7 safe and socially distant things to do in Denver and beyond this weekend, Dec. 11-Dec. 13, 2020

DENVER -- It's going to be chilly this weekend, so why not give Netflix a rest and attend one of these socially distant and/or virtual events instead?

1. It’s official: Zoo Lights has been making magic, memories and even marriages for 30 amazing years! Celebrate the season safely with your family at Zoo Lights 30th Anniversary. Don’t miss this year’s historic celebration with more than a million lights sparkling over 80 acres – plus a host of special measures to keep your family safe and healthy. Tickets are ONLY available online, and Zoo Lights sells out every year. Be sure to secure your spot today!
2. The annual Denver Christkindl Market is open for the season! The event offers an authentic German holiday experience, including opportunities to meet St. Nikolaus, Krampus and Christkind herself. Guests can savor the season as they enjoy authentic, traditional German drinks while wandering through the market. Guests can also enjoy live music and plenty of delicious snacks with their family and friends. To learn more about the event including safety information please visit their website.
3. Over 130 choir member and alumni will come together virtually for the Denver Children’s Choir: Songs of the Season Virtual Concert. It's happening Saturday, Dec. 12 from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Denver7's Lisa Hidalgo will emcee this event! See the concert no the Denver Children's Choir YouTube page here.
4. Visit Santa atop his sleigh at Denver Pavilions! Santa will be on hand December 10, 11, 17 and 18 and Christmas Eve from 5pm to 7pm while the float is illuminated. Visitors can take socially-distant selfies and photos with Santa and pick-up free goodies from elves as well.
5. The 16^thStreet Mall Holiday Festival is taking place in the center of Downtown Denver on the historic 16^th Street Mall. This curated shopping marketplace boasts an enormous array of fine arts, handmade crafts, delectable food, home décor and unique holiday gifts. Enjoy an awesome selection of one-of-a-kind seasonal items, high quality handcrafted goods, fabulous holiday gift ideas, delicious specialty foods, and more! Admission is free.
6. Breckenridge Brewery presents Winter Wonderland at the House Beer Garden in Littleton. Breckenridge Brewing has transitioned their beer garden at the Farm House into a socially-distanced winter wonderland featuring ice skating, a sledding hill, delicious comfort food, all the Breck Brews, games and more! To learn more about hours prices and reserving your skating spot head here.
7. The Orchard Town Center is offering free horse-drawn carriage rides to their shoppers! Every Friday and Sunday from 5pm-9pm until December 18, cozy up in the backseat of the carriage and experience The Orchard’s magnificent holiday lights in style. Masks are required when waiting for and riding in the carriage. Head hereto learn more!

BONUS!

1. Take a short drive up the hill to Morrison to get your Christmas Tree at Tomari’s Trees! Open until 8pm on the weekends and 6pm on the weekdays, this family owned and spirited Christmas tree lot is adjacent to their coffee shop, Tomari’s Coffee and Public House. Go inside for a hot chocolate, or a hot toddy, to keep your hands warm while you walk the tree lot. Trees are only available while supplies last so go get your tree today!
2. Support small businesses with Small Biz Saturdays at Stanley. Every Saturday until Christmas, you are invited to Stanley for holiday décor and festive vibes, great food and drinks and top notch shopping from locally owned boutiques. They will kick off each Saturday with a one-hour performance from The Beverly Belles, a favorite local trio, from 10am – 11am. Check out their website for specially offerings and giveaways happening throughout the month!
3. This holiday season, the Arvada Center is proud to present a radio play of the classic and cozy A Child’s Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas. Told through the nostalgic and innocent eyes of a young boy at Christmas time, this timeless story invokes images of snowy country hillsides, warm fireside songs, and idyllic and light hearted memories of the holidays with the family Make time with your family to experience this radio play that will set imaginations alight and conjure goodwill for all mankind. Buy tickets for this radio play at any time! Pricing starts at $10 to access the radio play recording, which will be available for listening until December 27. Pay the price that works for you, and when you choose your price think about who will listen to it with you. Remember that whatever amount you pay supports the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.