Although the 12 days of Christmas are technically between Christmas (Dec. 25) and Epiphany (Jan. 6), Denver gets an early start on celebrating. Enjoy the top 12 Christmas activities in the Mile High City as a reason to celebrate the season.
The annual holiday light parade meanders through downtown's streets with floats lit up for the holiday season. The parade will be held on two days this year: Fri. Dec. 4, 2009 at 8 p.m. and Sat. Dec. 5, 2009 at 6 p.m. Free admission along the parade route. Limited grandstand seating is available for $17 for adults and $13 for children.
Clara's magical gift of a nutcracker opens up a new world of sugarplum fairies and other delights. The Christmas classic from Tchaikovsky is showing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House with matinee and evening performances from Nov. 28 – Dec 27, 2009. Tickets range from $19 - $149.
The Denver Zoo brings a menagerie of animals to life with holiday lights, while the real animals stay inside where it's cozy. Zoo Lights is open from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. every day from Dec. 11, 2009 – Jan. 3, 2010. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children. Zoo members receive a $2 discount on tickets.
Delicate finger sandwiches, scones and miniature pastries accompany your choice of gourmet tea served in a silver pitcher. Denver's oldest hotel opens its grand atrium for high tea during the afternoons. Make reservations now as times fill up fast!
In December, the cobblestone streets of Golden come alive with Santa on a unicycle, Victorian carolers, and more. The parade wends its way along Washington St. at 11 a.m every Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Free horse-drawn carriage rides are also offered. Free admission and free parking.
A reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by candlelight sets the stage for an old-fashioned Christmas at the Molly Brown house. The candlelight tour and reading takes place on Fri. Dec. 11, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sat. Dec. 12, 2009 at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults and $13 for children.
Charles Dickens' heartwarming tale is set to music at the Stage Theatre. Scrooge receives visitors from Christmas past, present and future in matinee and evening performances from Dec. 3, 2009 - Dec. 26, 2009. Tickets range from $18 - $63. Discounted preview tickets are available from Nov. 27, 2009 - Dec. 2, 2009.
Whether you've been naughty or nice, Santa wants to hear about it at Larimer Square in downtown Denver. Jolly Old St. Nick will be holding court beginning Fri. Nov. 27, 2009 from from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. From then on, he'll be visiting the square Sat. from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sun. from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. every weekend until Christmas Eve. Free admission, and no charge for photos with a personal camera.
The Colorado Symphony Orchestra presents a gospel version of Handel's Messiah in performances of "Too Hot to Handel" on Fri. Dec. 18 and Sat. Dec. 19, 2009. Tickets are $15 - %75 for the concerts at the Boettcher Concert Hall.. Make sure to buy tickets early as the performances usually sell out.
Ice skate in the great outdoors on the frozen lake located about 20 min. from Denver. Weather permitting, the 40-acre Evergreen lake opens in December for ice skating. Call 303-512-9300 to check if the lake is frozen enough for skating.
The Blossoms of Light returns to the Denver Botanic Gardens on York St. this year from Dec. 4, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010. The Blossoms of Light is open from 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. nightly. The Trail of Lights will also transform the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield from 5 - 8:30 p.m. on Wed. - Sun. during the same time period. Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for children at both venues, but each event requires separate admission.
A Victorian Christmas awaits in the historic mountain town west of Denver. During the weekends of Dec. 5 - 6, 2009 and Dec. 12 – 13, 2009, Georgetown's 6th St. transforms into a Christmas vision from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.. Free admission.
