Denver lights up 2025 with Mile High Holidays events

DENVER — Mile High Holidays, Visit Denver’s annual winter celebration, will return in 2025 with a lineup of lights, performances, and family-friendly attractions across the city.

This year’s festivities will feature a new holiday village at the Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus, where both the Mile High Tree and the Denver Christkindlmarket will relocate while Civic Center Park undergoes construction.

Drone Shows Return Downtown

Back by popular demand, the Mile High Drone Shows will light up the sky from Nov. 21 through Dec. 31. Expanding to 600 drones this year, the show will run for 41 consecutive nights with viewing from Tivoli Quad and throughout downtown Denver. Produced by Brightflight Drone Shows, the performances will feature scenes inspired by Denver landmarks, mountain adventures and holiday traditions.

Mile High Tree Presented by Xcel Energy and Xfinity

Standing 110 feet tall and illuminated by 60,000 LED lights, the Mile High Tree will return Nov. 21-Dec. 31 at the Tivoli Quad. The seven-story installation will host nightly free light shows set to multicultural music and an opening ceremony on Nov. 21.

Light Extravaganzas

The city’s signature light experiences will once again illuminate the season:

• Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens, Nov. 21-Jan. 12, features a mile-long path of glowing displays.
• Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo, Nov. 23-Jan. 5, transforms 80 acres into a wildlife wonderland with over a million lights.
• Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland, Nov. 20-Dec. 24, offers nearly one million lights, Giving Machines and a holiday market.
• Elitch Holidays, Nov. 28-Jan. 4, fills Elitch Gardens with millions of lights, holiday displays and festive rides.
• Christmas in Color, Nov. 14-Jan. 4 at Water World and Nov. 28-Jan. 4 at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, presents drive-through light shows synced to music.
• Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms, Nov. 29-Jan. 5, illuminates the countryside with a sustainable LED display.
• Hudson Holidays, Nov. 28-Jan. 4 at Hudson Gardens, features dancing trees, tunnels of light and glowing reindeer.

Holiday Markets

Denver’s seasonal markets will offer festive shopping, crafts and local gifts:

• Denver Christkindlmarket, Nov. 21–Dec. 23 at the Tivoli Quad, celebrates its 25th anniversary with ornament workshops and new activities.
• Cherry Creek Holiday Market, Nov. 20–Dec. 24, features 50 local vendors and live music.
• Lemur and Friends Art Bazaar, Nov. 29 and Dec. 14, showcases local artists and makers.
• Denver Winter Market, Dec. 5–7 and Dec. 12–14 at the Sports Castle, transforms the historic venue into a holiday shopping destination.

 Performing Arts

Seasonal performances will include:

• “A Christmas Carol” at the Wolf Theatre, Nov. 21-Dec. 28.
• Colorado Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Nov. 29-Dec. 28.
• “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” at the Buell Theatre, Dec. 3-7.
• Camp Christmas at Stanley Marketplace, Nov. 21-Dec. 24.
• Cleo Parker Robinson’s “Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum,” Dec. 6-21.

Arts and Cultural Events

Family favorites return citywide:

• Children’s Museum Snow Days, Dec. 6-Feb. 16, brings sledding and sock skating to life.
• Magical Winter Nights at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Nov. 20-Jan. 6, features immersive light and sound experiences.
• Molly Brown House Museum Holiday Tea, select dates Nov. 22-Dec. 14, offers tea service in a Victorian setting.
• The Polar Express Train Ride, Nov. 7-Dec. 23. The event at the Colorado Railroad Museum on December 23 recreates the classic holiday story.
• Brunch with Father Christmas on Dec. 13 and Winter Solstice Night Brunch on Dec. 20, both at Four Mile Historic Park, offer festive dining and entertainment.

Holiday Traditions

• The Grand Illumination at Denver Union Station on Nov. 28 features the lighting of a 40-foot Christmas tree, Santa visits and live music.
• 9NEWS Parade of Lights, Dec. 6, brings illuminated floats, bands and holiday characters downtown.
• Holiday Lights in Civic Center, dates to be announced, will continue to brighten the park’s Great Lawn.
• McGregor Skate opens Nov. 28 with ice skating, a tree lighting and screenings of The Grinch.
• Milepost Zero with Santa offers free photos and special pet nights throughout December.
• Champagne Cascade at The Brown Palace, Nov. 9, showcases a glittering 5,201-glass tower.
• Holiday Tea at The Brown Palace, Nov. 10–Jan. 25, continues the hotel’s long-standing tradition.

Dining and Nightlife

• Mile High Merry, Dec. 13 at Denver Central Market, features photos with Santa, live music and festive treats.
• Litmas Holiday Rooftop Popup at Linger, opening Nov. 26, offers igloos, lights and holiday cocktails.

Visit Denver, which celebrates its 116th year as the city’s tourism bureau, said the 2025 season will bring “more sparkle, creativity, and community spirit than ever.” The nonprofit promotes Denver as a convention and leisure destination, helping generate more than $10 billion in visitor spending annually.

For updates, visit VisitDenver.com or follow Visit Denver on social media.