Denver Winter Guide 2026–27

The gardens wrapped in lights. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Buy timed tickets ahead.

A lit walking trail through the Botanic Gardens' farm property southwest of town. Less crowded than York Street.

Light displays across the zoo. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Check the calendar for open nights.

A German-style holiday market with bratwurst, mulled wine and handmade gifts. Free to enter.

Floats and marching bands lit up through downtown. Curbside viewing is free; arrive early for a spot.

Walk-through ice sculptures. This year's theme is Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Dress warmly.

Holiday vendors and seasonal treats in a plaza a short walk from Union Station.

Denver's long-running holiday stage tradition. Evening and matinee shows.

The closest big mountain to Denver, easy to do as a day trip.

A-Basin opened its 80th season on Oct 28 and is known for one of the longest seasons in Colorado.

Family-friendly runs, plus a snow tubing hill at the resort.

One of the largest ski resorts in the country, with a European-style village for après.

Skip the drive: the Amtrak Winter Park Express runs from Union Station to the base of the resort on select days.

Lift-served tubing hill. One-hour sessions are $44 ($55 on holidays), tube included. Reservations needed.

Drive your own dog team or take a snowmobile tour into the backcountry.

The closest hot springs to Denver, right off I-70. Call ahead in winter to check availability.

Small soaking pools along the Colorado River. Worth pairing with a night in Glenwood.

Snowy hikes within an hour of Denver, from easy loops to bigger climbs.

Ruby Hill Park has the biggest legal sledding hill in Denver, with skyline views. Barnum Park's gentle slopes suit first-timers. Bring your own sled; no metal runners at Ruby Hill.

Outdoor skating in the middle of downtown, close to restaurants and holiday lights.

Skating on a frozen mountain lake, with rentals on site and a small-town main street nearby. Opening depends on the ice.

Dinosaurs, space, the planetarium and the IMAX theater. Current exhibits include The World's Largest Dinosaurs.

Hands-on play spaces for younger kids, including the Ready Vet Go pet clinic.

A four-story immersive art world to explore. Kids love it, and it works just as well as a date.

Climate-controlled hitting bays, food and drinks. No golf experience needed.

NBA and NHL games most weeks, plus family shows such as Disney on Ice.

Rodeos, livestock shows and western shopping. The kickoff parade runs through downtown at noon on Thursday, Jan 7.

Private beer-spa suites with a hops-infused soaking tub and local beer on tap, plus massages.

Day spas, massage and wellness, or have IV hydration brought to the house after a big day.

Hands-on classes where you cook and eat a full meal together.

Upscale social darts with cocktails. Fun for a date or a group.

A restored 1930s movie palace on South Broadway, with a bar upstairs.

Guided walking or bus tours of Denver's craft breweries.

Rooftop bars, live music, comedy and more, kept current by the city's tourism office.

A licensed lounge that works like a bar for cannabis, with table service, munchies and zero-proof cocktails. Thursday nights often have live jazz. Reservations recommended.

Party-bus tours with a cultivation facility visit, two dispensary stops and a glass-blowing demo. Private and mountain tours too.

The 38 places local food writers send everyone first.

For a night in after a long day on the slopes.

Signature Denver spots, from steakhouses to green chile.

Fixed-price multi-course menus at hundreds of restaurants.

A chef cooks and serves dinner in the rental. Great for groups and special occasions.

The easiest way between the airport and downtown, with no traffic or parking.

Low-cost state buses from Denver into the mountains. Snowstang runs weekend ski service when in season.

Colorado's Traction Law often applies on I-70 in winter. Your car needs good tires or AWD/4WD. Check conditions and closures first.

Concerts, shows and festivals happening during your stay, plus a fresh list of things to do each weekend.

The most-reviewed things to do in Denver.

Quirky stops most visitors miss.