Top 75+ things to do in Colorado this weekend: Dec. 5-7

75 things to do in Colorado this weekend: Dec. 5-7

Colorado rings in the holiday season this weekend with holiday parades, festivals, concerts and events.

December's arrival brings dozens of Christmas parades to the Centennial State including the 51st annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights. The largest and most-watched parade in the Rocky Mountain region will march through the streets of downtown Denver beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday.

There are also dozens of holiday tree lightings, winter festivals, arts and craft fairs, Christmas concerts, Nutcracker performances and festive 5K races. No matter where you live in Colorado, there's a magical weekend experience this weekend.

9NEWS Parade of Lights

DENVER — Colorado's biggest holiday parade is back in the Mile High City this weekend. The 51st annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights will bring sparkling lights, marching bands, giant balloons and colorful floats to the streets of downtown Denver on Saturday. The Colorado holiday tradition dates all the way back to 1975 and has grown into the largest and most-watched parade in the Rocky Mountain region.

The two-mile parade route will begin at the Denver City & County Building and march down 17th and 15th streets at 6 p.m. If you couldn't make it to the parade, the event will broadcast live on 9NEWS, 9NEWS.com, and 9NEWS+.

Festival of Lights Parade

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Pikes Peak region's largest holiday parade begins Saturday at 5:50 p.m. The Festival of Lights Parade features almost 100 floats traveling Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs.

Parade of Lights

GRAND JUNCTION — The biggest parade on the Western Slope returns Saturday in downtown Grand Junction. The 43rd annual Parade of Lights features more than 100 lighted entries to help viewers get in the holiday spirit. This weekend's parade steps off at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Parade and Drone Show

LYONS — This Lyons tradition is back this Saturday with lights, carolers and drones. Saturday begins with a Holiday Artisan Market at Lyons Elementary School. The Parade of Lights gets underway at 6:30 p.m. with colorful floats. After the parade, a drone show will go off near Bohn Park, but will be visible from Main Street.

Christmas Parade of Lights

CAÑON CITY — The 36th annual Christmas Parade of Lights steps off at 6 p.m. Saturday through the streets of Cañon City. The parade will march down Main Street with the 2025 theme of “Holly Jolly Christmas.” There will be vendors on hand serving delicious, warm holiday cookies and hot cocoa.

Berthoud Parade of Lights

BERTHOUD — Immerse yourself in Berthoud’s downtown this weekend while enjoying the annual Parade of Lights on Mountain Avenue, where Santa’s grand entrance is followed by a tree lighting ceremony and caroling at Fickel Park. The parade begins Saturday at 5 p.m.

Parade of Lights

RIFLE — The 11th annual Hometown Holiday Parade of Lights is set to trek Railroad Avenue from the Garfield County Fairgrounds to Highway 6 after it steps off at 5:45 p.m. Saturday. A tree lighting takes place at 5 p.m. at Heinze Park followed by fireworks at 5:30 p.m.

Parade of Lights

MONTROSE — Montrose's Parade of Lights will welcome in the holiday season this weekend. The annual parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and will illuminate historic Main Street. The theme of Saturday's parade is “A Vintage Christmas.”

Candlelight Walk

GOLDEN — Golden's annual Candlelight Walk returns Friday at 6:30 p.m. The free event has been a holiday tradition since 1988 with thousands coming together to hold candles and sing Christmas songs down Washington Avenue. At the conclusion of the walk, the switch for Golden’s 45,000 holiday lights along Clear Creek and downtown will be flipped on.

Noel Northglenn

NORTHGLENN — Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves for an evening of fun when Santa comes to Northglenn on Friday to turn on the city's lights. The Noel Northglenn lighting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. There will be free kids crafts, games, carriage rides, a bake sale, indoor snowball fight and photos with Santa at Northglenn Recreation Center.

Windsor Wonderland

WINDSOR — The Windsor Wonderland runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The free celebration has live holiday performances, kids' activities, hot cocoa, s'mores, photos with Santa Claus and inflatables. The Windsor Tree Lighting is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Saturday.

Night of Lights

GUNNISON — The annual tree lighting in downtown Gunnison will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. The ceremony also features a visit from Santa Claus as well as festive lights, floats, entertainment and storefront display competition. The highlight of the evening is the countdown to the tree lighting, which illuminates Gunnison with thousands of holiday lights.

