155 Things To Do This Year

We don’t want to hear you say there’s nothing to do around here ever again. C’mon folks, we live in Colorado—there’s loads of great stuff to experience all year long. So, pull out your calendar and find a permanent marker. From must-see concerts and summer festivals to sporting events and holiday activities, we’ve got you scheduled for fun throughout 2012.

December

12.01

Parade of Lights. Denver’s perennially popular holiday parade. // November 30 at 8 p.m.; December 1 at 6 p.m., downtown Denver, http://denverparadeoflights.com, free.

12.03

Ice Skate at Skyline Park. This open-air rink downtown is usually open from Thanksgiving through mid-February. // 16th and Arapahoe streets, downtowndenver.com, $2 to rent skates.

12.05

Cut Your Own Tree. The USDA-Forest Service opens cutting areas in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Pike National Forest, and near Red Feather Lakes in early December. // Check the website for 2012 dates; 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., fs.usda.gov/goto/r2/recreation; a $10 permit per tree is required.

12.06

A Christmas Carol. The holiday favorite comes to life at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. // November 23 to December 24, show times vary, Denver Performing Arts Complex, denvercenter.org, ticket prices vary.

12.08

Hammond’s Candies Candy Cane Festival. Enjoy a free tour of the candy factory and indulge in fresh-made candy samples. // 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hammond’s Candies Factory Store, hammondscandies.com.

12.08

Trail of Lights. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield offers a twinkling forest path decorated with more than 1 million colorful lights. // Early December through early January, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, botanicgardens.org; adults: $9.50; seniors: $7.50; kids: $6.50.

12.11

Miniatures Show. For 22 years, Abend Gallery has hosted an exhibit that features for-sale art that’s small in stature—and therefore price. // 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Abend Gallery Fine Art, abendgallery.com.

12.14

Zoo Lights. See more than 38 acres of lights—plus more than 150 animated animal sculptures. // December 9 to January 1, 5 to 9 p.m., Denver Zoo, denverzoo.org; adults: $9; seniors: $7; kids: $5.

12.20

Tennessee Pass Cookhouse. You’ll cross-country ski to a large yurt, where you’ll take off your gear to dine on elk tenderloin or rack of lamb before settling into a delicious dessert. // Daily; guests meet at the Nordic center at 5:30 p.m., near Leadville, tennesseepass.com, $75 per person.

12.23

Blossoms of Light. Wander through the Denver Botanic Gardens, which is bedazzled with thousands of lights for the holidays. // 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens, botanicgardens.org; adults: $9.50; youth: $6.50.