Holiday happenings are afoot at Stanley Marketplace, with no shortage of fun things to do at this impressive collection of Colorado businesses just 20 minutes from DIA.
Stanley Marketplace is one of the top destinations for things to do in Denver and Aurora this holiday season, with an array of places to eat, drink, shop, and practice self care. Check out these fun ways to celebrate the holidays in Stanley Marketplace and around Denver’s Central Park neighborhood.
Camp Christmas
Camp Christmas is an immersive, quirky holiday experience with 15,000 square feet of glittering holiday magic and cozy fun. The event takes place Tuesdays through Sundays through December 24, and also on Monday, December 18.
Fun art installations are sure to get you into the Christmas spirit, and visits with Santa can be added on to any ticket. Enjoy festive drinks from the Base Camp and Fairy Bars as you peruse this magical landscape designed by Camp Director Lonnie Hanzon. There are also VIP experiences available, and throughout the month, Theme Nights invite you to dress up in your favorite Ugly Christmas Sweater or Holiday Pajamas.
Camp Christmas is perfect for all ages. Whether as a date night or family outing, it’s one of the most beloved things to do at Stanley Marketplace this season. Get your tickets here.
Musical Things to Do at Stanley Marketplace
It’s just not the holidays without cheerful tunes, and there is no shortage of holiday music at Stanley Marketplace this season.
Jazz musician Sebastian Maa will perform holiday classics in the Common Areas every Friday and Saturday night from 5:30 – 7:30 pm through December 23.The calendar also includes opportunities to hear Colorado Youth Mariachi, Da Polka Guy, Ye Wanton Singers, The Jingle Belles, Reunited Acapella, and DJ No Special Occasion.
On Friday, December 15, the Common Areas will be filled with music and dancing for the Ugly Holiday Sweater Silent Disco & Sweater Swap (and Drop!) – not to be missed.
Ongoing Holiday Events at Stanley Marketplace
Stanley Marketplace will be full of cheer throughout the month, with ongoing events like an opportunity to mail your letter to Santa: just drop it in the mailbox outside of June Ruby on the second floor. The South Parking Lot will be home to the Christmas Tree Farm, where you can find the perfect tree for your home, as well as decorations like wooden snowmen and reindeer.
Enjoy a self-guided walk-through of all the trees in Stanley Marketplace that have been carefully decorated by local businesses. From quirky to classic, there’s a tree for everyone in the Tour of Trees. Each a playful expression of the business that created it.
At the southeast entrance to Stanley Marketplace, you’ll find the annual Giving Tree benefitting Denver and Aurora Housing Authorities, Aurora Animal Shelter and The Center on Colfax. Each tree features tags with wishes that you can fulfill. Pick up a tag on your way into Stanley Marketplace, as spreading cheer to those in need is perhaps the best thing to do in Denver at this time of year.
See the full schedule of events here.
Come for One Thing, Stay for More
If you’ve added any of the above to your calendar, you can anticipate finding a whole lot more. Most businesses and eateries are open util 6pm or 7pm, so plan on spending a little more time before or after a holiday event.
There’s something for everyone. With everything going on here, Stanley Marketplace offers an array of opportunities to get in some fun while getting things done. Like crossing off presents from your holiday gifts list. Bounce around our 50+ locally-owned businesses and shops. And you can stop anywhere, anytime, along your journey to grab a bite, coffee or cocktail.
More Things to Do in Denver This Season
After you’ve done your holiday shopping, enjoyed a visit with Santa, or explored Camp Christmas at Stanley Marketplace, there are still plenty of holiday things to do in surrounding Aurora and Denver’s Central Park neighborhood.
Make your way down to East 29th Avenue Town Center to see the enormous Christmas tree and the festive lights. Just a few miles west of Stanley Marketplace, you’ll find Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens – one of the most beloved things to do in Denver this season. Combine Blossoms of Light with a trip to the Denver Zoo for the expanded Zoo Lights experience, with new animated light sculptures and nightly ice-carving exhibitions.
In Aurora, The Gaylord Rockies is offering its annual holiday attraction, ICE!, with scenes from the classic, A Christmas Story, in hand-carved ice sculptures from more than 2 million pounds of ice. And at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds is Christmas in Color, the world’s largest drive-thru lights display.
There’s no shortage of ways to spend your time in Denver and Aurora this holiday season.
Here for Good
Stanley Marketplace is here for good: good times, good things to do, good holiday fun, good people. There is always something good happening here. Need proof? Check out our events calendar. And make sure to sign up for the Stanley Newsletter to get updates you won’t want to miss.