Mariah Carey has officially thawed out to torment bless the masses with the nonstop play of her hit single “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” meaning December is finally here, and 2025 is right around the corner. If there is one thing Denver knows how to do, it’s how to end the year with a bang. Between parades, marathons, world-class productions, holiday markets and incredible concerts, this will be a December to remember.

Check out this month’s Rad Things (to) Do below, and don’t forget about Zero Fare for New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31 starting at 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. New Year’s Day! 

Festivals, parades and holiday-themed events

Dec. 5-7: Decibel Magazine Presents: Decibel Metal and Beer Fest 2024

It’s a heavy metal holiday, and Decibel Magazine is teaming up with the biggest record labels in metal and the most brutal breweries in Denver for the Decibel Metal and Beer Fest at the Summit Music Hall. For two days, the corner of 21st and Blake streets becomes a headbangers winter ball. Check out performances by local and national bands such as Oak, Ash and Thorn, Necropanther, Dreadnought, Pallbearer, Cirith Ungol and Frozen Soul, headlined by YOB and Autopsy. Denver-based heavy metal brewers Trve Brewing Company, Ratio Beerworks and Black Sky Brewing Company will be in attendance to quell the thirsts of the hundreds of metalheads and keep them fueled all weekend long.

Summit Music Hall is just a short walk away from the stops at 20th and Market/Larimer streets, as well as a 7-minute walk from Union Station.

Dec. 7: 9News Parade of Lights

The 9News Parade of Lights returns for its 50th anniversary Dec. 7 at Civic Center Park. Over 40 floats, giant balloons, marching bands, and more will take to the streets of downtown Denver to celebrate the holiday season. Be sure to keep an eye out for the RTD winter parade bus! 

Catch any downtown-bound bus or train to see the spectacle live! Heads up that detours will be in place, so keep an eye on the Service Alerts page for more information.

Dec. 14: RTD Gives

Join RTD and donate unused cold weather clothing for families in need. RTD has partnered with Broomfield-based nonprofit A Precious Child to collect jackets, beanies, base layers, gloves, socks and more for donation. Drop off donations Dec. 14 at the following stations:

• 9 - 10:30 a.m.: Downtown Boulder Station
• 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Union Station
• 2:45 - 4:15 p.m.: Littleton·Downtown Station

Dec. 30-31: Decadence: The Digital City

The biggest New Year’s Eve dance celebration returns to the Colorado Convention Center to wrap up 2024 the only way Denver knows how to: with lasers, strobes and nonstop electronic dance music (EDM). This year’s lineup is one of the most stacked in the event’s history, with some of the biggest names in EDM dropping by to perform sets, including Excision, Rezz, Seven Lions, Subtronics, The Glitch Mob, William Black, Zeds Dead, Denver’s very own Illenium and many more, all headlined by one of the world’s most famous DJs: Tiësto.

This will be a Decadence for the ages, so don’t miss out. Head to https://www.decadencenye.com to check out the full lineup and purchase tickets. Leave the car at home by catching any D or H line train to Theatre District·Convention Center Station. Don’t forget that zero fares will be in effect starting at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 to 7 a.m. New Year’s Day as part of Zero Fare for New Year’s Eve!

Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve fireworks over downtown

Head downtown on New Year’s Eve to send off 2024 and welcome 2025 with the biggest fireworks show along the Front Range. There will be two fireworks displays: one at 9 p.m. and one as the clock strikes midnight. Catch any downtown-bound bus or train at no cost starting a 7 p.m. to enjoy the festivities and welcome in the new year.

Ongoing through Jan. 12: Blossoms of Light

Stroll through the Botanic Gardens and experience one of the nation's most exciting holiday light displays. The Blossoms of Light is a staple of the holiday season in Colorado. Enjoy over a mile of holiday lights, luminous displays and a festive atmosphere while walking through the gardens. Catch the Route 24 to York Street and 9th Avenue or at Josephine Street and 9th Avenue and enjoy the spectacle.

