One more reason to love your local library? FREE passes to local museums and attractions. Many library districts offer some sort of pass that gives you FREE entry to every place from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Dinosaur Ridge to the Butterfly Pavilion and Denver Firefighters Museum. For a family of four, this can be a considerable savings and a way to explore a new or favorite attraction, without having to deal with the crowds of community-wide free days. [Read more…] about Get Free Attraction, Museum & Park Passes at Local Libraries
Things To Do
99 Free & Cheap Things To Do in Denver This Weekend
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
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!
What’s Open On Christmas Day 2025 in Denver
So you’ve opened some presents, enjoyed family time, munched on a gingerbread cookie and maybe watched a rerun (or two) of “Love Actually” or “Die Hard” or “A Christmas Story.” But, there are still hours to go on Christmas Day. Is anything going on in town? In case you need to buy some last minute eggnog or just want to get out-and-about, here’s what we found open in Denver, Boulder and beyond on December 25, 2025.
Our elves will be out and about until the last minutes, so keep checking back for the latest list.
Did we miss any? Email laura@milehighonthecheap.com.
And for those planning ahead: Here’s our list of free and cheap things to do on New Year’s Eve and New Years Day. [Read more…] about What’s Open On Christmas Day 2025 in Denver
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!
Ending Soon! Regal Cinemas Hosts Holiday Classics Series (25+ Movies!) with Discounted Tickets
The holidays are the perfect time to enjoy classic Christmas flicks with loved ones. Thanks to Regal Cinemas’ Holiday Classics Series, friends and family can do just that without breaking the holiday budget. From November 28 to December 31, 2025, the movie theater chain will feature a family-favorite holiday film every day for all to enjoy back on the big screen at select locations. [Read more…] about Ending Soon! Regal Cinemas Hosts Holiday Classics Series (25+ Movies!) with Discounted Tickets
How to Get Cheap Tickets for Holiday Classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ 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, for many families, it’s just not the holidays without enjoying A Christmas Carol in the Mile High City. The beloved holiday classic plays the Wolf Theatre from November 21 to December 28, 2025. [Read more…] about How to Get Cheap Tickets for Holiday Classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Denver
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.
[Read more…] about Watch New Year’s Eve Drone Show Over Parker
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!
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
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
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