Free Things to Do This Fall in Denver

Sunnyside Music Festival

WHEN: Sept. 12, 2026
WHERE: Chaffee Park in Sunnyside 
This free family-friendly music festival in the Sunnyside neighborhood keeps getting bigger each year, with various bands performing from noon to 7:30 p.m. The annual event at Chaffee Park supports local bands, businesses, artisans and youth organizations through year-round programming.

Denver Oktoberfest

WHEN: Sept. 18–20 & Sept. 25–27, 2026
WHERE: Larimer and 21st in the Ballpark District
From keg bowling to stein hoisting, live music and more, there’s something for everyone, split over two weekends.

Denver Christkindlmarket

WHEN: Nov. 20–Dec. 26, 2026
WHERE: Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus
This outdoor event brings the most beloved elements of an authentic German holiday experience to the Mile High City. Stroll through a European village decorated for the holiday season as you shop for finely crafted artisan gifts and treats at charming wooden huts. Fuel your shopping with authentic Glühwein (mulled spiced wine), German Biers and hot chocolate, and nosh on Bavarian-style pretzels, fresh smoked salmon, Knödel, Goulasch, Nürnberger Sausages, pastries, caramels and European chocolates. 

Cherry Creek Holiday Market 

WHEN: Nov. 19–Dec. 24, 2026
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
The Cherry Creek North Holiday Market at Fillmore Plaza features more than 50 local artisan vendors, live music, and festive drinks and decor. The market is free, open to the public and family- and dog-friendly.

Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland

WHEN: TBA 2026
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
Winter Wanderland displays a collection of free holiday offerings and festivities throughout the neighborhood! Festivities include a dazzling display of nearly one million twinkling lights on more than 600 trees spread throughout the walkable neighborhood and Giving Machines—vending machines that don't dispense snacks or drinks, but instead offer the chance to make a positive impact! Throughout the holiday season, enjoy Saturday Night Lights with complimentary holiday treats and festive entertainment (Dec. 6, 13 & 20), a Chanukah celebration (Dec. 14) and the Cherry Creek Holiday Market (Nov. 20–Dec. 24), where you can browse gifts from more than 40 local makers, designers and creators. After a long day of shopping, warm up inside the all-new Mistletoe Lounge (Nov. 20–Dec. 24), a new pop-up Christmas bar offering a festive drink menu and comfy seating in a setting that’s best described as the inside of a "real-life snow globe." 

Holiday Art Market

WHEN: TBA 2026
WHERE: 40 West Gallery in The HUB, Lakewood
Presented by the Women’s Caucus for Art, the 40 West Holiday Art Market will feature giftable treasures by local artists of jewelry, original art, prints, handmade toys, pottery, greeting cards, holiday cards, leather, wood, herbal products and plants, accessories and more!

Mile High Drone Shows

WHEN: TBA 2026
WHERE: Downtown 
For 40 magical nights, 400 drones will soar into the sky, creating breathtaking holiday-themed animations. See these dazzling displays from across the city every night at 7 p.m. for free. From Santa and his reindeer to iconic Denver landmarks like the Mile High Tree and Denver Union Station, each night will bring a new visual experience to life.

The Mile High Tree presented by Xcel Energy & Xfinity

WHEN: TBA 2026
WHERE: Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus
Join in the free festivities at the Mile High Tree. It’s a brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation that provides a dazzling lights-and-music show. You can experience two of Denver's most popular holiday attractions in one place: America’s tallest digital tree and the Denver Christkindlmarket, the city’s only authentic German market.

Larimer Lights

WHEN: TBA 2026
WHERE: Larimer Square
Larimer Lights returns for the 2025 holiday season! Stroll the block and enjoy immersive projection mapping, festive décor, visits from Santa, live holiday carolers, seasonal treats from our restaurants and shops, and more to make your season bright.

9NEWS Parade of Lights 

WHEN: Dec. 5, 2026
WHERE: Downtown Denver
This free holiday spectacular features more than 40 units, including extravagantly illuminated floats, giant helium-filled character balloons, magnificent marching bands, traditional equestrian units and vibrant cultural displays. And, of course, special appearances by Major Waddles the Penguin and Santa!

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre 

Carved from towering red rock monuments, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison is one of the world's most renowned concert venues. When there's no concert, the free Visitor Center has a museum and Performers' Hall of Fame, while the surrounding park offers hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks. 

Colorado's Fall Colors

Fall in Colorado isn’t complete without taking in the brilliant transformation of the state’s signature tree, the aspen. The fall change from mellow green to stunning gold takes place during various weeks in September, depending on where you are — and since the color only lasts a week, timing is everything! One of the best leaf-peeping routes on the Rocky Mountain Front Range is the Peak to Peak Highway and Scenic Byway that travels the high-altitude road between Black Hawk and Estes Park. Virtually every way you look, you’ll see majestic aspen colors. Another great Front Range ride is along the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, just south of the historic town of Georgetown. Bunches of blazing Aspen can be found all over this incredible drive.

Lariat Loop Byway

Retrace the motoring adventures of the early 1920s and experience the thrill of foothills exploration at the dawn of the Age of Motorcars on the Lariat Loop, a 40-mile scenic circle in the foothills west of Denver. The Lariat Loop takes motorists to several popular attractions, including the Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave , the Colorado Railroad Museum  and the Mother Cabrini Shrine. 

Dinosaur Ridge 

See some dinos — or what's left of them, anyway. Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison features famous Jurassic dinosaur bones, such as Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus, discovered in 1877, and Cretaceous dinosaur footprints. A guidebook is available for use on self-guided tours. 

Littleton Museum 

Travel back in time at the Littleton Museum and get a glimpse into Colorado's pioneer past. Located on 39 acres, the museum consists of two living history farms (one from the 1860s and one from the 1890s), with a working farm, a blacksmith shop and more than 40,000 historic Colorado artifacts.

Garden of the Gods 

Located just 60 miles from Denver, the awe-inspiring Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs  features gigantic 500-foot-high red sandstone rock monuments at the base of Pikes Peak.