Denver Holiday and Christmas Shows

You can only see these fan favorites once a year.

We strive to post the most current and accurate event information, but changes and cancellations do occur, so please check the official event website to confirm all details before attending.

The Polar Express^TM Train Ride

WHEN: Thru Dec. 23, 2023
WHERE: Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden
The story of The Polar Express^TM is theatrically re-created and combined with a magical train ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum. Children get to meet Santa and experience all the sights and sounds of this classic tale as if happening all around them. This year, a whole host of carefully crafted updates have been made to ensure the health and safety of guests, cast and crew, so put on your pajamas and your most fashionable mask and bring the family to enjoy sharing hot cocoa and cookies together as the "Hot, Hot, Hot—Chocolate" song and dance unfolds before your eyes.

'Santa's Big Red Sack'

WHEN: Thru Dec. 23, 2023
WHERE: The People's Building
Get ready to let go of everything you hold dear about the holidays—and have it all come back twisted, hilarious and glittering with lights. "Santa’s Big Red Sack" is a non-stop sketch comedy, music and technology bursting at the seams with irreverent wit and unforgettable characters. Your belly will turn to jelly. Your heart will dance. You’ll never experience the holidays the same way again.

'Yippee Ki Yay'

WHEN: Thru Dec. 23, 2023
WHERE: Garner Galleria Theatre & Bar
Witness the acclaimed retelling of the classic film "Die Hard" from Richard Marsh-Fringe First-winner, London poetry slam champion, BBC Audio Drama Best Scripted Comedy Drama award-winner and New York cop (one of these is untrue).

'Camp Christmas'

WHEN: Thru Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Stanley Marketplace
Welcome back to Colorado’s campiest, quirkiest holiday tradition! Make merry and immerse yourself in a 15,000-square-foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer. It’s fun, it’s fleeting and just the right amount of camp; it’s everything you love about the holidays wrapped into one sparkling experience. Leave your worries behind, discover your holiday superpower, visit Santa, and sample craft cocktails from the Base Camp and Fairy Bars. Wander through a surreal mashup of nostalgic scenes, scratch your head at playful pun trees, and, most importantly, reconnect with the joy of the season.

'A Christmas Carol'

WHEN: Thru Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Wolf Theatre
Essential to the holiday season in Denver, "A Christmas Carol" is a joyous and opulent musical adaptation that traces money-hoarding curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge’s triumphant overnight journey to redemption.

Colorado Ballet: 'The Nutcracker'

WHEN: Thru Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Ellie Caulkins Opera House
The beloved holiday favorite returns in a dazzling production like no one's ever seen, featuring all-new sets and costumes created especially for Colorado Ballet. A sellout every year, this magical tale of Clara, the Nutcracker and the Mouse King is going to be dreamier than ever.

'A Christmas Story'

WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Miners Alley Playhouse, Golden
All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family's temperamental exploding furnace; the boys' experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie's father winning a lamp shaped like a woman's leg in a net stocking; Ralphie's fantasy scenarios and more. "A Christmas Story" is destined to become a theatrical holiday tradition!

'The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical'

WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, Golden
A sequel to "The Great American Trailer Park," the Christmas version takes audiences back to Florida’s favorite trailer park community, Armadillo Acres, where there’s a healthy dose of kitschy holiday cheer and non-stop shenanigans. Just watch out for cranky new resident Darlene, who disrupts the usual holiday routine and brings a whirlwind of drama, romance and downright hilarious surprises to the trailer park. This ca n’t-miss musical takes the audience along with the residents of Armadillo Acres as they navigate the treacherous holiday season with humor, heartwarming moments, tinsel and keg nog (yes, keg nog!).

'Elf The Musical'

WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, Colorado Springs
Beloved the world over, "Elf The Musical" can easily become an annual tradition. Based on the cherished film and featuring songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, "Elf" tells the story of Buddy, a young orphan who crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole, where he is raised as an elf. Eventually, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

'Holly, Alaska!'

WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Dairy Arts Center, Boulder
In the tiny town of Holly, Alaska, a merry band of community theater players have been keeping the tradition of an annual holiday pageant alive for 119 years. Due to recent cutbacks, the town council has decided this year’s show can’t happen. In a last-ditch effort to save the pageant (and the town itself), the actors pull out all the stops in this heartwarming tale of love, connection, and holiday revelry of the goofiest kind.

'Elvis Christmas Spectacular'

WHEN: Dec. 19, 2023
WHERE: Boettcher Concert Hall
Celebrate the King of Rock and Roll with the Colorado Symphony’s "Elvis Christmas Spectacular," a new symphonic take on his timeless Christmas favorites, including "White Christmas," "Silver Bells," "Silent Night" and more.

A Night At Santa's Headshop - Comedy Show

WHEN: Dec. 22, 2023
WHERE: The Denver Comedy Lounge
Santa needs a little help at his headshop this year. Come and spread some holiday cheer and enjoy a little standup with The Denver Comedy Lounge and Colorado Sake Co.

'Elf™' in Concert

WHEN: Dec. 22 and 23, 2023
WHERE: Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
This holiday season relive this heart-warming holiday classic on four giant screens as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live by the Colorado Symphony.

'Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet'

WHEN: Dec. 23–24, 2023
WHERE: Paramount Theatre
Gather your loved ones for the warm nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger-than-life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes. Don’t miss this chance to experience the wonder of "NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet."

Las Posadas

WHEN: Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: The Fort Restaurant/Tesoro Cultural Center
Celebrated in Mexico and throughout the United States from Dec. 16 to 24, the Las Posadas celebration commemorates Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter on the night of baby Jesus' birth. The Tesoro Cultural Center partners with The Fraternas to present this traditional event. Enjoy Mexican hot chocolate, hot cider and traditional biscochitos.

'Bubbles: A Top Popping Burlesque Revue'

WHEN: Dec. 27–30, 2023
WHERE: The Clocktower Cabaret, D&F Tower
Kick off your New Year's Eve celebrations as Indy Fire Presents 'BUBBLES: A Top Popping Burlesque Revue'!

'A Night in Vienna'

WHEN: Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Boettcher Concert Hall
A Colorado cultural tradition returns featuring your symphony waltzing along with you into 2024! Start your celebration in style with the Colorado Symphony’s presentation of "A Night in Vienna," a rousing selection of polkas, waltzes and marches.

Holiday & Christmas Shows in Denver