With the new year just around the corner, make the most of one of the final weekends in the Mile High City for 2024. From raucous comedy shows to exciting holiday renditions of your favorite activities, these are the best events around the city this weekend.
Activities, Events, Shows, and More in Denver This Weekend
This weekend’s lineup features a Bounce Empire party, the annual Improv for Claus Sketch Comedy Show, and more Christmas-themed fun. This is the final weekend before the big holiday, so make sure to finish up any last-minute gift-buying while you’re out and about!
Bounce Empire: Santa, Mrs. Claus & The Grinch
Where? 1380 South Public Road
When? December 20th
This Christmas-themed Bounce Empire event will feature special guest appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus and you guessed it — The Grinch! Visitors will enjoy over 50 thrilling amusement park attractions at the world’s largest inflatable amusement park. There will also be live music on the epic 360-degree hydraulic stage and farm-fresh dining options at Bounce Bistro. Adults can swing by the 21+ VIP Rubbish Bar & Ultra Lounge to enjoy seasonal beverages.
PRO Tip: Tickets are on sale now for this Friday at 6:00 PM. Grab yours for just $29 and kick off your weekend with a blast in nearby Lafayette!
7th Annual Improv for Claus Sketch Comedy Show
Where? 3654 Navajo Street
When? December 20th
Head over to the Bug Theatre this Friday for the 7th Annual Improv for Claus showcase. This original sketch comedy show and charity fundraiser is written by Colorado Talent. 100% of ticket proceeds from this show will be donated to the Feed My Starving Children organization, so you can feel good about your weekend plans! The organization provides specifically formulated nutritionally complete meals for malnourished children. For the past several years, Parker Players have written and performed this holiday sketch using inspiration from the local news and holiday stress in an effort to bring some humor to everybody’s life during this busy and sometimes hectic season.
PRO Tip: Doors open at 7:00 PM to the theatre. Arrive early to grab your seats and get settled! If you can’t make it to the show, donations are always appreciated via the fundraising page found here.
The 5 Points Nutcracker: Holiday Jazz Experience
Where? 2700 Arapahoe Street, Unit 108
When? December 20th-22nd
This holiday season, enjoy this collaboration between the Boulder Philharmonic and an award-winning cast and crew for this rendition of the Nutcracker directed by Larea Edwards. The 5 Points Nutcracker will be performed at The Savoy Denver all weekend, with doors at 6:30 PM and the show at 7:00 PM. The performance weaves a fresh twist on a holiday classic, which simultaneously celebrates the cultural richness of 5 Points Denver — known as “The Harlem of the West.” Audience members will be enthralled by dazzling visuals, ingenious props, and a vibrant interactive setting that will keep everyone engaged.
PRO Tip: There is no specific dress code, so come as you are or blend into the party with dapper holiday attire. The Savoy does not have a designated parking lot, so it’s recommended that patrons arrive early to find nearby street parking.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Where? 1100 Stout Street
When? December 21st & 22nd
This all-ages event is set to be held at the Bellco Theatre. Doors open at 10:00 AM and the expected start time is set for 11:00 AM. Cirque Dreams Holidaze will dazzle Denverites with a brilliant and whimsical holiday tradition. This is the original and longest-running cirque holiday theatrical event, with an annual tour that wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus acts that will delight visitors of all ages. The production features a world-renowned cast of performers who will be accompanied by an ensemble of aerial circus acts, as well as jugglers, fun-loving skippers, and breath-catching acrobatics. The original music score includes new twists on seasonal favorites like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Carol of the Bells.” Expect singers, dancers, penguins, toy soldiers, and reindeer to prance around and evoke a sense of childlike wonder for even the oldest audience members.
PRO Tip: Tickets are on sale now, ranging in price from $44 to $151. Select your seats today so you don’t miss out!
Too Hot to Handel
Where? 1000 14th Street
When? December 21st & 22nd
Too Hot to Handel will be performed at Denver’s Boettcher Concert Hall this weekend. This exuberant jazz, gospel, and R&B-infused concert reinvents Handel’s Messiah and is returning due to popular demand this year with associate conductor Christopher Dragon at the podium. The performance will feature incredible guest soloists and members of the Colorado Symphony Chorus during an exhilarating night of music that will have you rejoicing in the aisles.
PRO Tip: Saturday’s showtime is scheduled for 7:30 PM and Sunday’s is set at 2:30 PM. Both dates have tickets available, so grab yours while they’re hot! Prices for the performance range from $15 to $110, plus fees and taxes.
Home for Christmas
Where? 855 Lawrence Way
When? December 21st & 22nd
This Saturday and Sunday, catch Home for Christmas at the King Center at Auraria Campus from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Saturday’s performance is scheduled for 7:00 PM or you can catch an earlier showtime on Sunday at 2:30 PM. The Denver Brass is here to welcome you home for the holidays and share its favorite festive time of the year with audiences. Prepare to feel joy, nostalgia, and the warmth of good friends and family and if you’re lucky, there may even be a special visit from Santa Claus.