Holiday markets

• Ongoing through Dec. 23: Denver Christkindlmarket
  • Accessible via any Civic Center Station-bound bus
• Ongoing through Dec. 24: Cherry Creek Holiday Market
  • Accessible via the routes 3, 3L, 83D and 83L at 1st Avenue and Fillmore Plaza
• Dec. 5-15, Dec. 17-22: Holiday BAZAAR at Larimer Square
  • Accessible via the Free MallRide at 15th and Lawrence streets, as well as the Route 6 at Larimer and 14th streets
• Dec. 7-8, Dec. 21-22: Downtown Lakewood Holiday BAZAAR
  • Accessible via the routes 1 and 3 at West Virginia Avenue and South Upham Street
• Dec. 7: It’s a RiNo-Ful Life Holiday Market
  • Accessible via the Route 44 at Larimer and 28th/30th streets

Sports

Some may say the weather outside is frightful. However, that thought doesn’t exist for Denver sports fans (well, except for the Avalanche and Nuggets). December is the time of the year when Denver sports thrive. The Broncos are making a solid case for a surprise appearance in the NFL playoffs, the Colorado Mammoth have started their season with a bang, the Buffs have secured their first bowl appearance since 2020, and the Avalanche and Nuggets… well… thankfully, there is still plenty of hockey and basketball left, respectively, for the two teams to be able to turn their seasons around. On top of pro sports, runners around the region are spoiled of choice for 5Ks this month.

Check out this month’s sports schedule below!

Holiday funs runs and marathons

• Dec. 7: ColderBOLDER
  • The University of Colorado’s campus is about to get chilly, as the ColderBOLDER 5K returns for 2024. Runners will take in the sights of one of the most beautiful college campuses in North America in frigid temperatures while competing against their fellow athletes in a race of determination to prove why they are bolder than the rest.
  • The event is accessible via the following routes at Broadway and Pleasant Street:
    • 204
    • 225
    • 225D
    • 225T
    • AB1
    • DASH
    • GS
    • SKIP
• Dec. 8: Arthritis Foundation’s Jungle Bell Fun Run
  • The Colorado chapter of The Arthritis Foundation will host its Jingle Bell Fun Run Dec. 8 at Washington Park! This special fun run aims to raise funds for arthritis research, as well as to bring awareness to the disease. Get festive by dressing up in your favorite holiday attire and enjoy a day out at the park while raising money for a great cause.
  • The event is accessible via the Route 12 at either South Downing Street and Kentucky Avenue, and South Downing Street and Exposition Avenue.
• Dec. 14: Winterfest 5K and Family Walk
  • Get warmed up for the holidays by heading out to Carpenter Park in Thornton for the annual Winterfest 5K and Family Walk. Participate in the 5K or take a leisurely walk through the park to get into the holiday spirit. Be sure to stick around after to enjoy the festival, complete with food and drink vendors, local art and much more.
  • The event is accessible via a short walk from Northglenn·112th Station via the N Line.
• Dec. 15: Candy Cane Run
  • Break out the Santa suits and get ready to pound the pavement in Westminster’s favorite holiday-themed running event: the Candy Cane Run. Featuring a one-mile kids walk/run and a 5K and 10K, the Candy Cane Run is a great way to spend a Sunday in December. The race begins and ends at Westminster City Park on Dec. 15.
  • The event is accessible via a short walk from US-36·Church Ranch Station via the Route FF1.

Empower Field at Mile High Stadium (accessible via the E and W lines at Empower Field at Mile High Station)

• Denver Broncos (NFL):
  • Dec. 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Ball Arena (accessible via the E and W lines at Ball Arena·Elitch Gardens Station, as well as Routes 1, 15L and 20 at Auraria Parkway and 9th Street)

• Denver Nuggets (NBA):
  • Dec. 3: vs. Golden State Warriors (Emirates NBA Cup Group Play)
    • NOTE: Additional home games may be added if the Nuggets advance in the Emirates NBA Cup. Keep an eye on Nuggets’ social media accounts and its website for the most up-to-date schedule.
  • Dec. 23: vs. Phoenix Suns
  • Dec. 27: vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dec. 28: vs. Detroit Pistons

