Things to do in Denver this weekend, Dec. 14-17

Looking for things to do in Denver this weekend? Here’s a big, curated list of options in arts and entertainment, food and drink, causes, sports and more!
15 min. read
(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

It's getting extremely Christmas-y out there. Turn on Mariah and dive in.

Thursday

Food & drink

If You Give a Beer a Cookie. Holiday cookie and beer pairing at Great Divide Barrel Bar, 1812 35th St. 6-8 p.m. $12.

Beer and cheese pairing. Copper Kettle Brewing Co., 1338 S. Valentia St., Suite 100. 8:30 p.m. $20.

Mizu Izakaya one-year anniversary. Japanese whisky and sake tasting from 7-9 p.m., with a free cocktail for anyone who arrives then. Party starts at 9 p.m. Drink tickets for anyone who arrives before 10 p.m. Sake bombs, champagne, a DJ and 20 percent off food. Mizu Izakaya, 1560 Boulder St. 7 p.m.-midnight. 

Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest. Wear an ugly sweater to get half-off pints. Contest happens from 4-6 p.m. Crazy Mountain Brewing Company, 471 Kalamath St. Noon-6 p.m.

It's the Most Wonderful Time for a Beer. Special tappings, beer discounts and Christmas cookies. Comrade Brewing Co., 7667 E. Illif Ave. 5-10 p.m. 

Entertainment

Best bet: “The Santaland Diaries.” David Sedaris’ stories of working as an elf at Macy’s in New York, adapted for the stage. The Jones Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue. 7 p.m. $25-33.

“First Date.” As Casey and Aaron’s blind date plays out in real time, “restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. $35.

Alter Bridge. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place. 7:30 p.m. $29.50-45.

FKJ. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $25-30.

Prayers. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $15-20.

State Drugs. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $8-10.

Neyla Pekarek (of the Lumineers). Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $17-20.

Float Like a Buffalo. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $8-10.

Tangled & Dark: Emily Clark & Friends pay tribute to Bonnie Raitt. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St.  8 p.m. $5-15.

ILoveMakonnen.  Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 8 p.m. $17-20.

A Country Christmas with Bonnie & The Clydes. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $12.

Gallagher. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 8 p.m. $15-50.

Arsonists Get All The Girls. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $5-14.

Cluekid. The Black Box, 314 E. 13th Ave. 9 p.m. $12-15.

Janae Burris and friends. Highlands Comedy Room, 3600 W. 32nd Ave. 7:30 p.m. $10.

The Good Stuff: All-Female Show. Comedy, improv and performance. The Deer Pile, 206 E. 13th Ave. 8-10:30 p.m. 

Nick Guerra. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 8 p.m. $17.

The SPINS. Hear Vinyl Me, Please’s record of the month, Miles Davis' "Sorcerer," and enjoy drink specials and bring your own vinyl to spin. Black Shirt Brewing Co., 3719 Walnut St. 6-9 p.m.

Art

Curators’ Talk with Patrick Charpenel & Eduardo Sarabia. Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 7-8:30 p.m. $5-10.

"SupaStore Human - We are the Product" plaster casting workshop with artist Sarah Staton. Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax, 312 E. Colfax Ave. 6-8 p.m. Free. RSVP required at [email protected].

"It Came from the Super Volcano" opening reception featuring work by Travis Walker, Scotty Craighead, Ben Roth, Mike Piggot, Katy Ann Fox, Taryn Boals and Thomas Maker. Visions West Contemporary, 2605 Walnut St. 6-8 p.m. 

For families

Chanukah Night at the Children's Museum. Menorah lighting, pizza, latkes, Sufganiot, Chanukah craft, raffles and The Great Big Dreidel Hunt. Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Children's Museum Drive. 5-8 p.m. $13 per person, $64 for the family.

“A Christmas Carol.” Stage Theatre, 1101 13th St. 6:30 p.m. $35-85.

“The Nutcracker.” Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. 7:30 p.m. $30-90.

"The Nutcracker." This modernized version will not be set to the original Tchaikovsky score, but modern day music and dance genres including electro-swing, jazz, world dance, dubstep, hip hop and contemporary and pointe ballet.  Noel Community Arts School, 5000 Crown Blvd. 6 p.m. 

For a cause

Children's Hospital Toy & Book Donations. Get a free $6 pint with a donation. Strange Craft Brewing Co., 1330 Zuni St., Unit M. 3-8 p.m.

Sports

Colorado Avalanche vs. Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.

Denver Broncos at Indiana Colts, 6:25 p.m.

Friday

Food & drink

Best bet: Potluck of the AmericasMuseo will provide pupusas, empanadas, ponche and a live demonstration of how to make Venezuelan arepas. Museo De Las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive. 5-8 p.m. $5 if you bring a dish, $10 if you don't. RSVP required at 303-571-4401 or [email protected].

Star Wars Beer Releases & Movies. Strange Craft Brewing Co., 1330 Zuni St., Unit M. Noon-9 p.m. 

Estonya release. 10 Barrel Brewing Co., 2620 Walnut St. 5 p.m.-midnight.

