Thanksgiving Weekend in Denver
Thanksgiving in Denver returns with fun (and free) events, blockbuster museum exhibitions, lights displays and plenty of family-friendly activities.
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Don't miss out on great hotel deals. For a delicious deep dive into Denver's culinary scene, check out these Thanksgiving meals for takeout.
We strive to post the most current and accurate event information, but changes and cancellations do occur, so please check the official event website to confirm all details before attending.
Holiday Lights
Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland
WHEN: Nov. 20–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 Small Business Weekend (Nov. 29–Dec. 1), 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." In a giving mood?
Mile High Drone Shows
WHEN: Nov. 21–Dec. 31, 2025
WHERE: Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus
For 41 magical nights, 600 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 Presented by Xcel Energy & Xfinity and Denver Union Station, each night will bring a new visual experience to life.
The Mile High Tree Presented by Xcel Energy & Xfinity
WHEN: Nov. 21–Dec. 31, 2025
WHERE: Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus
Join in the free festivities at the Mile High Tree Presented by Xcel Energy & Xfinity. 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 holiday market.
Trail of Lights
WHEN: Nov. 21, 2025–Jan. 11, 2026 (closed Nov. 27 & Dec. 25)
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, Littleton
Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms takes you along a winding path glistening with lights that illuminate the Colorado countryside. Tucked into the foothills under the dark sky, the glow of lights can be seen for miles. Just under a mile of walking trail, the illumination of cottonwoods, boxelders and pine trees line the pathway through the Green Farm, Crossroads, Deer Creek Discovery Children's Play Area and 1880s Hildebrand Ranch homestead. There is also the option of a shorter path for those who want to take a shorter stroll. In line with the core value of sustainability, all lights used in the event are LED.
Blossoms of Light
WHEN: Nov. 21, 2025–Jan. 11, 2026 (closed Nov. 27 & Dec. 25)
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Consistently lauded as one of the top holiday light shows in the nation, Blossoms of Light is a spectacular celebration that illuminates Denver Botanic Gardens' York Street location. Wander a mile-long path through immersive, luminous displays that accentuate and highlight our plant collections. A cherished holiday tradition for nearly four decades, Blossoms of Light is constantly evolving to inspire wonder and delight in even the most seasoned visitors.
Light the Lights
WHEN: Nov. 21, 2025–Jan. 26, 2026
WHERE: City & County of Denver Building in Civic Center Park
Each night at 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., an eight-minute choreographed light and music holiday show will light up the night. It then goes to a festive, static holiday display until 10:45 p.m. Note: There will be no shows on Dec. 6, Dec. 21 and on Mondays due to city council meetings.
Zoo Lights
WHEN: Nov. 23, 2025–Jan. 5, 2026
WHERE: Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
Zoo Lights has been making magic, memories and even marriages for more than 30 years! Presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores, this illuminating annual event transforms Denver Zoo into Colorado's WILDEST winter wonderland. Don't miss this year's historic celebration, with more than a million lights sparkling over 80 acres—plus a host of special measures to keep your family safe and healthy.
Grand Illumination of Union Station
WHEN: Nov. 28, 2025
WHERE: Denver Union Station
Don't miss the annual lighting ceremony of Union Station’s 40-foot-tall outdoor Christmas tree, which features more than 7,000 holiday lights! The tree lighting ceremony will begin promptly at 6:10 p.m.
Blockbuster Exhibitions
The Secret World of Elephants
WHEN: Thru Jan. 25, 2026
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Enter The Secret World of Elephants to discover the remarkable science behind nature’s most lovable giants. How do elephants “hear” with their feet? What animals are their closest living relatives? How have elephants and humans coexisted for thousands of years? Through hands-on interactions, you will feel the low-frequency rumbles elephants use to communicate, explore how they reshape their environments and come face-to-face with some of their ancestors, including dwarf elephants. From the ancient Ice Age to the African savanna, get ready to be amazed by elephants’ incredible intelligence and fascinating history—and inspired to help protect their future.
The Honest Eye: Camille Pissarro’s Impressionism
WHEN: Thru Feb. 8, 2026
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
The Honest Eye: Camille Pissarro’s Impressionism is the first major U.S. retrospective of Camille Pissarro, known as "the first impressionist," in more than 40 years. A versatile artist, Pissarro embodied the role of insider, contributing to the establishment of Impressionism as a coherent avant-garde phenomenon while maintaining his artistic independence as he eschewed his peers’ choice of upper-class subject matter to depict scenes of the mundane. The Honest Eye reflects this dichotomy, while selections from Pissarro’s letters provide insights into his artistic process and worldview more broadly.
