25+ Best Things To Do In Denver During Christmas (from a local!)

Christmas is one of the best times of year in Denver. Between the holiday lights downtown, Christmas markets, fun pop-up bars, and countless seasonal events happening around the city, there’s always something fun going on. And with the Rocky Mountains so close by, you can even add a little snow and mountain scenery to your Christmas plans.

I’ve lived in Denver for over 20 years and have spent many holiday seasons exploring the city’s Christmas events and traditions. These are some of my favorite Christmas activities I’ve done over the years, plus a few that are still on my list!

So whether you’re visiting for the holidays or live here and want to try something new, these are some of the best things to do in Denver during Christmas.

The Best Things To Do In Denver During Christmas

Go Ice Skating

When: November – January (varies by rink)

Ice skating is a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit, and Denver has several outdoor rinks that are perfect during the holidays.

One of the most popular is the Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park, right along 16th Street. It’s a great location, surrounded by all the Christmas lights, decorations, and other downtown holiday activities. Skating is free if you bring your own skates, or you can rent a pair on-site. Note: The Skyline Park rink is temporarily closed for the 2026–27 season for renovations.

Another great option is McGregor Square, right across from Coors Field. The outdoor rink is surrounded by restaurants and bars, and the square is decorated for Christmas, so it’s a fun place to spend an evening even if you only skate for a little while.

For more options, check out my Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks In Denver guide.

Denver Blossoms Of Lights

When: Daily from November 20 – January 10, 2027, Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day

Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens is one of Denver’s most popular Christmas traditions, and it’s one of my favorite holiday light displays in the city.

Every winter, the gardens are transformed with thousands of colorful lights, illuminated trees, and large light installations. You’ll follow a mile-long walking path through the gardens, with plenty of places to stop for photos along the way.

Plan on spending about an hour walking through the displays, and you can grab hot chocolate, warm drinks, or holiday treats while you’re there. This one does sell out, so definitely book tickets in advance, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend or closer to Christmas.

The Botanic Gardens also hosts Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms in Littleton, which is another great option if you’re looking for more Christmas lights on the south side of Denver.

Denver Christkindlmarket

When: Daily from November 20 –  December 23, 2026

The Denver Christkindlmarket is one of my favorite places to visit during the Christmas season. It’s a traditional German-style Christmas market with rows of wooden vendor huts selling handmade ornaments, Christmas decorations, gifts, and other goodies. You’ll also find tons of German food and drinks, like bratwurst, pretzels, mulled wine, and German beer.

One of my favorite parts of the market is the heated Festival Hall, where you can grab a drink, listen to live music, and hang out for a while. It’s always such a fun atmosphere, especially when the music gets going and the place is packed with people enjoying themselves.

I especially love visiting in the evening when all the lights are on, although the market can get really crowded on weekend nights. I usually stick to weekday evenings, but if you’re going on a weekend, I recommend visiting during the day when it’s a little easier to browse the stalls and find a place to sit.

You’ll also find the Mile High Tree right in the middle of the market, which I’m going to cover below, it’s worth talking about separately because it’s such a cool attraction on its own.

Market admission is free, and I’ve put together a separate Denver Christkindlmarket Guide with more tips and everything you need to know before visiting.

Mile High Tree In Denver 

When: November 20 – December 31, 2026

Right in the middle of the Denver Christkindlmarket, you’ll find the Mile High Tree, one of Denver’s most unique Christmas attractions.

This massive, 110-foot-tall Christmas tree is made up of thousands of LED lights, and the coolest part is that you can actually walk inside it. Every 15 minutes or so, there’s a light show synchronized to Christmas music, with colors and patterns changing all around you.

The show only lasts a few minutes, but it’s definitely worth stopping to watch while you’re exploring the market. And since it’s completely free, you can watch it as many times as you want.

You’ll definitely want to see this one after dark, when you can really appreciate the lights.

Afternoon Tea At The Brown Palace

When: Anytime 

The Brown Palace is one of Denver’s most beautiful historic hotels, and if you’ve never been inside, Christmas is a great time to visit! The eight-story atrium is gorgeous year-round, but it’s especially beautiful when it’s all decorated for the holidays, with a huge Christmas tree, garlands, and lights.

One of the hotel’s longtime Christmas traditions is afternoon tea, served right in the atrium beneath the stained-glass ceiling. You’ll get the full traditional tea service with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, plus live piano music playing in the background. It’s a pretty special setting for afternoon tea!

