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. 31
The spectacular Bridge of Lights Holiday Drive-Thru across the Royal Gorge Bridge, 956 feet over the Arkansas River, and in the park in Cañon City begins Friday. A rare opportunity to cross the suspension bridge in personal vehicles, check restrictions. $40 per car online tickets, $45 at the gate. royalgorgebridge.com/bridge-of-lights.
FRIDAY
Before the Thanksgiving feast, some exercise at the 20-year Turkey Rock Trot in Castle Rock. A 5K Family Fun Run/Walk, Stroll and free 1K Kid’s Dash and indoor expo benefits Help & Hope Center, providing help to people in Douglas and Elbert counties. Trot time at 7:30 a.m., Douglas County Event Center, 500 Fairgrounds Drive. Registration: runtochangelives.org/turkeyrocktrot.
FRIDAY
Joining the colorful downtown Denver light displays Friday is the Grand Illumination of the 40-foot-tall Christmas tree on the patio of Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., 6:10 p.m. Music, beverages and activities in the Grand Hall start at noon. denverunionstation.com.
THURSDAY-JANUARY
More drive-through holiday lights. Magic of Lights, Pikes Peak International Raceway, 16650 Midway Ranch Road, Fountain. Fill the car for one price. magicoflights.com. Christmas In Color at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora, and Water World, 8801 N. Pecos St., Federal Heights, tinyurl.com/54w8y7et. NoCo Winter Wonderland, Fort Collins, a mile-long drive-thru with wildlife-themed light sculptures.nocowinterwonderland.com Old Town Fort Collins, 22 blocks, is lined with lights, too.
FRIDAY
In Parker, the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting has a “Silent Night” sing-along, the lighting of the town tree on Mainstreet and in the park, entertainment and food vendors. Friday, 5:30 to 7 p.m. in O’Brien Park, parkerco.gov/events. On Saturday, “Santa’s Circus” at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at The Schoolhouse on Mainstreet, $69+, parkerarts.org. Then Tuesday to Dec. 13 the all-city Parker Holiday Home Decorating Contest. A virtual map to all homes.
FRIDAY-JAN.12
Hudson Gardens continues its breathtaking ways with Hudson Holidays starting Friday, 5-8:30 p.m., 6225 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Walk through the twinkling gardens and a lighted maze with the large themed exhibits. Visit Santa’s Workshop and Candyland. Pancakes with Santa Saturday. Check the schedule for holiday theme nights and special events, too. Tickets $20, $15 for ages 3-12. hudsongardens.org/enjoy/holidays.
FRIDAY
Take a boat ride through the lights or watch from shore with Santa during the Pueblo Riverwalk’s 23rd annual Holiday Lighting Extravaganza, Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Food and hot drinks vendors. And the exciting conclusion, a fireworks show over Lake Elizabeth. puebloriverwalk.org/events/annual-holiday-lighting-extravaganza
FRIDAY-DECEMBER
Magical lights in Salida and Buena Vista over the holidays. First a Parade of Lights Friday in Salida followed by the lighting of the amazing 750-foot Christmas Mountain “tree” on the mountain and then fireworks. Buena Vista’s Christmas Festival follows on Dec. 6–8 with a Parade of Lights, polar plunge, chocolate walk, and a light show. colorfulcolorado.com/christmas
FRIDAY-JAN. 26
Grab your ice skates and head downtown. Skating at McGregor Square has a grand opening and tree lighting Friday, 6-8:30 p.m. Performances on ice at 7:30 p.m., open skating at 8, 1901 Wazee St. For schedules, rental and ticket info: mcgregorsquare.com/events. Downtown Denver Rink is outdoors among those big-city buildings at 16th and Arapahoe. Free if you have skates, rentals available. winterindenver.com/rink
SATURDAY
The Bavarian-style pop-up market is underway on the Olde Town Square in Arvada and this Small Business Saturday is the time to add the Olde Town Arvada Tree Lighting, 2-8 p.m. A march through the streets, led by a brass band starts at 5 p.m. and goes to the square for the tree lighting at 6 p.m. oldetownarvada.org
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