Bacon and Bourbon Pairing. Mile High Spirits, 2201 Lawrence St. 7-8:30 p.m. $30.

Gingerbread dubbel release. Bruz Beers, 1675 W. 67th Ave. 3-10 p.m. 

Entertainment

Best bet: To All A Good Night! Up next in this holiday film series: an ugly sweater party, white elephant gift exchange and National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation." Bring a $5 gift for the exchange. Movie starts at Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. Party starts at 7:30 p.m., movie starts at 9:30 p.m. $7-11.

Best bet: “The Santaland Diaries.” David Sedaris’ stories of working as an elf at Macy’s in New York, adapted for the stage. The Jones Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue. 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. $25-33.

Best bet: Drunk ChristmasAudacious Theater's holiday fundraiser features a tipsy performance of "A Christmas Carol," plus raffles, auctions, baked goods and Christmas karaoke. Fiction Beer Co., 7101 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. Pay what you can, or $15 for reserved seats.

“First Date.” As Casey and Aaron’s blind date plays out in real time, “restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. $35.

The KS Classic Christmas with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 8 p.m. $19.75.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats holiday show. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $40.95.

Maddy O'Neal. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $12-15.

Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers and The Railbenders. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $27-30.

Nicole Atkins. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $15.

Mihali (of Twiddle). Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $12-15.

Don Chicharrón. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9:30 p.m. $10.

Shwayze. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 8:30 p.m. $15-20.

Steve Kimock and Friends. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $27-32.

Citizen Dan (Steely Dan tribute). Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $20.

Hometown for the Holidays 2017. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 7 p.m. $20.

Saints of Never After. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $8-10.

Leon & The Revival. Skylark Lounge, 140 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $5.

ChurchVan. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8.

Josh D. Reed Quartet. Nocturne, 1330 27th St. 7 p.m. $15.

Shlump. The Black Box, 314 E. 13th Ave. 9 p.m. $15-20.

Music and Dance of Bali featuring Gamelan Tunas Mekar. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 6:30 p.m. $10-15.

Nick Guerra. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $27.

Art

"SupaStore Human - We are the Product" opening reception with an artist talk from Sarah Staton. Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax, 312 E. Colfax Ave. 6-8 p.m. Free.

SDK's #fourthworld closing party. Leon, 1112 E. 17th Ave. 7 p.m.-midnight.

"Dress to Impress" artist reception featuring one-of-a-kind wearable pieces. Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant St. 5:30-8 p.m. 

For families

Best bet: "A Colorado Christmas" with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 7:30 p.m. $20-94.

"Holiday Cheer!" with the Denver Philharmonic. Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St. 7:30 p.m. Free-$25.

“A Christmas Carol.” Stage Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. $35-85.

“The Nutcracker.” Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. 7:30 p.m. $30-90.

For a cause

Children's Hospital Toy & Book Donations. Get a free $6 pint with a donation. Strange Craft Brewing Co., 1330 Zuni St., Unit M. 3-8 p.m.

Denver Beer Co's Coat Drive for the Homeless. Free pint for each coat donated. Denver Beer Co., 1695 Platte St. All day. 

Sports

Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Food & drink

Best bet: Tennyson Street Holiday Rumpus & Market. German-style outdoor market with a clothing drive, local artisans, delicious food and holiday-inspired music and beer. In and around Call to Arms Brewing Company, 4526 Tennyson St.

Lemongrass Colette Release. Great Divide Barrel Bar, 1812 35th St. Noon-10 p.m.

Christmas and Cold Weather Beer Fest. Hops & Pie, 3920 Tennyson St. Noon-11 p.m. 

2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party. Black Shirt Brewing Co., 3719 Walnut St. 9 p.m.-midnight. Free.

Free Wine Tasting with Infinite Monkey Theorem. Amendment XXI, 2548 15th St. 4-7 p.m.

Stout Hot Chocolate & Onesie Party. Mockery Brewing, 3501 Delgany St. 7-11 p.m.

Saturday morning cartoons at Grandma's House, 1710 S. Broadway Noon-4 p.m.

Cookie decorating class. One ticket includes a dozen sugar cookies, decorating supplies, hot cocoa and healthy finger foods for kids and wine, cocktails and appetizers for parents. Olive & Finch, 3390 E. First Ave. 3-4:30 p.m. 85 for one adult and one child and $10 for each additional child.

Entertainment

Best bet: To All A Good Night! There are five movies on the lineup for this holiday film series today: "The Muppet Christmas Carol," "The Polar Express," "It's A Wonderful Life," "Love Actually" and "Batman Returns." Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. $7-11 per show.

Best bet: “The Santaland Diaries.” David Sedaris’ stories of working as an elf at Macy’s in New York, adapted for the stage. The Jones Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. $25-33.

Best bet: Drunk ChristmasAudacious Theater's holiday fundraiser features a tipsy performance of "A Christmas Carol," plus raffles, auctions, baked goods and Christmas karaoke. Fiction Beer Co., 7101 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. Pay what you can, or $15 for reserved seats.

“First Date.” As Casey and Aaron’s blind date plays out in real time, “restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $35.

FACE Holiday Show. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place. 7 p.m. $17-42.