• Colorado Avalanche (NHL):
  • Dec. 12: vs. Utah Hockey Club
  • Dec. 14: vs. Nashville Predators
  • Dec. 22: Seattle Kraken
  • Dec. 31: vs. Winnipeg Jets

• Colorado Mammoth (MLL):
  • Dec. 21: Halifax Thunderbirds
  • Dec. 29: vs. Georgia Swarm

CU Events Center (accessible via routes 204 and 225/225D/225T at Broadway and Baseline Road)

• University of Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball (college basketball):
  • Dec. 7: vs. Colorado State University
  • Dec. 13: vs. South Dakota State University
  • Dec. 21: vs. Bellarmine University
  • Dec. 30: vs. Iowa State University

• University of Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball (college basketball):
  • Dec. 7: vs. Southern Utah University
  • Dec. 10: vs. University of Denver
  • Dec. 21: vs. University of West Virginia

Joy Burns Arena (accessible via the E, H and W lines at University of Denver Station)

• University of Denver Pioneers men’s hockey (college hockey):
  • Dec. 14: vs. Colorado College
  • Dec. 28: vs. University of Nevada – Las Vegas

Concerts

Merry Christmas to Denver’s music lovers, as Santa treats concertgoers to an incredibly packed slate of concerts across the metro area. From talented skaters performing Disney classics to a metal beer festival, everyone gets to enjoy something this month. For bassheads, this month might be one for the record books, as this year’s Decadence festival brings the likes of Tiësto, hometown favorite Illenium, The Glitch Mob, Zeds Dead, Rezz, Subtronics and many more to the 303. Check out all of this month’s concerts below, and don’t forget to scroll down to the bottom to see music videos from some of the featured artists to see what’s in store! Be sure to check out the official Rad Things (to) Do Spotify playlist for this month to enjoy more tracks from select artists performing this month.

Ball Arena (accessible via the E and W lines at Ball Arena·Elitch Gardens Station, as well as Routes 1, 15L and 20 at Auraria Parkway and 9th Street)

• Dec. 6-8: Disney On Ice presents: “Magic In The Stars”

Colorado Convention Center (accessible via the D and H lines at Theatre District·Convention Center Station)

• Dec. 30-31: Decadence: The Digital City

Bellco Theatre (accessible via the D and Hlines at Theatre District·Convention Center Station)

• Dec. 4: Anita Hill
• Dec. 11: Chevy Chase – “A Live Conversation With Chevy Chase”
• Dec. 20-24: Cirque Dreams – “Holidaze”

Boettcher Concert Hall at Denver Performing Arts Complex (accessible via the D and H lines at Theatre District·Convention Center Station)

• Dec. 5: Celtic Woman – “White Christmas Symphony Tour”
• Dec. 7: Leslie Odom, Jr. – “A Holiday Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr.”
• Dec. 18: Yuja Wang and the Colorado Symphony
• Dec. 19: Colorado Symphony – “Holiday Brass”
• Dec. 21-22: Too Hot to Handel
• Dec. 31: Colorado Symphony – “A Night in Vienna”

Mission Ballroom (accessible via the A Line at 38th·Blake Station)

• Dec. 6: Barclay Crenshaw
  • Support: Lyny, Mary Droppinz, Strategy and Shanghai Doom
• Dec. 7: Tvboo
  • Support: Shlump, Smith, Mport and Canvas
• Dec. 8: Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker – “Forever: The Tour”
• Dec. 9: Riley Green – “Acoustic Christmas”
  • Support: Trigirlily Gold and Bryce Leatherwood
• Dec. 12: Franz Ferdinand – “Channel 93.3 Presents: Not So Silent Night 2024”
  • Support: Almost Monday and Losers Club
• Dec. 13-14: Sublime With Rome – “Farewell Tour 2024”
• Dec. 20: Hol!
  • Support: Shiverz, Pyke, Aweminus, Hamro, Mad Dubz and Akeos
• Dec. 21: Sidepiece
• Dec. 30-31: Greensky Bluegrass
  • Support: Fruition

Paramount Theatre (accessible via the Free MallRide at 17th Street and Glenarm Place)