Moments That Made US
WHEN: Thru Oct. 18, 2026
WHERE: History Colorado Center
See more than 40 artifacts that shaped the United States, including ceramics made by Ancestral Puebloan people long before Europeans arrived in North America, tobacco pipes used by the colonists in Jamestown, the spurs George Washington wore at Valley Forge, the inkwell used by Grant and Lee to sign the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House, Jackie Robinson’s bat, moon rocks from Apollo 11 and more.
A Century of Art in Latin America
WHEN: Thru June 15, 2027
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
From soaring mountains and scorching deserts to sprawling forests and splendid beaches, Latin America is a vast place. As a concept, it tries to contain cultures and landscapes with millennia of differing histories under one name. Works that artists from Latin America created during the 20th and current 21st century showcase a range of practices as complex as the places they call home. While previous exhibitions have centered around a single art movement, such as Surrealism or Abstraction, A Century of Art in Latin America offers a broader and more inclusive exploration of the rich and varied artistic trends across the region, encompassing an array of styles, time periods, nationalities and mediums, and presenting a comprehensive survey of Latin American art throughout the past 100 years.
Larimer Lights
WHEN: Nov. 28–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 restaurants and shops, and more to make your season bright. There's something going on every weekend.
Elitch Holidays
WHEN: Nov. 28, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
WHERE: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
This family-friendly event brings larger-than-life holiday displays and immersive experiences for all to enjoy. It features millions of dazzling lights, a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, twinkling snowmen who never melt, a 300-foot-long candy cane tunnel, giant presents and ornaments, a wall of lights, rides on Elitch Gardens attractions, interactive activities like a light-up hopscotch, strolling holiday entertainers, Old Saint Nick and his elves, and more.
Downtown Denver’s 31-Day Merrython
WHEN: Dec. 1-31, 2025
WHERE: 16th Street
Every day of December, there will be holiday activities, pop-ups and events planned all along the 16th Street pedestrian promenade. The Downtown Denver Partnership is spearheading the following:
- Skyline Park Block 1 will have a 45-foot-tall holiday tree with a special mailbox that sends mail to the North Pole. You can write letters to Santa and receive a response. Santa himself will visit the spot on Nov. 29, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, 2025. In addition, there will be a holiday photo opp so you can create your own postcards.
- Every tree on 16th Street will be lit up with holiday lights starting at the end of November.
- There will be two interactive light installations: “Impulse” will be located at Wynkoop Plaza and “Light Lanes” will be located at 16th and Tremont.
- And look for a storefront that will be all done up with holiday lights and decor.
Hudson Holidays
WHEN: Nov. 28, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
WHERE: Hudson Gardens & Events Center
You'll be enchanted by even more towering trees draped in thousands of colorful lights. A grove of dancing Christmas trees, a multi-colored forest inhabited by giant snowmen, the holiday light tunnel and glowing reindeer will light up Hudson Gardens into an extravaganza of holiday cheer. Purchase a delicious cup of hot cocoa or adult beverage before stopping by for a perfect free family photo opportunity with Santa.
Holiday Shopping Kicks Off
The holiday shopping season kicks off after Thanksgiving! There will be free parking on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday in the Denver Pavilions underground garage while Cherry Creek North celebrates Small Business Weekend.
Cherry Creek Holiday Market
WHEN: Nov. 20–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.
Denver Christkindlmarket
WHEN: Nov. 21–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. Parking: Surface-lot parking on the Auraria Campus is available for a reduced rate of $15 per day during evenings and weekends. This rate does not apply to garage parking.
Black Friday Artisan Market
WHEN: Nov. 28, 2025
WHERE: The Shops at Northfield
This Black Friday, head to The Shops at Northfield for a handmade-only holiday artisan market, featuring one-of-a-kind creations from Colorado’s finest artisans. Discover unique, handcrafted gifts for yourself or someone special while enjoying cozy bites, festive drinks and live holiday music throughout the plaza and along 47th Avenue. Celebrate local makers, sip on Christmas cocktails and soak up the holiday cheer. Then pop into major retailers for unbeatable Black Friday deals.
