16 W E S T W O R D T h e E d g e W i n t e r G u i d e 2 0 2 3 - 2 4 westword.com Cold Comforts EIGHT WAYS TO CHILL IN METRO DENVER. Yuletide cheer abounds in Denver. Attrac- tions deck the halls with sparkling lights and festive decor; pop-up markets are full of merriment and gifts. It’s easy to fi nd joy in December, despite the shorter days and longer nights — but fortunately, there are fun urban experiences throughout the season. Bundle up and embrace the cold at these eight winter activities and events in Denver: Blossoms of Light Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street 720-865-3500 botanicgardens.org For 35 years, the Denver Botanic Gardens’ signature Blossoms of Light event has dazzled winter visitors. Thousands of colorful LED lights create festive displays, each set along an illuminated walkway. Complete the experience with hot choc- olate and holiday treats from on-site eat- eries. Tickets to the celebration are $25 for adults and $21 for children ages three to fi fteen. See the gardens aglow between November 17 and January 7 from 4:30 to 9 p.m., Thanksgiving and Christmas day excluded. Camp Christmas Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas Street, Aurora 720-485-2234 denvercenter.org Yuletide cheer fi lls the air at Camp Christ- mas, an immersive experience that’s campy, quirky and unlike any other hol- iday tradition. Order cocktails from its pop-up bars and wander the wacky world created by local artist Lonnie Hanzon. His maximalist style and humor are seen in each elaborate display — some nostalgic and others completely surreal. Visit the indoor attraction at Stanley Marketplace, Tuesday through Sunday from Novem- ber 16 to December 24, Thanksgiving excluded. General admission starts at $12 per person; VIP ticket holders can meet Santa and add to the amusement with drag queen tours on select dates. Cherry Creek Holiday Market 105 Fillmore Street 303-394-2904 cherrycreekholidaymarket.com The fourth annual Cherry Creek Holiday Market will feature over fi fty local vendors selling home decor, wellness products, accessories and artisan eats, plus beverages from top Colorado distiller the Family Jones and coffee pop-up Sustain & Able, among others. Purchase gifts from the eclectic selection and enjoy drinks and live entertainment in the Mistletoe Lounge. The market appears on Fillmore Street between First and Second avenues during select hours from November 16 to December 24. Entry is free, and other Winter Wanderland experiences are happening throughout Cherry Creek North. Christkindlmarket Civic Center Park christkindlmarketdenver.com All things are merry and bright at Christ- kindlmarket, a German holiday market that will roll out adjacent to the Mile High Tree in Civic Center Park. Charming wooden stalls serve mugs of glühwein and plates of hearty European fare — think Bavarian pretzels, pierogi, schnitzel, speck and blinchiki crepes. Other ven- dors feature hand-painted ornaments, traditional beer steins and more giftable trinkets. Get your polka dancing on for the full experience. The market and its live entertainment are free from November 17 to December 23 during select hours. Fat Tire Biking with Front Range Ride Guides Various locations 720-470-1627 frontrangerideguides.com Pedal through the foothills with Front Range Ride Guides, the area’s only out- fi tter to offer winter fat-biking tours. All experiences are tailored to participants’ abilities and preferences, and those new to the sport are welcome. Half-day tours are limited to ten people and start at $129 per person. Expect a custom-tailored trail ride, tips from a professional guide, a sized and tuned fat-bike rental and, of course, post-ride beers. Luminova Holidays Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle 303-595-4386 elitchgardens.com While big changes are in Elitch Gardens’ future, the amusement park will add to downtown’s cheer this season with the return of Luminova Holidays. Over four million lights will decorate its dazzling 65-foot Christmas tree, candy cane tunnel and other larger-than-life displays, all set among carnival games and thrilling rides. Light swings, the Luminova glow train and, of course, visits with Santa add to the winter wonderland. It’s a magical experience for all ages, available from November 24 to December 31, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day excluded. Reserve tickets online, priced at $19.99 per person. Ruby Hill Rail Yard Ruby Hill Park, 1200 West Florida Avenue 720-913-1311 facebook.com/groups/rubyhillrailyard The country’s fi rst free urban terrain park, Ruby Hill Rail Yard makes freestyle skiing and riding accessible and affordable for all skill levels. In previous years, on-site gear rentals were $20, and free on select dates. The season is weather-dependent, but the park has opened as early as Jan- uary and closed as late as March. Check its Facebook page for updates and look forward to gliding across its boxes and rails later in the season. Zoo Lights Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele Street 720-337-1400 denverzoo.org For 33 years, Zoo Lights has been Den- ver’s wildest winter wonderland, and a big hit over the holidays. This year’s version will spread more than two mil- lion lights over eighty acres of City Park. The extravaganza opens November 24 for Denver Zoo members; it’s open to the public starting December 2 and runs through January 7. Let there be lights! — ABIGAIL BLISS Blossoms of Light illuminate the Denver Botanic Gardens. DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