• Dec. 5: Modi – “Pause For Laughter Tour”
• Dec. 6: Maria Bamford
• Dec. 8: Girls Gone Bible
• Dec. 13: The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show
• Dec. 14: Dane Cook – “Fresh New Flavor”
• Dec. 15: Gregorian – “Pure Chants”
• Dec. 16: Derek Hough – “Dance For The Holidays”
• Dec. 18: The Allman Betts Family Revival with Devon Allman
• Dec. 21: Face Vocal Band – “Joy To The World”
• Dec. 28: Aries Spears
• Dec. 31: Brad Williams

Fillmore Auditorium (accessible via Route 15 at Colfax Avenue and Emerson Street or Colfax Avenue and Clarkson Street)

• Dec. 5: Benson Boone – “Alice 105.9 Presents: Alice in Wonderland”
  • Support: The Fray and Dasha
• Dec. 7: Latto
• Dec. 28: Tech N9ne
• Dec. 31: Band of Horses
  • Support: The Nude Party and Mile High Soul Club

Ogden Theatre (accessible via Route 15 at Colfax Avenue and Emerson Street or Colfax Avenue and Clarkson Street)

• Dec. 6: Ray Volpe
  • Support: Jiqui and Sora
• Dec. 8: Zakk Sabbath and The Iron Maidens
• Dec. 13-14: Alleycvt
  • Support:
    • Dec. 13: Superave, Eater and Capochino
    • Dec. 14: Evaluation, Gunpoint and Illoh
• Dec. 20: Kream – “Winter Tour 2024”
  • Support: Kamino and RC3
• Dec. 21: Layz – “Aftershock Tour”
  • Support: Xotix, Nimda and Alienpark
• Dec. 28-29: Umphrey’s McGee

Oriental Theater (accessible via Route 44 at West 44th Avenue and Tennyson Street)

• Dec. 3: I Am Morbid – “Devastation On The Nation Tour”
  • Support: Suffocation, UADA, Mortiferum, Fulci and Knoll
• Dec. 6: Hell’s Belles
  • Support: The Blackouts
• Dec. 7: Cora Vette – “Carnivale De Sensuale: Krampus”
• Dec. 10: The Slackers
  • Support: Los Yesterdays, Bandulus and Jesse Wagner
• Dec. 20: Claudio Narea – “Unete Al Baile Tour 2024”
• Dec. 27: Andy Gross

Boulder Theater (accessible via any Downtown Boulder Station route)

• Dec. 7: Shakedown Street – “Shakedown Street recreates The Spectrum”
• Dec. 8: Kumail Nanjiani
• Dec. 11: Ocean Bloom
  • Support: Poranguí, Liquid Bloom, Samuel J, Shawn Heinrichs and Bloomurian
• Dec. 13: Melvin Seals and JGB
• Dec. 14: Trace Bundy
  • Support: California Guitar Trio
• Dec. 18: Face Vocal Band – “Joy To The World”
• Dec. 30-31: Umphrey’s McGee

Bluebird Theater (accessible via Route 15 at Colfax Avenue and Cook Street)

• Dec. 1: Atlus
  • Support: Jehry Robinson
• Dec. 2: Sixpence None The Richer
  • Support: Megan Burtt
• Dec. 7: Girl Named Tom – “The Joy of Christmas Tour”
• Dec. 14: Fairlane – “Genesis: Level I”
  • Support: Amidy and Poni
• Dec. 16: Emma Ruth Rundle
• Dec. 20: Sungazer – “Against the Fall of Night Tour”
  • Support: Evan Marien and Dana Hawkins
• Dec. 21: Holdfast
  • Support: High Street Joggers Club
• Dec. 28: Luttrell – “Life at Full Speed Tour”
• Dec. 31: Cracker
  

HQ (accessible via Route 0 at South Broadway and West Bayaud Avenue)