12th Annual Tennyson Berkeley Small Business Passport Crawl
WHEN: Nov. 29–30, 2025
WHERE: Tennyson Street
Pick up your Small Business Passport at any participating shop and enjoy exclusive promotions, collecting stamps with every purchase. Each stamp earns you one entry to win a gift basket from all participating businesses! So shop small and win BIG this holiday season. Don’t miss out on the fun—grab your friends and family and make it a day to remember while supporting local small businesses!
Cherry Creek North Small Business Weekend
WHEN: Nov. 29–Dec. 1, 2025
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
Highlighting more than 150 locally-owned shops and restaurants, Small Business Weekend invites the community to join the nationwide Shop Small movement while keeping the love in the community.
Graveyard Markets: The Lemur and Friends Bazaar
WHEN: Nov. 29 & 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!
Family-Friendly Events & Activities
The Polar ExpressTM Train Ride
WHEN: Nov. 7–Dec. 23, 2025
WHERE: Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden
The story of The Polar ExpressTM is theatrically re-created and combined with a magical train ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum. Children get to meet Santa and experience all the sights and sounds of this classic tale as if happening all around them. This year, a whole host of carefully crafted updates have been made to ensure the health and safety of guests, cast and crew, so put on your pajamas and your most fashionable mask and bring the family to enjoy sharing hot cocoa and cookies together as the "Hot, Hot, Hot—Chocolate" song and dance unfolds before your eyes.
Santa's Flight Academy
WHEN: Nov. 7–Dec. 24, 2025
WHERE: Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Make your reservation to meet Santa for a picture-perfect moment. After, take off on an interactive adventure at Santa's Flight Academy, complete with his 22-foot-tall sleigh!
Christmas in Color
WHEN: Nov. 13–Dec. 30, 2025
WHERE: Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre | Water World | Arapahoe County Fairgrounds
At three locations, drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music that you’ll hear right through your radio. You'll see giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more.
Magical Winter Nights
WHEN: Nov. 20–Jan. 4, 2026
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Step into a whimsical winter wonderland where a dazzling holiday adventure comes alive. This is the museum like you’ve never seen it before, as a piece of the familiar turns into the fantastical through an immersive journey of light, sound and surprise.
Camp Christmas
WHEN: Nov. 21–Dec. 28, 2025
WHERE: Stanley Marketplace
See Stanley Marketplace turn into a dazzling, joy-filled holiday destination as Camp Christmas makes its triumphant return to its original location. Look for three themed pop-up bars, dazzling decor, a scavenger hunt, free visits with Santa and more. New this year is a Camp Christmas Express experience (Nov. 21–Dec. 24, 2025), designed to lift your holiday spirits in 15 minutes or less as you walk through a series of interactive stations.
Santa's Little Man Ice Cream Factory
WHEN: Nov. 28, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
WHERE: Little Man Ice Cream's factory location on Colfax
The ice cream factory morphs into Santa's Factory, all decked out for the holidays in a winter wonderland theme. Recurring holiday events include photos with Santa, bingo with Mrs. Claus, private ice cream-making parties, gingerbread house building, letters to Santa craft stations, live holiday music, community caroling, Santa Baby Swing and a Hanukkah celebration.
2025 Candlelight Walk
WHEN: Nov. 28, 2025
WHERE: Main Street, Littleton
Experience the magic of Downtown Littleton at the Candlelight Walk. Enjoy music, treats, holiday cocktails (21+), a festive parade, a dazzling drone show and photos with special guest star, Santa!
McGregor Skate
WHEN: Opens Nov. 28, 2025
WHERE: McGregor Square Plaza
The magic of winter has made its way to LoDo with McGregor Skate, an ice skating rink for all ages. Skates are available on-site for rental, or bring your own. Skating starts at just $6 (bring your own skates) or $15 for skate rental plus admission for adults or $9 for children. An outside bar will be available serving hot chocolate and more.
Dashing Thru LoDo Fun Run
WHEN: Nov. 29, 2025
WHERE: Denver Union Station
Join Denver Union Station, McGregor Square and Dairy Block, in partnership with Brunch Running, for a family-friendly dash through downtown! The fun starts and finishes at Denver Union Station. Run, walk or stroll a festive one-mile loop through LoDo: friends, family and pets are all welcome. Afterward, warm up with complimentary hot chocolate from Pigtrain Coffee Co. and enjoy specials on food, drinks and local shopping throughout the neighborhood.