Brighton Tree Lighting Ceremony

BRIGHTON — Brighton will celebrate its annual Tree Lighting on Saturday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Founders Plaza on Main and Bridge streets. Other activities prior to the tree lighting include free face painting, the Teddy Bear and Friends Tree, and a performance from Face Vocal Band. There will also be a Winter Market featuring artists, crafters and food vendors at 1 p.m.

Festival of Lights

FREDERICK — Frederick's annual tree lighting will ring in the holiday season with free carriage rides, photos with Santa Claus, hot cocoa and cookies, carolers and an interactive ice sculpture. The Festival of Lights runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at Crist Park. The Festival of Lights parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday down Fifth Street.

Holiday Celebration

WHEAT RIDGE — The City of Wheat Ridge welcomes in the holiday season with carolers, hot cocoa, cookies, holiday gifts, food trucks, Santa Claus, and carriage rides at Saturday's Holiday Celebration, which runs from 3 to 6:30 p.m. The city's official tree lighting begins at 6:15 p.m. with more than 12,000 multi-colored bulbs lighting a 25-foot evergreen.

Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum

DENVER — A Denver holiday favorite is back. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) will perform its 34th anniversary production of "Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum" on weekends between through Dec. 21 at 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. A family tradition for over three decades, the production blends dance, music and spoken word to lift the spirit and fill the heart with joy, love and peace. All 10 performances are at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

DENVER — The Broadway musical "Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" arrives in Denver this weekend. Narrated by Max the Dog, the tale tells the story of the scheming Grinch whose “heart is two sizes too small” and decides to steal Christmas from the people of Whoville. The musical features the timeless classics “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the 1966 animated special. The family friendly musical, which has no intermission, plays Denver’s Buell Theatre through Sunday. For showtimes and tickets, visit DenverCenter.org.

Disney on Ice: Let's Dance!

DENVER — The magic of Disney on Ice returns to Ball Arena in Denver with six shows scheduled from Friday to Sunday. "Let's Dance!"will feature the frozen world of Arendelle and two of the most beloved sisters in Disney history: Anna and Elsa. Disney on Ice also is offering a Character Experience that includes games, storytelling, crafting and interactive time with characters. Ball Arena tickets are sold at Ticketmaster.com.

ICE! 

AURORA — More than 2 million pounds of ice have been transformed into a wonderland at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. The "ICE!" exhibition uses massive ice blocks to celebrate the 1966 holiday special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." The attraction features five, two-story tall ice slides and uses colored ice, clear ice and LED lights used to create the display. The environment is kept frozen by a chilling system that maintains the attraction’s temperature at 9 degrees. Guests get to wear a blue parka to stay warm inside the exhibition.

’90s Holiday Rewind

DENVER — Turn back time and celebrate the holidays with some of the biggest R&B voices of the ’90s. The ’90s Holiday Rewind brings together 112, Ginuwine, and All-4-One for one night at Denver’s Bellco Theatre. Get ready for a feel-good night filled with nostalgia, harmony, and classic vibes that’ll take you straight back to the golden age of R&B. It all takes place Friday at 7 p.m.

Denver Brass’ Holiday BrassFest

DENVER — The Denver Brass Holiday BrassFest invites the public to join The Denver Brass to sing holiday carols under the acoustic glass ceiling of the Denver Performing Arts Complex Galleria. The event at 11:30 a.m. Saturday is open to everyone including amateurs, professionals and families. All participants receive a 2025 BrassFest collectible pin and are encouraged to wear festive holiday attire. The event is free to attend for those who want to simply enjoy the holiday music without formally participating. 

First Friday Holiday Lighting & Art Market

SILVERTHORNE — Silverthorne will showcase its arts scene at this week’s December First Friday event where the town will celebrate the holidays with its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony and holiday art market. Taking place at the Silverthorne Pavilion on Friday, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., attendees can sip on hot chocolate, shop for unique wares from local artists and enjoy live music, carolers, holiday crafts and more. Santa will also be in attendance, with the tree lighting ceremony in front of the main Silverthorne Pavilion entrance taking place at 6 p.m.