The only catch is that holiday tea reservations can be really hard to get. In past years, I’ve booked a later reservation for cocktails instead, and I think this is a great alternative if tea reservations are sold out. You still get to sit in the beautiful atrium, enjoy the decorations, and listen to the piano player, just with a cocktail instead of tea.

If you do want the full afternoon tea experience, definitely make reservations as early as possible.

See The Christmas Lights Downtown

When: Thanksgiving weekend – mid January

Downtown Denver is especially pretty during the Christmas season, and one of my favorite things to do is just walk around and check out all the lights and decorations. There are several spots worth visiting, and most of them are within walking distance of each other.

The Denver City & County Building is one of the highlights. Every year, the entire building is covered in colorful Christmas lights, and there’s even a synchronized light and music show most nights. It’s been a Denver Christmas tradition for decades, and it’s definitely worth stopping by to see.

From here, you can walk over to 16th Street, which also has some great Christmas lights and decorations, including light projections on the historic D&F Clock Tower.

Larimer Square is another favorite, with its overhead string lights, giant Christmas tree, decorated storefronts, and additional holiday lighting displays. You’ll also find plenty of Christmas decorations around Union Station, McGregor Square, and throughout LoDo.

You can easily spend an evening walking between these spots, stopping for dinner or a drink along the way. And if you’re looking for more places to see Christmas lights around the city, I’ve put together a full guide to the Best Christmas Lights In Denver.

Watch The Mile High Holidays Drone Show

When: Nightly, November 20 – December 31, 2026

Another fun addition to Denver’s Christmas festivities is the Mile High Holidays Drone Show! Every evening during the holiday season, 600 drones take to the sky above downtown, creating giant illuminated images that move and change throughout the show.

You’ll see everything from Santa and his reindeer to Christmas trees and Denver landmarks. I especially love the Denver-specific designs, like Blucifer and the Big Blue Bear. It’s pretty cool watching hundreds of drones come together to create these huge images in the sky.

The show is completely free and lasts about 10 – 15 minutes, so it’s easy to catch while you’re out exploring downtown. It starts at 7 pm, and some of the best places to watch are the Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus and Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. You can also see it from some downtown rooftop bars.

I recommend working this into an evening visiting the Christkindlmarket, checking out the Christmas lights, or grabbing dinner downtown. Just keep in mind that the show is weather-dependent.

Magical Winter Nights At Denver Museum of Nature & Science

When: November 25 – January 2, 2027

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has a relatively new Christmas event called Magical Winter Nights, and it’s a little different from the other holiday light displays around Denver.

Instead of walking through an outdoor light display, you’ll explore different areas of the museum filled with colorful lights, projections, music, and interactive activities. There’s an indoor iceless skating rink, a room with northern lights projected all around you, and even a Cryptid Carnival where you can play games and take photos with Sasquatch.

Some of the museum’s exhibits are incorporated into the event too, so you get to explore parts of the museum in a completely different setting. Your ticket also includes admission to the current special exhibition, Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids exhibition.

There are also drinks and snacks available, plus a few special 21+ nights throughout the season.

And since everything is indoors, this is a great option for those really cold December nights!

Christmas At Gaylord Rockies

When: November 20 – January 3, 2027

Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora goes all out for Christmas, with millions of lights, huge Christmas trees, and tons of holiday activities throughout the property. And you don’t have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy them!

The biggest attraction is ICE!, an indoor exhibit featuring more than two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures. The theme changes every year, and for 2026, it’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. You’ll walk through scenes from the movie, see giant ice sculptures of Jack Skellington and other characters, and even get to ride down slides made entirely of ice.

And when I say it’s cold in there, I mean really cold. The exhibit is kept at just 9°F to preserve the sculptures. They give you a big blue parka to wear, but I’d still bring gloves and dressing warmly.

There’s plenty more to do around the resort, too, including indoor snow tubing, gingerbread decorating, a Christmas carousel, visits with Santa, and other holiday activities. You could easily spend several hours here, especially if you’re visiting with kids.

Most of the activities require separate tickets, I recommend purchasing a bundle if you want to do several. Additionally, be sure to double check the full lineup before visiting, since some activities are only offered on select dates.

See The Nutcracker At Ellie Caulkins Opera House

When: Select Dates In November & December

Seeing The Nutcracker is one of those classic Christmas activities, and Colorado Ballet puts on a beautiful production every year at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in downtown Denver.

