Scene From the 2009 Denver Christmas Parade!

The winter holidays are the perfect chance to spend time together as a family.  In case you need some help planning out your Yuletide family fun, here’s a handy list of some of Denver’s best and brightest bets for the holidays.

Numerous halls will be decked throughout the Denver area, but some impressive sites include checking out the Blossoms of Light Denver Botanic Gardens with over one million twinkly lights surrounding the gardens through the New Year.  The Denver Zoo also features 38 acres of lights including 150 moving lighted animal sculptures.  If your family loves a good parade, be sure to check out the 9News Parade of Lights in Downtown Denver.  The parade runs November 30th and December 1st and holiday festivities and activities take place before and after the event.  While downtown, enjoy Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination with a countdown to lighting up every night at 6:30 p.m.  Kids can enjoy the beauty of the lights, shop and explore in the Denver Christkindl Market, or meet with Santa at Larimer Square.  Denver’s largest light display lights up nightly at the City & County Building. Ice skating is now available at the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park.  Best part?  The ice skating is free!  

If you are looking for a live holiday show to inspire you, buy tickets to see the Irving Berlin class, White Christmas, running now through Christmas Eve at the Buell Theatre.  Budding musicians will love the 37th Annual TubaChristmas Concert at Skyline Park. Weekends at the Denver Pavilions features a variety of holiday themed concerts, choirs, and bands to enjoy while shopping in the plazas.

If you are looking for some old fashion fun, head to the Georgetown Christmas Market from December 1st -9th.  The mountain town of Georgetown has boasted this holiday tradition for over 100 years, and it is pretty much the same as it used to be.  Victorian-themed Christmas cheer awaits you here with horse-drawn wagon rides, roasted chestnuts, dancers, entertainment, and visits from old St. Nicholas himself.  A similar, smaller event will be held December 9th at Highlands Square in Denver where you can enjoy carolers, Santa, and complimentary hot beverages.  Kids of all ages will love the Golden Candlelight Walk, taking place this year on November 30th.  Families will walk through the neighborhoods singing Christmas carols, enjoying the lights, and warming up with hot chocolate.   

Book your Denver family vacation today so you don't miss out on the holiday fun in Denver!

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photo: stuartmd