10 (Mostly) Free Things To Do: December Edition

1. STAY WARM: TOUR THE DENVER ART MUSEUM FOR FREE

• Why you should go: Last month, during a particularly cold week, we scouted the best places to stay warm while logging miles on an odometer. The Denver Art Museum won top honors, even with an entrance fee. On December 6, that fee is waived. Get walking!
• Details: December 6, Denver

2. LEARN: ATTEND A SNOWSHOEING BASICS CLINIC AT REI

• Why you should go: If you have ever seen a snowshoer gliding through a Colorado snowscape and thought, That looks fun, sign up for this intro class. (After the lesson, here’s a place to try out your new skills.)
• Details: December 4, Denver

3. REST: TAKE A CARRIAGE RIDE IN LARIMER SQUARE

• Why you should go: If your feet ache after a bout of holiday shopping, snag a gratis horse-drawn ride around the Square.
• Details: December 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Denver

4. SPOT: FIND THE BEST HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY IN THE MILE HIGH CITY

• Why you should go: Rumor has it that many Denverites keep holiday lights up through January to celebrate the National Western Stock Show. That’ll give you plenty of time to track down the best light shows in the metro area. (Bonus: One of our favorite light displays ever.)
• Details: Your choice, Denver

5. SAY “OOH” AND “AWW”: WATCH SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST WINTER SPORT ATHLETES AT THE DEW TOUR MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Why you should go: Watch the best-of-the-best compete in events like the superpipe and slopestyle—and get some inspiration for tricks to try (or just dream about) on your next snow day.
• Details: December 11–14, Breckenridge

6. MARVEL: VISIT ABEND GALLERY’S 24TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY MINIATURE SHOW

• Why you should go: Good things come in small packages, especially in this annual show of tiny artwork.
• Details: December 5–31, Denver

7. CELEBRATE: JOIN THE KWANZA FESTIVITIES AT THE DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

• Why you should go: The Denver Public Library is honoring this weeklong celebration of African-American culture and heritage with several programs. Don’t miss the December 26 event, which focuses on unity.
• Details: December 26–31, Denver

8. HEAR: DENVER TUBACHRISTMAS

• Why you should go: For more than four decades, tuba players around the globe have united during the holiday season to entertain the masses. Come see the Denver edition—with as many as 300 musicians—in Skyline Park.
• Details: December 21, 1 p.m., Denver

9. PRACTICE: SKATE AT THE SOUTHWEST RINK AT SKYLINE PARK

• Why you should go: Perfect your triple toe loop—or just focus on staying upright—at this downtown rink. You can skate for free if you have your own skates; rental pairs are $2 (rentals for kids’ skates are free on Sundays).
• Details: Your choice, Denver

10. PLAY: MAKE A SNOWMAN OR ICE ORNAMENTS

• Why you should go: The next time Denver gets dumped with powder, bundle up, head outside, and channel your inner five-year-old. Make a snowman in the front yard using last season’s scarf and gloves for decoration. Or, scour the neighborhood for berries and twigs. Arrange your findings in muffin tins and cover with water (place a loop of twine at the top of each). Freeze. Once solid, you can decorate trees with the homemade ornaments (tip courtesy of food editor Amanda Faison).
• Details: Your choice, Denver

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