregolfandraceway.com.
Magic of Lights: Magic of Lights returns and transforms Pikes Peak International Raceway into a vibrant drive-through holiday-themed light display, through December 31. Mondays through Thursdays, 5:30 to 9 p.m., and Fridays through Sundays, 5:30 to 10 p.m.; $22 standard vehicle, $50 limo or party bus. Pikes Peak International Raceway, 16650 Midway Ranch Road, Fountain, magicoflights.com.
Christmas at Gaylord 2023: Through January 1: ICE! featuring A Christmas Story™, $16.99 to $32.99; Cirque Spirit of Christmas, $40 to $50; Reindeer Games™ Scavenger Hunt with Rudolph and the Misfit Toys, $11.99; and other holiday activities. Discounted ticket bundles available. Gaylord Rockies, 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard, Aurora, 720-452-6900, christmasatgaylordrockies.marriott.com.
Blossoms of Light: A dazzling and ever-changing display of light and color at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Through January 7, 4:30 to 9 p.m. nightly; $18 to $25 (free for children ages 2 and under). Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street, 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org.
A Christmas Story: A show destined to become a theatrical holiday perennial at the new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, through December 31: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., and Sundays, 2 p.m.; $32 to $51. Miners Alley, 1224 Washington Avenue, Golden, 2nd floor, 303-935-3044, minersalley.com.
Arvada Center Presents Cinderella: Experience the wonder of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, based on the award-winning adaptation by Douglas Carter Beane in a sparkling production that combines “stage magic with modern sensibilities.” Through December 31; tickets start at $56. Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, 720-898-7200, arvadacenter.org.
Zoo Lights: Open to the public through January 7. Sundays through Thursdays, 5 to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 5 to 10 p.m.; $18 to $28. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele Street, 720-337-1400, denverzoo.org.
Trail of Lights: Walk along a winding path glistening with lights that illuminate the Colorado countryside, through January 1. Various evenings, 5 to 8:30 p.m.; $10 to $16. Chatfield Farms, 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org.
Hudson Holidays: Wrap yourself in the warm and festive tones of the Hudson Holidays show with an uplifting and beautiful sense of winter drama, through December 31. Select dates, 5 to 9 p.m.; $15 to $20 (children two and under free). Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, 303-797-8565, hudsongardens.org.
Luminova Holidays: Larger-than-life holiday displays and immersive experiences, through January 1. Select dates, 5 to 9 p.m.; tickets start at $19.99. Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, luminovaholidays.com.
Holly, Alaska!: In the tiny town of Holly, Alaska, a band of community theater players has been keeping an annual holiday pageant alive for 119 years. Through December 31: Thursdays and Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m.); Sundays, 2 p.m.; $16.95 to $56.50. Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, betc.org.
Light Up the New Year: On January 1, the gardens will transform to feature an entirely new immersive lighting exhibit to ring in the new year. January 2 through 28, select dates, 5 to 9 p.m.; $15 to $20 (children two and under admitted free). Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, 303-797-8565, hudsongardens.org.
MOUNTAIN EVENTS
Green Mountain Falls Skyspace: Artist James Turrell’s one-of-a-kind experiential art experience, which begins and concludes with an exhilarating hike through the Red Butte Recreational Area in Green Mountain Falls. Open to the public Thursdays through Sundays year-round, weather permitting. Currently taking reservations for Sundays through December 31 (tickets through January 28 open up soon), tickets $5. Skyspace is also available to visit without a ticket in its natural state, after sunrise and before sunset on days the Skyspace is open, unless the trail system is closed due to weather or maintenance. Access: Joyland/Pittman Trailhead: 10605 Ute Pass Avenue, Green Mountain Falls, or Lower Turrell Trailhead: 10392 El Paso Avenue, Green Mountain Falls, greenboxarts.org/skyspace.
Estes Park Catch the Glow Holiday Season: See Bond Park transformed into a winter wonderland with larger-than-life light displays and photo ops, joyous events, sparkling decorations and special events, through January 1. Estes Park, U.S. Highway 36, visitestespark.com.
Lighting of the Headframes: The giant headframes that remain as ghosts of 1890s gold-mining days light up the night sky around Victor and Cripple Creek each holiday season. Through January 1: Open weekends (and nightly through New Year’s Day); free. Cripple Creek, stcfg.com.
HOLIDAY MARKETS
Harmony: A wonderful destination for handmade holiday gifts by DAVA youth and local artist mentors, through January 12. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment ([email protected], 303-367-5886). Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, 1405 Florence Street, Aurora, davarts.org.
