The Best Holiday Markets and Christmas Stores in Denver and Beyond

Not to scare you, but the holidays are approaching faster than your dad falls asleep after Thanksgiving dinner. But that doesn’t mean you need to panic order everything from Amazon.

Instead, spend a day wandering (and maybe wassailing) around one of the Front Range’s many holiday markets and Christmas shops. Below, the best pop-ups and brick and mortars to put a bow on your holiday shopping.

Denver Holiday Markets

Denver Christkindlmarket

• Location: Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus (1000 Larimer St., Denver)
• Dates: Now–Dec. 23
• Hours: Vary

If a December trip to Bavaria isn’t in your budget, this annual German-style holiday market held in the heart of Denver boasts all the European festivities you’d get overseas: ornaments handmade in Haselbach, Germany, nesting dolls painted by Russian and Ukrainian artists, and of course, plenty of glühwein to go around. Due to Civic Center Park construction, the market has moved to a new location on the Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus—located less than 15-minute walk from four different RTD stations.

Organizers are going all out for the Christkindlmarket’s 25th anniversary with glass ornament workshops, a nostalgic carousel, and a special apfel spritz in honor of the original mastermind behind the merrymaking: Jack Englert. Our biggest tip? Come hungry. The festival is overflowing with tasty German fare, from schnitzel to spaetzle.

Mistletoe Market at Dairy Block

• Location: Dairy Block (1800 Wazee St., Denver)
• Dates: Dec. 13–14 and 20–21
• Hours: Noon–7 p.m.

Make sure you bring someone you wouldn’t mind smooching to this seasonal pop-up in the Dairy Block. Just kidding. Kissing is optional but being merry is mandatory while you browse the market’s 30-plus local vendors. We’ll be picking up some festive mixers from Boulder’s Cocktail Caravan, specialty loose-leaf blends from Ku Cha House of Tea, and, if someone has been especially good this year, maybe even these whimsical Western bibs from Littleton-based ski apparel brand Hoohah.

Cherry Creek Holiday Market

• Location: Fillmore Plaza between 1st and 2nd avenues (105 Fillmore St., Denver)
• Dates: Now–Dec. 24
• Hours: Vary

You might want to bring several reusable bags to this bustling bazaar because there are nearly 50 booths for you to browse. Pick up a soft fleece hoodie for your hiker husband from Belong Designs, a floral dragon face mask for your sister in need of a little self-care from Merigold, and your dad’s favorite national park on an ornament handmade from the Parks Art Collection. The best part? All three brands (and many others at the market) are based right here in the Mile High City.

When you need to rest your weary bones (and put down all your shopping bags), post up at the Mistletoe Lounge, where bartenders sling seasonal cocktails in a cozy tent.

Denver’s Swirly Twirly Market

• Location: 2620 Walnut St., Denver
• Dates: Every Friday–Sunday through Dec. 21
• Hours: Fridays 4–9 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.–7p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Only a cotton-headed ninnymuggin would skip this Elf-inspired market in RiNo. More than 60 vendors will help you cross off everyone on your holiday shopping list, and then the real fun begins. Snap a photo at one of the numerous snowflake installations, sing loud to live music for all to hear, and even down “syrup” shots in the mail room (does that syrup taste like bourbon to you?). To make your journey to this jolly event easier, the market is offering $6 parking at Coors Field Lot C every day.

Holiday Bazaar at Highland Square

• Location: 3600 W. 32nd Ave., Denver
• Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
• Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m

The same team behind RiNo’s Swirly Twirly market is bringing a new winter shopping soiree to Highland this year. Bring elves (kiddos) and reindeer (pups) to Highland Square on Saturday, which will be transformed into Denver’s own North Pole, complete with a hot chocolate bar, festive food trucks, and more than 100 local makers. Little ones on the nice list will receive a free pair of elf ears and holiday Jibbitz to join in the parade; doggos who want to participate should wear their best Rudolph getup.

Grownups looking for something a little harder than hot cocoa can partake in the bottomless mimosas and aperol spritzes on offer. Just remember: Santa is always watching.

Christmas Stores around the Front Range

St. Nick’s Christmas & Collectibles

• Location: 5221 S Santa Fe Drive, Littleton
• Hours: Mondays–Saturdays 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Walking into St. Nick’s feels less like entering a store and more like stepping into Santa’s workshop with its 22,000 square feet of twinkling trees, themed rooms, collectibles, and more ornaments than you could possibly count (though you can definitely try). Family-owned since 1976, this Englewood institution is massive: You’ll wander aisles curated by color and theme, and every turn reveals another universe. Budget extra time—you won’t leave quickly, and you won’t leave empty-handed.

Our suggested gift: Snag a skiing gnome ornament, an adorable nod to Colorado’s alpine spirit.

The Christmas Shoppe

• Location: 332 E. Elkhorn Ave., Estes Park
• Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Nestled in Estes Park, The Christmas Shoppe is a storybook cabin brought to life, filled with handpicked decor, holiday villages, and personalized ornaments. The store has been a staple for more than three decades and has the cozy, slightly magical atmosphere that makes you linger a little longer. Every shelf and display feels curated with care, from nativity sets to snow globes to ornaments to nostalgic trinkets that look straight out of your childhood attic.

Our suggested gift: Look for peppermint candy lights, a sweet and slightly whimsical touch that instantly brightens any room.

Tree Town Wonderland

• Location: 3604 S. Kipling St., Denver
• Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Part garden center, part immersive holiday shop, Tree Town Wonderland is a Fort Collins favorite that transforms into a glowing spectacle every December with ornaments, decor, tabletop trees, and greenery arranged with holly flair. Families can meet Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and even real reindeer on select dates through the season (with opportunities for photos and story time), but the real magic begins after dusk when 500,000-plus lights flicker on, creating the walk-through 3D Holiday Lights Extravaganza. Paths wind through color-changing tunnels and past sparkling displays, oversize holiday characters, and trees wrapped so densely they appear dipped in glitter.

Our suggested gift: skip the shopping cart and “buy” an experience instead–bring loved ones for this nightly lights display and give them a memory that outshines anything wrapped in a bow.

Read More: Where To See the Best Christmas Light Displays Around Denver This Year

Nana’s Christmas Cottage

• Location: 125 Spruce Drive, Estes Park
• Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Sister stores with the Christmas Shoppe, Nana’s Christmas Cottage has been enchanting Estes Park visitors for more than 50 years with an array of ornaments, nativities, and seasonal treasures. Set up as a quaint cottage, it feels like walking (over the river and through the woods) into your own grandmother’s home.

Our suggested gift: For a standout souvenir, pick out a detailed nutcracker, such as Jack Skellington or Yoda.

Simply Christmas

• Location: 129 W. Elkhorn Ave., Estes Park
• Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

You won’t have to search too hard for this holiday shop: You can spot Simply Christmas’ lit up candy cane facade from a mile away. Inside, they offer a warm and welcoming holiday shopping experience, where every corner is brimming with festive decor and ornaments to make your home feel merry and bright.

Our suggested gift: Browse the assortment of Grinch-themed gifts: ornaments, mantelpieces, and more.