Free Things to Do This Winter in Denver

Denver Christkindlmarket

WHEN: Thru Dec. 23, 2025
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: Thru Dec. 24, 2025
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: Thru Dec. 24, 2025
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: Thru Dec. 28, 2025
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 Show

WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2025
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: Thru Dec. 31, 2025
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: Thru Dec. 31, 2025
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.

Winter Fair and Artisan Market

WHEN: Dec. 5 & 6, 2025
WHERE: The Denver Waldorf School
The Denver Waldorf School invites the community to experience the magic of the season at its 51st Annual Winter Fair and Artisan Market, a cherished Denver tradition that transforms the entire school into a festive winter wonderland. The fun begins Friday, December 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with UnWined, an adults-only evening with artisan shopping and wine. The activities continue on Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., when families are welcomed to enjoy a full day of holiday cheer. This year’s Winter Fair showcases: 50+ artisan merchants, children’s activities, hand-decorated wreaths and Christmas trees for purchase, food trucks and musical and instrumental performances by Denver Waldorf students. Admission to artisan shopping and performances is free. Children’s activities require a $25 wristband.

Denver Winter Market

WHEN: Dec. 5–7 and 12–14, 2025
WHERE: Denver Sports Castle, 1000 Broadway
Imagine three floors of amazing gifts from 100-plus local artists, makers and small businesses. There will also be festive cocktails, three bars, holiday gift wrapping and more.

9NEWS Parade of Lights 

WHEN: Dec. 6, 2025
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!

Yuletide on Broadway

WHEN: Dec. 6, 2025
WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church
Enjoy a holiday organ celebration with music from three organists. Admission is free, but freewill offerings are appreciated. There will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00 pm with cookies and warm drinks provided by the Trinity youth group, and the program will commence at 7:00 p.m.

Santa at the Station

WHEN: Dec. 7, Dec. 14 & Dec. 21, 2025
WHERE: Denver Union Station
Denver Union Station is thrilled to host FREE visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All visits take place indoors, within The Great Hall of Union Station, and photos will be taken by Santa’s helpers on your personal phone or camera. All free visits are honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Not keen on waiting in line? No problem! Guests have the option of reserving a specific time slot by purchasing a “St. Nick Express Pass,” which will be honored within a 15-minute window of your selected time slot.

Junction Food and Drink Holiday & Craft Show

WHEN: Dec. 13, 2025
WHERE: Junction Food & Drink
Join us for a free and festive indoor market in the heart of Denver! Shop from an incredible lineup of local artisans, crafters and small businesses offering handmade gifts, art, jewelry, home décor and holiday goodies. Enjoy great food and drinks from Junction’s award-winning vendors while you browse and support Colorado makers.

Vegan Holiday Market

WHEN: Dec. 13, 2025
WHERE: Dry Clean Only
Support small businesses during the holiday season at this free market! Visit your favorite vegan vendors, shop small while getting gifts for everyone on your list, grab lunch, seasonal beverages, enjoy live music and don’t forget to bring unwrapped toys and shelf-stable food to donate to our Colorado community!

Christmas Bazaar 2025

WHEN: Dec. 13 & 14, 2025
WHERE: Washington Park United Methodist Church
Shop wares from local Native American artists for great Christmas gifts for you, your family and friends! Browse more than 20 Native American art vendors and enjoy great Native American cuisine, such as Navajo tacos, frybread and other delicious options. This free event is open to all!

Chanukah Celebration

WHEN: Dec. 14, 2025
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
Hosted by Chabad of Cherry Creek, this festive event celebrates the season of lights with fire juggling, crafts, treats and family-friendly activities.

Graveyard Markets: The Lemur and Friends Bazaar 

WHEN: Dec. 14, 2025
WHERE: The Learned Lemur
The Lemur and Friends Bazaar is a monthly artist market hosted right on The Learned Lemur's back patio. The bazaar hosts all kinds of artists from across Colorado, from bakers to jewelers. Pick up that perfect unique gift or something special for yourself!

Ice-ie Sculptures and Carving Competition

WHEN: Dec. 20, 2025
WHERE: The Shops at Northfield
Join us in The Plaza as ICE-IE Sculptures transform six blocks of ice into three holiday scenes! Stay for the live carving competition, where artists go head to head creating dazzling mini masterpieces! Enjoy live music, caroling and character meet and greets, and cozy up with hot cocoa and s’mores (courtesy of Rumble Boxing) while supplies last. These stunning sculptures will remain on display until they melt. Don’t miss this magical winter spectacle before it disappears!

Noon Years Celebration

WHEN: Dec. 31, 2025
WHERE: The Shops at Northfield
Ring in the New Year early at the Noon Year’s Celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring the whole family for a festive countdown to noon featuring a dazzling balloon drop, fun activities, live entertainment, face painting and more. It’s the perfect way to welcome the New Year together—family fun without staying up late!

Denver Botanic Gardens Free Days: York Street Location

WHEN: See the museum's schedule
Denver Botanic Gardens is a 24-acre oasis in the middle of the city, with 45 different gardens (some 33,000 plants), as well as one of the nation's top 10 conservatories. Relax in the Japanese Garden, climb through the Rock Alpine Garden and explore the Mordecai Children's Garden. Note: Please register online for free tickets in advance. No onsite tickets will be available for sold-out days. 

