Our ‘What to do with Kids in Denver this Weekend’ article features an extra day this week: Thanksgiving!
Featured are many events from the ‘Denver Winter Holiday Events & Festivals 2016’ guide, as well as some events from the ‘Where to Shop Local in Denver this Small Business Saturday 2016’ guide. Plus many more events that weren’t previously listed…
What to do with Kids in Denver this Thanksgiving Weekend 2016
Thanksgiving Buffet | Downtown Aquarium
Photograph courtesy of ©Downtown Aquarium
When: Thursday, November 24th, 2016
Where: Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: $39.95 Adults; $34.95 Seniors (65+); $19.95 Children (3-10)
For reservations, call: (303) 561-4450
Ages: All Ages
Gobble up on a Thanksgiving Buffet at the Downtown Aquarium in Denver. The buffet will feature traditional Thanksgiving favorites, including carved turkey, cornbread stuffing and house-made cranberry sauce, plus an omelet, pasta, and carving station.
Psst… Thanksgiving Buffet includes 50% off Adventure Exhibit wristbands and validated parking.
Harvesting Hope 5K | Central Park
When: Thursday, November 24th, 2016
Where: Central Park, 8601 E. Martin Luther King, Denver, CO 80238
Time: 10:15am
Cost: $35 online in advance, and $40 day of the race; Free for Children 10 and under
Register at: www.harvestinghope5k.com
Ages: All Ages
Harvesting Hope 5K is the second annual Thanksgiving Day Race for Northeast Denver at Central Park in the Stapleton Neighborhood of Denver. The race will feature a timed 5K Fun Run/Walk and a kid’s fun run, free for children under the age of 10. The race benefits research to fight Prader-Willi Syndrome, the leading cause of life-threatening childhood obesity.
Ice Skating Rink | Denver International Airport
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver International Airport
When: Friday, November 25th through Sunday, January 1st, 2017
Where: Denver International Airport, 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249
Time: 9am – 9pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Enjoy a true Colorado winter experience on ice, complete with carolers and seasonal music, at Denver International Airport.
Psst… Complimentary skates available!
Arvada Handmade Arts & Crafts Thanksgiving Fair
When: Friday, November 25th & Saturday, November 26th, 2016
Where: Arvada High School, 7951 W 65th Ave, Arvada, CO 80004
Time: 9am – 6pm
Cost: $6 Adults; Free for Children 12 and under
Ages: All Ages
The Arvada Handmade Arts & Crafts Thanksgiving Fair will feature over 100 of Colorado’s finest artists, live music, face painting, food and entertainment.
Psst… Show the flyer above at the door to receive $1 off admission!
Grand Illumination of Union Station
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver’s Union Station
When: Friday, November 25th, 2016
Where: Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Come kickoff the 2016 holiday season at the Grand Illumination of Union Station! Enjoy live entertainment on the plaza from carolers, a bell choir, and an improv group. Warm up with some hot chocolate as you watch a live ice sculptor demo. Or, head inside to get a picture with Santa and Dinger before they help flip the switch.
The plaza will be packed with festivities and there is something for all ages.
A Hudson Christmas | Hudson Gardens Event Center
Photograph courtesy of ©Hudson Gardens Event Center
When: Friday, November 25th through Saturday, December 31st, 2016
Where: Hudson Gardens Event Center, 6115 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Cost: $9 Adults; $7 Members & Military; $6 Children (4-12); Free for Children (0-3)
Ages: All Ages
A Hudson Christmas is a premier holiday light show with thousands of twinkling lights in majestic trees, visits with Santa and memories for the whole family. Stroll along a festively decorated outdoor walking path as you sip hot chocolate and experience dazzling displays of color and sound. In addition, Nixon’s Coffee House will be open and selling a variety of hot beverages and snacks to enjoy.
Blossoms of Light | Denver Botanic Gardens
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Botanic Gardens
When: Friday, November 25th through Sunday, January 1st, 2017
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
Time: 5:30pm – 9pm
Cost: $11 – $13 Adults/Seniors (65+)/Military; $8 – $10 Children (3-15); Free for Children (0-2)
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/BlossomsOfLight2016
Ages: All Ages
Denver Botanic Gardens presents the Blossoms of Light, an annual family-friendly event that has become a tradition.
This holiday lights extravaganza features some new elements and includes the grand illuminated O’Fallon Perennial Walk and the Romantic Gardens. Gaze at twinkling lights through the popular HoloSpex glasses and enjoy warm drinks and tasty treats as you stroll this winter wonderland.
Trail of Lights | Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms
When: Friday, November 25th through Sunday, January 1st, 2017
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128
Time: 5:30pm – 9pm
Cost: $9 – $11 Adults/Seniors (65+)/Military; $6 – $8 Children (3-15); Free for Children (0-2)
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/TrailOfLights2016
Ages: All Ages
Come to Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms for the annual Trail of Lights tradition. Witness colorful holiday lights illuminate a winding path through the Colorado countryside, set against a stunning foothills backdrop.
This annual rustic holiday lights extravaganza includes past favorites as well as new lighting elements.
A Christmas Carol | Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Photo Credit: ©Adams Visual Communications. Photograph courtesy of ©DCPA Press
When: Friday, November 25th through Saturday, December 24th, 2016
Where: Stage Theatre, 1101 Speer Blvd, Denver, CO 80204
Time: 1:30pm; 6:30pm; 7:30pm *Date dependent
Cost: Starting at $35
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/AChristmasCarolDCPA
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.
