Where are the best Christmas markets in Denver?
The Denver Christkindlmarket on the Tivoli Quad is the German-style one, with wooden huts, Glühwein, and free admission. The Cherry Creek Holiday Market brings more than 45 local makers to Fillmore Plaza, and the Denver Christmas Show at the National Western Center has hundreds of booths. For handmade gifts outside the city, try the Firefly Handmade Holiday Market on Boulder's Pearl Street.
Denver Christkindlmarket
The Denver Christkindlmarket is a German-style holiday market on the Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus, with wooden huts full of local and European crafts, gifts, and food. Sip Glühwein, grab a Bavarian pretzel or a bratwurst off the grill, and warm up in the Festival Hall, whose bar stays open after the vendors close. There's a carousel, a glass ornament workshop, and visits from the Christkind and St. Nikolaus. Admission is free; bus lines 43 and 6 stop right in front.
Cherry Creek Holiday Market
The Cherry Creek Holiday Market fills Fillmore Plaza with more than 45 rotating local makers, designers, and artisans under red-and-green lanterns and a canopy of lights. Food is spread across the market, with dishes from Ukraine, Romania, and Italy plus cookies, pickles, and brittle. Mistletoe Lounge pours festive drinks, coffee, and tea and hosts most of the live music, while carolers wander the market. It's free, and cable ramps are kept to a minimum for strollers.
Denver Christmas Show
The Denver Christmas Show fills the new Livestock Center at the National Western Center with hundreds of booths of holiday decor, apparel, jewelry, toys, and artisanal treats. See the Tinsel Town Train model railway, vote on the light displays, and follow the Snowman's Steps scavenger hunt for a treat. Santa is at the North Pole Nook (sit or stand beside him, no laps). Kids 13 and under are free, a ticket covers all three days, and the N-Line stops at the National Western Center.
Mile High Holiday Mart
The Junior League of Denver's 47th annual Mile High Holiday Mart brings more than 100 merchants to Gates Field House at the University of Denver. The volunteer-run market supports community programs for women and families in Denver, and Private VIP Shopping offers early access with seasonal drinks, bites, and free parking. Kids 12 and under don't need a ticket, and veterans, DU ID holders, and anyone bringing a new, unwrapped toy for the Denver Santa Claus Shop get in free.
Denver BAZAAR Holiday Markets
Denver BAZAAR runs four themed holiday markets around Denver, each with over 100 local artisans selling handcrafted, small-batch, and Colorado-made goods. Themes range from RiNo's Swirly, Twirly market to Belleview Station's Ski Chalet, with themed bars, photo spots, and food trucks. Drinks run from cocktails to cocoa to 'syrup' shots. Entry is always free, leashed dogs are welcome, and markets go on rain, snow, or shine. Street parking is free at the Highlands Square market; rideshare is recommended for the others.
Schweiger Ranch Austrian Christmas (Lone Tree)
Schweiger Ranch in Lone Tree celebrates the Christmas traditions of the Austrian homesteaders who settled the ranch in 1874. Meet Santa Claus and his real reindeer, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and fill up on Austrian food and live music. The Christkindl Markt sells local handcrafted gifts, and there are crafts too. It's a free event with no registration, but most of it is outdoors, so bad weather or poor walking conditions can change plans.
Firefly Handmade Holiday Market - Boulder (Boulder)
The Firefly Handmade Holiday Market sets up on the Pearl Street Pedestrian Mall in Boulder with more than 80 curated artists, makers, and designers. Shop handmade craft, art, and design, grab something from the food artisans, and listen to Colorado musicians playing throughout the day. Admission is free, and City of Boulder garages are free all day on weekends. Leave the dog at home, though, since pets aren't allowed on Pearl Street Mall.
Olde Golden Holidays (Golden)
Olde Golden Holidays brings a small-town, old-fashioned feel to Historic Downtown Golden. Stroll Washington Avenue past decorated historic buildings and quaint holiday shops, then follow the thousands of twinkling lights along Clear Creek, Billy Drew Bridge, History Park, and Parfet Park. Seasonal events include a Candlelight Walk with carols, a Holiday Parade, and Jingle on the Avenue with holiday characters in Parfet Park. Wander at your own pace, hot cocoa in hand.
Evergreen Winterfest Artisan Gift Market & Holiday Festival (Evergreen)
Center for the Arts Evergreen hosts the Evergreen Winterfest Artisan Gift Market & Holiday Festival, with handcrafted goods from Colorado artisans at indoor tables and outdoor tents. Shop painting, photography, jewelry, woodworking, and artisan foods, plus the annual member exhibition and an upstairs ceramics sale. Santa photos, crafts with Crafty Chassis, and face painting are all free, and gift wrapping is complimentary. Admission is free; park at Bergen Park Church or the RTD park and ride.
