Fresh off the heels of Halloween, you might think Denver would take a short break to relax from all of the events. Well that’s not Denver’s style! This weekend, you and your kids can enjoy sugar skulls, dancing, holiday shopping, expos, magicians, and even underwater mermaids!
Check out all these incredible events and don’t forget to also check out our 9 events you shouldn’t miss during Denver Arts Week 2016 guide, as well as our complete Día de los Muertos 2016 Denver guide!
Free Day | Denver Zoo
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Zoo
When: Friday, November 4th, 2016
Where: Denver Zoo, 2900 E 23rd Ave, Denver, CO 80205
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Enjoy the Denver Zoo with your family for free this Friday and explore the Zoo’s new exhibit Washed Ashore Art to Save this Sea, as well as their special weekly event: Polar Bear Week. Free days are made possible by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show | Denver Mart
When: Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th, 2016
Where: Denver Mart, 451 E 58th Ave, Denver, CO 80216
Time: Nov. 4th 10am – 8pm; Nov. 5th 9am – 8pm; Nov. 6th: 10am – 5pm
Cost: $14.50 3-Day Pass; Free for Children 13 and under
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/ColoradoCountryChristmas
Ages: All Ages
A unique shopping experience awaits you at the Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show at the Denver Mart. There’s something for every member of your family!
You’ll discover new gift ideas, original art, crafts, sculpture, ceramics, specialty foods, home décor, clothing, furniture, floral designs, jewelry, antiques, candles, toys and so much more.
Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo 2016
Photograph courtesy of ©BEWI Ski & Snowboard Expos
When: Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th, 2016
Where: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
Time: Nov. 4th 12pm – 10pm; Nov. 5th 10am – 8pm; Nov. 6th 10am – 6pm
Cost: $15; Free for Children 12 and under
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/ColoradoSkiandSnowboardExpo2016
Ages: All Ages
Get ready to kick off your season at the 25th annual Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo. Live acts, interactive exhibits and ongoing giveaways provide Expo visitors with non-stop entertainment and this year will not disappoint.
Family-friendly activities include Olympian, Doug Lewis, guiding kids through the ELITEAM Training Center, the Woodward Copper skate park for kids and adults, a Kid’s Slope for novice skiers, Burton’s Riglet Park for little snowboarders, a double-trampoline exhibition, the MBS Mountainboard Zone, and a climbing wall.
Fall Harvest Party | Happy Leaf Kombucha
When: Friday, November 4th, 2016
Where: Happy Leaf Kombucha, 5700 W 25th Ave, Edgewater, CO 80214
Time: 4pm – 9pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Celebrate the fall season at Happy Leaf Kombucha‘s Fall Harvest Party! The party will include pickle making, candle dipping, kids activities & crafts, henna, yard games, live music by Old Fuss and Feathers, a pig roast, veggies and beverages by Stem Ciders, Joyride Brewing Company, and of course Happy Leaf Kombucha.
Free Nutcracker First Friday Event | Denver Arts Week 2016
Photo Credit: ©Mike Watson. Photograph courtesy of ©Colorado Ballet
When: Friday, November 4th, 2016
Where: Colorado Ballet, 1075 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204
Time: 6:30pm – 8pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Colorado Ballet is offering a sneak peek of its upcoming The Nutcracker production for free to kick-off Denver Arts Week 2016.
The Free Nutcracker First Friday Event will feature dazzling costumes on display and short live demonstrations of some of The Nutcracker’s iconic dances by Company dancers before the production opens at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on November 26th, 2016. Students from the Colorado Ballet Academy will also perform winter-themed dances during the demonstrations.
Under the Sea Mystic Mermaid Breakfast | Downtown Aquarium
Photograph courtesy of ©Downtown Aquarium
When: Saturday, November 5th, 2016
Where: Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211
Time: 8:30am & 9:45am
Cost: $17 – $23
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/MysticMermaidBreakfast
Ages: All Ages
Join the Downtown Aquarium for their special event: Under the Sea Mystic Mermaid Breakfast. Spend the morning enjoying delicious food, getting autographs and taking photos with Mystic Mermaids!
Día de los Muertos Family Celebration | Denver Botanic Gardens
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Botanic Gardens
When: Saturday, November 5th, 2016
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
Time: 9am – 3pm
Cost: General Admission
Ages: All Ages
Bring your family and friends to celebrate the fun and colorful tradition of Día de los Muertos at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Event highlights include the Remember, Honor, Celebrate Days of the Dead altar exhibition, face painting, children’s crafts, cultural entertainment and demonstrations, Colorado art vendors, and more!
