The kids are home from school, relatives are visiting or maybe you and your special someone are just now trying to map out how to celebrate New Year’s Eve and/or New Year’s Day. You need a game plan that’s inexpensive because you broke the bank on Christmas and Chanukah, like so many of us. [Read more…] about Best Free & Cheap Things To Do in Denver For New Year’s Eve and Day
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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
Colorado State Parks Host First Day Hikes
This year, Coloradans can join FREE ranger-led outings on January 1, 2026 at dozens of Colorado State Parks (including St. Vrain, Chatfield, Barr Lake and Golden Gate). During First Day Hikes, each park offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the new year, with most parks offering guided hikes and some parks providing multiple options to choose from, allowing you to select the time and route you prefer. [Read more…] about Colorado State Parks Host First Day Hikes
49 Free & Cheap Things To Do in Denver This Holiday 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 49 Free & Cheap Things To Do in Denver This Holiday Weekend
Updated With New Extended Hours! RTD Bus & Light Rail Services Free on New Year’s Eve. Uber Discount For Rideshare Users
Being safe and responsible is key to enjoying any New Year’s Eve celebration, especially if you enjoy a bit too much bubbly. All of RTD’s light rail and bus services are FREE from 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, December 31 until 7 a.m. on New Year’s Day, January 1. The free ride service will be available on all RTD bus and rail routes – as well as Access-A-Ride and FlexRide services. [Read more…] about Updated With New Extended Hours! RTD Bus & Light Rail Services Free on New Year’s Eve. Uber Discount For Rideshare Users
Where & How You Can Recycle Your Christmas Tree In The Denver/Boulder Area
Nationally, approximately 93% of the real Christmas trees are recycled through community programs. Colorado is no exception with most cities and/or counties offering FREE Christmas Tree Recycle. Some programs have already started and run into January, with drop-off sites open various length of time, from the first week in January to as long as January 31.
A few municipalities offer curb-side pick-up, others ask you to take your tree to a drop-off site. There is no comprehensive site, but here are links to many Front Range programs. [Read more…] about Where & How You Can Recycle Your Christmas Tree In The Denver/Boulder Area
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!
Seven-Story Digital Mile High Tree Lets You Go Inside For Free
Downtown Denver is home to the tallest digital Christmas tree in the country. Visit Denver and other community partners have come together to create an amazing holiday attraction, the Mile High Tree, with 60,000 programmed LED lights. It will be open November 21 through December 31, 2025. The tree is easy to access at its location at the Tivoli Quad at the Auraria Campus. [Read more…] about Seven-Story Digital Mile High Tree Lets You Go Inside For Free
Denver Area Thrift and Consignment Stores You Need To Check Out. Print Out Our List, Too!
Bargain hunters, this is for you. Here’s a long list of thrift and consignment stores in Denver, Boulder and beyond. There’s a fine line between a thrift store and a vintage store and we’ll take the heat if you think we’ve inaccurately categorized a specific retailer. We don’t pretend this list is comprehensive. There are certainly others out there. [Read more…] about Denver Area Thrift and Consignment Stores You Need To Check Out. Print Out Our List, Too!
Still Time! Recycle Your Holiday Lights For Free
Do you have broken, burned-out or impossibly tangled sets of holiday lights stored away with last year’s holiday decorations? Don’t throw them out – recycle them for FREE instead! Thanks to the city of Denver’s recycling program, locals can recycle holiday lights from December 5 to January 2, 2026, at two different locations. [Read more…] about Still Time! Recycle Your Holiday Lights For Free