Best Holiday Markets Near Denver (2022) for Shopping, Live Music and More

0

Shopping online might be the easiest way to buy gifts for loved ones this time of year, but why not get into the holiday spirit and have a day of local shopping?

Here are five destination vacation markets near Denver where you can get treats for everyone on your list and have fun along the way.

Cherry Creek Holiday Market

Appointment: Nov. 17 to Dec. 24
Location: Fillmore Plaza at Cherry Creek North, 105 Fillmore St., Denver

Take a break from the big box stores at Cherry Creek Mall and head to Cherry Creek Holiday Market, returning for a third year. You’ll find a rotating cast of vendors selling everything from coffee and clothing to carvings and spirits. And much like a local farmers market, you’ll likely get a chance to sample a few snacks along the way.

The Cherry Creek Holiday Market is free. Find more information at cherrycreekholidaymarket.com.

Mayor Michael Hancock holds the mallet he used to tap the drum during the opening ceremony at Christkindlmarket in 2018. (Kevin Mohatt, Special to the Denver Post)

Denver Christmas Market

Appointment: Nov. 18 to Dec. 23
Location: Civic Center Park, 101 14th Avenue, Denver

If you fancy a trip abroad this holiday season, travel no further than Civic Center Park, which will be transformed into a European-style, storybook-like market for about a month. Shop for trinkets and handcrafted treasures in the wooden shacks that line the pop-up alleys with a cup of glühwein (mulled wine) or hand-roasted nuts. In addition to shopping and dining, Denver Christkindlmarket offers entertainment most nights, including live music, light parades, and appearances by St. Nikolaus and Krampus.

Denver Christkindlmarket is free to attend. Find more information at christkindlmarketdenver.com.

People take photos after the lighting of a tree near the Chautauqua Community House on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. WinterFest, a ticketed event, runs Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12 and features horse-drawn carriage rides, breakfast with Santa Claus, music, food and a historic tour of the chalet.  (Matthew Jonas/staff photographer)
People take photos after the lighting of a tree near the Chautauqua Community House on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. WinterFest, a ticketed event features horse-drawn carriage rides, breakfast with Santa, music, food and a historic tour of the chalet. (Matthew Jonas/staff photographer)

winter party

Appointment: December 9-11
Location: Colorado Chautauqua Association, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder

Horse-drawn carriage rides, scenic group hikes, guided tours, kids’ crafts, live music, holiday tree lighting, and even a s’more station highlight a weekend of festivities in Boulder’s historic Chautauqua district. Bring your wallet to shop at a market at the Chautauqua Community House with local artists and vendors. (No ticket needed.)

Tickets for WinterFest are $28 per person ages 3 and up. Children 2 and under enter free. Find tickets and more at chautauqua.com/winterfest-22.

On Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, people stroll among the outdoor seats and vendor booths at the Apres Ski Holiday Market located in the Dairy Block Alley outdoor alley in lower downtown Denver.  (Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)
On Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, people stroll among the outdoor seats and vendor booths at the Apres Ski Holiday Market located in the Dairy Block Alley outdoor alley in lower downtown Denver. (Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)

After-ski holiday market

Appointment: Weekends from Nov. 25 to Dec. 18
Location: Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee St., Denver

Sipping and shopping go hand in hand at the third annual après-ski holiday market. Local businesses and national brands will sell their wares over the weekend in Dairy Block Alley near Union Station, where dining options abound, including a seasonal pop-up bar called Miracle located inside the station. The markets also coincide with special holiday events, such as the Tree Lighting (November 25) and Merry & Bright Lights, a holiday-themed nighttime light show that dances outside Union Station. (from November 25).

The après-ski holiday market is free. For more information, visit milkblock.com/events.

Aerah Fulton, 11, playing the role...
Aerah Fulton, 11, plays the role of Queen of Lights during the Santa Lucia Children’s Procession at the Georgetown Christmas Market on December 8, 2019. It was the 60th year of the market and the procession, which featured featured local elementary school students marching from Georgetown Community School to Library Park to sing Christmas carols to onlookers. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

Georgetown Christmas Market

Appointment: 3-4 Dec. and 10-11 Dec.
Location: Historic 6th Street, Georgetown

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and brimming with small-town charm, the annual Georgetown Christmas Market offers an immersive holiday experience with horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers in Victorian attire, and tours of the city’s many historic museums. Shop for locally made crafts, produce and food at two outdoor markets before heading to the Alpine Beer Garden for a craft beer to end the day.

The Georgetown Christmas Market is free. Find more information at historicgeorgetown.org/christmas-market.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to receive entertainment news straight to your inbox.

Share.

Comments are closed.