Arvada Holiday Guide 2022 - This Year, Holiday Here!
We’re adding more events, so check back again! Download our Holiday Guide here
Shop local, shop small this Holiday Season. Dozens of unique-to-Arvada gift ideas here
As we head into the holidays, we encourage you to immerse yourself in the full Arvada experience!
Take in seasonal productions, pop-up markets, holiday craft shows and some of the most unique menu offerings that continue to impress both local and visiting foodies. Read on below for a few of our annual favorites (plus some amazing “newbies” making their holiday debut!), and be sure to check out our event calendar for the FULL line-up of fun, festive and family-friendly activities throughout the city (insider tip: check the calendar often…new holiday events are added every day!)
Whether you’re looking to sip, sing, sample or celebrate, there’s something happening that will help you fulfill your traditions or create new ones.
However you choose to celebrate the seasons with friends, family and those most important to you, we hope you are able to join us in Arvada during this very special time of the year.
Holiday Lighting Schedule: Olde Town Arvada Water Tower
November 24: Thanksgiving
November 26: Small Business Saturday
December 18: Hanukkah
December 25: Christmas
December 25: Kwanza
December 31: New Year’s Eve
November 18
Skating in the Square
November 18 – January 29 | Times below
Nothing is more fun than a twirl around a skating rink under the twinkling lights! Head to Olde Town to take your turn! Don’t miss the Holiday Bar in the Square (open Thursday - Sunday) to enjoy a snack or a drink. Adult skate rental, $10; children under 12, $7.
Hours are Monday – Wednesday (3p – 7p), Thursday – Friday (3p – 9p), Saturdays (11a – 9p) and Sunday (11a – 4p).
Pop Up Alert: Sippin’ Santa and NOEL
This is a 21 and up experience.
November 22 to December 31 - Sippin’ Santa
Sippin' Santa, the annual Holliday Tiki pop-up at Bernard's Tiki Room above the Arvada Tavern. Reservations can be made through Tock.
This reservation is for a 1 hour and 15-minute seating. There is no food offered, but feel free to reserve a table at the Arvada Tavern before or after your reservation in the Tiki Room. Please call between 3pm and 7pm Sunday thru Thursday for larger group reservations at (303) 690-6269 .
December 1 to December 31 - NOEL
NOEL is back with Denver's best holiday popup bar, located in the back patio of The Bluegrass Olde Town Arvada.
Open for a limited time only, starting December 1st, you won't want to miss the festivities!
Alongside the NOEL exclusive cocktail & snack menu, we'll be hosting boozy holiday workshops, Holiday karaoke, and even Santa himself!!
Find all the details, tickets, and more HERE.
November 25
Olde Town Arvada’s Holiday Pop-Up Makers Market
November 25 – December 18 | Times below
Visit the German Christmas Market-style huts that will be placed in Olde Town Square. The Market will begin on Friday, November 25th, and run each Fri/Sat/Sun through the 18th. Fridays (4p – 7p), Saturdays (11a – 7p), Sundays (11a – 4p). Different vendors are featured each weekend.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Arvada Center
November 25 – December 31
Be Arvada Center’s guest this holiday season with a tale as old as time! When a prince is transformed into a Beast by a spell that can only be broken by true love, it’s up to the bookworm Belle to accept his love and truly love him in return.
November 26
Small Business Saturday in Olde Town
10:30am – All day
Kick-Off Small Business Saturday with the businesses of Olde Town beginning at 10:30am in the Olde Town Square! FREE coffee from Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters and FREE breakfast tacos from School House Kitchen and Libations for the first 100 people who stop by to say hi. Here is your chance to support your favorite small businesses in Arvada! Here are a few of our favorites to get you started.
Olde Town Tree Lighting
5pm Holiday March to the Square | 6pm Tree Lighting
Don’t miss the Olde Town Tree Lighting (featuring their new tree!). The celebration will begin with a Holiday March led by the wonderful brass band, Guerrilla Fanfare, through the streets as businesses turn on their holiday lights one by one. The March begins at 5pm at Carly's Boutique (7401 Grandview Ave). Guerrilla Fanfare will lead guests to the Square where everyone can enjoy holiday festivities before the tree lighting begins at 6pm. After the tree lighting, enjoy live music from The Elegant Plums and shop at the Holiday Market.