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony | Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Photograph courtesy of ©Cherry Creek Shopping Center
When: Friday, November 25th, 2016
Where: Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 3000 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Join Cherry Creek Shopping Center for their Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Valet Plaza. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with live entertainment, hot cocoa, coffee, hot apple cider, freshly popped kettle corn, free light wands for kids, and a celebration of the holiday season! Plus, Santa will lead the count down to light the stunning 60 foot Christmas tree.
Candlelight Walk & Tree Lighting | Historic Downtown Littleton
When: Friday, November 25th, 2016
Where: Historic Downtown Littleton, W Main Street, Littleton, CO 80120
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Historic Downtown Littleton‘s 33rd annual Candlelight Walk & Tree Lighting will feature the Heritage High School Brass, a Santa’s workshop display, and a holiday float adorned with a glittering ice princess and dancing elves.
The entire event culminates with Santa illuminating more than one million lights in downtown.
Nick Guerra LIVE | Comedy Works South at the Landmark
Photograph courtesy of ©Nick Guerra’s Official Facebook Page
When: Friday, November 25th & Sunday, November 27th, 2016
Where: Comedy Works South at the Landmark, 5345 Landmark Pl, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Time: Nov. 25th 7:15pm; Nov. 27th 11am
Cost: $6 – $20
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/NickGuerraComedyWorks
Ages: All Ages
Nick Guerra will be performing two LIVE family-friendly comedy shows at Comedy Works South at the Landmark this weekend! Nick Guerra is one of the most exciting young Hispanic comedians quickly making an impact in the clubs and on television. He is an audience favorite from NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and won the 2015 NBC’s “Stand Up Showcase”.
Small Business Saturday on Tennyson Street
Photograph courtesy of © Tennyson Berkeley Business Association
When: Saturday, November 26th, 2016
Where: 38th & Tennyson Street, Denver, CO 80212
Time: from 7:30am
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Celebrate Small Business Saturday and festive events on Tennyson Street this Saturday!
Start off your day with a special breakfast with Santa at Midwestern Saloon, then stroll around the shops of Tennyson Street and enjoy great savings with the Jolly Goods’ Tennyson St. Small Business Holiday Passport Crawl, and finally finish off the day with Holiday Festivities & Tree Lighting at Cesar Chavez Park!
Adventures in No-Baking | Denver Public Library
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Public Library
When: Saturday, November 26th, 2016
Where: Denver Public Library, 10 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Visit the Denver Public Library‘s Central Library this Saturday for their Adventures in No-Baking event! Children and adults will measure and mix play dough, decorate paper gingerbread cookies, make chef’s hats and more.
Horseshoe Holiday Market
Photograph courtesy of ©Horseshoe Market
When: Saturday, November 26th & Sunday, November 27th, 2016
Where: 3550 Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80211
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
The Horseshoe Market is celebrating its 7th season with the Horseshoe Holiday Market. Shop for unique gifts this holiday, taste gourmet eats from local food trucks, and enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere.
Meet Mountain Man Doc Grizzly | History Colorado Center
Photograph courtesy of ©History Colorado Center
When: Saturday, November 26th, 2016
Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Time: 10:30am – 2pm
Cost: General Admission
Ages: All Ages
If you’ve ever wondered how things were done in the 1830s, then come meet Mountain Man Doc Grizzly at History Colorado Center, who will share with adults and children alike heroic tales of the Colorado wilderness, and how the mountain men lived!
Small Business Saturday Artisan’s Market | GRACe
When: Saturday, November 26th, 2016
Where: Globeville Riverfront Arts Center, 888 E 50th Ave, Denver, CO 80216
Time: 11am – 5pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Globeville Riverfront Arts Center (GRACe) is hosting a Small Business Saturday Artisan’s Market which will include dozens of local artists, craftspeople and small, independent businesses to one place offering everything from fine art, jewelry, wearable arts, home décor, and skin care products, to artisan foods and handmade holiday decorations.
The Nutcracker | Colorado Ballet
Photo Credit: ©Mike Watson. Photograph courtesy of ©Colorado Ballet
When: Saturday, November 26th through Saturday, December 24th, 2016
Where: Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80204
Time: Varies
Cost: $30 – $120
Check Specific Showtimes & Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/TheNutCrackerColoradoBallet
Ages: All Ages
Colorado Ballet‘s 56th 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.
Small Business Saturday Holiday Pop-Up | Denver HAHO
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver HAHO
When: Saturday, November 26th, 2016
Where: The Denver Bicycle Cafe, 1308 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
Time: 3pm – 8pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Denver Handmade Homemade (HAHO) is hosting a Holiday Pop-Up Market in honor of Small Business Saturday. The market will feature 10 local artisan vendors offering handmade, speciality items for sale, as well as an open bar and giveaways.
LoHi Holiday Lights | Little Man Ice Cream
Photograph courtesy of ©Little Man Ice Cream
When: Saturday, November 26th, 2016
Where: Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th St, Denver, CO 80211
Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Kick off your holidays as Little Man Ice Cream lights their towering Christmas tree and larger-than-life Menorah. Santa will be there for free photos, enjoy live mini horses, caroling, live music with The Music Train, Clydesdale carriage rides, free food, free hot cider and cocoa, and much more.
Twinkle Twinkle Open Gym | Gymboree Play & Music of Denver
Photograph courtesy of ©Gymboree Play & Music of Denver
When: Sunday, November 27th, 2016
Where: Gymboree Play & Music of Denver, 5046 E Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80222
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Cost: Free
Ages: Children ages 5 and under
Visit Gymboree Play & Music of Denver for their Twinkle Twinkle Open Gym event! The play floor is lit up for learning with lights that inspire exploration. Enjoy some seasonal storytelling time, too.