Things to do in Denver this weekend, Dec. 10-12

Camp Christmas, Zoo Lights, markets, and more holiday activities!
10 min. read
Kids and adults ride a merry-go-round set up at Lonnie Hanzon’s Camp Christmas in Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park. Dec. 2, 2021.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

By Cassidy Ritter

'Tis the season for holiday events like Zoo Lights, a Merry & Bright Lights Show at Union Station, and various markets. But that's not all; the city is also bustling with non-holiday events ranging from a Colorado Mammoth game to Dean Edwards live at Comedy Works.

If you're looking for more holiday happenings, check out this list from Maggie or read below. Whatever you get up to this weekend, make it a good one, Denver! Don't forget your mask.

Notes: Events with an * are taking place virtually. 

Friday 

Just for fun

Holiday Bazaar at Clayton. Clayton Members Club & Hotel, 233 Clayton St. $10 a.m.-6 p.m. No cover.

Comedy and theater

Dean Edwards. 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. 7:30 p.m. $40-100. 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.

Denver Comedy Underground: David Gborie. 1400 N. Williams St. 8 p.m. $15-45. 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.

In-Studio and Online: Colorado Wood Panel. Canvas and Cocktails, 6862 S. University Blvd., Centennial. 6:30 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $45 (in-studio).

In-Studio and Online: Cosmic Forest. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 6:30 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $40 (in-studio).

Film on the Rocks Holiday Drive In: Love Actually. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. 7:30 p.m. $59. Proof of vaccination required.

Eats and drinks

Pop-Up Holiday Bar + Lounge. The Rally Hotel, 1600 20th St. 4-9 p.m. No cover.

Music and nightlife

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

Lavender Jones. Number 38, 3560 Chestnut Place. 6-8 p.m. No cover. Proof of vaccination required.

Sports and fitness

Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. Watch on ATL. 7 p.m. Prices vary. Prices vary. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Saturday

Just for fun

Holiday Bazaar at Clayton. Clayton Members Club & Hotel, 233 Clayton St. $10 a.m.-6 p.m. No cover.

Denver Milk Market Holiday Bazaar. Denver Milk Market, 1800 Wazee St. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

Belleview Station Holiday Bazaar. Belleview Station, 6785 E. Chenango Ave. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover.

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.

Dickens: A Family Holiday Experience. Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St. 4-8 p.m. Free (children ages 3 and under), $25 (ages 3-11), $50 (ages 12 and up).

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. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $40-100. 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.

Dean Edwards. 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.

Denver Comedy Underground: David Gborie. 1400 N. Williams St. 8 p.m. $15-45. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Art, culture and media

In-Studio and Online: Broncos Sky. 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: Grinchy Ornament. 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: Scrooged. 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.

Pop-Up Holiday Bar + Lounge. The Rally Hotel, 1600 20th St. 2-9 p.m. No cover.

Music and nightlife

Uncle Jah & The Reckless Folk. 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.

Three Deuces Performance Activation: Celebrating a Cool Yule. MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. $25. Advanced registration required. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Sports and fitness

Butterfly Pavilion Rainforest Yoga. Butterfly Pavilion,  6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster. 8 a.m. $10 (non-members), $8 (members). Advanced registration required.

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

*Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs. Watch on ATL or listen at 92.5 FM. 6:30 p.m. 

Colorado Mammoth vs. San Diego Seals. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. Watch on SNE, SNO, SNW, ALT. 6:30 p.m. Prices vary. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

Sunday

Just for fun

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).

Belleview Station Holiday Bazaar. Belleview Station, 6785 E. Chenango Ave. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover.

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. $40-100. Proof of vaccination required for guests 12 and older, negative COVID-19 test or vaccination required for children under 12.

Art, culture and media

In-Studio and Online: Wood Ornaments. Canvas and Cocktails, 6862 S. University Blvd., Centennial. 2 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $30 (children, in-studio), $35 (adults, in-studio, includes one free drink).

Film on the Rocks Holiday Drive In: A Christmas Stroy. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. 4:30 p.m. $59.00. Proof of vaccination required.

Goatflix & Chill: A Christmas Story. RMGY Studio, 5555 W. Evans Ave. 6-8 p.m. $15. Advanced registration recommended.

In-Studio and Online: Through My Window. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 2 p.m. $20 (online, plus cost of materials), $40 (in-studio).

In-Studio and Online: Deep Colorful Trees. 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.

Music and nightlife

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

Sports and fitness

*Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions. Watch on FOX or listen at 850 AM or 94.1 FM. 2:05 p.m.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Florida Panthers. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. Watch on SNE, SNO, SNW, ALT. 6 p.m. Prices vary. Prices vary. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required for entry.

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).

*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.

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