By Cassidy Ritter
Happy December, Denver! Can you believe it's already the last month of the year?
The city is in full holiday mode with holiday markets and performances taking place across the metro this weekend. A Hudson Christmas at Hudson Gardens is also back after a two-year hiatus. (If you're looking for more holiday happenings, check out this list from Maggie or read below.)
Non-holiday events include a photography class at the Butterfly Pavilion, Disney on Ice at Ball Arena, and a doughnut cooking class.
Whatever you get up to this weekend, make it a good one! Oh, and don't forget your mask.
Notes: Events with an * are taking place virtually.
Friday
Just for fun
Clydesdale Hayride & Holiday Lights Party. Denver Equestrians Riding School, 5200 W. Coal Mine Ave., Littleton. 5-8 p.m. $49.95. Advanced registration required.
Comedy and theater
Black Sheep Fridays: You Quack Me Up - Rubber Duckie Decorating & Comedy Show. MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. 6 p.m. $20. Advanced registration required. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.
Mike Birbiglia. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $29.50-55. Proof of vaccination required for entry.
Josh Wolf. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $28. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.
A Christmas Carol. Denver Center for the Performing Arts at the Wolf Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 6:30 p.m. $40-90. Proof of vaccination required for guests 12 and older, negative COVID-19 test or vaccination required for children under 12.
Disney's The Lion King. Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. 7:30 p.m. $35-175.
Monty Franklin. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $28. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.
Denver Comedy Underground: Nancy Norton. 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.
Art, culture and media
Matter of Time. Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
Zona Rosa. K Contemporary, 1412 Wazee St. Noon-6 p.m. Free.
Voices of the Desert. Union Hall, 1750 Wewatta St. Noon-6 p.m. Free.
First Friday Art Walk & Open Studio. Grace Noel Art, 734 Santa Fe Dr. Noon-9 p.m. Free.
In-Studio and Online: Sparkling Dandelion. Canvas and Cocktails, 6862 S. University Blvd., Centennial. 6:30 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $40 (in-studio).
In-Studio and Online: Starry Night. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 6:30 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $45 (in-studio).
Film on the Rocks Holiday Drive In: Gremlins. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. 7:30 p.m. $59. Proof of vaccination required.
Music and nightlife
Bourbon Bar & Live Music Series. The Oxford Hotel, 1600 17th St. 5-7 p.m. No cover.
David Miner and the Reasons to Quit. Number 38, 3560 Chestnut Place. 6-8 p.m. No cover. Proof of vaccination required.
Covex. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $10-15. Proof of vaccination required for entry.
Hanukkah Concert: The Klez Dispensers. JCC Denver, 350 S. Dahlia St. 10-11:30 p.m. Free.
Saturday
Just for fun
Tripod Photography. Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster. 7:45-9 a.m. $11 (members), $15 (non-members). Advanced registration required.
Horseshoe Holiday Market. Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Lane, Littleton. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
16th Street Mall Holiday Festival. 16th Street Mall at Welton and Glenarm. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.
Photos with Santa. Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee St. Noon-3 p.m. Free.
Queen of Hearts Holiday Market. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. Noon-6 p.m. Free.
Englewood Market & Tree Lighting. Englewood City Center Circle, 1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood. 3-7 p.m. Free.
Merry & Bright Lights Show. Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St. 5-10 p.m. Free.
Comedy and theater
A Christmas Carol. Denver Center for the Performing Arts at the Wolf Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. Noon and 5 p.m. $40-90. Proof of vaccination required for guests 12 and older, negative COVID-19 test or vaccination required for children under 12.
Disney's The Lion King. Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $35-175.
Josh Wolf. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $28. 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.
Monty Franklin. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $28. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.
Art, culture and media
In-Studio and Online: Chubby Owl. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 10 a.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $35 (in-studio, children ages 12 and under), $40 (in-studio, adults).
Matter of Time. Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
Zona Rosa. K Contemporary, 1412 Wazee St. Noon-6 p.m. Free.
Voices of the Desert. Union Hall, 1750 Wewatta St. Noon-6 p.m. Free.
In-Studio and Online: Wrapped in Love. Canvas and Cocktails, 6862 S. University Blvd., Centennial. 2 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $30 (children under 12, in-studio, includes one free drink), $35 (adults, in-studio, includes one free drink).
Film on the Rocks Holiday Drive In: Jingle All the Way. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. 4:30 p.m. $59. Proof of vaccination required.
Film on the Rocks Holiday Drive In: Batman Returns. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. 8 p.m. $59. Proof of vaccination required.
Eats and drinks
Gingerbread Decorating Party. Tattered Cover + Kids Pop-Up Shop at Park Meadows, 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 8:30-9:15 a.m. $14-27. Advanced registration required.
Build & Take: Bûche De Noël. Sur la Table SouthGlenn, 6853 S. Gaylord St., Centennial. 9 a.m. $79.
Hops & Shops Pop-Up Holiday Market. Launch Pad Brewery, 884 S. Buckley Road, Aurora. Noon-4 p.m. No cover.
Music and nightlife
Triple Header Saturday. Number 38, 3560 Chestnut Place. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. No cover. Proof of vaccination required.
