Winter Market, Zoo Lights and Noon Year’s Eve!
The holidays bring pure magic to Northern Colorado! Experience the warmth of menorah lightings during Hanukkah celebrations and explore festive bazaars overflowing with unique, locally crafted gifts. Delight in cozy carriage rides, creative vendor fairs, captivating musical shows, and exciting year-end parties. These joyful gatherings create unforgettable memories and showcase the community spirit that makes Northern Colorado and Colliers Hill shine brighter every December.
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, December 18
SHOP SMALL SATURDAY CARRIAGE RIDES
Get into the holiday spirit with free horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown Erie! ALLO Fiber and Downtown Erie team up to bring you this delightful experience. Bundle up and enjoy a magical ride through the festive streets while supporting local businesses.
CHANUKAH AT THE STATE CAPITOL
Join Governor Polis, state dignitaries, and the broader Denver community for an evening of Jewish pride and celebration! Enjoy free BBQ, donuts, hot drinks, a fire show, dreidel drop, balloon art, entertainment, and the grand Menorah lighting ceremony on the West Steps. Fun for all ages with mascots and more!
Saturday, December 20
WINTER FARM MARKET & ART SHOW
Kick off the holiday season with fresh local produce from Ollin Farms’ regenerative soil, one-of-a-kind artwork and handcrafted gifts from the Left Hand Artists Group, and free kids activities! Fill your basket with winter veggies, explore pottery, jewelry, and prints, and celebrate community together in this joyful gathering.
TINKERMILL REPAIR CAFÉ
Bring your broken items for hands-on repair experiences promoting sustainability! Skilled volunteers assist with electronics, furniture, clothing, small appliances, bicycles, and toys. Tour TinkerMill’s woodworking, machining, electronics, and welding shops while learning from experts.
Engage with fellow community members passionate about repair and reducing waste.
TinkerMill, 1840 Delaware Pl Unit A, Longmont
9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Tickets: Free (donations accepted)
FOUR SEASONS WITH THE BOULDER PHILHARMONIC
Journey through two vivid soundscapes of nature and time! The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra presents Vivaldi’s baroque masterwork The Four Seasons alongside Piazzolla’s sultry, tango-infused Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas. Violinist Alex Gonzalez, who has performed at Carnegie Hall and on international tours, brings both works to life in this vibrant conversation across centuries and continents.
1421 Spruce St, Boulder
7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30
SOLSTICE BY CANDLELIGHT
Experience the longest night of the year with a heart-warming odyssey into ancient skywatching traditions! Cozy candlelight, brilliant stars, and seasonal music in Fiske Planetarium’s state-of-the-art theater lift spirits as we explore the starry nights that served as our ancestors’ clocks, calendars, and compasses.
Welcome another year and Fiske’s 51st trip around the Sun!
Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Dr, Boulder
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 adults, $15 students/seniors/military/youth
THE SANTA CLAUS RUNS AND FESTIVAL & KIDS ELF MILE
Join the 2nd Annual Santa Claus Run on Louisville’s scenic trails! SANTA starts the race, and each registrant receives a collectible snow globe. After the 5K and 10K (starting at 10 a.m.) and Kids Mile (11:30 a.m.), enjoy hot drinks, cookies, donuts, and festive holiday music. Runners receive a winter thermos, finisher medal, and more!
Louisville Community Park, 955 Bella Vista Dr, Louisville
10:00 a.m.
Tickets: $13–$40 (registration closes Dec. 18)
Sunday, December 21
CHANUKAH CELEBRATION
Join a festive Chanukah celebration and Menorah lighting at The Orchard! Enjoy live entertainment, classic Chanukah treats of latkes and donuts, hot drinks, and Chanukah music. Meet the lively Dreidel mascot and receive free Chanukah swag at this free and joyous event hosted by Chabad of NW Metro Denver.
NEXT WEEK: Friday, December 27
DRESS UP DOWNTOWN: SANTA CRAWL
Break out your best Santa costume for Longmont’s Dress Up Downtown Costume Crawl! Enjoy a neighborhood-wide themed event with drink specials, challenges, photos, games, and festive fun at participating downtown businesses. Costumes aren’t officially required, but we know you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to dress up!
Tuesday, December 30
YOUNG INVENTORS PRESENTED BY WOW! CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Calling all problem solvers! Be an inventor as you observe, research, design, build, and test your own creation to take home. Take on the challenge to create a device with the materials provided while exploring physical science and engineering concepts. Drop in anytime during this hands-on experience!
Wednesday, December 31
NOON YEAR’S EVE AT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF DENVER
Bring the glitz and glam of Times Square NYE, all before bedtime! Ball drops happen every hour from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. out on the plaza in SNOW DAYS, the seasonal outdoor experience. Enjoy festive music, special New Year’s-themed programming, and more in this one-of-a-kind family-friendly celebration!
Children’s Museum of Denver, 2121 Childrens Museum Dr, Denver
9:00 a.m. (ball drops 10 a.m.–3 p.m.)
Tickets: $17.75–$19.75 (must be purchased at Museum day-of, first-come first-served; members free)
SHARKY’S NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH
Join Sharky for a family celebration featuring a buffet meal, balloon drop, live entertainment, mascot appearances, party favors, games, and more! Two seatings available, and your ticket includes validated parking and half-off exhibit admission at Downtown Aquarium.
Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St, Denver
11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $59.11, Kids 3-10 $44.57, Kids 2 and under free
BRIGHTON’S NOON YEAR’S EVE
Making it to midnight can be difficult for littles—or any age, really! Celebrate ringing in the New Year at noon with refreshments, snacks, games, and of course a countdown. Perfect for families who want to welcome 2026 at a more manageable hour!
Brighton Recreation Center, 555 N. 11th Ave, Brighton
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 for one parent & child, $6 per additional child
ZOO LIGHTS SENSORY FRIENDLY NIGHT AT THE DENVER ZOO
Join an inclusive evening for guests who would enjoy a sensory friendly night to see the Zoo Lights! Enjoy reduced crowds, no strobing effects, low-volume music, quiet rooms, and sensory kits available upon request. With 80 acres boasting over three million lights, experience tradition, family fun, and sparkling features that bring brilliant smiles!
NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR
Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company invites you to this special celebration! Kick off at 7:00 p.m. with The King Penny Radio Show, an improvised vintage comedy blending Golden Era radio-style performance with audience suggestions. Enjoy the musical magic of GerRee Hinshaw, champagne, a ball drop at 9:00 p.m. (Nova Scotia Time!), and dancing to live music by The Dave Fulker Band!
DICKENS NYE DANCE PARTY
Ring in the New Year at the historic Dickens Opera House with beats from Buckshot, Duck La Rock, and Disco Witch! Enjoy a real disco ball, full bar with unlimited drinks option, optional unlimited taco bar (9–10:15 p.m.), optional ice cream bar (10:30–11:45 p.m.), and a champagne toast at midnight for all ticket holders. Dance the night away with house, techno, and disco until 2 a.m.!
CHRISTMAS IN COLLIERS HILL
There’s something magical about celebrating the season right here in your Colliers Hill neighborhood. With select Richmond American homes remaining from the mid $500s, now’s your chance to move in and welcome the holidays surrounded by the comfort of your own space and the closeness of a community that feels like home.
