Downtown Denver’s Winter Wonderland!
November 19, 2020
Get in the holiday spirit this weekend with downtown Denver’s Winter Wonderland! The holiday season begins a week earlier than usual with the Lighting of the Lights on Friday night in an online celebration. Live events downtown include the Denver Christkindl Market, the Mile High Tree, and the 16th Street Mall Holiday Market.
TODAY/TONIGHT, November 19
VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS
Sophisticated chefs know there are many secrets to cooking a fish to perfection! Find out just how to do it when you sign up for this Virtual Cooking Class, presented by MCA Online and Chef Dane’s Kitchen. You’ll make dinner for two featuring seared salmon. Pre-portioned ingredient kits will be available for pickup, and class includes all instruction and recipes.
Class: MCA Online
Kit Pick-up: The Cube, 8371 E. Northfield Blvd., Aurora
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Register: $65
ALL ABOUT JAVA
Coffee lovers, here’s a virtual session that’s just for you! Before you enjoy that next cuppa Joe, find out all about the history of coffee—from its origins in Ethiopia to its path to the Starbucks around the corner. More than just a tasteful tale, you’ll learn that coffee has a fascinating story of politics, power, chance, and intrigue as it has influenced cultures all over the world. You’ll even find out about the differences between various types of coffee.
Active Minds Online
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Register: FREE
Thursday-Sunday, November 19-22
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
With the holidays quickly approaching and so many people out of work and having a hard time getting enough to eat, you can make a real difference by donating to your neighborhood food drive. Stanley Marketplace is where you can drop off non-perishable food to one of several businesses. Your donation of shelf-stable foods will help We Don’t Waste continue to meet the need in the community for nutritious foods.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Information
VIRTUAL REALITY ART INSTALLATION
Walk in the shoes of immigrants and refugees on their harrowing journeys when you visit this Oscar® award-winning virtual reality art installation. Carne y Arena is part film and part narrative space, featuring human characters that are based on true accounts. You’ll be swept into this important work with the astonishing technology of virtual reality as you become a part of the stories you are witnessing.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
10:00 a.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$55
GLIDE AROUND THE RINK
Get a great workout while you are having the time of your life gliding around the ice rink! Nothing beats ice skating when it comes to fun outdoor winter activities. The Pond at Southlands is the perfect place to bring the family to work off some of that cabin fever.
Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
Thurs., 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Fri., 4:00 – 10:00 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12
Phone: 303-627-5000
Friday, November 20
KIDS NIGHT OUT AT SOUTHLANDS
The Southlands YMCA is giving kids (and parents!) a chance for a much-needed night out! There will be an age-appropriate movie, games, crafts and fun with other kids ages 3-12. Due to COVID-19, there will be no food served, but you can pack a drink and snack for your child if you like.
Southlands Mall, 6155 S. Main St. #220, Aurora
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Registration: $15
Phone: 720-274-5759
DOWNTOWN GRAND ILLUMINATION
This year, the exciting holiday celebration that lights up downtown Denver will be a week early and presented online! At dusk, Mayor Michael B. Hancock will flip Denver’s giant light switch to initiate the Light the Lights celebration!
Hundreds of thousands of lights will illuminate Denver Union Station, the City and County Building, the 16th Street Mall, Skyline Park, the D&F Clock Tower, 14th Street, and Larimer Square! Watch the event live online and enjoy the first light and music show of the holiday season!
Denver’s Facebook Page
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Information: FREE
Friday – Sunday, November 20-22
DENVER CHRISTKINDL MARKET
One of the Mile High City’s favorite holiday traditions is the old-time German Christmas Market in Civic Center Park. This authentic cultural festival features craftspeople and artisans offering imported European products, and food vendors who will be serving European fare.
Enjoy a Brat and a Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) as you stroll by the booths filled with unique gift items for sale. There will be plenty of live entertainment, including bands, choirs, dancing, and more!
Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver
Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
I LOVE CHRISTMAS MOVIES
Your family will love stepping into iconic scenes of all your favorite Christmas movies at this exciting immersive exhibit! You’ll walk through more than 13 fully immersive scenes, complete with replicas of film props and audio clips. Become a part of The Polar Express, A Christmas Story, Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and The Year Without a Santa Claus! Advanced time-entry ticket required.
Gaylord Rockies, 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora
Fri., 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $13.99 – $24.99
MILE HIGH TREE
As you’re enjoying the festivities in downtown Denver, don’t miss the latest holiday attraction—the Mile High Tree! This dazzling light show includes festive and diverse holiday music timed to the movement of the lights. It’s the largest installation of its kind in North America! The program lasts approximately five minutes and will run every 15 minutes.
16th Street Mall at Welton Street, Denver
5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
VIRTUAL CAMP CHRISTMAS
The popular immersive Christmas experience from Denver Center for Performing Arts is online this year—so your family can enjoy all the handcrafted holiday activities directly in your home! The experience is part digital and part physical with materials shipped to your home when you sign up.
The digital platform features a brand-new imaginary, illustrated world to explore online. The physical experience provides materials to help you complete the activities in the digital world. There will be a wide variety of Christmas-themed activities and fictional places, including Sweetsville, Fairy Forest, and Treehouse Village. Each location will feature multimedia content about the stories, history, and traditions surrounding the season as well as in-home activities to complete.
Online
Register: Starting at $10
NEIGHBORHOOD CHRISTMAS TREE LOT
There’s nothing like a neighborhood Christmas tree lot to bring back fond memories of Christmas past! This nostalgic tradition of taking the family to pick out the perfect tree signals the start of the holiday season.
Stanley Marketplace hosts this family-owned business that sources all their trees direct from farms. There will be a variety of sizes and types, including Noble, Fraser, Nordman, and Grand firs—even Charlie Brown-inspired mini-trees!
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Information
Saturday, November 21
GET YOUR ZUMBA ON
With the chilly weather, this sizzling Latin dance class is just what you need to warm up! Head to the park for an outdoor Zumba class, where you’ll get a great workout while learning some impressive dance moves.
Cheluna Brewing Company, 2501 Dallas St., Suite 148, Aurora
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Register: $6
Sunday, November 22
16TH STREET HOLIDAY MARKET
With downtown Denver lit up and holiday music playing all around, it’s the perfect day to stroll along the 16th Street Mall and enjoy shopping at the outdoor Holiday Market! The Mall will be lined with booths featuring a fantastic array of one of-a-kind seasonal items. Vendors and artists will be displaying high quality handcrafted goods, fabulous holiday gift ideas, delicious specialty foods, home décor, and unique holiday gifts.
16th Street Mall between Tremont & California Streets, Denver
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Every Season’s Spectacular at Southshore
No matter the weather or the season, there’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Southshore! Enjoy Life at the Lake with plenty of cultural and entertainment activities in the surrounding area! Check out the beautiful model homes from Richmond American Homes, Toll Brothers, and Taylor Morrison, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.