Late November is when Denver really shows off. Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year, and the days around it bring a turkey trot in Wash Park, holiday markets downtown, and light displays in nearly every corner of the city.
At Buildings & Residences of Denver, we’ve lived and invested here since 2004, and this is one of our favorite times of year. Here’s what’s happening in and around Denver this season, and why it’s a big part of what makes this a great place to call home.
Quick guide to Denver’s 2026 Thanksgiving and holiday season (updated November 3, 2026)
• Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26: Mile High United Way Turkey Trot in Washington Park and a free community meal at the Colorado Convention Center.
• Friday, November 27: Grand Illumination of Union Station (free, tree lighting at 6:10 p.m.) and the Broncos at Pittsburgh.
• Holiday markets and lights: Denver Christkindlmarket and the Mile High Tree open November 20; Blossoms of Light opens November 20; Zoo Lights opens November 23; Larimer Lights starts November 27.
• 9NEWS Parade of Lights: Saturday, December 5, downtown Denver. Free.
• Best neighborhoods for a fall outing: Washington Park, Cherry Creek, LoDo and Union Station.
“The choices for fall activities in Denver are endless… there really is something for everyone.” — Brian Richardson
What’s happening in Denver on Thanksgiving week 2026?
Mile High United Way Turkey Trot (Thursday, November 26). This Denver Thanksgiving tradition is now in its 53rd year. The 4-mile run starts at South High School and loops through Washington Park, with waves starting at 9, 9:30 and 10 a.m. and a 1-mile Lil Gobbler fun run at 10:15 a.m. Nearly 11,600 runners took part last year, raising more than $770,000 for Mile High United Way’s work with local families. Registration is open now, and the price goes up again on November 20. (Mile High United Way, Race Roster)
“Starting Thanksgiving Day at one of the best Turkey Trots in the country is great… the energy, the costumes, the porch bands lining the park… one of our favorite fall traditions.” — Brian Richardson
Community Thanksgiving Day Meal (Thursday, November 26). The Salvation Army Intermountain Division hosts a free Thanksgiving meal at the Colorado Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s a good reminder of how this city looks out for its neighbors. (Visit Denver)
Grand Illumination of Union Station (Friday, November 27). The day after Thanksgiving, Union Station kicks off the holidays with a free celebration from 4 to 8 p.m. and a tree lighting at 6:10 p.m. (Visit Denver)
Cherry Creek North Small Business Weekend (November 27 to 30). Skip the big-box crowds and shop the local boutiques and galleries of Cherry Creek North over the holiday weekend. (Visit Denver)
Where can you watch Broncos football in Denver?
Football is part of the holiday season here, and the Broncos have a busy stretch. They host the Raiders on Sunday, November 22 (CBS), play at Pittsburgh on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving (Prime Video), host the Dolphins on Sunday, December 6 (FOX), and host the Bills on Christmas Day (Netflix). Check kickoff times on the NFL schedule before you head out.
If you’d rather watch with a crowd, these central Denver spots are local favorites:
• Tom’s Watch Bar, McGregor Square (1601 19th St.): More than 155 TVs, including a stadium-sized screen on the patio. (Westword)
• Stoney’s Bar & Grill, Capitol Hill (1111 Lincoln St.): 31 HD TVs, two 120-inch projection screens and big game-day crowds. (9NEWS, Westword)
• The Cherry Cricket (2220 Blake St.): A Denver institution since 1945, with Gridiron Bingo on Thursdays during football season. (9NEWS)
Which Denver restaurants have heated patios for a late lunch?
Denver’s sunny fall afternoons are made for eating outside, even when there’s a chill in the air. These three serve lunch and have heated patios, per 303 Magazine’s guide to heated patios:
• Perdida, South Gaylord (1066 S. Gaylord St.): A Mexican kitchen with a front patio and heaters that keep it comfortable. A natural stop after the Turkey Trot in Wash Park. (5280)
• Local Jones, Cherry Creek (249 Columbine St.): The Halcyon hotel’s restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, with a patio heated for the season. Pair it with a Small Business Weekend stroll. (Cherry Creek North, Halcyon)
• Kachina Cantina, Dairy Block in LoDo (1890 Wazee St.): Southwestern food and a heated patio a few blocks from Union Station, open from 11 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends. (Dairy Block, 5280)
Hours and patio setups can change with the weather, so it’s worth calling ahead.
