The cast of A Christmas Carol. Photo by Jamie Kraus Photography.

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of A Christmas Carol at the Denver Center! While this is an exciting milestone and a favorite local tradition, we want to take this opportunity to bring awareness to many other events that happen during this time of year too.

Consider adding one of these shows or events to your calendar:

The Nutcracker
Nov 30-Dec 29 • Ellie Caulkins Opera House

The Colorado Ballet presents a classic version of The Nutcracker every year during the holiday season with those beautiful sugar plum fairies, the Mouse King and his soldiers, and dolls come to life. You can get tickets from just after Thanksgiving right up until almost New Year’s Eve to see this production.

Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum
Dec 7-21 • Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre

The Nutcracker, Colorado Ballet

A perhaps lesser-known tradition is the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance production of Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum in which three angels guide Granny on her visit to Africa, the Americas, Mexico, Asia, and the Caribbean to rejoice in the holiday spirit. The company is in its third decade of presenting this show, and it’s important to note that there are only 10 performances of this show during in December.

Holiday Tea
Nov 11-Jan 24 • 321 17^th St., Denver

The Brown Palace Hotel hosts the annual Holiday Tea in its stunning lobby from mid-November through mid-January. This might be the hardest reservation to get in the Mile High City! The historic hotel is all dolled up for the holidays and live music is performed during the teas.

Blossoms of Light & Trail of Lights
Blossoms of Light: Nov 20-Jan 12 • 1007 York St., Denver
Trail of Lights: Nov 29-Jan 5 • 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton

Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin.

It’s also an option go outside to partake in some festive fun. The Denver Botanic Gardens has been offering visitors Blossoms of Light at its original York Street location for many years. No matter the temperature, it’s always a thrill to walk around and see the creative ways the Gardens has created light sculptures and decorated the plants. A slightly newer tradition is the Trail of Lights at the Gardens’ Chatfield Farms location in Littleton.

9News Parade of Lights
Dec 7 at 6pm

The 9News Parade of Lights through downtown Denver has been drawing huge crowds for 50 years! For a lot of paradegoers the appeal is more than lights with local celebrities riding over-the-top floats, over 40 enormous balloons, and even Santa Claus himself. Part of attending the parade might include seeing another holiday tradition—the lights of the Denver City and County Building all lit up where the parade starts and VIP seats can be found on bleachers.

Zoo Lights
Nov 23-Jan 5, 2300 Steele St., Denver

Denver Zoo, Zoo Lights

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance also draws a big audience for its annual Zoo Lights with the whole place lit up for a nighttime experience of seeing lights in the shape of your favorite animals. Bring your camera for family photos and selfies as the whole place seems to be set up for your next Instagram post! There is a special sensory-friendly night and a couples only night (sorry, kids!).

Olde Golden Holidays 2024
Dec 6, 14 & 21, 1010 Washington Ave., Golden

In Golden, locals cherish the Olde Golden Holidays along the city’s Washington Avenue when it is dressed up in twinkling lights for the occasion. The first night (Fri., Dec. 6, 2024) involves carrying a candle and strolling the avenue while singing Christmas carols; the second night (Sat., Dec. 14, 2024) is a holiday parade with floats, carolers, horses, and more; the third night (Sat., Dec. 21, 2024), known as Jingle on the Avenue, starts during the day and allows families to mingle with their favorite holiday characters.

Make the most of your holiday season by starting a new tradition if you haven’t made it to one of these yet.