Things to do in Denver this weekend, Nov. 19-21

Tree lightings, parades, and a Mac ‘N Cheese 5k!
9 min. read
Denver Botanic Garden holiday lights. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

By Cassidy Ritter

Holiday events are upon us! This weekend's activities include a holiday parade, market, tree lightings, Hip Hop Nutcracker and so much more.

Denver Fashion Week also wraps up this weekend with two shows highlighting local designers and sustainable fashion trends. There's also a Mac 'N Cheese 5k on Sunday.

Notes: Events with an * are taking place virtually. 

Friday 

Just for fun

Grand Holiday Parade, Santa's Arrival & Tree Lighting. The Streets at SouthGlenn, 6851 S. Gaylord St., Centennial. 6 p.m. Free.

Black Sheep Fridays: Jam Tasting & Music Trivia. MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. 6 p.m. $20.

Comedy and theater

Descendants. Performing Arts Academy at St. Luke's UMC, 8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch. 6:30 p.m. $12.

Hip Hop Nutcracker. Denver Center for the Performing Arts at Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. 7 p.m. Starting at $80. Proof of vaccination required for guests 12 and older, negative COVID-19 test or vaccination required for children under 12.

Bob Saget. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $42. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Denver Comedy Underground: Mohanad Elshieky. 1400 N. Williams St. 8 p.m. $10-35. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

American Son. Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma St. 7:30 p.m. $36-40.

Dan Cummins. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. 9:45 p.m. $30. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Art, culture and media

*Affordable Arts Festival. Online. 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday. $12 (entry)

Winter Starts Now. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place. 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Starting at $26.50. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Northern Lights Peak. Lariat Lodge Littleton, 12684 W. Indore Place, Littleton. 6 p.m. $14 (includes materials and one drink).

Eats and drinks

Elegant Fall Macrons. Sur la Table SouthGlenn, 6853 S. Gaylord St., Centennial. 10 a.m. $79.

Beer & Bonbons Pop-Up. Lady Justice Brewing, 9735 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora. 3-8 p.m. Free. Advanced registration recommended.

Alton Brown Live: Beyond the Eats. Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St. 7:30-10 p.m. Prices vary.

Music and nightlife

Bourbon Bar & Live Music Series. The Oxford Hotel, 1600 17th St. 5-7 p.m. No cover.

Extra Gold. Number 38, 3560 Chestnut Place. 6-8 p.m. No cover.

Playboi Carti: King Vamp Tour. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. 6:30 p.m. Prices vary.

Sports and fitness

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. Watch on ATL or listen at 92.5 FM. 7 p.m. Starting at $30. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required.

*Colorado Avalanche vs. Seattle Kraken. Watch on ESPN+ or Hulu. 8 p.m. 

Saturday

Just for fun

Cars & Coffee. Adam Polishes at Denver Premium Outlets, 13801 Grant St., Thornton. 7-10 a.m. Free.

2nd Annual Golden Fields Market. TruLog, 20684 Niobrara Blvd., La Salle. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover.

Sugar Plum Bazaar. The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover.

Holiday Market. Firefly Handmade, 1059 S. Gaylord St. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover.

Comedy and theater

Hip Hop Nutcracker. Denver Center for the Performing Arts at Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. 2 p.m. Starting at $80. Proof of vaccination required for guests 12 and older, negative COVID-19 test or vaccination required for children under 12.

Dan Cummins. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. 5:15 p.m. $30. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Hasan Minhaj. Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St. 7 p.m. Prices vary.

Denver Comedy Underground: Mohanad Elshieky. 1400 N. Williams St. 7 p.m. $10-35. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

American Son. Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma St. 7:30 p.m. $40-45.

Bob Saget. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 9:45 p.m. $42. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Art, culture and media

*Affordable Arts Festival. Online. 8 a.m. Friday-6:30 p.m. Saturday. $12 (entry)

In-Studio and Online: Fallorado Wood Slice Class. Canvas and Cocktails, 6862 S. University Blvd., Centennial. 2 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $36 (children under 12, in-studio, includes one free drink), $41 (adults, in-studio, includes one free drink).

Winter Starts Now. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place. 3 p.m.  and 6 p.m. Starting at $26.50. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Tiny Art Big Ideas - Opening Reception. Spectra Art Space, 1836 S. Broadway. 5-10 p.m. $5-25. Advanced registration required.

In-Studio and Online: Cosmic Forest (new). Canvas and Cocktails, 6862 S. University Blvd., Centennial. 6:30 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $40 (in-studio, includes one free drink).

DFW Fashion Week - Local Designers Fashion Show. McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave.  7 p.m. $50-150. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Eats and drinks

Pie and Beer Pairing. Denver Beer Co. Platte St. Taproom, Olde Town Arvada Taproom and South Downing St. Taproom.  11 a.m.-5 p.m. $20-45.

Perfect Mashed Potatoes & Thanksgiving Sides. Sur la Table SouthGlenn, 6853 S. Gaylord St., Centennial. 1 p.m. $79.

Music and nightlife

Uncle Jah and Trevor Michael. Number 38, 3560 Chestnut Place. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. No cover.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve & Other Stories. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. Watch on ATL or listen at 92.5 FM. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Starting at $39.50. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required.