PRO Tip: When purchasing tickets, you’ll have the opportunity to select your own seats. If you don’t select them, the best available seats will be chosen for you. Seniors and youth ages 13 to 21 receive discounted rates and children 12 years old and under can attend for free.
Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Aurora Fox Christmas Show
Where? 9900 East Colfax Avenue
When? Through December 22nd
This weekend is your last chance to catch Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Aurora Fox Christmas Show by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. Aurora Fox is taking audience members back to the Wild West circa 1880 in an all-new version of the timeless Dickens tale. Five nimble actors in an all-female cast will play dozens of roles. Enjoy this hilariously fast-paced and imaginative staging of the world’s most famous holiday tale. The show runs for about 90 minutes with no intermission. Ticket prices range from $30 to $42 for adults, depending on where you select your seats. Children’s tickets are priced at $17 for ages 12 and under. All sales are final.
PRO Tip: Aurora Fox ticket holders receive priority seating and a 15% discount on dinner at The Common Good. Show your ticket to your server to claim this exclusive offer!
Holiday Roast
Where? 1226 15th Street
When? December 22nd
This weekend’s Holiday Roast at Comedy Works Downtown is scheduled for 7:00 PM this Sunday. This is a 21-and-up event, as the show is intended for mature audiences and people who appreciate the ridiculousness of comics dressing up as characters and roasting each other. Take a break from the wholesomeness of the holiday season and experience a roast like no other. Denver’s top headlining comics will become your new favorite holiday characters, such as an angry Mrs. Claus or the belligerent Gingerbread Man. The best news? The roast is hosted by Santa Claus himself!
PRO Tip: Ticket redemption at Comedy Works requires the original purchaser to be present, which will be verified by a government-issued ID. If you plan on purchasing tickets as a gift, select “this is a gift” at the time of purchase. There is a two-item minimum at the show.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Seattle Kraken
Where? 1000 Chopper Circle
When? December 22nd
You won’t want to miss the competition between the Colorado Avalanche and the Seattle Kraken this Sunday at Ball Arena. The matchup will kick off at 6:00 PM, so arrive early to grab your favorite concession treats and a refreshing beverage before heading to your seats. In their last matchup in November, the Avalanche came out victorious — so cheer extra loud as they fight to win again at home.
PRO Tip: Parking information and directions to Ball Arena can be found here. All event tickets and parking passes at the arena are digital to allow for touchless scanning. Make sure to add your game tickets to your mobile wallet before coming to Ball Arena.
Family-Friendly Activities in Denver This Weekend
Entertaining kids for an entire weekend can feel impossible at times. Let the professionals help by checking out these family-friendly activities in and around Denver, such as a clean comedy show, story time at the Firefighters Museum, or the spectacular ICE-IE sculptures.
Fun at the Firehouse
Where? 1326 Tremont Place
When? December 21st
Don’t miss out on the final Fun at the Firehouse event of 2024! This Saturday at 10:00 AM, kick your weekend fun off with the hottest story time in town. Children and their accompanying adults can enjoy a fire-related story and craft time. Registration is required and the cost is set at $15 per child ages 3 and older. This includes the cost of the program and museum admission. Adults can attend for free with museum admission ($9 for adults and $8 for seniors).
PRO Tip: Fun at the Firehouse is scheduled for either the first or the third Saturday of each month, so mark your calendars for January 4th if you can’t make it out to the Denver Firefighters Museum this weekend.
ICE-IE Sculptures
Where? 8340 Northfield Boulevard
When? December 21st
The Shops at Northfield are excited to host yet another year of ice sculpture magic. Swing by the plaza beginning at 12:30 PM to view these dazzling sculptures that truly bring the magic of the holidays to life. Arrive early because after all, ice is known to melt! Visitors can watch as skilled artists carve their amazing works of art from six blocks of ice — showcasing 3 classic holiday scenes. There will be a live ice carving competition from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM as artists showcase their skills on smaller, intricate ice scenes. Elsa and Olaf will also be swinging by from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
PRO Tip: There is no registration required for this event or entry fee to enjoy these awesome sculptures.
Chris Voth Family Show
Where? 5345 Landmark Place
When? December 22nd
The Chris Voth Family Show will be hosted at Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village. Voth has been a regular at Comedy Works for two decades and has also appeared on Last Comic Standing, Comics Unleashed, and The Late Late Show. His recent comedy album, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead Tired was released in April ’23 and in addition, Voth is an award-winning filmmaker who wrote, directed, and starred in Camino Unreal. Aside from his comic chops, Voth can also be found teaching high school full-time in Denver.
PRO Tip: Tickets range in price from $7 to $14 for this clean family show. All ages are invited to laugh and enjoy smart, clever, and fast-paced humor that will keep audience members on their toes.
Have Fun This Weekend in Denver
From ice sculptures, holiday roast comedy shows, NHL games, and a holiday party at an indoor amusement park — you won’t have trouble finding something fun to do this weekend. The Mile High City never sleeps, so invite your friends and family out to hit the town. Christmas is just around the corner, so it’s time to get your last-minute shopping done at an area market or surprise your loved one with tickets to an event in the city.