Seeing a show during the holidays can be an opportunity to embrace traditions and get in the mood for the season. Make your matinee or evening show even more memorable with a meal at a local hotel’s restaurant too.

The lobbies of Denver’s downtown hotels are decked out for the season, and their on-site restaurants and bars are full of festive spirit.

Photo courtesy of EDGE Restaurant

EDGE  |  Four Seasons Hotel Denver

1111 14^th St., Denver

The EDGE restaurant is on the ground floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Denver, about a block from the theaters. If you’re seeing a show on New Year’s Eve and want to splurge, consider their prix-fixe menu only available on this night. The cost is $285 and includes six courses.

The Four Seasons holiday décor includes a sleigh filled with donated gifts for the Denver Santa Claus Shop.

Photo courtesy of range

range  |  Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center Hotel

918 17^th St., Denver

The range restaurant in the Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center Hotel has a gorgeously bedecked Christmas tree in the center of the lobby, where you can lounge for drinks before or after the show.

The Brown Palace Hotel. Photo by Adam Larkey Photography

Multiple restaurants  |  Brown Palace Hotel

321 17^th St., Denver

While a reservation for afternoon tea during the holidays is harder to get than front row theater seats, the Brown Palace Hotel has other dining options that include a walk through the stunning lobby. Consider breakfast with Santa at Ellyngton’s throughout December on Saturdays, get a tasty pub meal in Ship Tavern or go all out at the upscale Palace Arms for dinner.

You can gawk at the enormous crystal chandelier that hangs from the seven-story atrium of this triangular-shaped building as you take in the grand holiday decorations in the hotel lobby.

Photo courtesy of The Crawford Hotel

Multiple restaurants  |  The Crawford Hotel

1701 Wynkoop St., Denver

The Crawford Hotel in Union Station is more than a hotel, with holiday displays worthy of your Christmas card photo backdrop both inside the Great Hall and outside along Wynkoop St. There is a selection of restaurants here for every budget and taste: drinks and small bites at Cooper Lounge overlooking the Great Hall, seafood at Stoic & Genuine, tapas and cocktails at Ultreia, and other options depending on the time of day.

This year you can try the Miracle at Union Station, described as a “whimsical pop up bar” that has integrated some element of every Christmas celebration you can think of in its décor along with seasonal grown-up drinks.

Photo courtesy of The Oxford Hotel

Multiple restaurants  |  Oxford Hotel

Practically across the street from Union Station is the historic Oxford Hotel where there is always an old-fashioned window display for the holidays on the 17^th St. side next to the hotel’s main entrance. If you’re hungry, Urban Farmer is where you can get a bite, but don’t miss the Cruise Room for a cocktail. The lobby makes you feel as if you’ve come home for the holidays with stockings hung from the mantle where a cozy fire might be burning.

No matter where you choose to go, call ahead to verify hours and make a reservation as some places may close for private events.