It may only be October, but it’s never too soon to start making your holiday shopping game plan. Hitting the mall can be overwhelming, and online shopping is convenient, but where’s the fun in that?
This holiday season, check out some of the best Christmas markets in Denver and beyond, where you can get the in-person shopping experience and make long-lasting memories — not to mention enjoy delicious food and lively entertainment. These markets, shops, and events each have their own unique qualities, so you’ll be sure to find one (or a few) that works for you!
Christmas Markets in Central Denver
Denver Christkindlmarket
Tivoli Quad 1000 Larimer St., Denver
- When: Nov. 21-Dec. 23, hours TBA
- Standout feature: Authentic, German-style holiday market
Come one, come all to the Denver Christkindlmarket and experience a Christmas straight out of the Bavarian Alps. This free, annual market has been a Denver tradition since 1998, bringing authentic European flavors, gifts, and charm to the city’s streets for over 25 years. Visiting the Christkindlmarket, you can expect to find the streets lined with wooden huts serving bites like Döners, a variety of baked goods, hot chocolate, German Glühwein, and German-style beers, as well as goods crafted by talented artisans. While you’re there, you might even encounter St. Nikoulas, Krampus, or Christkind. While the market has been held at the Civic Center since 2020, this year, it’s making a move to the Auraria Campus.
Cherry Creek Holiday Market
105 Fillmore St., Denver
- When: Nov. 20-Dec. 24; noon-7 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; noon-3 p.m. Thanksgiving; noon-3 p.m. Christmas Eve
- Standout feature: Features Concert Series performers
Glistening lights, local musicians, and quality goods from the market’s hand-picked vendors are just a few highlights of the Cherry Creek Holiday Market. If you’re looking for the perfect way to prep for the holidays, this market has it all. Take a day to shop for your loved ones, or simply spend some time getting into the holiday spirit. Here you’ll find something for everyone on your list, with goods like local honey at Bjorn’s Colorado Honey, beautiful puzzles at New York Puzzle Company, and natural fiber winter accessories at WUAMAN Fair Trade Alpaca. After shopping, you can stop by the Mistletoe Lounge for a bite and a drink or enjoy the lineup of Concert Series performers.
A Yarn Shoppe Christmas
1615 California St. #403, Denver
- When: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 31
- Standout feature: Market for handmade yarn and fiber art
When temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, there’s nothing like a handmade winter hat or scarf to beat the cold. Yarn Shoppe Denver offers a wide selection of knitwear crafted by local fiber artisans, and its annual A Yarn Shoppe Christmas event is the perfect opportunity to give the gift of a new winter wardrobe, whether for friends, family, or yourself. Crocheted, knitted, or whatever your prerogative, you can be sure these pieces are made with love.
Denver Christmas Show
4655 N. Humboldt St., Denver
- When: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 21-22; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 23
- Standout feature: Partners with Habitat for Humanity, features a model train show and a make-your-own craft station
Want to experience a magical Denver Christmas but don’t want to get caught in the downtown traffic? Look no further than the Denver Christmas Show at the National Western Complex! This market is easily accessible from I-70 and features all the elements of the holiday season. Visit the Tinsel Town Train feature, where you can take in scenes of model trains traveling through winter wonderlands, or stop by the Candy Shop to satisfy your sweet tooth. This year, the show will feature a two-day Children’s Christmas Market, held by the Children’s Entrepreneur Network, where your kiddos can craft their own holiday gifts. And a holiday market wouldn’t be complete without a visit from Santa Claus himself, each day from noon-4 p.m.!
Larimer Lights
1421 Larimer St., Denver
- When: Nov. 29-Dec. 31; 4-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 3-9 p.m. Friday; 1-9 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday
- Standout feature: Denver Holiday BAZAAR, Happy Hour 4-6 p.m.
Downtown Denver’s Larimer Lights event is the city’s quintessential holiday experience. Wander the streets of one of Denver’s oldest districts, the historic Larimer Square, and explore over 50 local craft vendors before heading inside the Denver BAZAAR indoor pop-up shop and bar for even more shopping and holiday-themed drinks. Visit from 4-6 p.m. on any day of the week for happy hour at the holiday bar. To stay up to date, follow along on the Larimer Lights website for more information closer to the event’s date.
Grand Illumination
1701 Wynkoop St., Denver
- When: 4-8 p.m. Nov. 28
- Standout feature: Tree lighting ceremony with holiday activities
Head out to Denver’s Union Station for the most grand event of the year! The Grand Illumination event will feature over 7,000 lights for visitors to take in, family-friendly entertainment, a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, and performances by the Denver Dolls. The evening’s main event, the tree lighting ceremony, will begin at 6:10 p.m. Don’t miss this cheerful celebration!
Christmas Markets in West Denver
Georgetown Christmas Market
Sixth Street, Georgetown
- When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and 14-15
- Standout feature: European-style outdoor Christmas market
The Georgetown Christmas Market is celebrating 65 years, and you’re invited to join in the festivities! This European-style holiday market brings the Christmas of years past to Georgetown, transforming the town into a Victorian-era winter village for two weekends in December. On top of Georgetown’s permanent shops and restaurants, the market features an outdoor European marketplace, an Alpine Biergarten, and numerous food vendors. In between shopping, travel through Georgetown on a horse-drawn wagon, tour the town’s museums, or take the kids to see St. Nicholas himself.