The production is known for its elaborate costumes, beautiful sets, and incredible dancing, and it’s all accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s famous score performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Even if you’re not typically someone who goes to the ballet, I think this is a really fun one to see during the Christmas season.

The Ellie Caulkins Opera House is a beautiful venue too, and seeing a performance here is a great excuse to dress up a little and make a night of it.

There are afternoon and evening performances throughout the Christmas season, but you’ll definitely need to book tickets early, especially if you’re hoping to go on a weekend or closer to Christmas. Check pricing and availability at The Nutcracker.

Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum

When: Select dates in December

If you’re looking for something a little different from the usual Christmas performances, check out Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. It’s been a Denver holiday tradition for 35 years, and it celebrates winter holidays and traditions from around the world.

The show follows Granny as she travels through Africa, the Americas, Mexico, Asia, and the Caribbean, with a mix of dance, live music, and storytelling. You’ll see everything from African harvest celebrations and Kwanzaa to Chinese New Year and Junkanoo, a Caribbean festival.

It’s a really fun alternative to the more traditional holiday shows, especially if you’re looking for something that celebrates more than just Christmas.

Performances take place at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. And this year is particularly special because it’s the first season in the company’s new theater! Be sure to book in advance at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, these shows regularly sell out.

Browse a Holiday Market

When: Dates vary, Thanksgiving – Christmas Eve

Denver has some really great holiday markets, and they’re one of my favorite places to find a unique Christmas gift. You’ll find everything from handmade ornaments and jewelry to artwork, candles, clothing, and locally made gifts. Plus, most markets have food, drinks, and live music, so they’re fun to visit even if you’re not doing much shopping.

One of the biggest is the Cherry Creek Holiday Market, which takes over Fillmore Plaza in Cherry Creek North. Every day there are more than 50 local vendors, plus holiday drinks and live entertainment. And since the whole neighborhood is decorated for Christmas, it’s a great area to walk around and explore while you’re there.

A few other markets worth checking out are the Denver Winter Market at the Sports Castle, which has more than 100 Colorado makers spread across three floors, and the Mistletoe Market at Dairy Block, where you can shop in the decorated alley with drinks, food, and carolers. There’s also the Merry Market at McGregor Square, where you can combine Christmas shopping and Santa photos with ice skating, and the Denver Holiday Bazaar, which pops up in different neighborhoods throughout the season.

Most of these markets are free to browse, although a few have admission fees, and their schedules vary quite a bit. Definitely check the dates before heading out, especially for the smaller markets that only run for a weekend or two.

Denver Zoo Lights 

When: Daily from November 23 – January 3, 2027

Zoo Lights is one of Denver’s favorite Christmas traditions, running for over 35 years now. Every winter, the Denver Zoo is transformed with more than three million colorful lights spread across 80 acres.

You’ll find everything from glowing animal sculptures to tunnels of lights and some really impressive displays throughout the zoo. There are also plenty of places to grab hot chocolate, cocktails, or holiday treats along the way, and the zoo’s carousel and train operate during the event.

A few of the indoor animal exhibits are open, like the popular elephant house, but most of the animals won’t be out at night, so this is really more of a Christmas lights experience than a regular zoo visit.

Zoo Lights is a popular family activity, but I like going as an adult and they also offer special adults-only evenings throughout the season. This is another one that can sell out, especially on weekends and closer to Christmas, so you’ll need to book tickets in advance.

Looking for more holiday light displays? Check out my guide to the Best Christmas Lights In Denver.

Visit A Pop-Up Christmas Bar

When: Roughly Thanksgiving – New Year

Denver has really gotten into Christmas pop-up bars over the past few years, and there are tons of fun ones around the city. I’m talking bars completely covered in Christmas decorations, with themed cocktails, holiday music, and over-the-top decor.

One of the most popular is Miracle at Union Station, which takes over a space on the lower level of the historic train station. The entire bar is decked out for Christmas, with fun drinks in really cute holiday mugs, and the theme changes annually so it’s fun to see what they come up with each year.

There are tons of other Christmas pop-ups around Denver, and while many come and go each year, a few longtime favorites include Avantiki at Avanti Food & Beverage in LoHi, Alpine Village at the Halcyon Hotel in Cherry Creek, Snowdrift at Adrift Tiki Bar on South Broadway, and Death & Co.’s Holiday Suite at the Ramble Hotel. And just outside Denver, Sippin’ Santa at Arvada Tavern is another really fun option.

