As you’re finalizing your menu for Thanksgiving and getting ready to celebrate all things family, delicious food and more — make sure to take advantage of this weekend’s events! Run off those extra calories at the Rudolph Ramble 5K or hit up the BAZAAR for some shopping on Small Business Saturday!
Activities, Events, Shows, and More in Denver This Weekend
You’ll have plenty of opportunities this weekend to get a jump on some holiday shopping, with festive marketplaces and themed seasonal festivities popping up left and right. You can also support the Avalanche or take in the sights and sounds of the Rocky Mountain Train Show!
The Nutcracker: Opening Night
Where? 1385 Curtis Street
When? November 30th
The Nutcracker will run through December 29th at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Colorado Ballet is delighted to amaze audiences of all ages with this timeless tradition that captures the spirit of the season like no other. Enjoy the mischievous dancing mice, the sweet Sugar Plums, and of course — the symphony of swirling snowflakes. Tickets are on sale now for the 2024/2025 season, with some dates already sold out! Grab yours while they’re available. Select performance dates are sensory-friendly, so keep an eye on these if you have somebody in your party who would benefit from these accommodations.
PRO Tip: Performance dates vary across Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. As the holidays approach, there will even be select Monday and Tuesday performances! See the full schedule here.
Who-Ligan Holiday Shenanigans
Where? 1800 Wazee Street
When? November 30th
As part of Dairy Block’s Holiday on the Block festivities — don’t miss out on Saturday’s Who-Ligan Holiday Shenanigans. Bring the whole family out for a visit from Cindy Lou and photos with “The Mean One” himself! Kick off the event with a cup of green hot chocolate from Huckleberry Roasters and a story time hosted by Cindy Lou at 10:30 AM. After storytime, there will be free photos inside the Crumpit Cave from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Access to the story time and photo session is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bundle up to stay cozy and join the outdoor queue to ensure you snag a photograph with your favorites!
PRO Tip: Who-Ligan Holiday Shenanigans will be hosted on Saturdays through December 21st.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Edmonton Oilers
Where? 1000 Chopper Circle
When? November 30th
Head on over to Ball Arena this Saturday at 8:00 PM to cheer for the home NHL team as they take on their Canadian competition. All guests ages 3 and up are required to have a ticket for Avalanche games, though younger kids can sit in a ticketed guest’s lap. Food and beverage options will be available, with concessions, suites, and premium locations being cashless. Select locations may accept cash as payment. Information on parking and directions can be found here. Lots open three hours prior to the start of the game and credit and debit cards are accepted at all Toyota Ball Arena parking lots for events.
PRO Tip: There are plenty of tickets still available for Saturday’s matchup, with verified resale options starting in the $70s.
Mistletoe Market
Where? 6791 East Chenango Avenue
When? November 30th & December 1st
Dairy Block is bustling with festive activities all season long. Bring the whole family out to enjoy Holiday on the Block, complete with the Mistletoe Market, live carolers, and plenty of shopping for all! The market will kick off this Saturday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM featuring local makers in the heated alleyway. The market will include over a dozen unique businesses and artisans each weekend, as well as holiday music, festive cocktails, hot beverages, photo opportunities, and even a gift wrapping station!
PRO Tip: Mistletoe Market is happening across four weekends. The market is free to attend so mark your calendars for upcoming dates: December 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, and 21st & 22nd.
Horseshoe Holiday Market
Where? 3550 Federal Boulevard
When? November 30th & December 1st
Horseshoe Holiday Market is a seasonal outdoor shopping event that’s designed to bring the community together for a unique experience featuring a multitude of one-of-a-kind items. At this Denver flea market, you’ll find eclectic art pieces, exceptional handmade crafts, vintage treasures, and who knows what else! The holiday shopping extravaganza will be held at the Highlands Masonic Temple from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, so invite a group of friends and get that holiday shopping spree underway! This Saturday’s market is on Small Business Saturday, which is all the more reason to shop local.
PRO Tip: There are various Horseshoe Markets throughout the season, including a Spring, Summer and Fall variation! Keep an eye out as the seasons change so you can continue shopping locally. Next weekend’s holiday market will be held at the Breckenridge Brewery in Littleton on Saturday and Sunday.
Belleview Station Holiday Bazaar
Where? 6791 East Chenango Avenue
When? November 30th & December 1st
Come on out and support Small Business Saturday (and Sunday!) this weekend at the Belleview Station Holiday BAZAAR in the Denver Tech Center! Shop until you drop from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The market will feature 75+ craft vendors and fashion trucks, along with holiday-themed pop-up bars and a heated beer garden where you can grab a refreshing beverage. There will also be street food options, so make sure you’re staying fueled while you embark on your holiday shopping excursion. Entry is free and there will be live performances by School of Rock on Saturday at 2:00 PM and the Reindeer in Training Dog Parade on Sunday at 2:00 PM.
PRO Tip: Shop & Sip drink tickets are available, from $20 bottomless mimosas and a drink token package priced at $35 that includes 5 tokens redeemable for beer, cocktails or wine.
