Holiday Events in Denver, Colorado

Denver typically has a lot to offer in the way of entertainment and the arts. The upcoming holiday season is no exception. These are just some of the things you can do in Denver this holiday season.

November 23 is a date you want to mark on your calendar if you like Christmas lights. On this date the annual lighting of Larimer Square takes place. The lighting of the Denver City and County Building will also be lit on this date; the light display is considered one of the largest in the U.S. The Union Station will also be lit on this day.

On November 30 and December 1, check out the 9News Parade of Lights. The parade features floats, characters, giant balloons, marching bands, and of course, sparking lights. This parade goes through downtown Denver and viewing along the route is free.

The Georgetown Christmas Market will take place on December 1 and 2, as well as December 8 and 9. A Santa Lucia parade, homemade foods, crafts, carriage rides, and international shopping markets will keep patrons busy. There will even be the quintessential roasting of chestnuts on an open fire.

The Denver Botanic Gardens will be filled with lights this holiday season. The 17 acres will be officially lit on December 8; guests can also enjoy dancers, carolers and hot drinks.

If you like tuba music, you won't want to miss the 32^nd annual Tuba Christmas. The concert is produced by the College of Arts and Media at University of Colorado at Denver. Tuba Christmas draws an amazing 300 tuba players and is one of the longest-running holiday festivities Colorado has to offer. Tuba Christmas is on December 9 at Skyline Park.

The Jingle Bell Run, also on December 9, is a 5K run/walk through Denver's Washington Park. The event benefits the Arthritis Foundation.

Your inner child will appreciate the Zoo Lights, which runs from December 7 to January 6. The Zoo Lights will feature luminous sculptures, roaming wildlife and Christmas music. The Denver Zoo will also have Christmas lights throughout the premises. Special events, like Wild Ice (ice sculptures), will take place during this time frame.

For New Year's Eve entertainment, check out the annual New Year's Eve Fireworks. From Denver's 16^th Street Mall, you can watch a fireworks display that features several thousand effects. Last year there were shows at 9 p.m. and midnight; a similar arrangement for this year is likely.

Sources:
http://www.downtowndenver.com/Events/NewYearsFireworks.htm
http://www.downtowndenver.com/Events/SkylineParkEvents.htm
http://www.downtowndenver.com/Events/EVParadeOfLights.htm
http://www.denver.org/Media/StaticPressRelease.aspx?id=45&type=5&parent#nov