Psst… Also check out our complete guide for Denver winter holiday events, a month-full December event guide, the Santa Claus city map, and special memorable Colorado experiences this season!
WHAT TO DO WITH KIDS IN DENVER THIS WEEKEND DECEMBER 15 – 17, 2017
OPENING WEEKEND: DENVER PAVILIONS HOLIDAY CAROUSEL
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Pavilions
When: Friday, December 15th, through Sunday, December 17th, 2017
Where: Denver Pavilions, 500 16th St, Denver, CO 80202
Time: 11am – 9pm
Cost: $3; Free with Voucher from Denver Pavilions Merchants
Ages: All Ages
Get into the holiday spirit by taking a ride on Downtown’s first and only Holiday Carousel at Denver Pavilions.
Rekindle some of that childhood magic at Denver Pavilions!
COLORADO SYMPHONY’S: A COLORADO CHRISTMAS
Photograph courtesy of ©Colorado Symphony
When: Friday, December 15th, through Sunday, December 17th, 2017
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
Time: Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 2:30pm & 6pm; Sunday 1pm
Cost: $15 – $89
Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: All Ages
The Colorado Symphony will fill Boettcher Concert Hall with your favorite holiday songs with A Colorado Christmas. This family-friendly evening features traditional Christmas carols with a chance to sing along, and the opportunity to meet both Santa and Mrs. Claus! Plus, they’ll be performing holiday classics including highlights from the popular production of Too Hot to Handel.
COLORADO BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER
“Artists of Colorado Ballet” Photo Credit: ©Terry Shapiro. Photograph courtesy of ©Colorado Ballet
When: Friday, December 15th, through Sunday, December 17th, 2017
Where: Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80204
Time: Friday 7:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 1pm & 6:30pm
Cost: $30 – $120
Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: All Ages
Colorado Ballet‘s 57th annual production of The Nutcracker returns to Denver this holiday season.
The Nutcracker will feature more than 300 costumes, 30 Company dancers, 20 Studio Company dancers, 65 Academy dancers, scenery by José Varona and timeless choreography paired with Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary arrangement performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.
ELF THE MUSICAL
Photograph courtesy of ©ELF The Musical Tour
When: Friday, December 15th, through Sunday, December 17th, 2017
Where: Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202
Time: Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 10am, 3pm & 8pm, Sunday 2pm & 7:30pm
Cost: Starting from $25
View Schedule & Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: Suitable for All Ages; Recommended for Children 8 & Up
ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Photo Credit: ©Adams Visual Communications. Photograph courtesy of ©DCPA Press
When: Friday, December 15th, through Sunday, December 17th, 2017
Where: Stage Theatre, 1101 Speer Blvd, Denver, CO 80204
Time: Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 1:30pm & 7:30pm, Sunday 1:30pm & 6:30pm
Cost: Starting at $35
Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: All Ages
A Christmas Carol, presented by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, is a joyous and opulent musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel.
The story traces money-hoarding skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge’s triumphant overnight journey to redemption. A Christmas Carol illuminates the meaning of the holiday season in a way that has resonated for generations.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Photograph courtesy of ©Lone Tree Arts Center
When: Friday, December 15th, through Sunday, December 17th, 2017
Where: Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Time: Friday 8pm, Saturday 1:30pm & 8pm, Sunday 1:30pm & 7pm
Cost: $35 – $62
Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: All Ages
There’s something for everyone in this family-friendly holiday spectacular: dancers, singers, drummers, holiday songs, and of course, a celebrity appearance from you know who. A completely new show for 2017, Home for the Holidays is sure to delight and put you into the holiday spirit.
SANTA STAMPEDE
Photograph courtesy of ©Colorado Runners Events
When: Saturday, December 16th, 2017
Where: 6115 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
Time: 9am – 12pm
Cost: $30 – $50
Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: All Ages
The Santa Stampede 5K/10K is a flat and fast 5K and 10K held along the banks of the scenic South Platte River. All runners will get a Santa hat with registration, as well as the same top-notch chip timing, a race logo shirt, finisher’s medals, gift certificate awards from Runner’s Roost, and finish line expo with vendors and food.
THE UGLY SWEATER RUN
Photograph courtesy of ©The Ugly Sweater Run
When: Saturday, December 16th, 2017
Where: Downtown Denver, 2000 Market St, Denver, CO 80205
Time: 11am – 3pm
Cost: $45; Free for Children 5 & Under
Register Online
Ages: All Ages
It’s the Merriest 5K of the year! Dive head first into your closet and grab the ugliest sweater you own.
The Ugly Sweater Run presented by Kahlúa, benefitting One Warm Coat combines the festive flair of tacky sweater parties with fitness. Join thousands of other dancers, prancers, and 5K dashers for a jolly good time filled with holiday music, photo stations, and even inflatables.
BACKYARD ON BLAKE’S HOLIDAY SHOPPING WEEKEND
When: Saturday, December 16th, 2017
Where: Backyard on Blake, 3040 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Time: 12pm – 12am
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Knock out your holiday shopping list at the shops at Backyard on Blake. Browse for special holiday gifts at the gorgeous shops around the Backyard, Find ethically sourced and the best of local makers, share hot chocolate & marshmallows over a fire, and take a break with a wonderful dinner & drinks.
TUBACHRISTMAS
Photograph courtesy of ©VISIT DENVER
When: Sunday, December 17th, 2017
Where: Skyline Park, 16th St, Denver, CO 80202
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Tap your toes to your favorite holiday tunes at the annual TubaChristmas concert in Skyline Park. Featuring 300 tuba players from all over the region, TubaChristmas is one of the most celebrated and longest-running holiday festivities in Colorado.
FLIP LIKE A LATKE
Photograph courtesy of ©Jump City
When: Sunday, December 17th, 2017
Where: Jump City, 9979 Wadsworth Pkwy, Westminster, CO 80021
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Cost: $12
Register Online
Ages: All Ages
Chabad of NW Denver is hosting a family-friendly Hanukkah party at Jump City this Sunday! Enjoy a special menorah lighting, donuts and latkes, Hanukkah crafts, dreidels, chocoloate gelt, and more.