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.

SATURDAY

After Black Friday opens the holiday shopping season, a perfect time to support some, and many, of the almost 750,000 independent businesses in Colorado during the national Small Business Saturday. A time for unique. Sales, holiday gifts, art, boutiques, food and so many other offerings. In some areas, watch for special deals on parking.

THURSDAY

Lots of Turkey Trot runs and walks early before it’s turkey-eating time Thursday. Denver’s Mile High United Way Turkey Trot is a 52-year tradition. 9 a.m. in Washington Park, it supports the work of United Way. And how about this:  this turkey trot is a qualifier race for BOLDERBoulder. unitedwaydenver.org/turkey-trot. Further south, the Briargate YMCA Kids’ Tiny Trot and Turkey Trot is 8:15 a.m. and a benefit for the Pikes Peak YMCA programs. Registration: ppymca.org/raceseries. Turkey Rock Trot to benefit Help & Hope Center is 7:30 a.m., at the fairgrounds in Castle Rock,  runtochangelives.org/turkeyrocktrot. There’s a Turkey Day 5K in Frisco too.  townoffrisco.com/event/athletic-events/turkey-day-5k. 

FRIDAY

Hike through the awesome decorated gardens, the lighted maze and delight to the large scene areas during Hudson Gardens’ holiday spectacular opening Friday and running on a variety of dates through Jan. 4. Timed and dated tickets $20, $18 for seniors, $15 ages 3-12. Also, any-day tickets. Theme nights with costumes, sensory-sensitive nights, holiday characters, fire dancers and more. Sleigh-ride nights Dec. 4 and 14. hudsongardens.org/holidays

FRIDAY

A glittering night awaits Friday for Littleton’s Candlelight Walk downtown at 5:30 p.m. before the 6:30 p.m. lighted parade and a drone show. visitlittleton.org

SATURDAY

More of the holiday activities are Saturday’s Olde Town Arvada Tree Lighting, 2-8 p.m., starting with shopping at a pop-up makers’ market and Skating in the Square. Then, at 5 p.m., a march through the downtown streets led by Guerrilla Fanfare and the tree lighting at 6. Music follows by BFlatirons. oldetownarvada.org/event-details/olde-town-arvada-tree-lighting-1. Fine art and a pottery show at Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Cheer the Grand Illumination and a twinkling downtown as 7,000 lights are turned on, covering the 40-foot Union Station tree at 6:10 p.m. Friday. Santa and other activities from 4 to 8 p.m., 1701 Wynkoop St. The next day Go Dashing Through LoDo for fun and Small Business Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. denverunionstation.com. 

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Takes your breath away. And that describes how you’ll feel traversing America’s Highest Suspension Bridge, high above the Arkansas River, through twinkling holiday lights, during the Royal Gorge Bridge of Lights. 5-8 p.m. weekends until Dec. 21. Take time for Santa, hot cocoa, cookie decorating and so many photos. royalgorgebridge.com

FRIDAY

Holiday parades are on the menu statewide for the next couple of weekends, and it’s the Catch the Glow Parade Friday in sparkling Estes Park. It’s “whimsical” they promise and you can see what the townsfolk have created at 5:30 p.m., downtown. visitestespark.com/events-calendar/holidays/holiday-parade.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

A railroader’s treat, the Holiday Rocky Mountain Train Show, open at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland. More than 10-15 layouts, vendors and more. rockymountaintrainshow.com

SATURDAY

A Drag Queen Christmas is in its 11th holiday tour, coming to Buell Theatre on Saturday with stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race and All Stars. Host Nina West. For ages 18+. dragfans.com/dqc-tour-2025

SUNDAY
The nostalgic sounds of handbells playing beloved Christmas songs are a special holiday offering, “On a Winter’s Night,” by the Pikes Peak Ringers at 3 p.m. Sunday, Denver’s Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 N. Sherman St. This follows a performance at 7 p.m. Saturday in Colorado Springs, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 7500 Tudor Road. Freewill offerings. pikespeakringers.com

FRIDAY

An iconic Colorado tradition begins this weekend with the lighting of the Salida Christmas Tree covering the side of the mountain, 750-feet tall. Amazing for holiday photos. Friday kicks off with the Salida Parade of Lights downtown at 6 p.m., leading to the tree lighting on Tenderfoot Mountain. colorfulcolorado.com

FRIDAY

The annual downtown skating rink is off the holiday schedule this year because of construction but on Friday McGregor Square has its Skate Grand Opening & Tree Lighting. Ice skating performances at 5:30 p.m., the tree lighting at 6 p.m. and open ice skating follows. 1901 Wazee St. mcgregorsquare.com/event/mcgregor-skate-grand-opening.

FRIDAY AND JAN. 1

Take a Holiday Nature Walk at 9:30 a.m. in South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive, Littleton. Registration $10. tinyurl.com/h3ewaxhv.