10 reasons The Mile High City should be on your wish list this year

With the extension of a convenient train service, it’s never been easier to enjoy the city of Denver and its world famous mountains in one day. The Winter Park Express, a partnership between Amtrak and Winter Park Resort, is a seasonal train between Denver Union Station and the doorstep of the popular ski resort. New for 2024, additional Christmas holiday services will be offered (20-22 Dec and 27-29 Dec), as well as bonus Thursday round trips through January to March. In celebration of the extended service, we look at 10 ways to celebrate Christmas in Colorado’s Mile High City, Denver.

Take a city-to-ski adventure on the Winter Park Express (Until March 2025) Hit the slopes of Winter Park and be back in the city by nightfall with the Winter Park Express. The much-loved, locals ski resort encompasses over 3,000 skiable acres across 166 designated trails and off-piste terrain, so there’s something for all abilities. After hitting the slopes, grab a drink at Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge to sit back and enjoy the blue sky and epic views, before heading back to the bright lights of Denver.

Witness Mile High Holidays NEW Nightly Drone Spectacular (Until 31 December) New this winter, over 400 drones will take over Denver’s skyline with dynamic holiday displays and performances visible throughout downtown Denver. The displays will take to the sky nightly at 7 p.m. with a few special shows.

Experience the magic of Denver Christkindlmarket (Until 23 December) Inspired by authentic German cultures and traditions, Denver Christkindlmarket returns to Denver this winter. . Produced by the German American Chamber of Commerce, there will be tasty sweet and savoury treats to enjoy, Bavarian-style beer, live entertainment, and an artisan market where visitors can pick up Christmas gifts from local and international creators. Taking place at the Civic Center Park, Denver Christkindlmarket is open daily until 23 December 2024.

Take a stroll through the Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland (late November to December) Cherry Creek North transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland with nearly a million twinkling lights illuminating over 600 trees. Enjoy the festive atmosphere, special holiday shopping events and live entertainment throughout the season. Cherry Creek Holiday Market on Fillmore Plaza offers unique gifts and local crafts.

Relax at Oakwell Beer Spa’s New Year’s Eve Private Spa Suites Celebrate 2025 in Oakwell Beer Spa’s private spa suites this New Year’s Eve. Enjoy an exclusive, cosy space with curated craft beverages and festive treats. Known as the beer capital of the US, it’s no surprise that Denver has a whole spa dedicated to beer. Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver blends relaxation with the fun of local craft beer.

Enjoy the holiday festivities at Union Station (Until the end of December) Union Station is celebrating the magic of the season with an extensive schedule of festive events, kicking off with the annual Grand Illumination celebration on 29th November. Bring the kids to see Santa at the Station every Sunday in December for free. Adults can enjoy Miracle at Union Station: Buddy’s Bar featuring delightfully ostentatious holiday décor and delectable cocktails.

Get merry at Snowdrift at Adrift Tiki Bar (Until 31 Dec) Adrift is bringing Snowdrift, one of Denver’s best holiday pop-up bars, back to the Beach on Broadway. For this all-out huge holiday takeover, enjoy towering holiday totems, white snow, an igloo beach bar and holiday-inspired cocktails and eats.

Head to The Death & Co X-mas Pop-Up at The Ramble: The Ramble Hotel will transform Suite 6A into an elegant holiday bar with floor-to-ceiling décor and a festive selection of specialty cocktails and bites in December. Adding to the holiday festivities this year, The Ramble will unveil its inaugural artist-designed holiday tree alongside a holiday bazaar with a collection of local vendors.

Cosy up for the festive season at The Berkeley Hotel: Holiday surprises await when guests check into their festively decorated room complete with holiday stockings stuffed with local goodies from Tennyson Street. Guests also enjoy complimentary gift-wrapping service, while in-house bakery, Bakery Four, offers baker-led cookie-baking workshops for guests.

Seasonal delights await at Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek: Halcyon will offer a curated lineup of holiday happenings, including Holiday Bake Shop and Holiday Tea, featuring house-made baked goods by pastry chef Saura Kline, while Halcyon on Ice returns for its second year with a rooftop après lounge and a huge new ice-skating rink.

For more information on Denver, please visit: www.denver.org/