The Christmas bars are especially fun for a night out with friends, but you’ll need to make reservations. Many of these bars are pretty small, and the popular ones fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

I’ve put together a separate Best Christmas Pop-Up Bars in Denver guide with more options and information on who requires reservations, plus other tips.

Denver Union Station

When: Thanksgiving – New Year

Union Station is one of my favorite places downtown, and it’s especially beautiful during the Christmas season. The historic Great Hall is decorated with a huge Christmas tree, garlands, and lights, most of the decor is subtle but really well done.

One of the biggest events is the annual Grand Illumination, when Union Station lights up its 40-foot outdoor Christmas tree. There’s live music, holiday entertainment, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. It’s a fun event if you’re in Denver over Thanksgiving weekend, but the decorations stay up throughout the season, so you can enjoy them anytime.

Union Station also hosts Santa at the Station on select Sundays in December, with free visits and photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

You can still visit outside of the events though, I stop by Union Station for a cocktail pretty much every Christmas season, usually when I’m out looking at the holiday lights downtown or going for a Christmas pop-up bar crawl. It’s one of my favorite places to take a break, enjoy the decorations, and hang out for a while before heading to the next stop.

Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree Near Denver

When: Anytime within permit restrictions

If you’re looking for a Christmas activity that gets you out in the mountains, you can actually cut down your own Christmas tree in some of Colorado’s national forests! It’s a fun way to make a day out of picking out your tree, and you get to bring home a little piece of the Colorado mountains.

One of the closest places to Denver is the South Platte Ranger District in Pike National Forest, with designated Christmas tree cutting areas near Buffalo Creek and Sugar Creek. You’ll need to purchase a permit ahead of time, which allows you to cut down a tree in a specific area on an approved date. Permits for the areas closest to Denver sell out, particularly for weekends, so this is one you’ll need to plan ahead.

You’ll also need to bring your own handsaw and something to secure the tree to your vehicle. And depending on where you’re cutting, you could be dealing with snow-covered roads and trails, so bring waterproof boots, plenty of warm layers, and check road conditions before heading out.

You can find available cutting areas, permits, and all the rules on Recreation.gov.

Denver Parade Of Lights 

When: December 5th, 2026

The Denver Parade of Lights is one of the city’s biggest Christmas traditions, and has been a part of the holiday season for more than 50 years.

Every December, the parade makes its way through downtown Denver with more than 40 illuminated floats, giant character balloons, marching bands, and other performers. You’ll also see some familiar faces, including Major Waddles the Penguin and, of course, Santa Claus.

The parade is completely free to watch from anywhere along the route, although there are reserved grandstand seats available if you want to pay for a guaranteed spot. It draws huge crowds every year, so you have to arrive early, especially if you want a good viewing spot near the City & County Building.

The route does change occasionally, so check the Parade of Lights for the current map and other details before heading downtown. If possible, I’d also avoid driving and parking downtown for the parade. Between the 16th Street FreeRide, RTD light rail, and the new East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit service, there are quite a few public transit options that can save you the hassle of dealing with traffic and parking.

Four Mile Historic Park at Christmas

When: December 12, 2026

Four Mile Historic Park is home to the oldest surviving building in Denver, the Four Mile House, which dates back to 1859. And during the Christmas season, the park hosts a special holiday event that’s a little different from most of the other Christmas activities around the city.

This year’s event is Brunch with Father Christmas, and it’s all about celebrating Christmas the old-fashioned way. You can tour the historic Four Mile House decorated for a Victorian Christmas, take a tractor ride around the property, and enjoy activities like holiday crafts, storytime, and a Yule Log Hunt. There’s also a small holiday marketplace to browse.

There’s an optional holiday brunch with Father Christmas, which includes a buffet and photos, but you can also purchase general admission tickets if you’d rather just explore the park and enjoy the activities.

This is a good one for families with kids, especially if you’re looking for something a little different from the usual Christmas activities around Denver.

Just keep in mind that this is a one-day event. You can find tickets and more information at Four Mile Historic Park.

Watch A Christmas Carol At Denver Center For The Performing Arts 

When: Select Dates November 25 – December 27, 2026

If you’re looking for a Christmas show in Denver, A Christmas Carol is a must-see. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts puts on a production of Charles Dickens’ famous story every holiday season at the Wolf Theatre downtown.

The show follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, with live music, elaborate costumes, and some really impressive sets. It’s a great option for a Christmas date night or a family outing, especially if you enjoy live theater.