Horseshoe Market Holiday Market
2990 Brewery Ln., Littleton
- When: Dec. 6-7
- Standout feature: Outdoor artisan and flea market
If you’re on the lookout for one-of-a-kind gifts this holiday season, be sure to stop by Horseshoe Market’s Holiday Market. Horseshoe Market holds several events throughout the year, but what better time to experience this craft and flea market than the holidays? At the Holiday Market, which is held outdoors, you’ll find everything from vintage clothing to eclectic art — all sold by local entrepreneurs and makers! The market is free to attend and will be held at Littleton’s Breckenridge Brewery.
Holiday Art Market (HART)
1133 Arapahoe St., Golden
- When: Nov. 22-Dec. 29 (Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day); 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday
- Standout feature: Art market open beyond Christmas Day
This year will mark the Foothills Art Center’s 50th Holiday Art Market (HART), and it’s bound to be a good one. At this artisan market, you can shop over 3,000 items made by over 100 of Colorado’s own artists. Held at the Foothills Art Center Astor House, HART will have everything from handmade pottery and jewelry to greeting cards and ornaments. The market is free to the public, but make sure to check out the parking guidelines for Downtown Golden.
Christmas Markets in Northwest Denver
Boulder Holiday Gift Festival
2850 Mapleton Ave., Boulder
- When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 14
- Standout feature: Features a free concert
Find gifts galore at Boulder’s 18th annual Holiday Gift Festival. Spend the afternoon perusing all the booths set up throughout the Boulder Mapleton YMCA, all featuring local makers and exhibitors. The festival will feature over 100 vendors selling everything from fine arts to bakery items, with a free concert beginning at noon. Take your time to shop and chat with some of Boulder’s best!
Boulder County Fairgrounds Winter Market
9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont
- When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6-7
- Standout feature: Produce, handcrafted gifts, and local-only goods
Farmers’ markets aren’t only for the summer months! If you and the people in your life love locally grown, farm-fresh food year-round, then make your way to the Boulder County Fairgrounds Winter Market. At this market, you can expect to find produce such as winter squash, carrots, potatoes, and apples. That’s not all, though, because many local vendors will be selling handmade crafts and gifts, so you can check off grocery and gift lists at the same time.
Christmas Markets in Northeast Denver
Olde Fashion Christmas
10950 Fox Run Pkwy., Denver
- When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6-7
- Standout feature: Held in Northglenn’s oldest-standing building
History buffs, this one’s for you! Travel back in time and experience a traditional, down-home Christmas at the Stonehocker Farmhouse. The Northglenn Historic Preservation Commission holds Olde Fashion Christmas in Northglenn’s oldest-standing building — it even predates the town itself! Explore the farmhouse while enjoying holiday music performed by local musicians and choirs, shopping for stocking stuffers, and savoring delicious baked goods. Upstairs, children can take photos with Santa Claus, and they’ll also receive a free book to take home.
St. Nick’s Christmas and Collectibles
5221 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
- When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
- Standout feature: Year-round Christmas gift and decoration shop
At this charming store, you don’t have to wait for the holidays to roll around to get started on your shopping — it’s open all year long! St. Nick’s Christmas and Collectibles is the one-stop shop for all your Christmas needs, from decor and trees to gifts and collectibles. No time to shop in person? No problem. You can shop St. Nick’s range of holiday goods online, anytime and anywhere.
Christmas Markets in Southeast Denver
Merry Makers Market
14949 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora
- When: 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2
- Standout feature: Happening alongside Holiday Tree Lighting
Aurora’s annual Merry Makers Market is returning with plenty of festive fun for you and your family! The market itself is a free shopping event showcasing a variety of local and regional vendors, but from 5-7 p.m., you can walk over to the Aurora Municipal Campus Great Lawn for the Holiday Tree Lighting. The tree lighting event will offer exciting holiday activities, treats, music and dance performances, and appearances by Anna, Elsa and, of course, Santa Claus.
Visit the Village
25690 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora, CO 80016
- When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 13
- Standout feature: One free admission per household when you donate a new, unwrapped gift
For one day only, you can head to the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds for Visit the Village, a holiday event featuring local gift vendors, games, and crafts that you can take home. This event has more than just shopping — last year’s Visit the Village featured a horse-drawn wagon, bounce houses, and much more. Tickets will go live Oct. 13 and will cost $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Additionally, Arapahoe County is working with Partnering for the Holidays to provide gifts for families and individuals in need. By donating a new, unwrapped gift for the program, you can receive one free ticket to the event.
Hometown Holiday Experience
10795 Victorian Dr., Parker
- When: Every weekend Nov. 29-Dec. 21, hours TBA
- Standout feature: Features character and reindeer meet and greets, train ride around park
It looks like Santa’s bringing his workshop to Parker, Colorado, this Christmas! The Hometown Holiday Experience is a weekend event filled with festivities. Stroll through Downtown Parker, where you’ll find plenty of local vendors and photo ops. There will be opportunities to meet Santa’s reindeer, take photos by the beautiful Town tree, and even chat with characters like Buddy the Elf, Elsa, and Olaf. Just want to take in the views? Catch a ride on the Parker Express around O’Brien Park! This event will run every weekend from Nov. 29 to Dec. 21. More details about Hometown Holiday Experience will be available online.