Each Thursday, explore Denver’s essential weekend events curated by The Denver Gazette. Dive into cultural experiences and entertainment delights across the city. Whether you enjoy art galleries, pottery, or outdoor sports, there’s something for everyone in Denver’s vibrant cultural scene. To submit an event for consideration, email listings@gazette.com.

FRIDAY-DEC. 23

For 25 years this has been a can’t-miss part of the Colorado holiday season. And this year Denver Christkindlmarket spreads out at a new location, Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus starting Friday.  Visit the classic German-theme holiday market filled with thousands of lights and vendors and holiday treats in iconic wooden huts. German music and dancing. The lights-set-to-music Mile High Tree will be part of the new site as well as an antique Herschell Carousel with hand-carved horses, $5 a ride. Also new, a glassblowing ornament workshop. christkindlmarketdenver.com

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

The spirit of the season visiting five professionally decorated homes by local florists and designers in Denver’s historic Hilltop Neighborhood is a treat.  L’Espirit de Noël Holiday Home Tour, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, is a benefit for Central City Opera Guild. Self-guided tour, $40-$50. Tickets: centralcityopera.org

FRIDAY-JAN. 11

Take a picturesque evening hike through the countryside along a Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms, 8500 S. Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton. Follow the path from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Tickets: $10-$20, free for ages 2 and younger, at botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/trail-lights.  

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Shopping and holiday ideas aplenty in the weekend Denver Christmas Show at National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. A special appearance Friday by Tyler Hynes, whose name you might not recognize but if you watch those romantic Hallmark movies you’ll know.  Vendors, demonstrations, a Tinsel town Trail for railroaders, things to buy and things to make. Opens 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. Sunday. Tickets $16 online, $17 at the door, free for ages 13 and younger:  denverchristmasshow.mpetickets.com. 

FRIDAY-JANUARY

A weekend of amazing light displays starting with the gardens alight at the memorable 40th anniversary Blossoms of Light, 4:30-9 p.m., except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, $18-$33. For tickets: botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/blossoms-light. Starting Monday, it’s time for Zoo Lights all through the Denver Zoo until Jan. 4. Sensory-Friendly Night on New Year’s Eve. Zoo Lights Ticket Bundle adds hot cocoa and rides on Conservation Carousel or the Zoo Railroad. denverzoo.org/events/zoo-lights. 

THURSDAY-JAN. 4

Magical Winter Nights turns whole areas of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science into glittering immersive winter worlds. Wildlife in the savannah, indoor skating, an evergreen forest, Northern Lights indoors, a dance party, holiday shopping and hot cocoa. Tickets $19.95-$24.95,  dmns.org/exhibitions/temporary-exhibitions/magical

SATURDAY

Estes Park is transformed into an elk-filled Christmas Village starting Saturday through the holidays. A light show in Bond Park is a music-synced attraction. During the Snowman Scavenger Hunt, visit businesses and stroll the town for hidden snowmen and claim a holiday ornament. At night, a self-guided tour of decorated neighborhoods and storefronts. visitestespark.com/events-calendar/holidays 

FRIDAY

America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th share the focus of an important new exhibition, Moments That Made US, at the History Colorado Center, opening Friday. An excellent opportunity to study educational artifacts from more than 50 pivotal moments in the history of both the country and the state. Combining items from History Colorado’s archival collections and those from museums and institutions throughout the country. On display through October 2026, 1200 Broadway. historycolorado.org

FRIDAY-DEC. 31

Drone shows light up the skies above downtown Denver Friday through New Year’s Eve. See giant holiday animations starting at 7 p.m. each evening. visitdenver.com/milehighholidays/drone-shows.  

FRIDAY-JAN. 3

Nights of lights, a holiday delight, begin Friday at the sparkling drive-through Magic of Lights, Pikes Peak International Raceway, 16650 Midway Ranch Road, Fountain. A fill-the-car family time through Jan. 3. Special features to see: a Holiday Barbie display, Big Foot Monster Truck and a dinosaur’s Prehistoric Christmas. 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Tickets: tinyurl.com/2p5dvduu. Drive-through lights in the Denver area at Water World and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. christmasincolor.net