Where to see Santa near Denver (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 27 – Dec 24 · All times are local Mountain Time
We list 13 ways to see Santa around Denver for Oct 27 – Dec 24: 2 Santa sets open most days and 11 events on select days. 7 list free admission. Hours change and Santa takes breaks, so check the linked schedule before you go.
Santa most days through Christmas Eve
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum
- When
- Fri, Nov 6 – Wed, Dec 23 (Several evenings a week from Nov 6, daily after Thanksgiving; 10% off before Thanksgiving) · Main departures 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm
- Cost
- Standard: ages 2–15 $80, 16+ $100; lap riders under 2 free
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor + outdoor
The official POLAR EXPRESS ride with hot cocoa, a reading of the story and a visit from Santa. Several evenings a week from Nov 6, daily after Thanksgiving.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Hudson Holidays at Hudson Gardens
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Thu, Dec 24 (Nov 27–Jan 3; free Santa photos through Dec 23) · 5–9pm (Dec 24 until 7pm)
- Cost
- Dated tickets: adults $20, seniors $18, youth (3–12) $15, 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday lights through the gardens with a lighted maze and selfie stop with Santa. Tickets on sale Nov 9 (presale Nov 6–8).
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Santa on select days: parades, tree lightings and more
Santa's Grand Arrival at Town Center at Aurora
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 · 5–7pm
- Cost
- Free admission
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Santa's arrival kicks off the season with photos with Santa, carolers, holiday crafts for kids, a dance performance and a reindeer petting zoo.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Belmar Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 · 5–8pm (tree lit at 6pm)
- Cost
- Free event
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Belmar’s season opener in the plaza: the tree lighting at 6pm, opening night of the outdoor rink, holiday craft tables, letters to Santa and to service members, horse-and-wagon rides and a Santa photo spot. Activities are first come, first served.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
St. Nick on the Bricks: Free Santa Visits on Pearl Street
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sat, Dec 12 (Nov 27, Nov 28, Dec 5 and Dec 12) · 11am–2pm
- Cost
- Free (suggested donation $10 per group)
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor + outdoor
Kids can visit Santa on the Pearl Street Mall. Bring your list and a camera.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Commerce City Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Wed, Dec 2 · 5:30–8:30pm
- Cost
- No admission price listed; treats are free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The city’s tree lighting at the Civic Center with carolers, Santa visits and letters to Santa, live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides, crafts and face painting, hot chocolate, the Winter Wonderland ice rink and a holiday market. Park on the south side off 60th Avenue.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holiday Family Day at Philip S. Miller Park
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 1–4pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Reindeer, Santa, a train and hay rides at the park.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Westminster Holiday Lighting Ceremony
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 5:30–8pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday lights, music, food vendors and Santa, with a full-size sleigh and kid-size train for photos. Mostly outdoors; dress warmly.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
9NEWS Parade of Lights
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 6pm (about 1 hour)
- Cost
- Free to watch along the route; grandstand seats are ticketed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Denver's lighted holiday parade with floats, giant balloons, marching bands and Santa. It starts at 14th & Bannock and loops about 2 miles through downtown via Tremont, 17th, Curtis and 15th streets.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Aurora Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Tue, Dec 8 · 5–7pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Illumination of thousands of light strands with holiday activities, sweet treats, performances and Santa.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytime with Santa at Festival Park
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · 5–7pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Santa reads holiday stories in downtown Castle Rock.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Lights of December Parade
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · 6–7:30pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Lighted floats, marching bands, lit fire engines and Santa. Route starts at 15th & Walnut, goes west to Broadway, north to Spruce and east to 15th & Spruce.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Camp Gingerbread with the Gr!nch at Town Center at Aurora
- When
- Sun, Dec 20 · 1–4pm
- Cost
- Free admission
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Gingerbread cookie decorating, a meet-and-greet with the Gr!nch and photos with Santa.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When does Santa arrive near Denver in 2026?
Santa is at 2 spots on our list from these dates: THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum (Golden, from Nov 6) and Hudson Holidays at Hudson Gardens (Littleton, from Nov 27).
Where can kids see Santa for free near Denver?
Santa's Grand Arrival at Town Center at Aurora (Aurora), Belmar Holiday Tree Lighting (Lakewood) and St. Nick on the Bricks: Free Santa Visits on Pearl Street (Boulder) and 4 more say they're free on the official page (7 of our 13 Santa listings).
Which Denver-area cities have Santa events?
We list Santa events in 9 cities, including Aurora (3), Boulder (2), Castle Rock (2), Golden (1) and Lakewood (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
See something that's off? Send us a correction.
Know a family event we're missing? Tell us about it.