Saturday
Food & drink
Christmas tree farm and decorating contest. Pre-order a tree now, select one at the brewery and decorate an ornament. You alss get one Tis the Saison holiday bomber. Enter the #DBCholidaytree decorating contest to win a $50 taproom gift card. Denver Beer Co., 1695 Platte St. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $55.
Zephyr Turnin’ Two. Anniversary party with food from Biju’s Little Curry Shop, tappings, live music and giveaways. Zephyr Brewing Co., 421 26th St. 1 p.m.-midnight.
Entertainment
“The Nutcracker.” Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $30-90.
“The Santaland Diaries.” David Sedaris’ off-beat tales from his stint as a Macy’s elf in New York City. The Jones, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
“A Christmas Carol.” Stage Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
“An Act of God.” In a play the New York Times called “deliriously funny,” God takes on a human form and sets the record straight. Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $47.
“Hand to God.” Sweet but troubled teen Jason is coping with his father’s recent death and is forced to join his mother’s Church-led puppet group. Curious Theater Company, 8 p.m. $24-34.
Hoppy Holidays feat. JJ Grey & Mofro and Kyle Hollingsworth Band. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 5 p.m. $34.50.
Greensky Bluegrass. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $29.95.
Mile Cooley (of Drive-By Truckers). Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $20.75-25.
Dragonette. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $20-25.
Decemburger Fest. Featuring the Shrine, The Well, Zig Zags, In The Company Of Serpents, Duel, Malahierba, Cloud Catcher, The Munsens, Love Gang. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 4 p.m. $22.
The Vanilla Milkshakes album release. Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 6 p.m. $5-8.
Don Strasburg. (Not that Don Strasburg.) Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 10 p.m. $5-8.
PlagueHammer. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $10-15.
Uncalled Four. Stephen Agyei, Adam Cayton-Holland, Zach Reinert and Rachel Weeks will face off in this comedy gameshow, and the “winner” of “Denver’s Worst Person” contest will be announced. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $6-10.
Amplitude Presents: Dodge & Fuski. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 8 p.m. $10-30.
Moon Taxi w/ Joey Porter’s Shady Business. Cervantes Masterpiece and Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $20-25.
Sixteen animated short films. Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. $6-11.
A Krumpus Story. Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St. 7:30 p.m. $14.
Midnight Madness: “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.
All-Beethoven weekend. Featuring Overture to “Coriolan,” Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major and Symphony No. 7 in A major. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 7:30 p.m. $44-104.
A Retelling Of “Star Wars” Episodes 4, 5, and 6 through dance. East High School, 1600 City Park Esplanade. 7 p.m. $20.
Jim James. Parmount Theater, 1621 Glenarm Place. 8-10 p.m. $35.
Mike Watt + The Secondmen. Lion’s Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $20.
Colorado Choir 40th Christmas Concert. Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave. 7:30 p.m. $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, military and students.
Art
Free day at the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway.
Planet X-mas Party. A continued celebration of “The Deep End” by Jonathan Saiz with treats, drinks, music and dancing. Leon, 1112 E. 17th Ave. 6-10 p.m.
For families
Parade of Lights. Marching bands, floats, Santa and more parade throughout downtown. Main staging area is around Civic Center Park. 8 p.m.
Holiday Flea. The folks at Denver Flea host their holiday market — complete with craft vendors, drinks, music and more — at the Sports Castle, 1000 Broadway. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $5.
WinterFest on South Pearl Street. Wagon rides, a holiday market with gift and food vendors, local merchant open house, and appearances by Santa, live music, hot adult beverages, hot chocolate and cider for kids and a christmas tree lot. South Pearl Street between Buchtel Boulevard and Evans Avenue. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
A Colorado Christmas. Help decorate the tree and enjoy holiday crafts, traditional games, music, storytelling and a visit from Santa. Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St. Noon-4 p.m. $5 for adults, $3 for ages 3-17, free for ages 2 and younger. Additional charges apply for wagon rides and refreshments.
Polar Express Party. Watch the movie, enjoy a holiday treat and do a Polar Express-themed activity. Second Star to the Right Children’s Books, 4353 Tennyson St. 3-4 p.m. $5 per child.
Edible homestead workshop. Learn more about the Homestead Act and homesteading in Colorado while creating an edible homestead. Recommended ages 6-12. Parents are welcome to join at no additional cost. History Colorado, 1200 Broadway. 10:30 a.m.-noon. $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers.