Latkes and Lights Hanukkah Celebration and Latke Contest
JCC Denver's Latkes and Lights Hanukkah Celebration and Latke Contest lets you sample deep-fried latkes from Denver restaurants and community cooks, taste sufganiyot donut holes, and vote for your favorites. Kids get a bounce house, a children's light room, and hands-on holiday activities. Wear your coziest Hanukkah pajamas (any pajamas you love will do). Tickets are on a sliding scale and cover all activities and food samples, children under 2 are free, and parking is free.
Boulder County Farmers Market Holiday Edition (Longmont)
The Boulder County Farmers Market Holiday Edition brings 150 local farmers, ranchers, food producers, and artisans to the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont. Stock up on winter squash, potatoes, apples, microgreens, and mushrooms, then shop Colorado-made gifts like fancy jam, candles, wine, and gourmet chocolate. The food court has food trucks, hot chocolate, coffee, pastries, cider, and cocktails. Leave pets at home (service animals are welcome).
11th Annual Winter Frenzy & Holiday Craft Fair 2026 (Aurora)
The 11th Annual Winter Frenzy & Holiday Craft Fair brings more than 150 local small businesses indoors at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Event Center in Aurora. Browse handmade gifts, boutique clothing, jewelry, holiday decor, specialty foods, candles, and even pet products, so the dog gets a present too. Kids can stop by to visit Santa. It's indoors and family-friendly, which makes it an easy pick on a cold day.
Jingle Bell Market Craft Fair (Broomfield)
The Jingle Bell Market Craft Fair fills multiple rooms of the Broomfield Community Center with local Colorado crafters selling artisan, handmade gifts (no resale vendors allowed). Take a break at the Ninth Reindeer Cafe in the Lakeshore Room, where snack proceeds go to Broomfield Meals on Wheels. Admission is free, and with several rooms to cover, comfortable shoes are a smart call.
Visit the Village (Aurora)
Visit the Village is an indoor holiday event at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Event Center in Aurora, with a marketplace of local vendors selling unique gifts and artisanal crafts. Look for festive games, make-and-take craft stations, and photos with Santa. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door, kids 2 and under are free, and donating a new, unwrapped gift earns one free admission per household.
Brighton Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (Brighton)
Brighton's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony fills Founders Plaza at Main and Bridge streets with a Winter Market of local artists, crafters, and artisan food vendors. Kids get free face painting and pictures with Santa, and look for the Teddy Bear & Friends Tree display. The evening builds to a countdown and the lighting of the Christmas tree, with a free concert by Face Vocal Band.
Merry Makers Market (Aurora)
The City of Aurora's Merry Makers Market fills the Aurora Central Library with goods from local and regional vendors, from handcrafted items to seasonal gifts. Look for Santa, Anna and Elsa, and performances by the Aurora Heart Dancers and The Original Dickens Carolers. It's free, and after shopping you can head over to the Aurora Municipal Campus Great Lawn for the Holiday Tree Lighting.
Country Christmas Craft Show (Brighton)
The Adams County Museum hosts the Country Christmas Craft Show at Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton. Browse handmade crafts, seasonal decorations, and one-of-a-kind gifts from a wide range of artisans, with plenty of ideas for the people on your list. Admission is free, and it's family-friendly, so the kids can come along and help pick.
Maker's Market on Meeker
Maker's Market on Meeker gathers local makers and crafters in Denver's Meeker Street area, with unique handmade gifts and holiday items. It's a showcase for local artisans, with a festive shopping atmosphere and plenty of one-of-a-kind finds. Admission is free, so the only real question is how many handmade presents you can carry.
40 West Holiday Market (Lakewood)
The 40 West Holiday Market sets up at 40 West Gallery in The HUB on Newland Street in Lakewood. It's a community-focused holiday market, with local artists and makers selling unique holiday gifts and plenty of seasonal shopping. Admission is free, which leaves more of the budget for the art. Bring your list and shop local.
Aurora History Museum Festival of Wreaths (Aurora)
The Aurora History Museum on East Alameda Parkway hosts the Festival of Wreaths, with handcrafted wreaths on display and for sale. It's a showcase of creative wreath designs, and buying one supports the museum's educational programs. Pick one for your own door or as a gift, and local history comes out ahead either way.