Monument Tree Lighting

MONUMENT — Town of Monument will hold its Tree Lighting this Saturday at Limbach Park. Starting at 2 p.m., holiday performances from local schools will be held before Santa arrives to light up the park at 5 p.m. Mr. Claus will visit with kids from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

FORT CARSON — Fort Carson will celebrate the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony on Friday at 5 p.m. The ceremony at Iron Horse Park includes kids' activities, free Santa photos, market, reindeer and holiday entertainment. 

Celebration of Lights

ALAMOSA — Alamosa kicks off the holiday season Friday with the lighting of City Hall and the County Courthouse. After the illumination ceremony, kids can meet Santa Claus while everyone enjoys hot chocolate. The 18th annual Celebration of Lights begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Winterfest featuring Cookies & Cocoa

FORT LUPTON — Enjoy crafts, cocoa-to-go, and family portraits with Santa at Cookies & Cocoa at Fort Lupton School and Public Library. The event is Saturday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Poinsettia Pops

GREELEY — One of northern Colorado's best annual holiday traditions returns on Saturday to Greeley’s Union Colony Civic Center. Presented by the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, the Greeley Chorale, and the Greeley Children's Chorale, Poinsettia Pops is a joyous concert of beloved holiday favorites. For tickets, visit UCStars.com.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live

DENVER — The Colorado Symphony is celebrating the holiday classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas" this weekend. The 1965 special will be featured in a concert and movie screening on Friday and Saturday at Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. For tickets and showtimes, visit ColoradoSymphony.org.

A Classic Parker Holiday 

PARKER — The Parker Chorale and the Parker Symphony Orchestra will hold three performances this weekend of "A Classic Parker Holiday." The holiday concert offers traditional carols, familiar songs and a few surprises. Performances are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at PACE Center. Tickets are sold at ParkerArts.org.

Holiday Pops Concert

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Colorado Springs Youth Symphony will hold its annual Holiday Pops Concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are on sale at AXS.com.

CHSAA 4A/5A Football Championships

FORT COLLINS — Championship Saturday is here! The best of Class 3A, 4A and 5A football will clash to decide the 2025 Colorado state champions at Fort Collins' Canvas Stadium on Saturday. The 3A championship will be at 10 a.m. between No. 1 Windsor and No. 2 Pomona, followed by No. 1 Dakota Ridge vs. No. 3 Palmer Ridge in the 4A title game at 1:30 p.m. The nightcap will feature No. 1 Cherry Creek vs. No. 2 Ralston Valley in the 5A championship game at 5 p.m. Tickets for the CHSAA 4A/5A Football Championships are sold at online.

Rudolph Ramble

DENVER — The Rudolph Ramble 5K is part of the RunDenver Series. The run/walk will start near the pavilion at City Park near Colorado Boulevard and East 17th Street. Participants receive a chill-themed knit hat. 

Rock Canyon Half Marathon

PUEBLO —  If you're looking to run a half marathon in Colorado this weekend, consider the Rock Canyon Half Marathon. The annual event arrives Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and features stunning scenery as you run along the historic Arkansas River Trail up to the Lake Pueblo dam and back to City Park. Rock Canyon Half Marathon registration can be completed online.

Chasing Santa 5K & Cycling Santa Bike Ride

COLORADO SPRINGS — There are two Christmas-themed races in Colorado Springs on Saturday. The Chasing Santa 5K is a walk/run for the family and the Cycling Santa Bike Ride is for bicyclists. Registration for both events is available online.

Zoo Lights

DENVER — More than 3 million lights illuminate the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance in the 35th annual Zoo Lights. The zoo's 80 acres have been decorated with lights and animated light sculptures for the event, which runs to Sunday, Jan. 4. New for 2025, Zoo Lights has introduced an earlier entry time at 4:30 p.m., for families with young children who prefer to start their evening a little earlier. Zoo Lights tickets start at $26 for adults and $19 for kids 3 and up at DenverZoo.org.

Electric Safari

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Electric Safari opens this weekend with 85 light sculptures illuminating the zoo's 50 acres. Along with the warming fires throughout the zoo, displays will fill you with warmth and holiday spirit as you gaze out at the sparkling lights of Colorado Springs. Electric Safari opens Friday and continues select nights through Jan. 1. Reserve your passes at CMZoo.org.

ElectriCritters

PUEBLO —  ElectriCritters will be delighting kids of all ages for a 32nd year at the Pueblo Zoo. The event continues through Dec. 28. The Pueblo Zoo tradition features magical light creations, hot cocoa, tasty treats and holiday shopping, plus free photos with Santa Claus on Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21.

Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker

DENVER — Colorado Ballet is performing "The Nutcracker" for a 65th year. Colorado Ballet’s production returns to its home at the Denver Performing Arts Complex for 28 performances. For a fourth year, "The Nutcracker" will showcase its new sets and costumes created especially for Colorado Ballet by designers Thomas Boyd and Holly Hynes. The production will feature five different casts of dancers and live music performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. "The Nutcracker" will run through Dec. 28 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

The Nutcracker Ballet

PUEBLO — The Sangre de Cristo Ballet opens its annual production of "Nutcracker The Ballet" on Friday at the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center. The Pueblo holiday tradition sees Clara and the Nutcracker dance their way through a dream of magic and celebration. Five performances of "Nutcracker The Ballet" are scheduled through Sunday, Dec. 14. You can get your tickets at SDC-Arts.org.

Birds of Prey World Cup

BEAVER CREEK — Beaver Creek Mountain is home to the famous Birds of Prey racecourse and this weekend's FIS Ski World Cup. Top international athletes will be on hand for racing in Alpine super-G, giant slalom, and downhill competitions. This weekend's races are free to spectate, and Beaver Creek will have ice skating, live music, entertainment and athlete signings. The Men's Downhill is Thursday at 11 a.m., Men's Super G at 11:15 a.m. Friday, and Men's Giant Slalom at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Colorado Christmas Bazaar

ENGLEWOOD — The Colorado Christmas Bazaar will be held over three weekends at The Centennial Promenade. The indoor market will have vendors with homemade gifts, baby goat yoga, dog adoption on site, selfie stations, food and drinks. The free market runs Friday to Sunday.

Merry Market

COMMERCE CITY — Ring in the holiday season at Commerce City’s first-ever Merry Market, a outdoor holiday shopping experience with local vendors, artists, live performances, seasonal treats and family friendly activities, including the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink. The market at the Commerce City Civic Center parking lot runs Friday to Sunday this weekend and next weekend.

Fort Collins Holiday Gift Festival

FORT COLLINS — The huge Fort Collins Holiday Gift Festival is back this Sunday with an array of fine arts, handmade crafts, delectable food, home décor, and unique holiday gifts. The show runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Northside Aztlan Community Center in downtown Fort Collins. More than 120 vendors are set to attend. Admission is free.

Holiday Food & Gift Festival

COLORADO SPRINGS — The 27th annual Holiday Food & Gift Festival runs Friday to Sunday at the Norris Penrose Event Center. The festival features hundreds of exhibitors helping Coloradans make progress on their holiday shopping lists. The festival offers one-of-a-kind gifts, crafts, jewelry, clothing, delicious food items, music, photography, toys and Christmas décor.

Silverthorne Holiday Art Market

SILVERTHORNE — Silverthorne opens its holiday art market on Friday during its tree lighting ceremony from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. The market will continue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Silverthorne Pavilion.

Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival

DURANGO — The La Plata County Fairgrounds is the site of this weekend's 49th annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival. The show features food, wine, ornaments, soaps, lotions, blankets, jewelry, Native American art, gemstones, kettle corn, kitchen items, gift bags, clocks, furniture, pottery, scarves, hats, and mittens. The festival runs 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Winter Market

LONGMONT — This weekend's Winter Market features Colorado vendors selling produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, preserves, cheese, hot sauces, wine, prepared food, coffee, kombucha, jewelry, skincare, woodwork and home goods. There will be free kids’ activities and live music. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Admission is free.

Grandview High School Holiday Craft Fair

AURORA — Grandview High School is hosting its craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The holiday tradition allows local vendors to advertise their business and sell products to the community during the Christmas season.

Golden High Christmas Holiday Bazaar 

GOLDEN — Golden High School’s PTA hosts its 11th annual Christmas Holiday Bazaar this Saturday with over 40 local artists. Find the perfect Christmas gift beginning Saturday at 10 a.m. Admission is free.

Bear Creek High School Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair

LAKEWOOD — The 32nd annual Bear Creek High School Instrumental Music Boosters Craft Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Bear Creek High School. This weekend’s Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair will have over 170 crafters, door prizes and  concessions.

