Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Denver (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Mountain Time
We list 11 family events around Denver for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Select nights; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; tickets on sale Nov 5) · Sun–Thu 4:30–9pm · Fri & Sat 4:30–10pm
- Cost
- Adults $29.95, youth $22.95 ($25.95/$18.95 on value nights); 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Timed-entry holiday lights across the zoo. Tickets go on sale to the public Nov 5.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Closed Nov 26 and Dec 25; public tickets on sale Nov 9; advance tickets only) · 4:30–9pm
- Cost
- Timed tickets (prices to be announced)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday light displays throughout the York Street gardens. Timed tickets in advance; public sale Nov 9.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8 and Dec 25; public tickets on sale Nov 9) · 5–8:30pm
- Cost
- Timed tickets (prices to be announced)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A mile-long walking trail of holiday lights on the farm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (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
Gobble Wobble Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Starts 8:30am
- Cost
- Registration required
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Family-friendly Thanksgiving morning 5K at Clement Park, running since 2010, open to all ages and abilities.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
The Great Turkey Chase
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Starts 8:30am
- Cost
- Registration required (kids 10 and under have an untimed entry)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A 5K-ish Thanksgiving fun run for the whole family that starts and finishes at Parfet Park, with an untimed entry for kids 10 and under.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Mile High United Way Turkey Trot & Lil' Gobbler Family Fun Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 4-mile waves from 9am; Lil' Gobbler 1-mile fun run 10:15am
- Cost
- Registration required (race-day sign-up available)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving 4-mile run/walk around Washington Park plus a 1-mile Lil' Gobbler Family Fun Run. The Family Fun Zone has games, crafts, face painting and photos with Gobbles the Turkey.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Alpine Bank Boulder Thanksgiving Day 5K & Kids 800m
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Kids 800m (12 and under) 9am; 5K 9:15am
- Cost
- Registration required; parents run free with kids under 6 in the 800m
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Downtown Boulder Thanksgiving 5K with a Kids 800m fun run for ages 12 and under. Proceeds support Harvest of Hope Pantry.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
St. Nick on the Bricks: Free Santa Visits on Pearl Street
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sat, Nov 28 (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
Hudson Holidays at Hudson Gardens
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Nov 29 (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
Tebo Train's Snowflake Express on Pearl Street
- When
- Sun, Nov 29 · 11am–2pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-10 · Outdoor
Kids 10 and under (with their grown-ups) ride the all-electric Tebo Train along Pearl Street.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Denver over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 11 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free, including Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo (Denver, Nov 25 – Nov 29), Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver, Nov 25 – Nov 29) and Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms (Littleton, Nov 25 – Nov 29). See all 11 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Denver are free?
1 event on our list is free: St. Nick on the Bricks: Free Santa Visits on Pearl Street (Boulder, Nov 27 – Nov 28).
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Denver need tickets or registration?
6 events on our list say on the official page that they need advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver), Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms (Littleton) and Gobble Wobble Run (Littleton). See all 6 above. Book through each official page.
Which Denver-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 4 cities, including Denver (3), Littleton (3), Boulder (3) and Golden (2).
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.
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