Día de los Muertos costumes are encouraged. Download a colorable mask to create for the event.
Englewood 37th Annual Holiday Bazaar
When: Saturday, November 5th, 2016
Where: Malley Recreation Center, 3380 S Lincoln St, Englewood, CO 80113
Time: 9am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
City of Englewood is hosting its 37th Annual Holiday Bazaar this Saturday. Get a head start on your holiday shopping with over 100 artisans that will offer handmade crafts and fine art. Concessions are available for lunch or snacking.
Free Chance to Dance | Denver Arts Week 2016
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Arts & Venues
When: Saturday, November 5th, 2016
Where: McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80202
Time: 9am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Register at: bit.ly/ChancetoDanceProgram
Ages: All Ages
Denver Arts & Venues is hosting its special annual event, Chance to Dance 2016, at the McNichols Civic Center Building. The day offers professional dance workshops that are open to anyone regardless of age or ability, that the public can register for and attend for free.
Chance to Dance 2016 will also feature a free performance during lunch by the Hannah Kahn Dance Company!
Día de los Muertos Celebration | Second Star to the Right Children’s Books
Photograph courtesy of ©Second Star to the Right Children’s Books
When: Saturday, November 5th, 2016
Where: Second Star to the Right Children’s Books, 4353 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
Time: 4pm – 5pm
Cost: $3 per Child
RSVP by calling: (303) 455-1527
Ages: All Ages
Second Star to the Right Children’s Books is hosting a Día de los Muertos Celebration for families. They will have a story time with fun books all about the holiday, make colorful paper Calavera collages, and have snacks and beverages. Parents will also have the chance to try their hand at making the traditional orange Marigold flowers, also known as the Cempasuchil flower, out of tissue paper!
Free Night at the Museums | Denver Arts Week 2016
Photograph courtesy of ©Clyfford Still Museum
When: Saturday, November 5th, 2016
Where: Many Museums around Denver & Golden
Time: 5pm – 10pm
Cost: Free
View Shuttle Maps at: bit.ly/FreeNightattheMuseums
Ages: All Ages
Denver and Golden museums will all be offering free admission after hours for the Free Night at the Museums event, in honor of Denver Arts Week 2016.
This special event will also include free shuttles throughout the night, making it easy and comfortable for you to explore as many museums as you can!
Denver museums participating: Black American West Museum, Byers-Evans House Museum, The Cell, Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Clyfford Still Museum, Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Firefighters Museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Forney Museum of Transportation, History Colorado Center, Molly Brown House Museum,and Four Mile Historic Park.
Golden museums participating: Colorado School of Mines, Foothills Art Center, Dinosaur Ridge, and Golden History Center.
Magic Beyond Belief XI | Mile High Magicians Society
When: Saturday, November 5th, 2016
Where: Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80226
Time: 7pm
Cost: $25
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/MagicBeyondBeliefXI
Ages: All Ages
Magic Beyond Belief, presented by Mile High Magicians Society, is returning for its 11th annual performance and featuring world-class magicians who blend magic, comedy and mystery into an exciting family-friendly show, this show will take place at the Lakewood Cultural Center and features award-winning local and national talent.
Colorado Cheese Festival
When: Sunday, November 6th, 2016
Where: Plaza Convention Center, 1850 Industrial Cir, Longmont, CO 80501
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: $35; Free for Children 6 and under
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/ColoradoCheeseFestival2016
Ages: All Ages
Fresh, aged, creamy, crumbly, whatever form you take your Fromage, the Colorado Cheese Festival is the place to find it. Sample all kinds of artisanal cheeses from local and countrywide merchants.
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live | Lone Tree Arts Center
Photograph courtesy of ©Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live
When: Sunday, November 6th, 2016
Where: Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Time: 1:30pm, 4pm & 7pm. Psst… 4pm show is low sensory
Cost: $15
Purchase Tickets at: bit.ly/ErthsDinosaurZooLive
Ages: All Ages
Get ready for the ultimate playdate at the Lone Tree Arts Center that is 65 million years in the making. Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live guides your family on a breathtaking tour through pre-historic Australia.
You’ll observe, meet and interact with an eye-popping collection of amazingly life-like dinosaurs and other creatures presented in a theatrical performance that will thrill and entertain kids while stimulating their imaginations in ways that will forever connect them to their world.