Denver Botanic Gardens Free Days: Chatfield Farms Location

WHEN: See the museum's schedule
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms is a picturesque nature preserve among the grasslands, ponds and cottonwood banks of Deer Creek. Facilities include nature trails, a wildlife observation area, display gardens, educational exhibits, a historical farm, a 19th-century one-room schoolhouse, working beehives and picnic areas. Note: Please register online for free tickets in advance. No onsite tickets will be available for sold-out days. 

Four Mile Historic Park Free Days 

WHEN: Every third Sunday of the month 
Take a trip back in time to Denver's pioneer past at Four Mile Historic Park, nestled on the bank of Cherry Creek. Stop by for a free afternoon of tours, historic demonstrations and more on the third Sunday of each month.

Museo de las Americas Free First Fridays 

WHEN: Every first Friday of the month
Museo de las Americas is dedicated to educating people about the arts and cultures of Latinidad in the Americas and is the premier Latin American art museum in the region. The museum offers free admission every First Friday, no tickets needed.

Penny Saturdays at MCA Denver 

WHEN: Every first Saturday of the month
Okay, so it's not technically free. But every first Saturday of the month, Colorado residents can explore Museum of Contemporary Art Denver for just $0.01. 

Denver Museum of Nature & Science Free Days

WHEN: See the museum's schedule
Explore the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, a maze filled with treasures of the earth: dinosaurs, dioramas, space exhibits, science experiments, a digital planetarium, the giant-screen Infinity Theater and touring shows. 

Denver Art Museum Free Days

WHEN: See the museum's schedule 
Explore the Denver Art Museum's galleries showcasing a world-famous Indigenous art collection, as well as traditional and contemporary art from around the world. And admission is ALWAYS free for youth ages 18 and under, ever day.

Clyfford Still Museum Free Days

WHEN: See the museum's schedule
Enjoy nine beautiful galleries of Clyfford Still’s art, historic photos and letters from the Clyfford Still Archives, an interactive timeline, dozens of videos and books and a pair of tranquil outdoor terraces. 

Plains Conservation Center Free Days

WHEN: See the center's schedule
The Plains Conservation Center helps students and adults grow their knowledge and appreciation of the prairie ecosystem and the cultural history of Colorado through a variety of educational programs managed by Denver Botanic Gardens in cooperation with the City of Aurora.

Denver's City Parks

No matter where you find yourself in the Mile High City, you’re likely only a few steps away from a lush and relaxing green space. Winter is an especially beautiful and peaceful time to explore Denver's more than 5,000 acres of traditional parks and parkways, as well as an additional 14,000 acres of spectacular mountain parks in neighboring counties that are maintained by the City and County of Denver.

Lesser-Known, Hidden-Gem Parks

If you’re looking for a quiet spot to have a picnic, take in great views or experience a different side of the city, check out these lesser-known Denver parks.

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. The surrounding park offers hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks. 

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. 

First Friday Art Walks

WHEN: Every First Friday
WHERE: Denver's Art Districts
Discover Denver's thriving creative community during a First Friday celebration, held every first Friday of the month. Galleries in Denver's creative art districts stay open late. 

Free Denver Public Art Tours 

Denver Arts & Venues invites art and architecture lovers to participate in free public art tours on foot, bike and scooter. These free guided tours focus on small segments of the city’s public art collection and give citizens and visitors the opportunity to venture inside venues such as the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and Colorado Convention Center to view works and hear the intimate details of their creation and installation.

Denver Story Trek 

Ever wonder about the stories of the places you pass? On Denver Story Trek you'll explore the stories behind Denver's historic landscapes and landmarks on an interactive, self-guided tour of the city. It's simple to use and free!

Great Divide Brewery Tour 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Denver's craft beer world on a free tour at the Great Divide Brewing Co. downtown or the Great Divide Barrel Bar in RiNo.

Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum 

Housed in Empower Field at Mile High  (home of the Denver Broncos ), the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum honors the legacies of the Mile High City's greatest sports heroes and features the Gallery of Legends, a "Great Moments in Colorado Sports" exhibit and a section celebrating the achievements of girls and women in Colorado Sports.

Denver Skatepark 

The expansive Denver Skatepark — one of the most renowned skate parks in the country — is filled with bowls for all levels of skating skill. Admission is free. Helmets are required.

Denver Beer Trail

The Denver Beer Trail provides a sampling of Denver’s top microbreweries. Follow the suggested routes or pick and choose from the list of featured breweries.

Rockmount Ranch Wear 

Browse the racks and enjoy the free museum at Lower Downtown's historic Rockmount Ranch Wear, the originator of the western snap-button shirt. The walls are adorned with photos of the many celebs who have worn Rockmount shirts, including Eric Clapton, Robert Redford and Elvis Presley. 

Denver's City Parks

No matter where you find yourself in the Mile High City, you’re likely only a few steps away from a lush and relaxing green space. Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to explore Denver's more than 5,000 acres of traditional parks and parkways, as well as an additional 14,000 acres of spectacular mountain parks in neighboring counties that are maintained by the City and County of Denver.

Denver Street Art

Denver street artists have been busy brightening (and enlightening) the urban landscape for decades by making canvases of the city’s alleyways, building exteriors, warehouses, garage doors and storefronts. Grab your camera and take a stroll past some of the city's favorite murals.