The Cars, The Police, Duran Duran & Tears for Fears - a DJ Tribute. Bar Nun Denver, 1225 Logan St. 8-11:30 p.m. $10-15.

Heartless Bastards. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. Starting at $25. Proof of vaccination required for entry.

Denver Fashion Week After Party. McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave. 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $15.

Sports and fitness

Latin Dance Class con Carmen Duran. Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora. 10 a.m. $6.

Sunday

Just for fun

Holiday Market. Firefly Handmade, 1059 S. Gaylord St. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover.

Sugar Plum Bazaar. The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover.

Candle Making Workshop. Blanchard Family Wines, 1855 Blake St. 3-5 p.m. $75. Advanced registration required.

Comedy and theater

American Son. Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma St. 2 p.m. $40-45.

Steve-O. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. $35-35. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Gabriel Inglesias. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. Watch on ATL or listen at 92.5 FM. 7 p.m. Starting at $35.50. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required.

Thick Skin. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. 7 p.m. $14. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

David Spade. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder. 8 p.m. $49.50-59.50.

Art, culture and media

In-Studio and Online: Joy Wood Pannel. Canvas and Cocktails, 6862 S. University Blvd., Centennial. 10 a.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $42 (children 12 and under, in-studio), $47 (adults in-studio).

DFW Fashion Week - Sustainable Fashion Show. McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave. 4 p.m. $50-110. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Goatflix & Chill: Finding Nemo. RMGY Studio, 5555 W. Evans Ave. 7-10 p.m. $15. Advanced registration recommended.

Eats and drinks

Drag Bingo Brunch. Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover.

Friendsgiving. Seedstock Brewery, 3600 W. Colfax Ave. 2 p.m. No cover. Attendees are invited to bring a dish.

Simply Delicious Thanksgiving. Sur la Table SouthGlenn, 6853 S. Gaylord St., Centennial. 4 p.m. $79.

Music and nightlife

Cosmic Cowboys & Strutz. Number 38, 3560 Chestnut Place. 1-2:30p.m. and 6-8 p.m. No cover.

Bluegrass Jams. Seedstock Brewery, 3600 W. Colfax Ave. 5-7 p.m. Free.

Sports and fitness

2021 Mac 'N Cheese 5k. Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton. 10 a.m.-noon. $40-45.

*Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns. Watch on ATL or listen at 92.5 FM. 6 p.m.

All weekend

Just for fun

Vintage Market Days - Spruced. Norris Penrose Indoor Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road, Colorado Springs. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Friday and Sunday), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday). $10-15.

35th Annual Holiday Food & Gift Festival. National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sunday). Free (children 12 and under), $13 (seniors), $14 (adults).

Denver Christkindlmarkt. 101 W. 14th Ave. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.

Blossoms of Lights. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 4:50-9 p.m. $18 (non-member children ages 3-15), $19 (members and non-member seniors), $21 (non-member adults).

Comedy and theater

*Until the Flood. Denver Center for the Performing Arts, online. Anytime. Free.

Art, culture and media

Monarch Magic. Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (children under 2 and members), $9 (children ages 2-12), $11 (seniors 65+), $13  (adults).

Seeing the Invisible. Denver Botanic Garden, 1007 York St. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Free (children 2 and under, members), $11 (children 3-15 and students), $11.50 (military and seniors), $15 (adults). Advanced registration required.

Fervor: Ana María Hernando. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Free-$15. Advanced registration required.

Of Sky and Ground: Yoshitomo Satio. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Free-$15. Advanced registration required.

Survival of the Slowest. Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (Friday) and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday-Monday). Free (members), $14.95-19.95 (non-members). Advanced tickets required for timed entry.

Convergence Station. Meow Wolf Denver, 1338 1st St. 10 a.m.-midnight. (Friday and Saturday), 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sunday). $40-45.

The Denver Art Tour. Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer St. 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Free (children five and younger), $40 (ages 6-11), $45 (12 and up).

Jason Moran: Bathing the Room with Blues. MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. Noon-5 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). $20 (members), $25 (non-members). Advanced registration required.

Memory Mirror. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$13. Advanced registration recommended for timed entry.

Earth Illuminated. Denver Pavilions, 500 16th Street Mall. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Monday-Saturday) and noon-6 p.m. (Sunday). Free-$25. Advanced ticketing recommended for timed entry.

Deborah Roberts: I'm. MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. Noon-5 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). $20 (members), $25 (non-members). Advanced registration required.

Brighter Than Love. Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee St. Noon-7 p.m. (Friday-Saturday), Noon-5 p.m. (Sunday). Free.

*Kirkland Museum. Online. Anytime. Free.

*Gardens Navigator. Denver Botanic Gardens, online. Anytime. Free.

*Sie FilmCenter Virtual Cinema. Sie FilmCenter, online. Anytime. $13.

Eats and drinks

Bent Barley 3rd Anniversary. 6200 S. Main St., Aurora. Noon-10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Sunday). No cover.

*Cooking School at Home. Stir Cooking School, online. Anytime. $25.

*Cooking on Demand. The Seasoned Chef, online. Anytime. $35.

Music and nightlife

*Dazzle Online Stage Performances. Online. Anytime. Free.

Sports and fitness

Beyond: Guided Meditation & Laser Light Experience. The International Church of Cannabis, 400 S. Logan St. Noon-8 p.m. (starts every 20 minutes past the hour). $10-25.

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