Bored on a budget? You’ve come to the right place! Mile High On The Cheap is the answer for Coloradans wanting to live large for less. Luckily, Denver has much to do and see for frugal families, bargain hunters, savvy seniors and anyone who’s limited on funds — festivals, concerts, movies, workshops, tours, sporting events and more. And, for weekend planners, we’ve done all the work for you… [Read more…] about 99 Free & Cheap Things To Do in Denver This Weekend
Things To Do
Most Spectacular Christmas Light Displays in the Denver Area – Updated: 140+ Displays!
Driving or strolling through a fairyland of outdoor light displays is a holiday treat that costs no more than gasoline or shoe leather. And there’s no place prettier than Denver/Boulder, especially when the snowy backdrop is the real deal. Here’s a list of the best Christmas lights in the area for the 2025 season. Our list includes professional and municipal displays and private homes.
We’ve put together a Google map for the home lights to make it easier to plot your visits. To see the map, just scroll down past the pictures of the lights.
We’re updating continuously, so send your suggestion for amazing displays to Laura@milehighonthecheap.com (please include the name of the display — if you know it, address and a photo): [Read more…] about Most Spectacular Christmas Light Displays in the Denver Area – Updated: 140+ Displays!
Watch New Year’s Eve Drone Show Over Parker

Get an early start to saying goodbye to 2025 and welcome in 2026 with a 10-minute lighted drone show guaranteed to light up the skies over Parker. The display will take place at 6 p.m. at Echo Park Stadium (11901 Newlin Gulch Blvd. in Parker) on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Approximately 400 drones will create displays in the sky that will be best viewed from the stadium’s parking lot or bleachers.
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Savor The Holidays at Denver’s German-Style Christkindl Market. New Location This Year
In the cities Germany, Austria and the German-speaking part of Switzerland, vendors set up stalls in the plaza around the cathedral to sell charming gift items and all manner of holiday goodies. Denver’s 2025 Christkindl Market moves to its new home at Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus from Friday, November 21 through Tuesday, December 23, 2025. [Read more…] about Savor The Holidays at Denver’s German-Style Christkindl Market. New Location This Year
New Year’s Eve Fun Designed Especially For The Kids!
Sure there will be fireworks across the metro area on New Year’s Eve, and grown-ups can stay up late counting down to midnight, but families will also find some kid-centric ways to celebrate the hours leading up to 2026 on Wednesday, December 31. Here are several we found that are sure to delight the kiddos. Spots fill for some of these events quickly, so you should register soon if one is of interest. If you know of any we have missed, please email laura@milehighonthecheap.com. [Read more…] about New Year’s Eve Fun Designed Especially For The Kids!
Meet & Mingle With Holiday Characters In Golden
Spend a magical day in Golden meeting and mingling with family favorite holiday characters along Washington Avenue. Jingle On The Avenue, A Holiday Character Mingle is set for Saturday, December 20, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Your little ones are sure to be delighted and there will be plenty of photo opportunities, live music and lots of festive holiday fun for the whole family. [Read more…] about Meet & Mingle With Holiday Characters In Golden
Celebration Days at Art Students League of Denver – Affordable Artmaking For The Whole Family
The Art Student League of Denver’s Celebration Days are the perfect way to get your family out of the house and into some art during winter break. Held on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, these drop-in workshops are the perfect way to get your family to connect over creativity this holiday season! For just $10 per person, you can explore artmaking stations in six different media, from painting to printmaking and more. [Read more…] about Celebration Days at Art Students League of Denver – Affordable Artmaking For The Whole Family
Huge Free Community Event: Chanukah at the State Capitol Dec. 18
A community Grand Menorah will be lit as the highlight of Chanukah at the State Capitol on Thursday, December 18, 2025, on the West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol. The FREE festivities, which start at 5 p.m., celebrate the Jewish holiday of light and the right to religious freedom with joy and festivity, including food and fun for all ages. [Read more…] about Huge Free Community Event: Chanukah at the State Capitol Dec. 18
Entry Deadline Soon! How to Get Cheap Tickets for Hit Musical ‘The Notebook’ in Denver
Going to the theater can be expensive, so any opportunity to save money on tickets is music to the ears of theater lovers on a budget. And the next big musical coming to the Mile High City is The Notebook. Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the beloved film, the musical tells the story of Allie and Noah, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. [Read more…] about Entry Deadline Soon! How to Get Cheap Tickets for Hit Musical ‘The Notebook’ in Denver
Drone Shows Light Up Denver Skies For The Holidays
Dazzling drones shows will light up the skies over Downtown Denver this holiday season during the Mile High Drone Show. For 41 magical nights, 600 drones will soar into the sky, creating holiday-themed animations. Shows start November 21 and continue through December 31, 2025. The displays are at 7 p.m. each night and last about 15 minutes. [Read more…] about Drone Shows Light Up Denver Skies For The Holidays
Where To See Santa In 2025 & Have Your Photo Taken With Him – Updated!
You better watch out, you better not cry. You better not pout, we’re telling you why, MHOTC has inside intel on Santa. Here’s where you can take the kids to share their gift wishes with the jolly man himself. Unless noted, all visits with Santa are FREE and he’s around through Christmas Eve. Do check, as some sites only let the kiddos onto Santa’s lap if you pay for a photo package.
We’ll continue to update the map as the Chief Scheduling Elf sends us more information, so check back often. Simply move your mouse over the location to find the Santa nearest you.
If you hear about Santa’s whereabouts and it’s not on our map, drop us a note with all the details at info@milehighonthecheap.com.
[Read more…] about Where To See Santa In 2025 & Have Your Photo Taken With Him – Updated!
227 Free & Cheap Things to Do This Week Around Denver
Plan your week on the cheap with this list of FREE & CHEAP things to do around Denver. The list is updated daily, so check back often. Looking for more free and low-cost things to do in the following weeks? Find additional activities on our Mile High Events Calendar, which you can view by day or month.
Looking for trivia nights? Check out this long list of trivia events.
If you don’t already, keep up with the latest deals, discounts and freebies by signing up for our daily e-newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook. Click on each link for details, as some events may require registration.
Here’s what’s happening this week: [Read more…] about 227 Free & Cheap Things to Do This Week Around Denver
Don’t Miss New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Downtown Denver
Once again Downtown Denver is the place to be for two spectacular fireworks shows, one for those such as families seeking an earlier evening at 9 p.m. and a second, identical extravaganza at midnight on New Year’s Eve, December 31. Both run about 8 minutes. Best viewing is the mile-long 16th Street, which is lined with outdoor cafes equipped with heat lamps for those who prefer to people watch in comfort. [Read more…] about Don’t Miss New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Downtown Denver
Free ‘Tuba Christmas’ Concerts in Downtown Denver & Parker
Admit it, tubas get no respect. But hundreds of tubas, euphoniums and other low-register brass instruments spread holiday cheer on Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Denver Center Performing Arts Complex (in Sculpture Park). It’s all part of TubaChristmas 2025, a nationwide series of FREE concerts performed by local, volunteer musicians who play tubas and other big brass, and who assemble only hours before concert time to rehearse their “heavy metal” tunes. [Read more…] about Free ‘Tuba Christmas’ Concerts in Downtown Denver & Parker
Evergreen Hosts New Year’s Eve Icefest at Evergreen Lake
Evergreen’s annual Icefest on New Year’s Eve is back. The long-standing tradition is a family-friendly, alcohol free, safe event for the community on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Evergreen Lake. Tickets are first-come, first serve and will be sold at the door. Did you know: Evergreen Lake is the largest outdoor Zamboni groomed ice skating rink in North America!
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