Cheyenne Mountain High School Craft Fair

COLORADO SPRINGS — The 12th annual Cheyenne Mountain High School Craft Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in southwest Colorado Springs. The fair offers over 140 booths of craft vendors to help you get started on your holiday shopping list. There will be stocking stuffers, apparel, accessories, toys, decorations, art, jewelry, Christmas décor, home goods and food items. The craft fair will also have food vendors and complimentary parking lot shuttle.

Niwot Holiday Market

NIWOT — Holiday pop-up markets will be set up at businesses throughout Niwot this Saturday, and next Saturday, Dec. 13. There will also be carolers, harpists, brass band, singers, acoustic guitarists, horses and carriages, kids' crafts, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Schweiger Ranch Austrian Christmas

LONE TREE — Schweiger Ranch is pulling out all the stops for its annual authentic Schweiger Ranch Austrian Christmas event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A grand Christmas tree lighting will take place as evening falls. This free festival is sure to whisk you back 145 years into the past, when the Schweiger brothers moved to Colorado from Austria and settled their homestead. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.

Christkindlmarket

DENVER — Denver Christkindlmarket has moved to a new location this holiday season due to construction at Civic Center Park. The German-style holiday market is located on the east side of the Tivoli Quad at the Auraria Campus. The 25th annual festival remains free and open to the public daily from 1 to 9 p.m., through Tuesday, Dec. 23.

Cherry Creek Holiday Market 

DENVER — Now in its 6th year, the Cherry Creek Holiday Market fills Fillmore Plaza with nearly 50 local makers, designers and creators offering unique gifts. Visitors can shop under lights, enjoy music, and warm up at the Mistletoe Lounge holiday pop-up bar. The Cherry Creek Holiday Market is open daily through Dec. 24.

Horseshoe Holiday Market

LITTLETON — The Horseshoe Holiday Market is part makers market, part flea market. Organizers expect vendors selling everything from handmade gifts to antiques. The market will be held at Breckenridge Brewery in Littleton this Saturday and Sunday.

Swirly, Twirly Market

DENVER — Denver BAZAAR hosts the Swirly, Twirly Market for five weekends at 2620 Walnut St. in the RiNo District. The free, all-ages market is set for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for shopping and sipping.

Festival of Trees

GREELEY — The 36th annual Festival of Trees continues this weekend with the Union Colony Civic Center lobby being turned into a true winter wonderland. The festival features crafted trees, each decorated in their own unique theme and style, all vying for prizes. The Festival of Trees runs through Saturday, offering visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, carriage rides and entertainment. Check out the full Festival of Trees schedule at GreeleyGov.com.

Wassail Days

FRISCO — Frisco's Wassail Days continues through Sunday. Frisco businesses will be serving special wassail recipes during the event while visitors try to fill up their "12 Sips of Wassail" card.

Hudson Holidays

LITTLETON — Hudson Gardens & Event Center will host the "Hudson Holidays" light show through Jan. 4. The event feature lighted gardens, a lighted maze and larger-than-life themed exhibits. Santa will make an appearance most evenings for free photo opportunity for families. Adults will also be able to purchase beer, wine and cocktails as well as food concessions. Tickets can be reserved at HudsonGardens.org.

Trail of Lights

LITTLETON — Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms has been transformed into a glistening path of lights. The Trail of Lights holiday experience offers dancing Christmas trees, synchronized music in a children's play area, light tunnels, model tractor displays, hot beverages, nuts, kettle corn and more. Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms will be open various evenings through Sunday, Jan. 11. Tickets are sold at BotanicGardens.org.

Blossoms of Light

LITTLETON — The signature event at Denver Botanic Gardens is back this holiday season. Blossoms of Light, a Denver tradition for nearly four decades, transforms the York Street gardens into a twinkling wonderland. More than one million lights are used to illuminate a mile-long path. Blossoms of Light closes Sunday, Jan. 11.

Bridge of Lights

CAÑON CITY — The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is ready for its biggest and brightest event. Guests will be able to walk across the Royal Gorge Bridge — 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River — amidst thousands of twinkling lights. Bridge of Lights is now a walk-through event, where guests can take time to enjoy the light displays, sit down for warm food and drinks, and enjoy a peaceful night of holiday wonder. Bridge of Lights will run select dates through Dec. 21.