• Dec. 3: Dead Bob
  • Support: Dead Pioneers
• Dec. 5: Endoterra and Orna
  • Support: A Vintage Future
• Dec. 13: MF Ruckus
  • Support: Love Gang
• Dec. 18: The Toasters
  • Support: Better Than Dead and All Waffle Trick
• Dec. 19: Swashbuckling Doctors – “105.5 The Colorado Sound Presents Ska-La-La, A Holiday Ska Show”
  • Support: Seiren and Low Key Genius
• Dec. 20: Deer Creek, Probes and Goners UK – “Pusher BMX Party”
• Dec. 22: The Temper Tantrums and 3ADJ – “303 Boards Presents SK8: Art Benefit Show”
• Dec. 27: Poolside At The Flamingo and V&V
  • Support: Play’n For Keeps and In Association With
• Dec. 28: Seed Of The Sorcerer and Womb of The Witch
  • Support: Obscene Worship, Scepter Of Eligos and Percipient
• Dec. 29: Tejon Street Corner Thieves
  • Support: Crow Cavalier

Gothic Theatre (accessible via Route 0 at South Broadway and Eastman Avenue, or South Broadway and West Floyd Avenue)

• Dec. 4: Choir!Choir!Choir! – “Un-Silent Night: An epic holiday sing-along!”
• Dec. 6: Zeal and Ardor
  • Support: Gaerea and Zetra
• Dec. 7: The Railbenders
  • Support: Eddie Spaghetti
• Dec. 8: Slava Komissarenko
• Dec. 10: Wolves of Glendale – “Scorpion Train Tour”
• Dec. 13: Shovels and Rope – “Something is Working Up Above My Head Tour 2024”
  • Support: Al Olender

Summit Music Hall (accessible via Routes 0, 9, 15 and 20 at 18th and Blake streets, or via Route 52 at 20th and Blake streets) 

• Dec. 5-7: Decibel Magazine Presents: Decibel Metal and Beer Fest
• Dec. 5: Machine Girl
  • Support: Lightning Bold and Kill Alters
• Dec. 8: Tha Dogg Pound – “We All We Got Tour”
• Dec. 12: BigXthaPlug – “Take Care Tour”
  • Support: Ro$ama and Yung Hood
• Dec. 14: King Lil G
  • Support: Devour and Jay the Rarest.
• Dec. 28: Drop Dead, Gorgeous
  • Support: Fox Lake, Forty Fathoms and The Burial Plot

Marquis Theatre (accessible via Routes 52 and RX at 20th and Larimer Streets or via Route 38 at Larimer and 21st Streets)

• Dec. 5: Gavn!
  • Support: Kate Yeager, Adam Yokum and Brompton
• Dec. 6: Cozy Worldwide – “A Very Cozy Christmas Tour”
• Dec. 7: Death Before Dishonor – “7th Annual Colorado Hardcore Toy Drive”
  • Support: Mouth for War, The World, Exit Strategy, Mindz Eye Fand Boss Hooligan Soundsystem
• Dec. 10: Reggie and The Full Effect
  • Support: Public Opinion and Common Sage
• Dec. 12: Deca
  • Support: Stay Tuned, Felix Fast4ward and Dlzmksbts
• Dec. 13: Vale of Pnath
• Dec. 14: ConSensual Circus – “Saturnalia 2024”
  • Support: Order of the Static Temple, Witch Hands and Hex Cassette
• Dec. 15: Echosmith – “Cool Kids: The Decade Tour”
  • Support: Lisa Heller and Jackie Evancho
• Dec. 17: Paerish
  • Support: Covey
• Dec. 18: Ax and the Hatchetmen – “Way Too Late Tour”
  • Support: Rec Hall

Theatre

It is a very busy holiday season for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Denver Performing Arts Complex (DPAC). World-famous productions such as A Christmas Carol and Mannheim Steamroller make a visit to the DPAC, while the Colorado Ballet presents a rendition of the holiday-favorite production, The Nutcracker.

Check out what’s happening at the DPAC this month, and take the D and H lines to Theatre District·Convention Center Station to enjoy the productions.

Ellie Caulkins Opera House

• Dec. 1-29: Colorado Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”

Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre

• Dec. 1-22: Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”

Wolf Theatre

• Dec. 1-29: A Christmas Carol

Buell Theatre

• Dec. 6-8: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
• Dec. 10-22: Funny Girl