Santa at the Station
WHEN: Nov. 30, 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.
Food & Drink
Holiday Tea
WHEN: Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 11, 13, 18, 20 & 21, 2025
WHERE: Center for Colorado Women's History
Celebrate the holiday season with your loved ones and a cozy cup of tea at the Center for Colorado Women's History's beloved Holiday Tea. Holiday Tea will begin with an hour-long guided tour followed by an hour-long tea seating. Enjoy the museum’s historic house, adorned for the season in holiday charm, and take time to celebrate this holiday season. Refreshments include light savory and sweet fare from local, woman-led business Miss Peabody’s Southern Tea Cakes, alongside the museum’s signature Lady Lavender Black Tea with citrus, vanilla and bergamot.
Winter Lodge at Peaks Lounge Pop-Up
WHEN: Thru Jan. 4, 2026
WHERE: Peaks Lounge at Hyatt Regency Colorado Convention Center
Enjoy a cozy alpine-inspired retreat at the Winter Lodge at Peaks Lounge, located on the 27th floor of the hotel. Peaks Lounge, known for its panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and skyline, will transform once more into a winter escape, bringing the warmth and charm of a mountain lodge to the heart of the Mile High City. Relax in armchairs adorned with faux fur throws, set amidst rustic wooden tables, glowing lanterns and candlelight. Capture the perfect photo moment with antler chandeliers and Rocky Mountain views as your backdrop. Also look for holiday-themed cocktails, mocktails and food items.
Thanksgiving at FIRE
WHEN: Nov. 27, 2025
WHERE: FIRE at the ART Hotel
Gather with family and friends at FIRE for a festive holiday buffet filled with seasonal flavors and all the classics you love. Indulge in chef-curated offerings from a fresh seafood display to bourbon-glazed ham, roasted and smoked turkey from the carving station, and a made-to-order omelet station. Seasonal sides include cheddar and chive mashed potatoes, focaccia stuffing, acorn squash with goat cheese, green bean casserole and all the traditional fixings: gravy, cranberry sauce and warm rolls with whipped butter. Start your feast with crisp salads, fresh fruit, artisan cheeses and savory small bites like deviled eggs, pimento cheese and hummus. And be sure to save room for dessert—this holiday spread features apple, pecan and pumpkin pies, gluten-free brownies, assorted cookies and a build-your-own ice cream bar with toppings galore. Each 90-minute seating time (adults $68, kids $20) includes coffee, juices and soft drinks. Add bottomless mimosas & sparkling rosé for $20 per person.
Thanksgiving Buffet at Former Saint
WHEN: Nov. 27, 2025
WHERE: Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps
Enjoy a no-fuss Thanksgiving feast at Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps in Downtown Denver. Beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, they'll roll out the buffet, featuring a chef hand-carving station, complete with prime rib and turkey, along with all of your favorite holiday sides. Book your reservation online through OpenTable or by calling the restaurant at (303)-486-4434.
Music, Film & Performing Arts
'Goodnight Moon'
WHEN: Oct. 24, 2025–Jan. 25, 2025
WHERE: Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre
Introduce your little bunny to the magic of theatre with the return of "Goodnight Moon"! Featuring whimsical music and dance, this captivating adaptation of one of the world’s most popular children’s books is returning to the stage after overwhelming demand during its original run. Bring your children to their first theatre experience and spark a lifetime of wonder!
'Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors'
WHEN: Nov. 8, 2025–May 10, 2026
WHERE: Garner Galleria Theatre
This Bram-new comedy is one you can really sink your teeth into. Filled with clever wordplay and anything-goes pop culture references, it’s a 90-minute, gender-bending, quick-changing, laugh-out-loud reimagining of the gothic classic, perfect for audiences of all blood types.
'A Christmas Carol'
WHEN: Nov. 21–Dec. 28, 2025
WHERE: Wolf Theatre
Essential to the holiday season in Denver, "A Christmas Carol" is a joyous and opulent musical adaptation for the whole family that traces money-hoarding curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge’s triumphant overnight journey to redemption. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, the DCPA Theatre Company’s production is “a splendidly festive tradition” (BroadwayWorld) that illuminates the meaning of the holiday season in a way that has resonated for generations.
