This weekend kicks off many holiday events, shows, festivals and more!
Psst… Don’t forget to check out our ‘46 Holiday Events to Attend in Denver this Winter‘ guide, as well as our ‘30 Things to do in Denver this November 2017‘ guide, for more upcoming events!
WHAT TO DO WITH KIDS IN DENVER THIS WEEKEND NOVEMBER 17 – 19, 2017
HOLIDAY FOOD & GIFT FESTIVAL
Photograph courtesy of ©Holiday Food & Gift Festival
When: Friday, November 17th, through Sunday, November 19th, 2017
Where: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St, Denver, CO 80216
Time: Friday & Saturday 10am – 7pm; Sunday 10am – 5pm
Cost: $12 – $14; Free for Children 12 & Under
Purchase Tickets at the Door
Ages: All Ages
The 31st Annual Holiday Food & Gift Festival returns to Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. This festival is the largest holiday celebration in the west drawing many shoppers annually who happily complete their holiday shopping early.
Over 400 exhibitors will provide shoppers with one-of-a-kind gifts including art, crafts, jewelry, clothing, wood, music, photography, toys, Christmas décor, and more. There will also be a large gourmet food area where you can sample and purchase a wide range of food items including toffee, tea, chocolates, pasta, soups, dips, meats, coffee, jams, shortbread, chili, sauces and many more delights.
Santa Claus makes an early appearance at the festival and is available each day for kids of all ages.
DENVER CHRISTKINDL MARKET OPENING WEEKEND
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Christkindl Market
When: Friday, November 17th, through Sunday, November 19th, 2017
Where: Skyline Park, 16th St Mall, Denver CO 80202
Time: Friday & Saturday 11am – 9pm; Sunday 11am – 7pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Denver Christkindl Market transforms Skyline Park into a magical “old world” European Christmas village, with wooden vendor huts, twinkling lights, festival music, and an authentic German Bier Hall.
Patrons will be transported to an authentic holiday market like the ones found in German public squares, to shop from thirty featured gift and craft artisans, bakers and chefs, many of whom have come to Denver from around the world.
HOLIDAY PJ NIGHT WITH SANTA AT PARK MEADOWS
Photograph courtesy of ©Park Meadows
When: Friday, November 17th, 2017
Where: Park Meadows, 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Cost: Free
It’s a Holiday PJ Night with Santa at Park Meadows! Dress up the whole family in their favorite festive PJs and take an unforgettable photo with Santa. Whether it’s silly or sweet, it will be the perfect picture to share with all your family and friends.
THE STREETS AT SOUTHGLENN’S HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING & SANTA’S ARRIVAL
Photograph courtesy of ©The Streets at SouthGlenn
When: Friday, November 17th, 2017
Where: Commons Park at The Streets at SouthGlenn, 200 E Commons Ave, Centennial, CO 80122
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
The Streets at SouthGlenn will host its annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Santa’s Arrival at Commons Park. The event will feature a festive and fun kick-off to the Holiday season.
Santa Claus will board a holiday-themed Clydesdale Carriage and will follow toy soldier drummers and Rockette-style dancers to make a grand entrance into Commons Park. Santa will light up thousands of lights on the tree and surrounding areas, including The Cube Ice Rink.
US National level skaters from Shipstad Entertainment will be performing in a skating exhibition for the opening of The Cube ice rink, as well as more entertainment and activities for the entire family.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR® DREAMCOAT
Photograph courtesy of ©Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
When: Friday, November 17th, through Sunday, November 19th, 2017
Where: Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003
Time: Friday & Sunday 7:30pm; Saturday 2pm
Cost: $53 – $77
Purchase Tickets Online
The best-selling holiday musical for many years returns to the Arvada Center stage this winter! Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat.
It’s an irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and a coat of many colors. One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph blends pop, country, and rock into an uplifting story of biblical proportions!
SEUSSICAL
Photograph courtesy of ©TCHA
When: Friday, November 17th, through Sunday, November 19th, 2017
Where: Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W Main St, Littleton, CO 80120
Time: Friday & Saturday 7:30pm & Sunday 2pm
Cost: Starting from $29
Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: All Ages
Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza fit for the whole family. Join the Town Hall Arts Center this holiday season for one of the most performed musicals in America.
SANTA’S BIG DAY AT THE OUTLETS AT CASTLE ROCK
Photograph courtesy of ©Outlets at Castle Rock
When: Saturday, November 18th, 2017
Where: Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd #437, Castle Rock, CO 80108
Time: 8:30am
Cost: $5
Ages: All Ages
Celebrate the arrival of Jolly Old St. Nick, Outlets at Castle Rock will be hosting a special family-friendly celebration: Santa’s Big Day. They will serve a pancake breakfast, a scavenger hunt around the mall, entertainment, and other fun activities throughout the morning!
