Thu, Nov 26, 2026 · Washington Park, Denver
Mile High United Way Turkey Trot
Denver's biggest Thanksgiving tradition — a 4-mile run/walk plus the 1-mile Lil' Gobbler Family Fun Run and a family zone at the finish.
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Upcoming events, holiday traditions, and things to do
Photo: Colorado Railroad MuseumTHE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Colorado Railroad Museum · Golden
A theatrical show, then a steam-train ride to the North Pole to meet Santa. Runs Nov. 6–8, 13–15 and 20–24, then nightly Nov. 27–Dec. 23. Sells out early.
Photo: The Official Site of Disney On IceDisney On Ice: Find Your Hero
Ball Arena · Denver
Disney characters on skates in a touring ice show — seven performances over one weekend at Ball Arena.
Photo: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RailroadTHE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Durango)
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad · Durango
A vintage steam train rides to the North Pole while the story is read aloud, and Santa boards with the first gift of Christmas. Worth a weekend trip.
Photo: runsignup.comLeyden Rock Turkey Trot 5K
Leyden Rock · Arvada
A neighborhood 5K in Arvada to kick off turkey-trot season. Register on RunSignup.
Photo: Denver Botanic GardensBlossoms of Light
Denver Botanic Gardens (York Street) · Denver
Denver's beloved holiday light show — over a million LED lights, a light tunnel and glowing gardens. Timed tickets required.
Denver Christkindlmarket
Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus · Denver
German-style holiday market with wooden huts, pretzels, crafts and live music, next to the 110-foot Mile High Tree. Free admission.
Photo: somuchchristmas.comice! at Christmas at Gaylord Rockies
Gaylord Rockies Resort · Aurora
Two million pounds of hand-carved ice in a 9-degree walk-through — this year themed to The Nightmare Before Christmas — plus ice slides and holiday activities.
Photo: castlerock.orgCastle Rock Starlighting
Historic Wilcox Square & Festival Park · Castle Rock
A tradition since 1962 — carolers, entertainment and Santa downtown, then the star atop the Rock lights up followed by fireworks.
Photo: Denver Botanic GardensTrail of Lights at Chatfield Farms
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms · Littleton
A nearly mile-long path of lights through a historic foothills farm, with a warming hut and hot cocoa. Timed tickets online only.
Photo: Denver Zoo Conservation AllianceZoo Lights
Denver Zoo · Denver
More than three million lights across the zoo's 80 acres, plus the carousel and zoo railroad. Timed tickets; weekends sell out.
Photo: dmns.orgMagical Winter Nights
Denver Museum of Nature & Science · Denver
Holiday evenings at the museum in City Park — check the museum site for programming and tickets.
Photo: Mile High United WayMile High United Way Turkey Trot
Washington Park · Denver
Denver's biggest Thanksgiving tradition — a 4-mile run/walk plus the 1-mile Lil' Gobbler Family Fun Run and a family zone at the finish.
Photo: Colorado BalletColorado Ballet: The Nutcracker
Ellie Caulkins Opera House · Denver
A holiday tradition for more than 65 years, with the Colorado Ballet Orchestra playing live. Includes a sensory-friendly, audio-described matinee.
Olde Town Arvada Tree Lighting
Olde Town Square · Arvada
Arvada's holiday kickoff — a brass-band march, Santa and the lighting of the Olde Town tree. Confirm this year's date with Olde Town Arvada.
Photo: CMZooElectric Safari
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo · Colorado Springs
Ranked among the best zoo lights in North America — 85+ light sculptures on the mountainside, Santa visits and animal talks.
Photo: Downtown Denver Partnership9NEWS Parade of Lights
Downtown Denver · Denver
The 52nd annual parade of illuminated floats, giant balloons and marching bands through downtown. Free to watch; grandstand seats are sold separately.
Georgetown Christmas Market
Historic downtown Georgetown · Georgetown
A Victorian mountain-town Christmas market with roasted chestnuts, carolers and a Santa Lucia procession. Two weekends only.
Photo: National Western Stock ShowNational Western Stock Show Kick-off Parade
Downtown Denver · Denver
Longhorn cattle walk through downtown Denver, followed by a western fair with ice skating and therapy horses at McGregor Square.
Photo: National Western Stock ShowNational Western Stock Show
National Western Complex · Denver
16 days of rodeos, mutton bustin', petting farms and livestock shows — a Denver January rite of passage for kids.
Photo: Breckenridge, ColoradoInternational Snow Sculpture Championships
Riverwalk Center · Breckenridge
International teams hand-carve giant blocks of snow into a free outdoor gallery in downtown Breckenridge. Go Sunday–Tuesday of viewing week for smaller crowds. Weather can shift the dates.
Photo: Colorado BalletColorado Ballet: Romeo and Juliet
Ellie Caulkins Opera House · Denver
The Colorado premiere of John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet, with Prokofiev's score played live. Sword fights and a tragic ending — best for older kids and teens.
Monster Jam
Ball Arena · Denver
Monster trucks doing jumps, donuts and freestyle runs indoors at Ball Arena. Bring ear protection for little ones.
Photo: Colorado BalletColorado Ballet: The Wizard of Oz
Ellie Caulkins Opera House · Denver
Dorothy's trip down the Yellow Brick Road as a colorful, family-friendly ballet with an original score played live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.
Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade
Starts at 19th & Wynkoop, Downtown Denver · Denver
One of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades west of the Mississippi, held since 1962 — bagpipes, floats and a sea of green through LoDo.
New events are on the way — get the weekly email.
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Featured Activities
Local favorites families keep coming back to
Photo: Denver Zoo Conservation AllianceDenver Zoo
Denver
80 acres in City Park with elephants, big cats, a conservation carousel and the zoo railroad. Home of Zoo Lights every winter.
Photo: dmns.orgDenver Museum of Nature & Science
Denver
Dinosaurs, space, gems and minerals, a planetarium and an IMAX-size theater, all in City Park. A reliable rainy- or snowy-day pick.
Photo: DefaultChildren's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Denver
Hands-on play for little kids: climbing tower, water play, a kid-size grocery, art studio and outdoor Adventure Forest.
Photo: Butterfly PavilionButterfly Pavilion
Westminster
A tropical conservatory with thousands of free-flying butterflies, plus an invertebrate zoo where kids can hold Rosie the tarantula.
Photo: Colorado Railroad MuseumColorado Railroad Museum
Golden
15 acres of historic locomotives and cars, a model railroad, and steam train rides on select weekends. Hosts THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride each holiday season.
Photo: CMZooCheyenne Mountain Zoo
Colorado Springs
America's mountain zoo — famous for hand-feeding giraffes, plus a mountainside setting and the Electric Safari lights each December.
Family Guides
Planned-out ideas for the season
Guide
Colorado Holiday Lights 2026: The Family Guide
Every big light show on the Front Range this season, with dates, ticket tips and which ones work best for little kids.
GuideSnow Day? 12 Indoor Spots That Save the Weekend
Museums, indoor playgrounds and rec centers around the metro for when it's too cold, wet or windy to play outside.
GuideFree Things to Do With Kids in Colorado
Parks, wildlife, libraries, parades and markets that cost nothing — or close to it.
Own a Kids' Business?
Get your camp, studio, or activity in front of Colorado parents. Listings start free.
Weekly Newsletter
Never Miss a Fun Activity
The best kids' activities, camps, festivals, and weekend picks from across Colorado, every week. See this week's digest.