Adulti-Verse Tryptophantasia
WHEN: Nov. 26, 2025
WHERE: Meow Wolf Denver
Party tonight, nap tomorrow! Adulti-Verse is a 21+ event.
'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York'
WHEN: Nov. 28–29, 2025
WHERE: Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Celebrate the modern holiday classic "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" like never before! The event features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live by the Colorado Symphony as the film is screened for your enjoyment. Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) loses track of his family at the airport and mistakenly gets on a plane headed for New York City. Now alone in the Big Apple, Kevin discovers that the Sticky Bandits (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) are on the loose, and only he can stop them from robbing a toy store just before Christmas.
'Stocking Stuffers'
WHEN: Nov. 28–Dec. 21, 2025
WHERE: 1100 Miners Alley, Golden
From the outrageously funny minds behind "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" comes a brand-new, adults-only holiday comedy! This sharp, side-splitting musical is the perfect antidote to the overly sweet holiday fare — packed with heart, a healthy dose of irreverence and songs you'll be humming all season long. It's big laughs with a holiday twist, and we can't wait for you to be the first to see it.
'Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet'
WHEN: Nov. 29, 2025
WHERE: Paramount Theatre
Share the joy of "Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet" with family and friends. Give the gift of a spectacular holiday experience featuring an international cast, whimsical puppetry and opulent costumes and sets, hand-crafted by the finest artisans of Europe. Go back to a simpler time and make memories your family will cherish forever.
'A Drag Queen Christmas' (ages 18+ only)
WHEN: Nov. 29, 2025
WHERE: Buell Theatre
Murray & Peter Present “A Drag Queen Christmas” hosted by Nina West. It’s the longest-running drag tour in America. Get ready for your favorite queens performing live on stage. We’ve got Onya Nurve, Shea Coulee, Jewels Sparkles, Crystal Methyd, Suzie Toot, Bosco and Lydia B. Kollins. Ages: 18 & Over
Colorado Ballet: 'The Nutcracker'
WHEN: Nov. 29–Dec. 28, 2025
WHERE: Ellie Caulkins Opera House
The beloved holiday favorite returns in a dazzling production like no one's ever seen, featuring all-new sets and costumes created especially for Colorado Ballet. A sellout every year, this magical tale of Clara, the Nutcracker and the Mouse King is going to be dreamier than ever.
'It’s a Wonderful Life': A Live Radio Play
WHEN: Nov. 29–Dec. 28, 2025
WHERE: 1100 Miners Alley, Golden
Step into a 1940s radio studio where the play is brought to life before your eyes — complete with vintage microphones, live sound effects and a cast playing dozens of characters. It's nostalgic, theatrical, and full of heartwarming charm. A timeless story told in a fresh, inventive way.
Fitness, Outdoor & Sporting Events
Turkey Trails
WHEN: Nov. 1, 2025
WHERE: Washington Park
The annual Turkey Trails 5k/10k is a fun, Thanksgiving-themed event that's perfect for the whole family. Take home great swag, get free photos and enjoy delicious treats waiting at the finish line. The timed 5k/10k registration includes a custom bib, designer shirt and an awesome finisher medal. The 1-mile race is untimed and also a bib, shirt and finisher medal. The kid's dash is a fun, untimed dash for kiddos ages 10 and under. Registration includes a mini bib, a youth-sized shirt and a medal.
Mile High United Way Turkey Trot
WHEN: Nov. 27, 2025
WHERE: Washington Park
Lace up your sneakers and make the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot a part of your Thanksgiving celebration and help support families in our community! Join Mile High United Way on Thanksgiving morning for this annual 4-mile walk/run and community celebration. The event is one of the biggest Turkey Trots in the country and is for adults, families and furry friends alike, featuring a 1-mile Lil Gobbler Fun Run, Kids Zone, Great Divide Beer Garden and more! Your registration also includes a collectible 2025 Turkey Trot T-shirt, race bib and free digital photos.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Montreal Canadiens
WHEN: Nov. 29, 2025
WHERE: Ball Arena
Root for the Avalanche as they take on the Montreal Canadiens!
Museum & Gallery Exhibitions
What We’ve Been Up To: Landscape
WHEN: Thru Dec. 7, 2025
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
This exhibit is a unique selection of photographs from the museum's collection that have never been shown to the public. Featuring acquisitions from the past 17 years since the Photography department was established in 2008, the exhibition represents the variety of ways landscape photographs help us see and appreciate other times and places and consider where the world has been and what it is becoming. All are bound together by the idea that landscape can serve as an autobiography of the people, societies, and natural forces that shape the world over time.