You will need to book tickets well ahead of time, especially for weekends and performances closer to Christmas.

And this isn’t the only holiday performance happening at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. There are several other shows, concerts, and seasonal productions on the calendar, so it’s worth checking the event schedule at Denver Performing Arts Events to see what else is playing.

Elitch Holidays At Elitch Gardens 

When: Select Dates November 27 – January 3, 2027

Elitch Gardens reopens for the Christmas season with Elitch Holidays, a really fun event that combines Christmas lights and activities with some of the park’s regular amusement rides.

There are more than four million Christmas lights throughout the park, including a 65-foot Christmas tree, a 300-foot candy cane tunnel, giant ornaments, and plenty of other displays. You’ll also have visits with Santa, holiday entertainment, and a Christmas show at the Trocadero Theatre.

And you can actually ride some of the amusement park rides while you’re here. Several roller coasters, the Ferris wheel, carousel, and other kid-friendly rides are up and running during the event.

This is a good option for families (and adults!), especially if you’re looking for a Christmas activity that offers a lot more than just walking through a light display.

Hammond’s Candies Factory Tour 

When: Anytime

Hammond’s Candies has been making candy in Denver since 1920, and one of my favorite free Christmas activities is visiting their factory for a tour.

The factory offers quick, 30 minute tours where you can watch candy makers at work, making everything from candy canes and colorful lollipops to chocolates. You’ll also learn a little about the company’s history and get to see how much of their candy is still made by hand.

And of course, I always love to stop by the factory store afterward to stock up on candy canes, chocolates, and other Christmas treats. They even have an “oops” section where you can find discounted candies with packaging errors or other imperfections that keep them from being sold in regular stores.

While the tours are available year-round, I think they’re especially fun around Christmas. This is a good one for families, but it’s also a fun stop for adults, especially if you’re looking for something free to do in Denver during the holidays.

Reservations are required in advance and often fill up during the Christmas season.

Go Skiing Or Visit A Mountain Town

When: Anytime

One of the best things about spending Christmas in Denver is having the Rocky Mountains so close by. So if you ski or snowboard, spending a day on the slopes is a pretty great way to enjoy the season.

There are tons of ski resorts within a couple of hours of Denver, and many of the mountain towns are especially beautiful around Christmas, with snow-covered streets, holiday decor, and plenty of fun places to warm up with a drink after skiing.

Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin are two of the closest options to Denver, while Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Vail, and Winter Park are great choices if you’re looking for a larger resort with more amenities.

And even if skiing isn’t your thing, these mountain towns are still worth visiting around Christmas. Breckenridge, Vail, and Winter Park, for example, have plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars to explore. So you can easily spend a day wandering around town, checking out the decorations, and enjoying the stunning mountain scenery.

For more ideas one which towns to visit, check out my guide to the Most Popular Day Trips From Denver.

Join A Craft Class

When: Year-round, with special holiday workshops in November and December

I love a good craft class around Christmas. It’s such a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends, make some holiday decorations, or even create a handmade gift for someone. And there are tons of great options around Denver.

One of my favorites is Upstairs Circus, a craft workshop and bar near Union Station where you can choose from a variety of DIY projects, from jewelry to home decor, and enjoy a cocktail while you work.

A few other places worth checking out are Rosy Studio in Cherry Creek, which offers candle-making, floral workshops, and seasonal projects like Christmas ornaments and wreaths, and Fleur in Baker, where you’ll find everything from stained glass and jewelry making to watercolor and pottery.

There’s also Ceramics In The City on East Colfax for pottery painting and beginner ceramics classes, and Craftsman & Apprentice in Five Points, which offers hands-on workshops for kids and adults.

These are just a few of the many options around Denver. And keep an eye out for special holiday workshops in November and December, since most studios offer special seasonal projects this time of year.

Colorado Symphony Christmas Shows

When: Select Dates In December

If you enjoy live music, I definitely recommend checking out the Colorado Symphony’s Christmas performances at Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver. They put on a whole lineup of holiday concerts every year, from traditional Christmas music to some really fun performances you might not expect from a symphony orchestra.

A Colorado Christmas is one of their big annual holiday shows, performed by the Colorado Symphony, its chorus, the Colorado Children’s Chorale, and includes appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. There’s also A Classical Christmas for traditional holiday favorites and Holiday Brass, which features the orchestra’s brass and percussion musicians.