LGBT Family Winter Fest. Winter crafts and activities, pictures with Santa, light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. GLBT Community Center for Colorado, 1301 E. Colfax Ave. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. RSVP to Juli at [email protected].
Holiday Mercado. Works of art, crafts and food. St. Dominic Parish, 2905 Federal Blvd. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Holiday Fair. Music, food, handmade gifts, Christmas trees and made-to-order wreaths. Activities for children of all ages, including horse-drawn carriage rides, cookie decorating, candle-making and more. The Denver Waldorf School, 2100 S Pennsylvania St. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
For your brain
Inside the Writer’s Studio. Conversation between Jess Walter, author of “Beautiful Ruins” and “The Financial Lives of the Poets,” and Dana Spiotta, author of “Stone Arabia” and “Eat the Document,” followed by a Q&A and book signing. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 6-8 p.m. $10 for members, $15 for non-members, $5 for students and seniors.
For a cause
Whether the election and its aftermath have you feeling a powerful need to do good for others or you’re simply in the holiday spirit of giving, Denver has plenty of opportunities for you.
Sports
Colorado State basketball vs. Wichita State, 3 p.m.
Denver hockey vs. Colorado College, 7 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars (Star Wars night!) 7 p.m.
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz, 7 p.m.
Colorado basketball at Portland, 8 p.m.
Sunday
Food & drink
Acorn BBQ pop-up. The Source, 3350 Brighton Blvd. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Broncos party and chili cook off. Bring a crockpot of chili to share or go and taste for free, then vote for your favorite. Seedstrock Brewery, 3610 W. Colfax Ave. 11 a.m.
Entertainment
“The Santaland Diaries.” David Sedaris’ off-beat tales from his stint as a Macy’s elf in New York City. The Jones, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
“A Christmas Carol.” Stage Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
“An Act of God.” In a play the New York Times called “deliriously funny,” God takes on a human form and sets the record straight. Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with an audio-described mantinee. Tickets start at $47.
“Hand to God.” Sweet but troubled teen Jason is coping with his father’s recent death and is forced to join his mother’s Church-led puppet group. Curious Theater Company, 2 p.m. $24-34.
Sara Watkins. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $25-30.
A Light Among Many. Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $8.
Fullscreen Live presents Drop the Mic. Featuring Ricky Dillon, The Gabbie Show, Jack Baran, Chachi Gonzales, Andrew Lowe. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 5 p.m. $43-128.
Sixteen animated short films. Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. $6-11.
A Krumpus Story. Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St. 7 p.m. $14.
All-Beethoven weekend. Featuring Overture to “Coriolan,” Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major and Symphony No. 7 in A major. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 1 p.m. $39-99.
Rockmare Before Christmas. Marquis Theatre, 2009 Larimer St. 5 p.m. $10-15.
For families
“The Nutcracker.” Kids can meet the Sugar Plum Fairy after the performance. 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $10.
Holiday Flea. The folks at Denver Flea host their holiday market — complete with craft vendors, drinks, music and more — at the Sports Castle, 1000 Broadway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $5.
Boogie Down. A family dance party from the people behind Warm Cookies of the Revolution, featuring local bands Land Lines and Bluebook. After the music: kids can learn to play music with Swallow Hill’s Instrument Petting Zoo while adults talk about justice and how to stay connected to the community. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $5 suggested donation.
Holiday Mercado. Works of art, crafts and food. St. Dominic Parish, 2905 Federal Blvd. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Santa at the brewery. High-resolution photo with Santa sent to your email within 24 hours and a free beer, plus cookies, hot chocolate and gifts from Santa. Cerebral Brewing, 1477 Monroe St. Noon-4 p.m. $20.
Rudolph Ramble 5K. Join the Rudolph Search & Rescue Team and look for clues along the course. City Park, 1700 York St. 10 a.m. $25-40. Kids’ fun run is free.
For you brain
Jane Sobel Klonsky discusses and signs her new book, “Unconditional: Older Dogs, Deeper Love.” City Stacks Books, 1743 Wazee St. 2-4 p.m.
For a cause
Whether the election and its aftermath have you feeling a powerful need to do good for others or you’re simply in the holiday spirit of giving, Denver has plenty of opportunities for you.
Beers and Cheers. Donate cash or wishlist item worth $10 to get a wristband for $1 off beers under 10% ABV. Proceeds go to SafeHouse helpi ng women, children, and youth overcome domestic violence. Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery, 1139 20th St. 4-7 p.m.
Sports
Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars, 11 a.m.