Visit with Santa at Echter’s
1pm – 4pm
Santa will be stopping by Echter's this year! He will listen to all your holiday wishes – one by one! Santa would love to see a donation of non-perishable food to share with Arvada’s Community Table.
November 27
Visit with Santa at Echter’s
1pm – 4pm
Santa will be stopping by Echter's this year! He will listen to all your holiday wishes – one by one! Santa would love to see a donation of non-perishable food to share with Arvada’s Community Table. (Santa Paws will also be there on November 27!)
November 30
7pm – 9pm The Holiday Show at Apex’s Community Recreation Center
Therapeutic Recreation will present its Holiday Show at the Community Recreation Center.
December 1
36th Annual Fine Art Market at the Arvada Center
December 1 - 18 | Times below
Through December 18th, shop thousands of giftable items like jewelry, ceramics, ornaments, paintings, cards, and more from more than 90 Colorado artists! Your purchases directly support the artists and the Arvada Center Galleries. Wednesdays and Thursdays (12pm - 7:30pm), Fridays and Saturdays (10am – 7:30pm), Sundays (1pm – 5pm).
46th Annual Holiday Pottery Sale
December 1 – December 11 | Times below
Only eleven days! Instructors and students of the Center’s own ceramics education studio offer an extensive selection of functional and sculptural pottery, with all purchases supporting the artists and the Arvada Center. Monday - Saturday (10am - 8pm), Sundays (1pm – 5pm).
Holiday Movie Trivia at Marmalade Lounge
6pm – 8pm
Celebrate the holidays with Marmalade Lounge + Boutique! Grab your team of 3-5 people, brush up on your classic holiday movie knowledge, and join us for a festive night of trivia in the Lounge.
Whiskey Advent Calendar at the School House Kitchen & Libations
December 1 – 24
Join the School House to countdown to Christmas in a fun way…by drinking whiskey! From December 1-24, they are featuring a 1oz pour of a different whiskey for 50% off every day! Get each day marked off on the calendar and turn in your card by 12/31 to win prizes (try at least 12 whiskeys to be eligible). The person with the most days marked off wins a $100 gift card to School House.
December 2
Sing Noel – 45th Annual Holiday Concert, Arvada Chorale
7:30pm
The Arvada Chorale’s Christmas 2022 concert will warmly celebrate the holiday season with the Rocky Mountain Ringers, Denver’s premier handbell ensemble and Safonia, the area’s foremost small women’s chorus. Beloved sacred and secular works will complement each other in this hometown tradition for all ages.
December 3
11am - 12pm
Bring your cameras, and don’t miss your chance to take a picture with Santa while enjoying brunch! Important: Seating is limited. To make a reservation, please call 720-639-4213
Saturdays with Santa and the Olde Town Holiday Market
12pm – 3pm
Your free and FUN opportunity to see the big man in RED! Santa will be in the Olde Town Arvada Square (57th and Olde Wadsworth Blvd) from 12pm - 3pm on Dec. 3, 10, 17. The Holiday Market will feature dozens of vendors with handmade gifts and toys and great local food. The Holiday Market is a partnership with the Arvada Farmers Market.
Freedom Street Social: Holiday Cookie Contest
10am – 1pm
Only one can be crowned Freedom Street Social's “official holiday cookie” among the absolutely delectable array of sweet and sugary options! Submit your entry online, and our team will narrow it down to 5 finalists. Friends and family will enjoy cheering on their favorite “chef” as they go head-to-head in a baking competition. All 5 final participants will receive (a FSS holiday t-shirt + $25 Gift card), and the winner will receive (a FSS holiday sweatshirt + $100 FSS gift card).
Simms Art Show
10am – 4pm
The Simms Art Show will feature artistry at the Apex Field House that you won’t want to miss. Find a unique gift option for everyone on your list.