Rocky Mountain Train Show — Holiday Edition
Where? 5280 Arena Circle
When? November 30th & December 1st
The Rocky Mountain Train Show will be held at The Ranch Events Complex in nearby Loveland this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Parking is free and admission is complimentary for kids ages 12 and under. Adult tickets can be purchased at the show or at select locations for a special in-store price of $8. See a list of participating stores here. Online discounts are available on packages of two or more tickets and scouts in uniform receive free admission to the train show. The vendor list for the upcoming show includes Colorado Rail Link, Discovery Toys, Model Train Solutions, NoCo Garden Railroaders, Mother Lode Model Railroading, and many more. In total, the show will feature exhibit areas across the Center Hall, North Exhibition Hall, South Exhibition Hall, and the T. McKee Building.
PRO Tip: The schedule on both days kicks off at 9:00 AM, with Saturday’s show ending at 5:00 PM and Sunday’s at 3:00 PM.
Rudolph Ramble 5K
Where? 2001 Steele Street
When? December 1st
Sunday’s Rudolph Ramble will be hosted in Denver’s City Park as part of the Run Denver series. Pricing for the 5K is set at $44 for adults and $39 for kids ages 17 and under and seniors ages 60 and older. Advance packet pickup will be held on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and race day pick-up opens an hour prior to the event start time. Awards will be handed out to the top overall male, female, and non-binary finishers and the top three male and female racers across an array of age groups. Whether you opt to register for the whole series of races or just the individual event, this is sure to be a blast for all!
PRO Tip: The route for the Rudolph Ramble 5K can be found here. There will be a water station and plenty of views to enjoy along the course.
A Christmas Carol
Where? Speer Boulevard & Arapahoe Street
When? Through December 29th
This holiday season, help celebrate 30 years of A Christmas Carol at the Denver Center! For many, this is an essential component of the seasonal festivities and this joyous and opulent musical adaptation is fun for the whole family. Watch at the curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge overcomes his money-hoarding ways after a redemptive overnight journey. A Christmas Carol is based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens and the Wolf Theatre performance is said to be “the region’s best production” by The Denver Post! Limited tickets are available for Saturday and Sunday, so snag yours now or plan ahead for an upcoming weekend. Friday performances are scheduled for 7:00 PM and Saturdays are at 1:30 PM.
PRO Tip: The performance is approximately 2 hours long with one 15 minute intermission. There will be ASL-interpretation, audio description and open captioning on December 15th.
Family-Friendly Activities in Denver This Weekend
The kids are in for a real treat this weekend, with a free day at the Denver Botanic Gardens and a number of family-friendly holiday performances in Denver.
FREE Day at Denver Botanic Gardens
Where? 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road
When? November 29th
Free days occur throughout the year, so make sure to take advantage of them whenever they roll around! These days are thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, which helps to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the sights, sounds, and experience of visiting the gardens. Free Days are open for regular garden hours only and do not include ticketed events. Tickets are available three months at a time on a rolling basis, with tickets being released on the 1st of the month. The first floor of the Freyer-Newman Center at the York Street location is always free to the general public and no reservations are required.
PRO Tip: Free days are prone to selling out. No onsite tickets will be available on these dates. To avoid becoming overcrowded, the gardens will cap the number of visitors. If Friday’s date is already sold out, mark your calendar for Monday, January 20th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Where? 1350 Curtis Street
When? November 29th-December 1st
This show is an added attraction to the 2024/2025 season at the Denver Center, so make sure to come out and support! This beloved TV classic is soaring off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Check out your favorite characters, such as Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermes the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and of course — Rudolph! The on-stage adventure will teach audiences that what makes you different can also make you special.
PRO Tip: The estimated runtime of the musical is set at 90 minutes, with an intermission! The production uses theatrical haze and strobe lights.
Drums of the World
Where? 1000 14th Street
When? December 1st
From marimba, bongos, bass drums, woodblocks, boo-bams, Chinese symbols, metal trash cans and so much more — Drums of the World is an exciting experience for all ages. This performance is part of the Family Series concerts, which are specifically curated for families with young children. These programs are thoughtfully designed to be shorter than typical performances and last between 60-90 minutes with an intermission. Join the Colorado Symphony as they put on this dynamic performance that features a wide array of drums from all across the globe. Sunday’s event is scheduled for 2:30 PM at the Boettcher Concert Hall.
PRO Tip: Tickets range from $10 to $40, depending on where you choose to sit. Prices may increase as the concert date approaches. There will also be accessible seating located in Orchestra 2, Dress Circle 1 and Mezzanine 7.
Christmas in Color
Where? 25690 East Quincy Avenue
When? Through December 30th
Take in the spectacular sight of one million nights this holiday season at Christmas in Color! The lights are synched to music, creating a multi-sensory experience that delights visitors of all ages and backgrounds. 2024 locations include the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Aurora, as well as displays at Water World in Federal Heights and Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater in Morrison. Hailing as the brightest show on Earth, this drive-thru experience is a can’t-miss during the winter season. General admission tickets are priced at $34.99. There is also a party pack available that includes 2 light wands, 4 pairs of 3D glasses, 2 snowflake necklaces and bracelets, and a snowman ornament.
PRO Tip: When purchasing your tickets, you can get an estimate of how the traffic will be on your selected time, such as wide open lanes, steady flow and bumper to bumper. This helps to ensure everyone has a positive experience!
Have Fun This Weekend in Denver
We hope you’re getting into the holiday spirit already! With Thanksgiving coming up and Christmas right around the corner, the Mile High City is bustling with an array of festive events. Whether you’re in the mood for an on-stage performance such as the Nutcracker or A Christmas Story or you’d prefer to stay cozy in your car while you drive through a light display — get out and about this weekend and soak in the fun!