The Jingle Belles: Holiday Carolers. Dairy Block, 1800 Wazee St. 1-3 p.m. Free.
Sports and fitness
Latin Dance Class con Carmen Duran. Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora. 10 a.m. $6.
*Denver Nuggets vs. New York Knicks. Watch on ATL or listen at 92.5 FM. 11 a.m.
*Colorado Avalanche vs. Ottawa Senators. Watch on ATL or SN1. 5 p.m.
Sunday
Just for fun
Horseshoe Holiday Market. Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Lane, Littleton. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
Santa at the Station. Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free (first-come, first-serve), $50 (express pass, includes ornament, advanced purchase required).
Comedy and theater
Disney's The Lion King. Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $35-175.
A Christmas Carol. Denver Center for the Performing Arts at the Wolf Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $40-90. Proof of vaccination required for guests 12 and older, negative COVID-19 test or vaccination required for children under 12.
American Son. Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma St. 2 p.m. $40-45.
Nancy Norton. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. 7 p.m. $14. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.
Art, culture and media
Film on the Rocks Holiday Drive In: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. 4:30 p.m. $59.50. Proof of vaccination required.
Goatflix & Chill: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. RMGY Studio, 5555 W. Evans Ave. 6-8 p.m. $15. Advanced registration recommended.
In-Studio and Online: Space Flowers. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 6:30 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $35 (in-studio, children ages 12 and under), $40 (in-studio, adults).
In-Studio and Online: Silent Night. Canvas and Cocktails, 6862 S. University Blvd., Centennial. 6:30 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $35 (in-studio).
Eats and drinks
American Doughnut Workshop. Sur la Table SouthGlenn, 6853 S. Gaylord St., Centennial. 10 a.m. $79.
Drag Bingo Brunch. Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover.
Snowfall Dream. Canvas and Cocktails at Halfpenny Brewing Co., 5150 E. Arapahoe Road, Centennial. 1 p.m. $40 (includes materials and free drink).
Music and nightlife
Bluegrass Jams. Seedstock Brewery, 3600 W. Colfax Ave. 5-7 p.m. Free.
Sports and fitness
*Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs. Watch on NBC or listen at 850 AM or 94.1 FM. 6:20 p.m.
All weekend
Just for fun
Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland. Cherry Creek North, 2401 E. 2nd Ave. All day. Free.
Cherry Creek Holiday Market. Fillmore Plaza at Cherry Creek North, between 1st and 2nd avenues. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. No cover.
Camp Christmas. Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. $8-25.
2nd Annual Après Ski Holiday Market. Dairy Block, 1800 Wazee St. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover.
Denver Christkindlmarkt. Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.
Olde Town Arvada Holiday Makers Market. Olde Town Arvada, 7307 Grandview Ave., Arvada. 4-8 p.m. (Fridays) and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). No cover.
Downtown Lakewood Holiday Bazaar. Belmar Plaza + Indoor Shopping Hall, 439 S. Teller St., Lakewood. 4-10 p.m. (Friday), noon-8 p.m. (Saturday), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sunday). No cover.
Blossoms of Lights. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 4:30-9 p.m. $18 (non-member children ages 3-15), $19 (members and non-member seniors), $21 (non-member adults).
Trail of Lights. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton. 5-8:30 p.m. Free (children 2 and under), $10 (child member), $13 (adult member, senior, student, military or child ages 3-15), $15 (adult). Advanced registration required.
A Hudson Christmas. Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton. 5-9 p.m. Free (children ages 3 an under), $12 (children ages 4-12), $15 (adults). Advanced registration required.
December Delights. Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St. 5-10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) and 5-9 p.m. (Sunday). $10-16.
Denver Zoo Lights. Denver Zoo, 2900 E. 23rd Ave. 5-10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) and 5-9 p.m. (Sunday). $15-25. Advanced registration required.
Luminova Holidays. Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle. 5-10 p.m. $35. Advanced registration required.
JAAMM Festival. Online and in-person, location varies by event. Time varies by event. Cost varies.
Comedy and theater
Winter Tales. Factory Five Five, 10255 E. 25th Ave., Aurora. 6 p.m. (Fridays), 10 a.m. (Saturdays) and 1 p.m. (Sundays). $8 (in advance), $12 (at the door).
Disney On Ice: Dream Big. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. 7 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Saturday), 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (Sunday). Prices vary. Advanced registration and proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.
*Until the Flood. Denver Center for the Performing Arts, online. Anytime. Free.
Art, culture and media
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.
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
Miracle at Denver Union Station. 1701 Wynkoop St. 4-11:30 p.m. (Friday) and 2 p.m.-midnight. (Saturday and Sunday). $2 (deposit). Advanced registration required.
*Cooking on Demand. The Seasoned Chef, online. Anytime. $35.
*Cooking School at Home. Stir Cooking School, online. Anytime. $25.
Music and nightlife
*Dazzle Online Stage Performances. Online. Anytime. Free.
Sports and fitness
Downtown Denver Rink. 1601 Arapahoe St. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sunday). $7-9 (rentals).
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.
