Ten Holiday Must-dos In Denver

1. Holiday Lights The Downtown Denver Grand Illumination on Nov. 28 illuminates downtown with 600,000 lights, all of which stay brightly lit every night through the end of the National Western Stock Show (Jan. 10-25, 2015). The massive display includes Denver's newly restored 1914 Beaux Arts Union Station, which is flooded with colored lights. Other downtown spectacles include the mile long 16th Street Mall, where every tree is decorated with thousands of LED bulbs, and Civic Center Park with the brilliant lighting of the City & County Building. The perfect way to see the lights is from one of more than two dozen horse-drawn carriages, that clatter up and down the Mall nightly after 6 p.m. The Denver Botanic Gardens' Blossoms of Light (Dec. 5, 2014 - Jan. 1, 2015), embraces the holidays with more than one million colorful lights spread throughout the gardens in whimsical displays. The gardens are a wonderful oasis in the center of the city, and never more so than during the holidays when the twisting paths become tunnels of twinkling lights. At Denver Zoo Lights (Dec.5, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015), you can stroll through more than 38 acres of lights and see 150 animated animal sculptures. Don't miss the Zoo Lights Lantern Festival, which takes place in Toyota Elephant Passage, the largest Asian bull elephant habitat in the nation. 2. Holiday Shopping Denver offers the largest and most varied shopping between Chicago and San Francisco. Browse through one-of-a-kind boutiques in hip Denver neighborhoods like Highlands, Old South Gaylord, South Pearl or Antique Row. Don't forget to visit the city's museum shops, which offer a variety of unique gifts. Or look for handcrafted imported gifts at special holiday markets like downtown's Christkindl Market (Nov. 21 - Dec. 23). Be sure to check out these local clothing boutiques:

• Goldyn in Denver
• Inspyre in Denver
• Willow in Boulder
• Starrs in Boulder
• Shop Local online on COUTUREcolorado BOUTIQUE

3. Holiday Stage Performances The Denver Performing Arts Complex (second largest in the nation) comes alive for the holidays. Start a family holiday tradition by attending one of these classic productions filled with incredible sets, beautiful music and stunning choreography. There will be no "bah-humbugs" at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts' musical version of A Christmas Carol (Nov. 28 - Dec. 28). Ever since Charles Dickens first penned A Christmas Carol in 1843, it has seen myriad stage adaptations and the popularity of this tale of redemption and second chances has seemingly never waned. From stage to screen, opera to one man show, it is one of the most influential Christmas shows and a traditional holiday outing that defines the joy of the Yuletide period for most of us. Now in its 54th year, Colorado Ballet's Nutcracker (Nov. 29-Dec. 27) will be gracing the stage once again at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, joined by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. With a real wintry twist, the production promises to dazzle audiences with glittering snowflakes, shimmering sugarplum fairies, a real on-stage blizzard, unforgettable characters, stunning costumes and scenery by Jose Varon. This seasonal tradition features classic choreography paired with Tchaikovsky's extraordinary score, performed live. Magnificent costumes and backgrounds set the whimsical stage for Dr. Seuss' classic holiday tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, featuring hit songs "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas." Don't miss your chance to see this fantastic, family-friendly "Seussian" masterpiece in Denver from Dec. 17 through Dec. 28 at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. 4. Museum Exhibitions Several only-in-Denver art exhibitions will be on display through the holiday season. Don't forget to stop by the museums gift shops for unique, artist-made gift items for the people on your list. Nothing says the holidays like sparkling diamonds and jewels! The Denver Art Museum will host the world-exclusive exhibition of Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century (Nov. 16, 2014 - March 15, 2015) featuring striking jewelry, timepieces, and decorative objects produced between 1900 and 1975. This exhibition highlights Cartier's rise to preeminence-and the historical events pushing the brand's evolution-as it transformed itself into one of the world's most prestigious names in jewelry and luxurious accessories. A world premiere art exhibition, Mark Mothersbaugh: Myopia (Oct. 31, 2014 - April 12, 2015) at Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, includes documentation and music from the artists' DEVO days; prints, drawings, paintings, sculptures, rugs and video animations; performances; newly produced musical and sculptural installations; and most notably a life-long series of postcard-sized works, which will be exhibited in its entirety for the first time. Matisse and Friends (through Feb. 8, 2015) at the Denver Art Museum showcases showcases 14 paintings from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., from artists Henri Matisse, Andr� Derain, Albert Marquet, Maurice de Vlaminck, Raoul Dufy, Georges Braque, and Kees Van Dongen. 5. Holiday Concerts Denver's hills and concert halls are alive with the sound of music every weekend in December. Experience the full majesty of Handel's masterpiece, The Messiah (Dec. 13-14) - one of the most revered oratorios of all time - when the Colorado Symphony and Chorus exalt Messiah to new heights. Join the Colorado Symphony, Chorus, Colorado Children's Chorale, vocalists and dancers in a program of your favorite traditional Christmas carols and songs for Colorado Christmas (Dec. 19). Tap your toes to your favorite holiday tunes at the TubaChristmas Concert (Dec. 21) at Skyline Park, featuring 300 tuba players from all over the region. 6. 9 News Parade of Lights The 9 News Parade of Lights is the signature event of Denver's holiday season, with thousands of sparkling lights, marching bands, giant balloons, majestic floats and delightful characters traveling through downtown Denver. The event will dazzle the crowds on Dec. 5 (8 p.m.) and Dec. 6 (6 p.m.). Viewing along the parade route is free; grandstand tickets are sold for seating in front of the beautifully illuminated City & County Building. 7. Ice Skating There's nothing more magical than floating on ice at one of Denver's FREE outdoor, ice-skating rinks during the holiday season. Located on the 16th St. Mall under the historic D&F Tower, the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park is open to the public with the option to bring your own skates or rent a pair at a minimal cost. The Rink at Belmar will celebrate winter solstice with an oversize ice castle, skating, live music and pre-holiday treats on Dec. 21, but you can enjoy shopping and free ice skating for the entire month of December! 8. Santa Sightings Santa arrives in Denver by train, by sleigh - and even underwater! Santa will ride his sleigh into downtown Denver and set up shop in a magical wonderland in the Bull & Bear Courtyard on Larimer Square. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning on November 29. Santa will be at Cherry Creek Shopping Center through Dec. 24 for family photos and is available during all mall hours with limited breaks daily. Added bonus? You can even bring your pet for a photo with the big man on Sunday, Dec. 14 from 7-10 p.m. Santa goes underwater at the Downtown Aquarium, diving with sharks and sting rays on Dec. 13-14. 9. New Year's Eve Fireworks Ring in the New Year with Denver's annual New Year's Eve Fireworks with viewpoints along the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. The two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and Midnight. Head to the 16th Street Mall for optimal viewing spots! Make a night of it - discover a great New Year's Eve party and take advantage of great downtown hotel deals. 10. Give Back Colorado Gives Day is December 9th. Check out ColoradoGives.Org and give where you live. Shop local for a good cause!!!!! When you purchase something from COUTUREcolorado BOUTIQUE you will be prompted to donate $1.00 to the World Food Program. World Food Program works to solve global hunger by building a world where everyone has the food needed to lead healthy, productive lives. From November 21 to December 31st, COUTUREcolorado will be matching your donations.