Holiday cheer and the smell of Christmas delicacies spread through the National Western Complex during this year’s Denver Christmas Show.

Families shopped together, kids unwrapped a new favorite toy and hundreds prepared their respective holiday wish lists.

However, many kids expect big things from Santa Claus this year.

Maddox Andrews, while selecting Lego figurines from a booth, asked for a mini motorized bike. One girl begged her parents for a new cat. A boy wished for a new 3-D printer to do projects.

Other gifts kids wished for included stuffed animals, Lego sets, video games, barbie dolls, a makeup desk, Denver Broncos game tickets, a trip to Disney World and even a new puppy.

“I just want a nice Christmas with my family and have fun,” Nora, a 9-year-old girl, said after naming her new stuffed tiger “Snowy.”

Between Friday and Sunday, the Denver Christmas Show organized hundreds of vendor booths. Each booth offered Christmas essentials like decorations, holiday apparel, food, toys and jewelry.

One area of the show invited families and children to meet Santa Claus. Some sat in front of an artist for a portrait. Young ones even marveled at giant model trains.

The Denver Christmas Show will move into the new National Western Center building in 2026, according to Show Coordinator Gianna Grisolia.

“My favorite thing is the fact that we get to create memories for the families, business owners and community members,” Grisolia said. “We get to be a part of their traditions and history and that means the world to us all.”