Parade of Lasers 2017 featuring Flux Pavilion. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 8 p.m. $38.25.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats holiday show. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $40.95.

Hell's Belles and Lola Black. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 8 p.m. $18-20.

Alice Merton. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $15-18.

Decemburger 2017. Music fest and slider-eating contest. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 4 p.m. $40-50.

Azizi Gibson. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $17-20.

Steve Kimock and Friends. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $27-32.

The Anchor and Tonight We Rise. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $8-10.

Daniella Katzir Band. Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave. 8 p.m. $15.

Nick Guerra. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $27.

Carnivale De Sensuale: Krampus. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $25-30.

Art

S. Legg: "Animals" opening reception. Alto Gallery, 4345 W. 41st Ave. 6-10 p.m.

For families

Best bet: "A Colorado Christmas" with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. $20-94.

Best bet: Gingerbread House Decorating Party with free hot cocoa at Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th St., and Sweet Cooie's, 3506 12th Ave. 1-3 p.m. Recommended donation of $15 will go to  Habitat for Humanity “Home for the Holidays” campaign.

"Holiday Cheer!" with the Denver Philharmonic. Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St. 2:30 p.m. Free-$25.

“A Christmas Carol.” Stage Theatre, 1101 13th St. 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $35-85.

“The Nutcracker.” Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. 1 p.m. $30-90.

Storytime with Santa. Second Star to the Right, 4353 Tennyson St. Noon-1 p.m.

For a cause

Children's Hospital Toy & Book Donations. Get a free $6 pint with a donation. Strange Craft Brewing Co., 1330 Zuni St., Unit M. 3-8 p.m.

All Day Christmas Movie Marathon Party & Toy Drive. Movie-themed drinks, free cookies, free doughnut from Voodoo with a donation and more. Southside Bar Kitchen, 3014 E. Colfax Ave. Starting at 11 a.m.

MaxFund's Annual Holiday Open House. Pet photos with Santa, refreshments, bake sale, tours, merch sale and more. MaxFund No-Kill Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, 720 W. 10th Ave. 1-4 p.m. 

Christmas Food Drive. Free half-pint with donation. Brewability Lab, 12445 E. 39th Ave. 3 p.m.-close.

Toy Drive at Goosetown Tavern, 3242 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m.-close.

Sports

Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.

Sunday

Food & drink

Best bet: Doughnut Decorating Ugly Sweater Party. Kids can decorate doughnuts from 4:20-6 p.m., adults can get mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate from 6:30-9 p.m. Hotbox Roasters, 3450 Larimer St. 4:20-9 p.m. Free.

Ski Waxing and Beer Party. Ski videos will be playing on the big screen. Diebolt Brewing Co., 3855 Mariposa St. 4-8 p.m. $15 gets a beer and a wax.

Entertainment

Best bet: Susto and Esmé PattersonGlobe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $17-20.

Best bet: White Christmas Sing-along with Bloody Marys and mimosas. Costumes encouraged. Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. 2 p.m. $7-11.

Best bet: “The Santaland Diaries.” David Sedaris’ stories of working as an elf at Macy’s in New York, adapted for the stage. The Jones Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. $25-33.

“First Date.” As Casey and Aaron’s blind date plays out in real time, “restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $35.

Gabriel Iglesias. Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle. 8 p.m. $35-70.

Nathan Palmer. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $12-15.

Made Violent. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 8:30 p.m. $10.

Kyle Lucas. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $12-15.

The Gifts Celebration: Smiley Gatmouth release party. Mutiny Information Café, 2 S. Broadway. 6:30-11:30 p.m. Free, donations accepted.

Ski Movie Sunday with door prizes, raffles, and giveaways, not to mention Farm to Truck.  Zuni Street Brewing Company, 2355 W. 29th Ave. 6-9 p.m. Free.

Nick Guerra. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 7 p.m. $17.

Art

Best bet: Ai Weiwei “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads”  tour. McNichols Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave. 2-3 p.mFree.

Foul-Mouthed Cross-Stitch Sundays. Get crafty and do some cross-stitching. All materials provided with purchase. Grandma’s House, 1710 S. Broadway. Noon-9 p.m.

For families

Best bet: "A Colorado Christmas" with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 1 p.m. $20-94.

“A Christmas Carol.” Stage Theatre, 1101 13th St. 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $35-85.

For a cause

BarkHappy Denver Ugly Sweater Pawty benefiting MaxFund. Find your ugliest sweater, and your dog's too. Free professional holiday photos, caricature drawings, dog treats, plush dog toy and more. Diebolt Brewing Co., 3855 Mariposa St. 1-3 p.m. $15.

Charity Toy Drive & Marketplace benefitting Toys for Tots. Copper Kettle Brewing Co., 1338 S. Valentia St., Suite 100. Noon-4 p.m. 

Children's Hospital Toy & Book Donations. Get a free $6 pint with a donation. Strange Craft Brewing Co., 1330 Zuni St., Unit M. 3-8 p.m.


Didn't find what you're looking for? Here's a link to Meetups near Denver. Or you might try MileHighOnTheCheap.com's calendar.

Recent Stories