Lit Up And Dressed Up, Valley Buzzing With The Sights, Sounds Of The Holiday Season
There’s an air of excitement and celebration in Glendale-Cherry Creek, downtown, and throughout the Valley this December. Neighborhoods are aglow with decorations and abuzz with activities and events. As the song goes, “this is the most wonderful time of the year.”
Get the family into the holiday spirit with these fun activities, celebrations, events, and dining options:
Cherry Creek North
Cherry Creek Holiday Market: Shop for gifts at more than 50 spaces daily Nov. 17-Dec. 24. Event features live music Thursday-Sunday, plus a full bar. Deals, programming, and pop-ups make visits unique.
Cherry Creek Carriage Rides: Free horse-drawn carriage ride through Winter Wanderland every Wednesday, Nov. 23-Dec. 21, 5-8 p.m. Rides are first come, first served at 2nd Ave. and Fillmore St.
Winter Wanderland Light Walk: Neighborhood’s over 600 trees adorned with a million lights. Eight displays in the 16 blocks choreographed to holiday music. Visitors can register to win a $1,000 gift card.
Chanukah Celebration: Chabad of Cherry Creek hosts a menorah lighting on the first night of Chanukah, Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Face painting, fire juggling, and treats at Gart Plaza on 3rd Ave. and Milwaukee St.
A Journey Through Time: Interactive art installation features six giant musical hourglasses on display daily, Nov. 17-Dec. 24. You’ll enjoy spending time watching bursting lights fill the air with dancing colors.
Saturday Night Lights: Festive entertainment will line the streets on Saturday nights, 5-7 p.m. The family-friendly celebration features stilt walkers, acrobats, jugglers, and other performers.
Small Business Weekend: Shop Cherry Creek North’s more than 125 locally-owned shops and 30+ locally owned restaurants, Nov. 25-27. Deals, gifts plus a chance to win a $500 gift card.
Blossoms of Light: Don’t miss the holiday light extravaganza on display at Denver Botanic Gardens through Jan. 7, 4:30-9 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
Downtown Denver
Sounds Of The Season: Don’t miss the free Holiday BrassFest concert Dec. 2 in the Denver Center For Performing Arts complex starting at noon, Dec. 1.
Art On Santa Fe: View paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and sculpture in galleries during 35th Holiday Show this month. Open weekdays and on 1st and 3rd Friday evenings. Information: 303-573-5903.
Light The Lights: Catch the eight-minute choreographed light-music show in Civic Center Park, Nov. 23-Jan. 22, 5:45 and 6:45 p.m. Lights on City-County Bldg. before, between, and after nightly shows.
Lights & Sights Tour: Visit the D&F Clock Tower, Larimer Square, The Mile High Tree, and Christkindlmarket, ending at Union Station Nov. 26-Jan. 1, 5:40-7:40 p.m. Information: 720-372-3849.
Holiday BrassFest: Plan to be downtown at the DCPA Complex for free Denver Brass concert Dec. 2, starting at noon. Information: 303-893-4100.
Zoo Lights: Enjoy animated animal sculptures, entertainment, and live animal encounters with the kids at the Denver Zoo through Jan. 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Information: 720-337-1400.
Rudolph Ramble 5K: Take the kids to City Park for free Kids Fun Run Dec. 4, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Youngsters will be helping Santa find Rudolph. Information: halsports.net.
Cristkindlmarket: Shop authentic German Holiday Market in Civic Center Park, Nov. 18-Dec. 24. Cozy huts sell artisan gifts and tasty treats. Information: gacc-co.org.
Santa’s Flight Academy: Take the kids to see the 22-ft.-tall sleigh and experience the magical snowfall in the Grand Court at Cherry Creek Shopping Center Nov. 11-24. Information: 303-388-3800.
Happiness Is Helping
Holiday Is For Kids: Among ways to help struggling families this month is by supporting the Toys for Tots program run in partnership with the Marine Corps.
Help struggling families this month by providing free toys, food boxes, meals, and gift cards. More: Volunteer to prepare meals so children and elderly adults experience holiday joy.
Toys For Tots: Program is run in partnership with the Marine Corps. New and gently used toys are given to needy children. Information: 720-346-3234.
Senior Services: Gerontological Society provides low-income seniors with free boxes of food for the holidays. Information: 303-333-3482.
Inner City Parish: Parish collects toys and food to assist children. Families are given food baskets, Christmas meals, small toys, and more. Information: 303-629-0636.
Denver Rescue Mission: Based on donations, free toys, gifts, and food are passed out by the charity to the homeless and vulnerable. Information: 303-297-1815.
Garden Of Color: The annual Blossoms of Light has returned to the Denver Botanic Gardens on York St. now through Jan. 7.
Community Ministry: Christmas food boxes provide complete holiday dinners. The Sharing Tree program offers a designated dollar amount to buy presents for children-teenagers. Information: 303-935-3428.
Denver Santa Claus Shop: Helps children, single moms, immigrants, and low-income families. Free toys, gifts, jackets, gift cards, and more. Information: 720-944-3666.
Operation Santa Claus: Provides adopt a family program during the holidays. Free gifts, tree decorations, toys, and holiday food boxes are provided. Information: 720-308-1828.
Volunteers Of America: VOA has a Santa Shop for kids age 0 to 18. Games, books, winter clothes, bicycles, and other toys offered. Information: 303-297-0408.
Holiday Eats
Fire & Food: Dining out makes the holiday season doubly special. You can find nourishment from Noel to New Year’s at the Fire in the ART Hotel and at the Monaco Inn Restaurant serving four specials, including Lamb Chops & Grilled Shrimp on Christmas, New Year’s Eve.
Not everyone wants or chooses to cook for the holidays. Fortunately, there are ample restaurants offering hours on Christmas Eve, Day, plus New Year’s Eve. Here’s a quick year-end guide to where to find nourishment from Noël to New Year’s:
Blackbird Public House: If turkey or ham dinners with all the trimmings are what you crave, consider this eatery on S. Downing St. in Wash Park. Open Christmas Eve. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., closed Christmas Day, and open shorter hours on New Year’s Day. Information: 303-733-3923.
Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood: For a comfortable, casual holiday spend time at this E. 2nd Ave. eatery in Cherry Creek North, a top sea food restaurant. Celebrate the season with steamed mussels, lobster rolls, and fresh fish, plus craft cocktails and wine. Information: 303-333-2462.
Fire: Warm up with the Christmas Eve and Christmas day brunch or dinner at this restaurant in the ART Hotel near the Denver Art Museum. Cuisine choices include Sea Bass, Filet Mignon, and Colorado Lamb. Information: 303-572-8000.
Monaco Inn Restaurant: Give yourself the gift of good food, good prices, and good times at this long-time holiday hot spot serving Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 5 to 9 p.m. Specials include a choice of Lamb Shank, Lamb Chops & Grilled Shrimp, New York Steak & Fried Shrimp, or Grilled Salmon served with choice of Avgolemono Soup or Greek Salad. Regular menu also available. Information: 303-320-1104.
Russell’s Smokehouse: Make it a slow and smokey holiday at this Smokehouse on Larimer St. Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Enjoy Prime Rib Roast, Beef Au Jus, and Whipped Potatoes as you bid adieu to the Larimer Square long-time eatery.
’Tis The Season: Shop for gifts at the Cherry Creek Holiday Market, Nov. 17-24. Market has live music Thursday-Sunday, plus a full bar.