Between a Santa pub crawl and the Parade of Lights, you'll have plenty of holiday fun in store for you this weekend!
Thanksgiving may be over, but the holiday season is just getting started. Every passing day is a day deeper into the holiday spirit, and Denver is ready and brightly lit with festive lights for the magical season. If you're looking to celebrate the beginning of the holidays, or you're not sure what's new and fun this weekend, here are 14 unique things you can do in Denver.
Friday, December 6
First Friday Art Walk
When: December 6, 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Art District on Santa Fe
Price: Free
The beginning of a new month means art, culture, and a stroll down the Santa Fe District. Visit the artsy neighborhood on a night where the galleries and creative business stay open late. Enjoy live music and bites of food from local food trucks as you explore the latest art Denver has to offer.
Love Actually in Concert
When: December 6, 7:30–10 p.m.
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall
Price: $20–$94
Let's face it. At some point this month, you are going to watch Love Actually. It's inevitable. Why not watch it with a live orchestra? The event features a screening of the Christmas movie while the orchestra performs the live score.
Cultural First Friday: Mercado de Navidad
When: December 6, 5–9 p.m.
Where: Museo De Las Americas
Price: Free
Museo De Las Americas participates in First Friday Art Walk with Cultural First Friday: Mercado de Navidad. The museum puts up its own Christmas market where you can purchase gifts crafted by local artists.
Winter Fest on South Pearl Street
Courtesy of South Pearl Street (Facebook)
When: December 6–7, 5 p.m.
Where: South Pearl Street
Price: Free
Take a walk down the quaint South Pearl neighborhood and shop gifts and food from the holiday market. Enjoy Christmas caroling from the Denver School of the Arts and wagon rides.
9NEWS Parade of Lights 2019
When: December 6–7
Where: Civic Center Park
Price: $16–$19
What better way to celebrate the holidays than with a spectacular display of Christmas lights? The Downtown Denver Partnership presents the 45th Annual 9News Parade of Lights, a two-mile parade route in Downtown Denver that features marching bands, ornate Christmas floats, and special appearances by Santa and Major Waddles the penguin. The parade is free to watch, but tickets are sold for the Parade of Lights Grandstand. For more festive holiday lights in Denver, click here.
Saturday, December 7
Free Day at the Denver Art Museum
When: December 7, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Denver Art Museum
Price: Free
Art lovers can explore the museum's latest exhibitions, like the Shantell Martin: Words and Lines exhibition. You can also explore The Light Show and Treasures of British Art: The Berger Collection for free. However, if you had your eye on Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature, you will have to pay for this exhibition.
Tibetan Singing Bowls
When: December 7–8
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens
Price: $15–$18
The event features a performance by Denver yoga instructor and sound healer, Chris Anne Coviello, and her husband, Jason Coviello. The concert of the Tibetan Singing Bowls is meant to relax its audience, corresponding the vibrations to different chakras to balance the body's energy.
Denver Santa Pub Crawl
Courtesy of Denver Santa Pub Crawl (Facebook)
When: December 7, 1:30–11:30 p.m.
Where: Blake Street Tavern
Price: $29–$54
Denver says goodbye to the Denver Santa Pub Crawl for its 18th and final crawl. Join 1,000 other people from all over and sign up to the crawl, but there's one condition: you must dress up in a Santa suit or something with your holiday spin. It's "go big or go home" at the Denver Santa Pub Crawl.
Wreath Making Workshop
When: December 7, 1–3 p.m.
Where: Denver's Union Station
Price: $50
Deck the halls, or just your front door, with the wreaths you'll make in this holiday workshop. Learn step-by-step how to make Christmas wreaths for this festive season. Tickets include all the materials needed.
Sunday, December 8
Breakfast With Santa
When: December 7–8, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Downtown Aquarium Denver
Price: $13.99–$19.99
The event combines a magical under the sea theme with the holiday spirit. Guests will enjoy a buffet breakfast with special guests, like Santa Clause and his mascot, Sharkey.
Craftsman's Market
Courtesy of Salvage Design Center (Facebook)
When: December 8, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Salvage Design Center
Price: Free
If you are on the hunt for local vintage goods, you need to head over to the Craftsman's Market. The event features 15 local crafters presenting their skills and items in a holiday-themed market. Get your Christmas shopping going and purchase some artisanal pieces for your friends.
SCFD Free Day - Out at the Museum Day
When: December 8, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Price: Free
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, alongside Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), hosts SCFD Free Day – Out at the Museum. The event celebrates the LGBTW community with free admission to the museum, special performances, and a variety of activities.
Celtic Woman: The Best of Christmas Tour
When: December 8, 5–7:30 p.m.
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall
Price: $15–$89
Colorado Symphony presents Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman. The all-female ensemble will perform music to celebrate the holiday season, including their most favorite Yuletide songs performed by them over the years. Enjoy a night of celestial voices as they sing the most magical Christmas numbers.
What are you doing this weekend? Are there any fun events in Denver that we missed on our list? Sound off in the comments below.