Santa Pajama Party
9:30am - 11:30am
Head to the Apex’s Community Recreation Center and be dressed in your favorite jammies, visit with Santa, and enjoy crafts, games, and more.
LUKI Holiday Markets and Live Holiday Music Saturdays - Polka Folka
Holiday Market from 12pm to 3pm and Live Holiday Music from 6 to 9 p.m.
Take care of all of your holiday shopping at LUKI’s Holiday Market, featuring handcrafted items ranging from artistic to functional, including wood creations, candles, and jewelry. From polka and rock to smooth jazz, settle in and enjoy some live holiday cheer from a variety of musical genres and acts playing your favorite holiday tunes.
Holiday Season Trunk Shows at Balefire Goods
10am – 5pm
Shop local, independent brands and meet the makers with a few of our favorite Colorado jewelry artists. December features modern, everyday jewelry pieces from Arvada metalsmith Raquel Paiz.
Visit with Santa at Echter’s
1pm – 4pm
Santa will be stopping by Echter's this year! He will listen to all your holiday wishes, one by one! Santa would love to see a donation of non-perishable food to share with Arvada’s Community Table.
Sing Noel – 45th Annual Holiday Concert, Arvada Chorale
3pm
The Arvada Chorale’s Christmas 2022 concert will warmly celebrate the holiday season with the Rocky Mountain Ringers, Denver’s premier handbell ensemble and Safonia, the area’s foremost small women’s chorus. Beloved sacred and secular works will complement each other in this hometown tradition for all ages.
December 4
Holiday Season Trunk Shows at Balefire Goods
10am – 3pm
Shop local, independent brands and meet the makers of a few of our favorite Colorado jewelry artists. December features modern, everyday jewelry pieces from Arvada metalsmith Raquel Paiz.
December 5
Lagniappe and the 7th Annual Olde Town Eggnog & Cider Competition
5pm - 8pm
Celebrate the tradition of Lagniappe (lawn-yap), as businesses stay open late and thank loyal customers with a special gift with purchase. On the evening of December 5th, buy your pass for the ever popular Eggnog & Cider Competition and visit participating businesses for samples, then vote for your favorite!
December 7
All day
Freedom Street Social: Cookie & Gingerbread House decorating days
Join Freedom Street every Wednesday and enjoy a wonderful meal from one of Freedom Street Social’s many eateries. Stay and bring out your inner-child artistic talents for decorating cookies or creating a gingerbread house!
December 9
December 10
11am - 12pm
Bring your cameras, and don’t miss your chance to take a picture with Santa while enjoying brunch! Important: Seating is limited. To make a reservation, please call 720-639-4213
Saturdays with Santa and the Olde Town Holiday Market
12pm – 3pm
Your free and FUN opportunity to see the big man in RED! Santa will be in Olde Town Arvada Square (57th and Olde Wadsworth Blvd) from 12pm - 3pm on Dec. 3, 10, and 17. The Holiday Market will feature dozens of vendors with handmade gifts and toys and great local food. The Holiday Market is a partnership with the Arvada Farmers Market.
Santa Claus at the Apex Center
9am – Noon
Join the fun at “Cookies with Santa” at the Apex Center!
Visit with Santa at Echter’s
1pm – 4pm
Santa will be stopping by Echter's this year! He will listen to all your holiday wishes! Santa would love to see a donation of non-perishable food to share with
Arvada’s Community Table.
Arvada Historical Society Holiday Open House
11am – 3pm
Head to the McIlvoy House for a relaxing Saturday afternoon. They will have some yummy snacks and beverages for your enjoyment and periodic door prizes. It is a great time to come in and get to know the Historical Society, visit with old friends and meet your neighbors. All are invited.
LUKI Holiday Markets and Live Holiday Music Saturdays - Nomad Neighbors
Holiday Market from 12pm to 3pm and Live Holiday Music from 6 to 9 p.m.
