17 Free Things to Do in Denver in the Winter

With spectacular mountain views and access to nature and outdoor activities combined with world-class art, culture and a revitalized downtown, Denver is the ultimate family vacation destination any season. When the Rocky Mountains provide a majestic and snow-capped backdrop to Denver, winter blankets the city with even more fun. From parades to holiday lights, art walks to museums, free tours to hikes, enjoy the Mile High City with these 17 free things to do in Denver in the winter.

17 Free Things to Do In Denver in the Winter

Free in Denver? Absolutely! The Mile High City continues its affordable fun through the winter with these 17 free things to do in Denver in the winter.  From parades to free ice skating, bundle up and be ready to explore these free activities in the Colorado capitol.

Think you know the Mile High City? Read these 10 things you didn’t know about Denver.

1. Free Ice Skating in Denver

Downtown Denver Ice Skating

Typically from November to February, the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park returns each year to celebrate Denver’s winter wonderland. On the 16^th Street Mall at Arapahoe, ice skating is free. Carry your own skates or rent a pair for $7-9.

Regularly scheduled entertainment and activities round out the free options including DJs on Friday nights, Saturday morning skate lessons, Saturday night concerts and family entertainment on Sunday afternoons.

Denver International Airport Ice Skating

 

Are you a traveler arriving in the Mile High City and/or passing through via Denver International Airport?  The DIA ice rink is also free, and skate rentals are complimentary as well. This 40 x 60-foot rink is typically open November through January, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Find this skating rink on the Denver International Airport Plaza outside the Westin DIA hotel and between the terminal and hotel, and add it to your list of free things to do in Denver in the winter. On Friday afternoons, enjoy hot chocolate and hot cider or fun activities and entertainment.

TravelingMom Tip: Magical outdoor ice skating rinks abound throughout Colorado during the winter months.

2. First Friday Art Walks

Denver embraces its art communities with a monthly celebration scattered throughout Denver. First Friday Art Walks, the first Friday of every month, features cultural performances, music, art exhibits, art walks and more in Denver’s art districts. My favorite is the Santa Fe art district for its cultural exhibits and yummy food trucks.

3. Explore More with Denver Story Trek

Transport Denver’s history directly to your cell phone with free downloadable Denver Story Trek. Pick up a free map at one of the city’s museums and set off to explore the city on a self-guided tour.

4. Warm-up at LoDo’s Tattered Cover Bookstore

Step out of the snow into the newest location of Tattered Cover Bookstore at McGregor Square, one of the largest independent bookstores in the U.S. where many famous authors host free book signings. For travelers, this is the perfect stop as Wi-Fi and browsing are free. Denver’s Union Station also features a satellite Tattered Cover Bookstore.

5. Be a Fan at Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum

Sports fans won’t want to miss the tribute to the sports legends in our state at the free Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum, located at the Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

6. Channel your Inner Fashionista at Rockmount Ranch Wear

Fashionistas remember the Wild West by browsing the historic Rockmount Ranch Wear, the inventor of the western snap-button shirt. Located in LoDo, the walls are a celebrity gallery of famous personalities, from Elvis Presley to Toby Keith, who have worn their shirts.

While the store is free to browse and window shop, you’ll be tempted to purchase a snap-button Western shirt.

7. Denver’s Christmas Market

Located at Skyline Park, the family-friendly Christkindl Market is Denver’s version of the European Christmas Market and entry is free. Window shop where vendors from all over the world, including Germany, Ukraine, Ireland and other countries, and local artisans offer hand-carved figurines, candles, ornaments and more for sale. Listen to traditional Christmas carols and live German music. Traditional German food and hot spiced wine are available for purchase.

8. Grand Illumination

Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination lights up downtown each year. The streets of the city shine brightly when the switch is turned on from Denver Union Station. The lights stay on through the end of December.

Held from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26th, the annual Grand Illumination kick off event features the lighting of the station’s outdoor 40-foot-tall Christmas tree that features more than 7,000 holiday lights. Stick around to meet Santa, hear holiday classics from the Denver Dolls and then splurge with drinks at the Terminal Bar at Union Station.

