Mile High Magic: Denver Holiday Activities Guide for Your Preschooler

The holiday season has officially begun, and Denver holiday activities are a great way to celebrate and enjoy community. To help your family ring in the holidays, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite indoor and outdoor Denver holiday activities to help your little elves feel festive and fun this season. 

Denver Holiday Light Displays and Sensory-Friendly Events

From dazzling downtown displays to drone shows, the streets and skies of Denver will be twinkling with a wide array of holiday light shows. Here are some family-friendly favorites.  

• With more than three million lights sparking across 80 acres, Zoo Lights has become an annual family tradition for so many in Denver. This special holiday attraction is open through January 4, 2026. The zoo hosts a sensory-friendly version on December 31 with reduced light movement, quiet rooms, and low-volume music throughout the park.
• For 40 years, the Denver Botanical Gardens has transformed its winter gardens into an illuminated and immersive wonderland for Blossoms of Light. Running nightly through January 11, you and your little learner can take a walk on the mile-long trail through vibrant light displays and gardens of cold-weather blooms. Blossoms of Light features a sensory-friendly event on January 6. 
• Elitch Holidays is back this year with more than 4 million lights, more rides than ever, and visits from Santa. For the first time, Elitch Gardens is also showcasing “Spirit of the Season: A Holiday Celebration,” a musical theatre show offered three times per night and free with admission. Visit Denver’s famous theme park lit for the season until January 4. 
• Celebrate in the city with the 25th Anniversary of the Downtown Denver Holiday Lights Walking Tour. Use the self-guided tour map to visit the famous Mile High Tree, watch the Drone Show high in the sky every night at 7 p.m., or shop at the famous Christlkindlmarket. Experience dazzling downtown for free through December 31 (dates may vary for specific displays).
• If a drive-thru event sounds more like your speed, Christmas in Color is a spectacular light and music display offered at locations across the city including Water World and Red Rocks Amphitheater. Stay in your car, roll down the windows, turn the radio to the event station and sit back and enjoy! 

Denver Holiday Activities: Special Indoor Holiday Events

Stay warm and cozy this year with some of Denver’s best indoor holiday offerings. 

• For the little musician in your family, try Inside the Orchestra’s Tiny Tots holiday performances held at various mid-day times on December 13-14 and 20-23 at various Denver locations. Tiny Tots programs create immersive and participatory experiences by encircling the audience with 32 world-class musicians, sing-alongs, and holiday surprises.
• On December 6 at 7:30 p.m., the Colorado Symphony is offering a special kid-friendly 60-90 minute performance of the beloved “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” 
• Magical Winter Nights at the Denver Museum of Science and Nature is a great way to see this Denver venue through new eyes. While the museum is open daily, entry for this evening exhibit begins at 4:15 p.m. nightly through January 4, 2026. 

These are just the beginning of Denver indoor holiday activities! For more ideas, go to the Visit Denver Mile High Holiday calendar for a complete list. 

Indoor Holiday Activities for Preschoolers

Looking for other ways to keep your little learner engaged and active over the holidays? Take a break from the winter weather and check out one of Denver’s many indoor attractions. 

• Family favorites like the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Denver Art Museum and Clyfford Still Museum offer free daily admission for children ages 18 and under. Learn more about local attractions with free admission. 
• Families can save on admission by reserving museum passes through the Denver Public Library. Passes are available for popular attractions like the American Museum of Western Art, Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Firefighters Museum, and more. Discover the full list of participating attractions and how to reserve your passes today.
• Indoor trampoline parks and playgrounds like Urban Air Adventure Park, The Bounce Place, and Candeeland Kids provide a fun, active way for your family to stay warm and engaged this winter. Many of these venues offer dedicated jump times and play areas for kids age 4 and under, ensuring that even your youngest family members can enjoy safe, age-appropriate activities.

DIY At-Home Holiday Activities and Crafts

Have some holiday fun without leaving the house! Set up an obstacle course, host a dance party in your living room, or decorate the house with homemade garland using tissue paper, popcorn, or paper cups. These indoor activities can encourage your little one to get creative and have fun while making family memories. 

If your child wants to participate in gift-giving, invite them to make a homemade snow globe using a Mason jar, water, and glitter. Other ideas for DIY gifts include sock snowmen, painted pine cone ornaments, and handprint coasters or magnets. Discover more easy holiday gift ideas for kids. 

If your holiday plans include a meal, invite your little one to join in by preparing a dish, setting the table, or helping to clear up afterward. Involving your child in these activities strengthens their fine motor skills, boosts their confidence, and creates special memories you’ll both cherish.

Explore Holiday Cultures and Traditions through Reading

This season is the perfect time to introduce your child to other holiday customs and traditions from around the world. Books are a great place to start and can help your little one acknowledge and appreciate traditions that are celebrated by others. Check out the list of children’s books about various holidays and traditions to share with your family.

You can also learn more about other holiday traditions by visiting your local Denver Public Library branch. In addition to a variety of children’s books about cultural holidays and celebrations, the library offers storytimes, learning labs, and other family-friendly educational programs. Check out the monthly calendar for upcoming story times and events to join in on the fun.

Start a Tradition of Giving Back

Teaching your little one about giving back is a great way to foster generosity and kindness in your child from a young age. Donating old clothes, toys, and books and sending cards or baked goods to a neighbor in need are meaningful, age-appropriate ways your child can help make a difference for members of the community. Learn more ways your family can give back this holiday season.

Need a Little Support This Holiday Season

If you are feeling the stress of the holidays, you are not alone! The holidays can be a challenging time for families, especially those experiencing economic hardship. If you find yourself looking for some support this holiday season, here are some places to start. 

• The Christmas Tree Project donates fully decorated trees to families in Colorado and beyond. Go to their website and fill out the Request a Tree Form. 
• For a comprehensive list of resources from free holiday meals to gifts for children, check out the Rocky Mountain Holiday Resource Guide, downloadable in English and Spanish and search for Denver-specific resources. 

For more family events and activities, subscribe to Family Dispatch, our monthly bilingual (English and Spanish) e-newsletter packed with great seasonal ideas (like this post on fun family recipes to try). 

No matter how you celebrate, DPP is grateful for you, your families, and our amazing community. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season!