Take care of all of your holiday shopping at LUKI’s Holiday Market, featuring handcrafted items ranging from artistic to functional, including wood creations, candles, and jewelry. From polka and rock to smooth jazz, settle in and enjoy some live holiday cheer from a variety of musical genres and acts playing your favorite holiday tunes.
December 11
Paws and Claus
9am – 10am OR 10am – 11am (two separate sessions)
Woof! Bring your furry friend to the Community Recreation Center to get a picture with Santa, visit with local pet sponsors, and enter a drawing for prizes.
December 14
All day
Freedom Street Social: Cookie & Gingerbread House decorating days
Join them every Wednesday and enjoy a wonderful meal from one of Freedom Street Social’s many eateries. Stay and bring out your inner-child artistic talents for decorating cookies or a gingerbread house!
December 17
11am - 12pm
Bring your cameras, and don’t miss your chance to take a picture with Santa while enjoying brunch! Important: Seating is limited. To make a reservation, please call 720-639-4213
Wintery Candy Cane Lane Pool Party
5pm – 8pm
The Apex Center Pool will host Candy Cane Lane holiday fun!
Saturdays with Santa and the Olde Town Holiday Market
12pm – 3pm
Your free and FUN opportunity to see the big man in RED! Santa will be in Olde Town Arvada Square (57th and Olde Wadsworth Blvd) from 12pm - 3pm on Dec. 3, 10, 17. The Holiday Market will feature dozens of vendors with handmade gifts and toys as well as great local food. The Holiday Market is a partnership with the Arvada Farmers Market.
Holiday Season Trunk Shows at Balefire Goods
10am – 5pm
Shop local, independent brands and meet the makers of a few of our favorite Colorado jewelry artists. December 17 features nature-inspired pieces crafted in silver and gold by Luana Coonen alongside fandom-inspired jewelry crafted by Joshua Wendler, both artists from Paonia, Colorado.
Freedom Street Social: Santa’s Comin’ to Town
Be sure to make it on the nice list with an intimate sit-down with Santa at Freedom Street Social. Preregister for your designated photo ops with Santa! Check back for details or email HERE.
LUKI Holiday Markets and Live Holiday Music Saturdays - Ben Kellogg Trio
Holiday Market from 12pm to 3pm and Live Holiday Music from 6 to 9 p.m.
Take care of all of your holiday shopping at LUKI’s Holiday Market, featuring handcrafted items ranging from artistic to functional, including wood creations, candles, and jewelry. From polka and rock to smooth jazz, settle in and enjoy some live holiday cheer from a variety of musical genres and acts playing your favorite holiday tunes.
December 18
Holiday Season Trunk Shows at Balefire Goods
10am – 3pm
Shop local, independent brands and meet the makers of a few of our favorite Colorado jewelry artists. December features modern, everyday jewelry pieces from Arvada metalsmith Raquel Paiz.
Freedom Street Social: Santa’s Comin’ to Town
Be sure to make it on the nice list with an intimate sit-down with Santa at Freedom Street Social. Preregister for your designated photo ops with Santa! Check back for details or email HERE.
Paint Your Pet with Painting with a Twist - LUKI Brewing
12pm - 3pm
Want to create an original work of art of your beloved fur baby? Create your own spectacular custom pet portrait by joining Painting with a Twist at LUKI Brewery! To prepare your canvas, we ask that you submit a high-resolution digital photo with your reservation. This must be submitted and approved no later than Friday, 12/9.
December 21
Olde Town Arvada Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Festivities, Hosted by Chabad of NW Metro Denver
5:30pm – 6:30pm | 7525 W 57th Ave (next to the library)
Enjoy the holiday of Chanukah with a fun family-themed celebration. Chanukah Music, Comedy Circus Performance, Chanukah Goodie Bags, Latkahs, Donuts & Chocolate coins, Dreidel Mascot. Free event and open to all.
All day
Freedom Street Social: Cookie & Gingerbread House decorating days
Join them every Wednesday and enjoy a wonderful meal from one of Freedom Street Social’s many eateries. Stay and bring out your inner-child artistic talents for decorating cookies or a gingerbread house!