But one of my favorites is their Christmas movie showing with a live orchestra. This year they’re showing Home Alone and The Muppet Christmas Carol, with the orchestra playing the scores as the movies run on the big screen.

Boettcher Concert Hall is right in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, so it’s easy to make a full evening of it with dinner downtown and a walk to see some Christmas lights before or after the show. You can browse the full holiday lineup and book tickets at Colorado Symphony. And again, most of these will sell out, so be sure to book in advance.

Join a Holiday Cooking Class

When: Anytime

A cooking class is another one of those activities that’s extra fun around the holidays, especially you’re looking for a unique date night or something different to do with friends. You can learn a few new recipes, try your hand at Christmas baking, or just spend an evening cooking (and eating!) something delicious. And Denver has plenty of great cooking schools to choose from.

Stir Cooking School has locations in the Highlands and downtown Denver, with classes covering everything from baking to international cuisines. They offer seasonal classes too, and one of the best parts is that after cooking, everyone sits down together to enjoy the meal they’ve made.

Another great option is Food Lab on South Pearl Street. This year’s holiday lineup includes a holiday dinner class where you can learn some new recipes for your own Christmas celebrations, along with a family holiday baking workshop in December.

You can also check out Cook Street School of Culinary Arts near the Golden Triangle, which offers everything from pastry and baking classes to full cooking experiences. And Create Kitchen & Bar at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora is another fun option, with hands-on cooking classes and a full bar.

These are just a few of the cooking schools around Denver, and you don’t necessarily have to book a Christmas-themed class to enjoy one during the holidays. Browse their calendars to see what sounds fun, but if you’re hoping to get into a holiday baking or Christmas dinner class, book early since those almost always sell out.

Join Bibamba’s Chocolate Classes For Christmas

When: Year-round, with special holiday workshops on select dates in November and December

If chocolate is more your thing, another class worth checking out around Christmas is Bibamba Artisan Chocolate at Edgewater Public Market. They offer chocolate-making workshops where you can make your own chocolates to take home.

The truffle-making class is one of their most popular, you’ll learn about the chocolate-making process, make and decorate your own truffles before taking them home. And of course there’s also plenty of chocolate tasting throughout the experience.

They also offer bean-to-bar chocolate experiences, tastings, and hot chocolate workshops if you want to try something different. And Bibamba actually grows their own cacao on a family farm in Cameroon, so you’ll learn about this no matter which class you take.

Classes are available year-round, but their special holiday workshops are really limited and book out quickly.

Visit St. Nicks Christmas & Collectibles

When: Year-round

If you love Christmas decorations, you definitely have to check out St. Nick’s Christmas & Collectibles in Littleton. This family-owned store has been around since 1976, and is one of the largest Christmas stores in the country, with 22 rooms filled with Christmas decorations.

There are more than 90 decorated Christmas trees throughout the store, each with its own theme, and thousands of ornaments to browse. You’ll also find Christmas villages, lights, wreaths, garlands, collectibles, and just about every other type of holiday decoration you can imagine.

St. Nick’s is open year-round, but it’s especially fun to visit during the Christmas season. Just give yourself plenty of time to explore, and if possible visit on a weekday since December weekends can get crowded.

Polar Express Train Ride At The Colorado Railroad Museum

When: November 6 – December 23, 2026

If you have kids who love The Polar Express, the Polar Express Train Ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden is definitely worth looking into. It’s one of the most popular Christmas train rides near Denver.

The experience starts in a heated pavilion with Christmas carols, hot chocolate, cookies, and a live performance of The Polar Express. Then everyone heads outside to board a vintage steam locomotive for a ride to the North Pole.

There are Christmas lights, elves, and a visit from Santa, and every passenger gets a silver bell just like in the story. You’ll also have a chance to take photos with Santa after the train ride.

One thing that’s essential is booking early. This is an extremely popular event and tickets sell out almost immediately. You can check pricing and availability at Polar Express Train Ride Colorado Railroad Museum.

And if you’re interested in other holiday train rides, I’ve put together a guide to the Best Christmas Train Rides Near Denver, with more options plus tips for planning your visit.

There are so many fun things to do in Denver during Christmas, from holiday markets and light displays to Christmas shows, festive bars, and plenty of activities beyond the usual holiday events.

And these are just some of the many things happening around the city throughout the season. Hopefully you’ve found a few new ideas to add to your Christmas plans this year!

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Denver and Colorado guides.