Gallery Uno: Catawampus
WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2025
WHERE: Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Deep in the heart of the Children’s Museum, there is a world where nothing is quite as it seems. If you dare to grab a lantern and step through the threshold, you will find yourself in a realm full of curious creatures and unexpected environments…You’ve entered Catawampus!
Horizon: On the Plains with John Fielder
WHEN: Thru Jan. 1, 2026
WHERE: History Colorado Center
This exhibit is a new exhibition that features a selection of iconic large-format prints by Colorado’s most celebrated nature photographer. These prints evoke the photographer's emotional connection to these sublime and diverse landscapes of Colorado and invite viewers to lose themselves in the expanse of the Great Plains.
Shiki Dreams
WHEN: Thru Jan. 2, 2026
WHERE: Colorado Mills, Lakewood
Shiki Dreams by Prismajic is an award-winning immersive art installation. After showing up for your time slot and watching a short introductory video, you are given a magic flashlight to explore the real and dream worlds of Shiki, the magical yeti. Sites, smells, sounds and more surround the explorer while navigating the first installment of this zen experience. Family friendly, the environment encourages the explorer to search for red butterflies, frogs and snails. While doing so, you will find treasures of all kinds.
The Bombing of United 629
WHEN: Thru Feb. 8, 2026
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Created in collaboration with the Denver Police Museum, The Bombing of United 629 explores the enduring legacy of this tragic event while serving as a tribute to all who were lost. Having occurred 70 years ago, the bombing of United 629 was the first confirmed case of sabotage against a commercial airliner in the U.S. The subsequent investigation set new standards for forensic science in crash investigations, revealing that John Gilbert Graham planted dynamite in his mother’s suitcase. This tragedy not only led to a landmark ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which allowed the trial to be televised and paved the way for greater media access to courtrooms nationally, but also prompted stricter passenger safety policies for air travel.
The Disappearance of Thomas Riha
WHEN: Thru March 15, 2026
WHERE: History Colorado Center
CU Boulder Russian history professor Thomas Riha vanished on March 15, 1969. He’s never been found. Was it the FBI? The CIA? Russian intelligence? Or a mysterious woman who left a trail of lies in her wake? This exhibit invites you to investigate this unique Colorado cold case. Riha vanished during the Cold War, raising questions about possible links to international espionage. For the first time, see original documents, photos, and artifacts from key suspects and intelligence agencies relating to Riha’s disappearance. From Boulder and Washington, DC, to Moscow and Prague, History Colorado Center asks you to dig into the files and examine the evidence. What do you think happened to Thomas Riha?
Ms. Destiny
WHEN: Thru March 29, 2026
WHERE: Center for Colorado Women's History
Throughout history, Colorado women have forged opportunity out of scarcity as they created lives they desired. Ms. Destiny highlights the stories of seven unique and resilient Colorado women who took fate into their hands, overcame barriers and defined their realities. Through the lenses of relationship, financial access and occupation, and presentation, Ms. Destiny explores the self-determination and tenacity of women in the Centennial State.
Expedition 1776
WHEN: Thru April 12, 2026
WHERE: History Colorado Center
In 1776, two Franciscan priests named Domínguez and Escalante set out from Santa Fe into territory unknown, lands claimed by Spain but controlled by the Tribes who called it home. With Indigenous guides and the help of Native tribes, the Padres and their party of 12 navigated harsh terrain, mapped vital trade routes, and documented Native cultures that had thrived in the region for centuries before Europeans arrived. Carefully selected artifacts, accounts from Escalante’s journal, and stunning landscape photographs will invite visitors to retrace the journey.
Guest of Honor: Rembrandt
WHEN: Thru Feb. 26, 2027
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
A masterpiece by Rembrandt van Rijn titled A Woman Holding a Pink and an additional portrait of Rembrandt, likely painted by his studio, are on view in the European Art Before 1800 galleries (on the 6th level of the museum’s Martin Building) as part of the National Gallery’s “Across the Nation” program. The collaboration, which brings some of the most important and beloved works of art to communities across the country, is part of the NGA’s program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America in 2026.
Dynamic Variation:
