12 Ways to Spend the Holidays in Denver West
The holidays are a great time to explore your neighborhood. If you live in the Denver West area and want to avoid going downtown for new and exciting holiday activities, check out these ideas closer to home.
Holidays in Denver West
Go ice skating in Belmar
The Rink at Belmar kicked off its 15th season of ice skating this year. Their 7,000 square foot outdoor ice rink on the Belmar Plaza is a fun way to spend an afternoon, either with a date or the whole family.
Catch a local holiday music festival
Local music academy School of Rock always has great events and workshops for music lovers and aspiring musicians. This holiday season, they’re putting on a Holiday Music Festival at their Golden/Lakewood location. Their House Band will put on several performances, plus there are free trial lessons and workshops all afternoon. Join School of Rock on Saturday, December 14 for their Holiday Music Festival. If you miss out, there are a couple instrument workshops later in the month!
Create your own holiday decor
If you’ve ever wanted to paint your own festive holiday decor while enjoying a sip of beer or wine at the same time, now’s your chance. Painting with a Twist in Lakewood is hosting numerous holiday paint-and-sip events through December. Santa Claus, winter lakes and forests, snow-capped mountain peaks: the choice is yours.
Go Christmas shopping
Left your holiday shopping too late? The Holiday Inn Denver Lakewood is holding a Christmas shopping event on Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22. From 10 am to 4 pm, you can browse over 40 vendors selling handmade crafts and artisanal goods.
Check out Christmas lights in the neighborhood
This one’s simple: bundle up and head outside for a nighttime stroll through your neighborhood to appreciate the lights. If you want to check out some of the best public displays around town, catch the W Line into Golden. Golden’s holiday light display along Washington Avenue, Clear Creek, and in Clear Creek History Park are a sight to see.
Enjoy a brew at one of Lakewood’s many breweries
If you’re a beer lover, you’re lucky to be close to many breweries in Lakewood. Not only can you enjoy delicious craft beer made by a local brewer, but you can also join several fun events hosted at each brewery. Green Mountain Beer Company near Bear Creek Lake hosts a weekly Run Club every Wednesday at 6 pm. Love bluegrass and jam music? Seedstock Brewery off West Colfax hosts a bluegrass jam every Sunday at 5 pm. If trivia is more your thing, WestFax Brewing right down the road hosts trivia every Thursday at 7 pm.
Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a guided night hike
On December 21, celebrate the official start of winter with a guided night hike at Bear Creek Lake Park. Following the hike, there will be a traditional burning of the yule log, plus a marshmallow roast!
Go mini-golfing at Colorado Mills
Are you more of a Halloween fan? Escape the holiday cheer and spend a day playing Spooky Glow Mini Golf at Colorado Mills. There’s also a sand play area and Laser Maze Escape Room if you’re looking for even more family-friendly fun.
Snap some photos with Santa
Once you’re done with spooky mini-golf fun, get back into the holiday spirit by taking photos with Santa. Colorado Mills is hosting a Santa Photo Experience every day up until Christmas Eve.
See a movie at Alamo Drafthouse
Kick your holiday movie-viewing experience up a notch by catching a classic at Alamo Drafthouse in Sloan’s Lake. Alamo Drafthouse is showing new releases like A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Frozen II, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and Little Women. As usual, they’re also hosting special movie events and screenings. Watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with themed movie props, or enjoy a bowl of cereal along with The Grinch or Elf.
Celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve” with the kids
Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve with a countdown to 12:00 (pm) at the Lakewood branch of Jefferson County Public Library. You and your kiddos can learn about New Year’s traditions from around the world and enjoy arts and crafts in the afternoon. Once the ball drops at noon, the whole family can head home for a nap.
…or ring in the New Year, Roaring 20s style
The New 20s begin when 2019 ends! If you typically spend New Year’s Eve comfy on your couch at home, change it up by heading to Sheraton Denver West Hotel for their Jazz Age party. There will be appetizers, dessert, champagne, drink tickets, and a balloon drop to mark the end of the decade.
Experience the holidays in Lakewood
If you’ve gotten a taste of Lakewood at some of these holiday events, check out West Line Village, where the fun lasts all year long. This neighborhood bursting with arts, music, locally-owned shops, breweries, and eateries. Yet it’s still close to downtown Denver and just a few stops away from Golden, making it the perfect community for work and play. Learn more about the West Line Village neighborhood and what it has to offer now!