When do Denver’s holiday lights and markets open in 2026?
By the weekend before Thanksgiving, the city is already glowing. These are our picks in and around central Denver. All dates are from Visit Denver and the 9NEWS Parade of Lights page.
• Denver Christkindlmarket (November 20 to December 23): A German-style holiday market on the Tivoli Quad at the Auraria Campus. Free to enter.
• The Mile High Tree and Mile High Drone Shows (November 20 to December 31): A giant light-up holiday tree on the Tivoli Quad, plus free drone shows nightly at 7 p.m.
• Blossoms of Light (November 20 to January 10): Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street lights up its gardens at night. Ticketed; closed November 26 and December 25.
• Zoo Lights (November 23 to January 3): The Denver Zoo’s annual light walk in City Park. Ticketed; check the zoo’s site for holiday closures.
• Larimer Lights (November 27 to December 31): Historic Larimer Square, lit up for the season. Free.
• 9NEWS Parade of Lights (Saturday, December 5): More than 40 illuminated floats, giant balloons and marching bands on a two-mile route through downtown, starting at the City and County Building. Free to watch.
Why is Denver a great place to live?
Events like these are more than a weekend plan. They show what everyday life in Denver feels like.
• Neighborhoods built for getting outside. A turkey trot through Wash Park, a light walk through City Park, an evening on Larimer Square: in central Denver, much of the season happens close to home, often within walking distance.
• A city that shows up for each other. A 53-year-old charity race and a free community Thanksgiving meal say a lot about the people who live here.
• Real local character. From Cherry Creek North’s small businesses to neighborhood restaurants with heated patios, there’s always something homegrown to support.
• Something every season. When the holiday lights come down, Denver moves on to ski weekends, spring patios and summer festivals. There’s rarely a slow month.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Denver Turkey Trot in 2026?
The Mile High United Way Turkey Trot is Thursday, November 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving Day). The 4-mile race starts at South High School by Washington Park, with waves at 9, 9:30 and 10 a.m.
When does the Denver Christkindlmarket open in 2026?
The Denver Christkindlmarket runs November 20 to December 23, 2026, on the Tivoli Quad at the Auraria Campus. Entry is free.
When is the 9NEWS Parade of Lights in 2026?
The Parade of Lights is Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at the City and County Building in downtown Denver. It’s free to watch along the route.
Do the Broncos play on Thanksgiving in 2026?
No. The Broncos play the next day, Friday, November 27, 2026, at Pittsburgh, streaming on Prime Video.
Is there a free Thanksgiving meal in Denver?
Yes. The Salvation Army Intermountain Division hosts a free Community Thanksgiving Day Meal at the Colorado Convention Center on November 26, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Find your place in Denver
If you find yourself at the turkey trot or under the Larimer Square lights thinking you could get used to this, we’d love to help. Whether you’re buying your first home or moving across town, let us know how we can assist you.
Reach out to Buildings & Residences of Denver, Denver, CO 80206. Happy Thanksgiving!
Catherine and Brian Richardson are Denver real estate brokers and co-owners of Buildings & Residences of Denver. They’ve invested in Denver real estate since 2004.
Visit us at buildings-residences.com
Sources
Event dates are as listed on these pages; details can change, so check each event’s site before you go.
• Turkey Trot, Mile High United Way
• Mile High United Way Turkey Trot 2026, Race Roster
• Thanksgiving Weekend in Denver, Visit Denver
• Parade of Lights Weekend in Denver, Visit Denver
• Denver Broncos 2026 Schedule, NFL.com
• The Eleven Best Sports Bars in Denver, Westword
• 9 places to watch the Denver Broncos this season, 9NEWS
• A Neighborhood Guide to Denver’s Best Heated & Enclosed Patios for Winter, 303 Magazine
• Restaurant listings: Perdida and Kachina Cantina (5280), Local Jones (Cherry Creek North), Dairy Block
