THURSDAY-FEB. 11
Outdoor ice skating open now at the Downtown Denver Rink, 1601 Arapahoe St., and it’s free. Thanksgiving Day 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Skate rentals $11 and $9 for kids 12 and under. Skate walker rental, $5. winterindenver.com/rink
THURSDAY-DEC. 31
A Christmas gift from one family, the Franktown Festival of Lights covers two private acres with more than 200,000 lights. A 15-year-tradition at 575 N. White Tail Drive. Turn off your lights and view from your vehicles or dress warm and follow the green archways to hike through Frosty’s Forest. Shows, set to music, last 20 minutes, 5-10 p.m. Animated display between shows. As the family says, “We are a private residence sharing our Christmas display with everyone. No tickets/ No Reservations/No Fees required. We only ask you respect our property, neighbors, and community.” christmasshowtimes.com
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
A trio of million-light drive-through holiday light displays: Water World in Federal Heights, Bandimere Speedway in Morrison and the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Aurora, christmasincolor.net. Outside the Denver area, Magic of Lights at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, ppir.com and Canon City, Royal Gorge Bridge of Lights, royalgorgebridge.com
FRIDAY
Opening weekend for the spectacular new light shows at Hudson Gardens, the first running through Dec. 31, to be followed Jan. 1 by Light Up the New Year. Thousands of lights and there are Santa photos. Timed entrances at HudsonGardens.org/holidays. 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton.
FRIDAY-JAN. 1
The breathtaking Trail of Lights opens this weekend, winding through Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road. The main path is through the Green Farm, Crossroads, Deer Creek Discovery Children’s Play Area and the 1880s Hildebrand Ranch homestead. Singing Christmas trees and multiple light tunnels. A shorter path is available as well. Also a holiday market. 5-8:30 p.m. Tickets in advance: $16, $14, Seniors $12, children ages 3-15. botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/trail-lights
FRIDAY-DEC. 24
Park Meadows Holiday Outdoor Market gets underway on weekends in Lone Tree. Gift ideas for shoppers from 45 small businesses, outside the mall entrance. Fridays 2-8 p.m., Saturdays noon-8 p.m., Sundays noon-7 p.m. parkmeadowsholidaymarket.com
FRIDAY-DEC. 31
The lights are sparkling — more than 4 million of them — during Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens. $24.99. A giant Christmas tree, candy cane tunnel, interactive activities such as light-up hopscotch and a huge wall of lights. elitchgardens.com
FRIDAY-DEC. 30
See the Denver Holiday Lights & Sights in holiday bus tours by Discover Denver Tours, 1555 California St. Beautiful light displays and hear about the area’s history and architecture during the 90-minute rides starting in the festive Civic Center area, 6-8 p.m. $39. bustoursdenver.com/holidaylightstour
FRIDAY
The holiday season is welcomed at the annual City of Littleton Candlelight Walk, a parade down the historic Main Street, 2255 W. Berry Ave., 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Entertainment in the streets and a holiday drone show. Free hot chocolate and warm cider. visitlittleton.org/events-and-programs/candlelight-walk
SATURDAY-DEC. 26
Wynkoop Street will be packed with people for the Grand Illumination of Miracle of Union Station. The whole façade of the train station and all its trees will be lighted in spectacular fashion, accompanied by music. 5-10 p.m., Saturday, 1701 Wynkoop St. Area restaurants open. denverunionstation.com/experience/event-calendar.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
The Rocky Mountain Train Show Holiday Edition 2023 is set up in Loveland at The Ranch Events Complex, 451 E. 58th Ave., Saturday and Sunday. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For all ages, it has 12 operating layouts, story time and trains that the kids can operate. An all-scales show. Sixty vendors. Admission $10, children under 12 free, veterans and first responders can use VetTix, rockymountaintrainshow.com
SATURDAY
It’s Small Business Saturday nationwide and the perfect time to visit and support small businesses for shopping, eating out and date nights. Special sales everywhere.
SATURDAY
Olde Town Arvada Annual Tree Lighting is filled with holiday fun starting with everyone marching through Olde Town behind a brass band at 4 p.m. Saturday. All evening there is ice skating, pop-up markets, shopping in decorated businesses, more live music. The grand tree lighting is 6 p.m. oldetownarvada.org
SATURDAY
Up north a bit to Wyoming, it’s the Cheyenne Old West Holiday tradition kicking off Saturday with a 5:30 p.m. parade. More than 100 units including floats, horse-drawn wagons, bands, vintage autos, performers, marching groups and, you betcha, horses. Then, the whole season of Santa’s Saloon, Mrs. Claus’ Cookies, the Holiday Lights Tour on Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley, a Pony Express Stop where riders pick up the mail, Tinsel Through Time at the Governor’s Mansion, and shopping for custom-shaped hats, boots or clothes with fringe. cheyenne.org
SUNDAY
The traditional Farolito Lighting and Pinecone Ceremony at Tesoro Culture Center, The Fort in Morrison, is 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday. Free. Honoring those who have “enlightened the hearts and minds of others” with pinecones thrown into a campfire on the patio “sending thoughts and prayers into the night sky” toward heaven. Christmas carols from the 1800s. Mexican hot chocolate, hot cider and biscochitos. tesoroculturalcenter.org/farolito-lighting-and-pinecone-ceremony
SUNDAY
All these adorably talented pups were rescued from pounds and rescues and they’re yours to enjoy in Stunt Dog Experience for the Holidays, 2 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Parker PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave. It’s an interactive experience. Tickets $39+, parkerarts.org/event/stunt-dog-experience-for-the-holidays
SUNDAY
Love everything percussion? Hear the pros in action in the Colorado Symphony Drums of the World, 2:30-4 p.m., Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver Performing Arts Complex. Just a few of the many: marimba, bongos, Chinese cymbals, metal trash cans, tablespoons, Burma gongs, tambourine, gankogui, and even sleigh bells. Tickets $5-$50 coloradosymphony.org/6684