Free Things to Do in Denver (and Beyond) This Week

Yes, the holidays are almost here, and this weekend will see the start of a host of traditional seasonal activities. But there are some untraditional twists this year: Because of construction in Civic Center Park, most of the action is moving to the Auraria Campus quad, where you’ll find the Christkindl Market. But the City and County Building will once again be aglow starting Friday.

For more entertainment options, check our weekly list for one-off activities worth the price of admission. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond) before those festivities begin this weekend:

Ongoing

SCFD Free Days
Locations and dates vary
Thanks to the sales tax you pay into the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, many arts institutions around the metro area offer occasional free days and programs. On Friday, November 21, you can visit the Cell and Four Mile Historic Park for free. For more upcoming bargains, check the SCFD site.

This Week

JCC Denver Ceramics Sale and Exhibition
Through Thursday, November 20, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 South Dahlia Street
The holidays are coming, and this annual sale features handmade ceramic pieces created by more than twenty local artists that could include a perfect gift for anyone on your list.  The show will continue through November 20.

Denver Creates: Digging Into the Data
Wednesday, November 19, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., online
Join Denver Arts & Venues and its data partners, Corona Insights and Civic Arts, for a deep dive into the data that informed the city’s new cultural plan: Denver Creates: A Collective Commitment to the Arts. You’ll gain access to quantitative and qualitative data that can guide community engagement and programming work.

The Adventures of Henrietta Fine
Wednesday, November 19, 6:30 p.m.
Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl Street, Boulder
Author Paul Levitt will talk about and sign his new book, The Adventures of Henrietta Fine, which is set in Jazz Age in New York. Sixteen-year old Henrietta “Henny” Fine survives in this world as a street urchin, rubbing shoulders with real gangsters as well as fictional Gatsbyesque characters. Admission is $5, but includes a coupon for $5 off your first book purchase.

Cherry Creek Holiday Market 
Thursday, November 20, through December 24. Open daily, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
Fillmore Plaza, 100 block of Fillmore Street
The Cherry Creek Holiday Market returns for a sixth year, bringing nearly fifty Colorado makers and artisans to Fillmore Plaza, with gifts ranging from handmade textiles to fine art pieces and bottled craft cocktails. Produced by Fetch Concepts, the market also features live music and festive drinks at the Mistletoe Lounge, as well as Giving Machine Denver, where visitors can make donations to local and national charities. (Note: open noon to 3 p.m. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.)

High Horse: The Black Cowboy Screening & Community Discussion
Thursday, November 20, 6 to 9 p.m.
Museum for Black Girls, 500 16th Street Mall, Suite 262
Join the Museum for Black Girls for the Colorado premiere of High Horse: The Black Cowboy, a documentary by Academy Award–winning filmmaker Jordan Peele. The film highlights the history, resilience and contributions of Black cowboys and ranchers across America — and features CW and Nicole Mallery of Freedom Acres Ranch, the only cowboys from Colorado and the West featured in the film. They’ll be on hand, and after the screening will lead a discussion on land access, food justice and their Youth in Agriculture program, which introduces inner-city youth to farming, land stewardship,and growing food for communities.

Transgender Day of Remembrance
Thursday, November 20, 6 to 9 p.m.
The Pearl 2199 California Street
Each year, Transgender Day of Remembrance honors the memories of the transgender and gender-diverse people whose lives were taken by acts of anti-trans violence. This year, The Transgender Center of the Rockies and The Center on Colfax, in partnership with The Pearl Denver, are hosting a special night of remembrance with live music, poetry, affirmations and a keynote by Maya Blasingame. There will be a candlelit name-reading ceremony where the names of the lost will be said aloud.

Harambee Holiday Market
Friday, November 21, noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Boulevard
This two-day community celebration is rooted in the spirit of “Harambee,” meaning “all pull together.” The market is more than a shopping experience—it is an opportunity to celebrate culture, support local entrepreneurs and strengthen community ties as we head into the holiday season. More than thirty vendors will be offering everything from handcrafted gifts and artisan crafts to wellness and food products.

Holiday Kick Off Wine & Cheese
Friday, November 21, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Gallery Boulder Junction, 3075 Pearl Parkway, Boulder
Get in the spirit at the Holiday Wine & Cheese Party at Gallery Boulder, which will be filled with a new array of art and gifts.

Light the Lights 2025
Friday, November 21, 5 to 5:15 p.m.
Denver City and County Building
Are you ready to watch the City and County Building get lit? Mayor Mike Johnston will officially kick off Denver’s holiday season by flipping the switch to illuminate the building for the first time on Friday (the program will also be livestreamed). After that, there will be a fifteen-minute light show coordinated to a soundtrack of classic holiday songs with an epic, cinematic twist. The show repeats daily Tuesday through Sunday at 5:45 and 6:45 p.m., with static lights until 10:45 p.m. (there are only static lights on Monday, because of the Denver City Council meeting). And the shows continue through the Stock Show! Alert: Civic Center Park is about to close for renovations, so there will be no other holiday festivities in the park this season; that action is moving to the Auraria Campus.

Mile High Tree Lighting
Friday, November 21, 5 to 8 p.m.
Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer Street
It’s going to be a big night for Mayor Mike Johnston, who will also be at the Tivoli Quad for the lighting of the Mile High Treet, followed by the official opening of Denver’s 25th annual Christkindlmarket, then the first night of Mile High Holidays Nightly Drone Show.  The Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band will liven up festivities this first night.

Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.