Merry & Bright Lights transforms the exterior façade of Denver’s landmark train station into a spectacular canvas spreading holiday cheer beginning with the Grand Illumination. It continues through December 27th from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. each evening. The outdoor light show will features interactive visual imagery created by local Denver artists.

TravelingMom Liana Moore’s family loves visiting the historic Denver Union Station and The Crawford Hotel located within this operating train station. Year-round her son loves to watch the trains come arrive and depart. Unique art is scattered throughout. During the summer a spray park and farmer’s market entertain the kids.

9. Parade of Lights Weekend and Holiday Lights

Everyone loves a parade, and downtown Denver brings winter entertainment. Thousands of locals and travelers flock to downtown for a front-row seat to three Mile High parades in the winter. Begin with the best holiday displays during the 9NEWS Parade of Lights Weekend. This night parade features marching bands, ornate floats, and appearances by Major Waddles, the Penguin and Santa.

Miss the parade? Take a walk or a drive around the Mile High City as its holiday lights, especially on the City and County Building, will bring a smile to kids of all ages.

10. New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Ring in the New Year with a Mile High bundle of fireworks and a mini-parade with magicians, costumed performers, balloon artists and more entertainment at the annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver.  (Even on New Year’s Eve, you’ll find family-friendly things to do in Denver.)

11. National Western Stockshow & Rodeo Parade

Texas Longhorn cattle are driven through the streets of downtown every January during the annual Rodeo Parade during National Western Stockshow and Rodeo. This celebration of everything western brings cowboys and cowgirls, horses, marching bands, and floats and horseback riders to welcome the kick-off of one of the world’s largest indoor rodeos, the National Western Stock Show each January in Denver.

12. Free Museum Days

From Denver’s Zoo to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the city of Denver offers multiple multiple free museum days in 2021. Here is a quick list:

• Denver Museum of Nature & Science: November 6, December 6
• Clyfford Still Museum: November 18 & December 8
• Denver Art Museum: November 6 & 9; December 14
• Museo De Las Americas: Free cultural first Fridays
• Four Mile Historic Park: November 12 & December 10
• Free Days at the Denver Zoo: November 9 via lottery

13. Free Walking Tours

Offered daily at 10 am, these free Denver walking tours start at the Civic Center Park and wind through downtown Denver, ending at Coors Field. These free daily tours are the perfect introduction to the city’s history, architecture, landmarks, and local businesses.

14. U.S. Mint Tour

When in Denver, one must-see stop is the U.S. Mint Tour and learn how to make money. On free guided 45-minute tours, discover how 50 million coins are produced each day ad stamped with a “D” for Denver. Unfortunately, the Denver Mint is one of the city’s favorite free activities that hasn’t yet opened back up from Pandemic closures.

15. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Marade

United marchers and parade fans assemble at Denver’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s “Marade.” The memorial parade begins at City Park and then marchers continue to Civic Center Park, with the final stop at the Colorado State Capitol Building. After a year of being virtual, this march and parade celebrating MLK will hopefully return January 17, 2022 in person.

16. St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Denver

The luck of the Irish will be with you when you attend downtown Denver’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, and join more than 200,000 parade fans for the largest St. Patty’s parade west of the Mississippi. March 12, 2022 marks the 60th anniversary year of this fun parade.

17. Hammond’s Candy Factory

Year-round, the Hammond’s Candy Factory indulges your sweet tooth with free tours. Learn how lollipops, candy canes and other Hammond’s treats are made.

Free Things to Do Outside of Denver

Downtown Denver is amazing, and the outskirts of the city also offer fun things to do. Embrace the holiday season in Cherry Creek during its annual and free Winter Wonderland. The streets transform into a winter wonderland with live ice carving, temporary fire pits, face painting, complimentary refreshments and giveaways.

Explore Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, an open-air amphitheater hosting world-famous musical acts, and experience this stunning geological wonder.

Just 20 minutes from downtown Denver, Golden is an old-west themed town that also celebrates the holidays with lights, parades and more. Be sure to include a free brewery tour at Coors Brewery.