HOLIDAY SUGAR PLUM BAZAAR
When: Saturday, November 18th & Sunday, November 19th, 2017
Where: Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E Academy Blvd #1, Denver, CO 80230
Time: 10am – 5pm
Cost: Free – $1 Suggested Charitable Donation to Big Dogs Huge Paws
Register Online
The Holiday Sugar Plum Bazaar will feature over 130 vendors selling unique their wonderful wares perfect for holiday gift giving!! Get all your shopping done before thanksgiving so you can enjoy the holidays with ease
MUTTS AT THE MUSEUM
Photo Credit: ©Masha Photography; Photograph courtesy of ©Fire Dogs Rescue Calendar
When: Saturday, November 18th, 2017
Where: Denver Firefighters Museum, 1326 Tremont Pl, Denver, CO 80204
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Cost: Museum Admission
Ages: All Ages
Enjoy a day of doggie fun at the Denver Firefighters Museum. Cuddle with puppies from Lifeline Puppy Rescue, get your 2018 Fire Rescue Dogs Calendar signed by firefighters, enjoy Museum tours, food trucks, and fun activities for the kids!
Psst… Proceeds benefit the puppies at Lifeline Puppy Rescue, a 501(c)3 non-profit who rescues over 1,600 puppies a year!
PRINCESS STARLA’S DRESS UP DAY
Photograph courtesy of ©Second Star to the Right Children’s Books
When: Saturday, November 18th, 2017
Where: Second Star to the Right Children’s Books, 4353 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
Time: 12pm – 1:30pm
Cost: $10
Purchase Tickets at: (303) 455-1527
Have you always wanted to transform into a royal prince or princess? Now is your chance! Join Second Star to the Right Children’s Books‘ own Princess Starla in this imaginative afternoon of dress-up and fun!
CASTLE ROCK STARLIGHTING
When: Saturday, November 18th, 2017
Where: Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Time: 2pm – 7pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
This year’s Castle Rock Starlighting celebration will include: hot chocolate, non profit booths, strolling entertainers, live entertainment and of course Santa will be present for photos and visits. Don’t forget to enjoy the Rink at the Rock, an outdoor ice skating rink in downtown Castle Rock as well. .
CENTENNIAL’S HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Photograph courtesy of ©City of Centennial
When: Saturday, November 18th, 2017
Where: Centennial Center Park, 13050 E Peakview Ave, Centennial, CO 80111
Time: 3pm – 5:30pm
Cost: Free
City of Centennial is hosting its 6th annual Centennial Holiday Celebration at in the Amphitheater at Centennial Center Park. Bundle up, bring your friends and family, and enjoy performances by local school choirs, hot cocoa, hot cider, cookies, and top the evening off with a visit from Santa and the lighting of their spectacular tree.
Psst… Please consider bringing gently worn or new coats to donate to Coats For Colorado and/or a pair or package of new socks for donation to homeless shelters.
CHERRY CREEK SHOPPING CENTER’S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING
Photograph courtesy of ©Cherry Creek Shopping Center
When: Saturday, November 18th, 2017
Where: Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 3000 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Join Cherry Creek Shopping Center for their Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Valet Plaza. Kickoff the season with Denise Plante from KOSI 101.1, enjoy a festive evening with holiday entertainment, live music, complimentary hot chocolate, kettle corn, cotton candy, and roasted nuts. Then, gather inside for an after-party and more festivities!
SOUTHLANDS HOLIDAY HOMETOWN PARADE & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Photograph courtesy of ©Southlands
When: Saturday, November 18th, 2017
Where: Southlands Shopping Center, 6155 S Main St #260, Aurora, CO 80016
Time: 6pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Southlands Shopping Center is hosting its annual Holiday Hometown Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, with special guests, including one Mr. Claus.
THE BROWN PALACE CHAMPAGNE CASCADE
Photograph courtesy of ©The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa
When: Sunday, November 19th, 2017
Where: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, 321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202
Time: 12pm
Cost: Free
Kick off the holiday season in style at The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa‘s 30th Annual Champagne Cascade.
The event will feature a master swordsman using a Napoleonic saber to sever the bottlenecks of Moet & Chandon Champagne bottles. The Champagne is then poured into the uppermost glass of a two-story high, 6,000+ glass pyramid. As the champagne overflows the top glass, it cascades into the glasses below, creating a dazzling display as the bubbly liquid flows.