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
Things To Do
Free Dr. Martin Luther King Tribute Concert. Get Tickets Online Starting Dec. 30
The Colorado Symphony honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with its annual tribute concert on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Boettcher Concert Hall. The FREE event also honors local individuals for their humanitarian efforts. Tickets are available online beginning Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 9 a.m. or at the Colorado Symphony Box Office (Boettcher Concert Hall, southwest end of the Denver Performing Arts Complex at 14th & Curtis). [Read more…] about Free Dr. Martin Luther King Tribute Concert. Get Tickets Online Starting Dec. 30
Get Free Attraction, Museum & Park Passes at Local Libraries
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
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!
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
Today! Visit The Village: Holiday Family Fun at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Bring New Toy or Gift For Free Entry
The Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center is the site of holiday, family fun with Visit The Village on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Holiday revelers of all ages came spend the day strolling through a local vendor village, making crafts, meeting with Santa, sliding down an inflatable tubing hill, enjoying children’s activities, food, beverages, and more. [Read more…] about Today! Visit The Village: Holiday Family Fun at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Bring New Toy or Gift For Free Entry
2nd Saturday at CSU Spur on Dec. 13: Family-Friendly Interactive Hands-On Fun
The Colorado State University Spur campus at the National Western Complex comes alive every second Saturday of the month for a day full of FREE interactive, hands-on activities that the whole family can enjoy. The next 2nd Saturday at Spur is Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This month’s theme is “Winter Festival,” and visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a host of interactive activities throughout the day. [Read more…] about 2nd Saturday at CSU Spur on Dec. 13: Family-Friendly Interactive Hands-On Fun
Central Platte Winter Festival at 17th Street Community Gardens On Dec. 14
Celebrate the holiday season with the Central Platte Winter Festival on Sunday, December 14, 2025, hosted by the Central Platte Valley Metropolitan District in downtown Denver’s 17th Street Community Gardens. FREE and open to all, this downtown holiday festival will feature an eclectic mix of favorite local musicians and festive holiday crafts. [Read more…] about Central Platte Winter Festival at 17th Street Community Gardens On Dec. 14
Decorating Your Home for the Holidays? Let’s Add You to Our Map of Holiday Lights!
Does the exterior of your home shine brightly and radiate the holiday spirit with Christmas lights? For the past few years we’ve assembled a list of holiday light displays, both public shows and those at private homes. That single post has turned out to be popular, in fact more popular than any other December post. Our 2025 list and map had dozens of dazzling home displays up and down the Front Range, but we’re greedy and want to create the absolute best list in town for 2025. Bottom line: We want more and need your help! [Read more…] about Decorating Your Home for the Holidays? Let’s Add You to Our Map of Holiday Lights!
Watch Boulder’s Lights of December Parade on December 13
This year’s Lights of December Parade brightens the core of downtown Boulder starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Enjoy floats, marchers and other non-vehicular contraptions decorated by local businesses, churches, schools and civic groups and some fully lit fire engines. Santa Claus makes an appearance at the end of the procession. [Read more…] about Watch Boulder’s Lights of December Parade on December 13
Snow Days Opens For The Season at Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
A winter experience is taking over the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus. Snow Days comes to the Museum’s Joy Park from December 6 through February 16, 2025. It provides true, Colorado outdoor fun for children and their families. Spend your day gliding around the rink, sledding on REAL snow, sipping hot cocoa by a toasty fire and more. [Read more…] about Snow Days Opens For The Season at Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Old Town Skate – Outdoor Ice Skating In Louisville
Once again, the City of Louisville will offer Old Town Skate, a downtown ice skating experience. The rink, located at Steinbaugh Pavilion and under new management, is now open through February 17, 2026. Regular rates (which include skates) are $10 for adults and $9 for children and older and FREE for children 4 and younger. [Read more…] about Old Town Skate – Outdoor Ice Skating In Louisville
9News Parade of Lights Marches Thru Downtown December 6
Holiday parades abound this time of year, but the signature event for Denver is the 9NEWS Parade of Lights that takes place Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. See marching bands, 40 dazzling floats, marching bands, equestrian units, giant balloon characters and horse-drawn carriages illuminated with sparkling lights. [Read more…] about 9News Parade of Lights Marches Thru Downtown December 6
Winter Wonderland Ice Rink & Merry Market Brings Holiday Cheer to Commerce City
This holiday season, Commerce City launches the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink & Merry Market, a special outdoor experience bringing festive lights, cheerful music, local shopping opportunities, and seasonal activities to our community. The ice rink and market will be located in the Commerce City Civic Center parking lot on E. 60th Avenue. [Read more…] about Winter Wonderland Ice Rink & Merry Market Brings Holiday Cheer to Commerce City