☀️Good morning, Bucket Listers!
The holiday season has officially arrived in Denver, and the city is glowing with festive celebrations! This week’s lineup features everything from immersive Christmas displays to artisan markets and live performances. Step into the season with an open heart and let Denver’s holiday spirit brighten your days!
Seasonal Events
Denver Christmas Show
📍National Western Complex | Friday, November 21-Sunday, November 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
This three-day holiday market transforms the National Western Complex into a festive shopping and entertainment hub. The event includes a Children’s Christmas Market, holiday-themed activities, and a chance to meet Santa Claus! At this event, families can enjoy festive treats while exploring rows of handmade and seasonal items.
49th Central City Opera Annual L’Espirit de Noel Holiday Home Tour
📍Hilltop Neighborhood | Friday, November 21-Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
This beloved tour invites guests inside beautifully decorated homes throughout Denver’s Hilltop neighborhood. Each home showcases unique holiday decor and design curated for the season. The event is a longstanding fundraiser for Central City Opera, celebrating its 49th year.
Light the Lights Celebration
📍Civic Center Park | Friday, November 21, 5-5:15 p.m.
This annual tradition marks the official start of Denver’s holiday season at the City and County Building! During this celebration, Mayor Mike Johnston will flip the switch to illuminate the building for the first time this year. Visitors can return any evening throughout the season to enjoy the building’s nightly light and music show.
Mile High Tree Light & Music Show
📍Tivoli Quad | Friday, November 21-Wednesday, December 31, (every 15 mins from 5-10 p.m.)
The Mile High Tree returns to Tivoli Quad with free nightly light and music shows! Standing at 110 feet tall, the tree is even taller than the largest Rockefeller Center tree ever displayed. The structure features 60,000 LED lights and can fit up to 140 visitors underneath for a fully immersive, unique holiday experience.
Mile High Holidays Nightly Drone Spectacular
📍Tivoli Quad | Friday, November 21-Wednesday, December 31, 7-7:15 p.m.
This nightly drone show is one of Denver’s most festive seasonal highlights! Featuring 600 synchronized drones by Brightflight Drone Shows, the display creates holiday-themed and Denver-specific animations. The best viewing spot is Tivoli Quad, though the show can also be seen from Sculpture Park, Ball Arena, and many downtown rooftops.
Markets & Shopping
Firefly Handmade Holiday Market: Denver
📍Old South Gaylord Street Shops | Saturday, November 22-Sunday, November 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
This artisan-focused holiday market brings handmade goods and small-batch creations to Old South Gaylord Street! Visitors can browse unique gifts, home goods, art, and accessories crafted by local makers. It’s an ideal place to support small businesses during the holiday season.
Sugar Plum Bazaar Annual Holiday Market
📍Aspen Grove | Saturday, November 22-Sunday, November 23 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Held at Aspen Grove, this market brings together curated vendors for a weekend of holiday shopping. Shoppers will find unique handmade items, decor, and seasonal gifts. It’s a great stop for anyone looking to check off their holiday list with local finds!
Boulder Farmers Market
📍Pearl Street Mall | Saturday, November 22, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
The final Boulder Farmers Market of the year brings fresh produce and community charm to Pearl Street Mall! The market features late-season fruits, vegetables, artisan foods, flowers, crafts, and locally made products perfect for holiday gifting. It’s a perfect weekend stop to hit before winter settles in.
Denver Christkindlmarket
📍Tivoli Quad | Friday, November 21-Tuesday, December 23, (times vary)
Denver’s Christkindlmarket brings an authentic German-style holiday village to Tivoli Quad. The market features European and local vendors offering food, crafts, gifts, and festive drinks. This free event is a must-see Denver seasonal tradition!
Help Us Unlock an Additional $2500
It’s #newsconeeds2025! And that means that Bucket List Community News needs your support this holiday season to raise $15,000 to meet our goal. Right now we are rallying to win an extra $2500 and to do it, we need to secure the most individual donations out of all the participating #newsconeeds publications. Don’t wait to contribute because we only have until Nov. 30 to unlock the extra incentive. Even a small $5 donation helps so contribute today!
Arts & Culture
Festo! Festo! Monthly Klezmer, Balkan and World Music Concert
📍JCC Denver | Thursday, November 20, 7-9:30 p.m.
Presented in collaboration with the Mizel Institute’s Annual KlezFest, this monthly concert showcases Klezmer, Balkan, and world music traditions. The event doubles as a community jam session, creating a lively and inclusive musical atmosphere. Attendees can expect upbeat rhythms, cultural fusion, and plenty of dancing energy.
MSU Denver Music Department’s “Senior Presentations in Composition”
📍King Center | Thursday, November 20, 6-8 p.m.
Support local talent at Denver Music Department’s “Senior Presentations in Composition”! This free event highlights original compositions by MSU Denver’s senior music students. Held at King Center, it offers a relaxed and supportive environment for experiencing emerging artists’ work.
The Wheel of Fortune LIVE Show
📍Paramount Theatre | Tuesday, November 18, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Fans of the iconic game show can experience Wheel of Fortune in person at the Paramount Theatre. This live stage event brings the excitement of the TV show directly to the audience. Lucky participants may even get the chance to spin the wheel themselves.
Warren Miller’s Sno-ciety Screening
📍Paramount Theater | Friday, November 21-Saturday, November 22, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
📍Lone Tree Arts Center | Monday, November 24-Tuesday, November 25, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Warren Miller’s newest ski film, Sno-ciety, screens at both the Paramount Theater and Lone Tree Arts Center. These showings continue the beloved tradition of kicking off ski season with breathtaking mountain footage! Attendees can get inspired for the upcoming season while enjoying stunning snow-filled cinematography.
NKollectiv Gallery First Holiday Market
📍NKollectiv Gallery | Tuesday, November 11-Sunday, November 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
NKollectiv Gallery is hosting a holiday market featuring local handmade goods and artwork. The event runs November 11-30, offering plenty of time to visit. It’s a great stop for thoughtful, artistic holiday shopping!
Artists on Santa Fe Gallery 38th Annual Holiday Exhibition Opening Reception
📍Artists on Santa Fe | Friday, November 21, 5-8 p.m.
This long-running exhibition showcases holiday-themed works from Artists on Santa Fe’s community of creators. The opening reception coincides with the Art District’s Third Friday Art Walk, and the exhibition runs through January 12. Don’t miss this festive way to explore Denver’s vibrant art scene!
JCC Denver: One Timers Wheel Class
📍JCC Denver | Friday, November 21, 5:30-7 p.m.
This introductory class invites participants to try pottery in a fun, low-pressure environment. Held at the JCC Denver ceramics studio, attendees can experiment with clay, learn basic techniques, and create a simple piece. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone looking to try something creative!
From family traditions to new adventures, these events invite you to slow down and enjoy the magic that only this season brings. We hope this guide helps you discover something special and create moments that feel festive and memorable. Bundle up, get out there, and let the holiday cheer lead the way! And don’t forget to contribute to our #newsconeeds fundraiser before the end of this month to help us unlock an additional $2500 from Colorado Media Project.
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Natalie Montoya
Events Manager/ Bucket List Community News
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