Olde Town Arvada Skating

ARVADA — Nothing is more fun than a twirl around a skating rink under the twinkling lights. Olde Town Arvada just opened its Olde Town Arvada Skating rink. Tickets with skate rentals are $10 for adults and $7 under 12 years old.

Skate in the Park

COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Springs has opened its ice-skating rink for the season. Tickets are $15 including skate rentals. Located in Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs, the Skate in the Park rink is open most days through Jan. 31.

McGregor Skate

DENVER — The outdoor skating rink on the McGregor Square Plaza will be open daily though Sunday, Jan. 4, and then Friday to Sunday until Jan. 25. Skates are available on-site for rental or bring your own. Skating starts at $6 with kids under age 2 and seniors age 65+ skating for free.

Mile High Drone Show 

DENVER — Nightly drone shows are back in Denver. Mile High Drone Shows will be staged for 41 nights through Wednesday, Dec. 31. The 11-minute shows start at 7 p.m. and be visible for free, west of downtown Denver. The best viewing areas will be from Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus and Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

A Christmas Carol

DENVER — A Colorado tradition is back at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) Theatre Company will stage its 31st annual production of "A Christmas Carol" through Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Wolf Theatre. Based on Charles Dickens' classic novel, the Denver musical adaptation traces curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge's triumphant overnight journey to redemption. Tickets are on sale now at DenverCenter.org.

Mile High Tree

DENVER — The massive Mile High Tree, Colorado's largest digital Christmas tree, has moved to the Auraria Campus this holiday season. The tree is set up next to Denver Christkindlmarket, the city's German holiday market. Entry to see the tree is free and open to the public. The Mile High Tree will be lit up nightly through Dec. 31.

Christmas in Color

FEDERAL HEIGHTS — Denver's biggest drive-through Christmas light displays are back. Christmas in Color has brought back its drive-through light displays at two sites for 2025. The displays are at Water World and Red Rocks Park until Dec. 28.

The Secret World of Elephants

DENVER — The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has also opened the temporary exhibition "The Secret World of Elephants." Visitors will discover the remarkable science behind nature’s most lovable giants, from how they “hear” through their feet to ways they contribute to daily life around the planet. Denver marks the first stop on the exhibition's national tour after its debut at New York’s American Museum of Natural History, where it was created. Through hands-on interactive stations, guests can feel the low-frequency rumbles elephants use to communicate, explore how they reshape their environments and come face-to-face with models of extinct relatives, such as dwarf elephants.

Brick Planet

DENVER — "Brick Planet" is the newest exhibition at Denver Museum of Nature and Science. "A magical journey made with LEGO bricks," the exhibition takes guests on a journey around the world through the lens of artist Sean Kenney’s sculptures built with more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks. Enjoy hands-on opportunities, from building LEGO brick creations to sketching journals and playing a magnetized game. "Brick Planet" will be at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science until May 3.

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors

DENVER — "Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors" is a Bram-new comedy you can sink your teeth into. Filled with clever wordplay and anything-goes pop culture references, it’s a 90-minute, gender-bending, quick-changing reimagining of the gothic classic, perfect for audiences of all blood types. The comedy plays the Garner Galleria Theatre through May 10. For tickets and showtimes, visit DenverCenter.org.

Movies this weekend

Christmas came early at the box office this year. With a staggering $556 million globally in its opening, "Zootopia 2" had the highest international opening ever for an animated movie, the fourth highest global debut of any kind, and the top international opener of 2025.

Combined with the strong box office of "Wicked: For Good," it could be an indication that a strong finish might salvage Hollywood's box office year, with “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Five Nights at Freddy's 2” among the films still to be released in 2025.

New movies this weekend

• Five Nights at Freddy's 2
• Merrily We Roll Along
• Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
• 100 Nights of Hero
• Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution

Last weekend's box office

1. “Zootopia 2,” $96.8 million.
2. “Wicked: For Good,” $62.8 million.
3. “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” $7 million.
4. "Predator: Badlands,” $4.8 million.
5. “The Running Man,” $3.7 million.
6. “Eternity,” $3.2 million.
7. “Rental Family,” $2.1 million.
8. “Hamnet,” $880,000.
9. “Sisu: Road to Revenge,” $810,000.
10. “Nuremberg,” $749,325.

Would you like to see you favorite Colorado festival, fair, expo, concert, drama, musical, ballet, run or event listed in 9Things? Send it to [email protected]. 

Have a wonderful weekend!