This Week in Colorado
Everything on our calendar for the next seven days — updated automatically every day.
Next 7 Days
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.
A quiet week on our calendar — browse year-round activities instead.
Plan Ahead
Popular events that sell out — book early.
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: 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: 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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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