Enchanted Evening + Holiday Parade
6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, Downtown Niwot. Free
Welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to town with a Friday tree lighting and Saturday parade. The town will be full of live music and caroling all weekend, from the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Band to Dr. Banjo himself. Tell the kids to bring their wish lists for a post-parade visit with Santa.
BMoCA Holiday Pop-Up
11 a.m to 5 p.m. Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, BMoCA, 1750 13th St., Boulder. Free
Find the perfect gift for your artsiest friend or family member (or treat yourself) at the first weekend of BMoCA’s holiday pop-up featuring work from local artists across the state. The museum promises fair reasonable prices and discounts for members at the market, which runs through Dec. 29.
Horse-drawn Carriage Rides
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29; noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 1, Front St., Louisville. Free
Over the river and through the woods, to Louisville we go! Horse-drawn carriage rides are back thanks to the Louisville Downtown Business Association. Take a festive ride through town behind the Kodiak Ranch clydesdales on select dates throughout December. Carriage picks up riders across from Old Town Skate every 20 minutes.
Aprés Ski Pop-Up
Noon to close, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Rosetta Hall, 1109 Walnut St., Boulder
Want to celebrate ski season while supporting a good cause? Head to the rooftop at Rosetta Hall for the launch of the Boulder eatery’s new recurring weekend pop-up fundraiser for Protect Our Winters (POW). Craft seasonal cocktails, special offers and visits from POW athletes are on the menu, with 10% of sales supporting the nonprofit climate advocacy org.
Black Friday Beer For a Year
Noon to 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, Left Hand Tasting Room, 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont. Free
Skip fighting for your life in pursuit of a new TV and head to Left Hand for a boozier Black Friday celebration with live music from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Spend $100 or more on merch and to-go brews and you’ll receive “free beer for a year” — a growler and a certificate for free monthly refills. Bottoms up!
Lyons Tree Lighting Celebration
5-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, Lyons Sandstone Park, 335 Railroad Ave. Free
There’s no place like Lyons for the holidays. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, the town’s second annual tree lighting is sure to brighten your spirit with plenty of caroling, cookies, hot chocolate and holiday cheer to celebrate the most wonderful time of year.
Dress Up Downtown Santa Crawl
5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, Downtown Longmont. Free
Feeling jolly? Then dust off that Santa hat, put on your oversized red suit and head downtown for a St. Nick-themed costume crawl. Whether it’s a $5 spiked hot cocoa at The Local Drive or a free cookie and beer taster at 300 Suns, a Kris Kringle get-up will deck your halls with the merriest drink and food specials Longmont has to offer.
St. Nick on the Bricks
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center, 1303 Pearl St. Free
He’s baaaack. Little ones of all ages, rejoice — Santa is returning to the Pearl Street Mall for his yearly holiday residency in downtown Boulder. Head to the visitor information center with Christmas lists in tow for this beloved holiday meet-and-greet in the heart of the People’s Republic, happening every Saturday through Dec. 14.
Rootstock
Noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A, Boulder. $20+
Roots Music Project presents this all-star benefit concert featuring 20 bands across two stages. Don’t miss local talent like Hazel Miller, Barn Ghost, Flutter, Half Zen and more — plus food trucks, a silent auction (including a free vasectomy) and more during this all-day rager supporting homegrown music on the Front Range.
Winter Craft Market
1-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway. $10+ (free for museum members)
Do your holiday shopping with a side of community care at this holiday craft market hosted by Natural Highs, a nonprofit providing “healthy alternatives to drugs and alcohol” and mental health support for teens. Peruse handmade arts and winter crafts, explore museum exhibits or do some sampling at the yerba matte bar.
Origami and Obi Gift Wrapping
2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, The Collective - Community Arts Center, 201 N. Public Road, Lafayette. Free
Add a little something extra to your presents this year with a free gift-wrapping tutorial. Iruka Hikaru will be your guide to the art of Japanese origami and obi (kimono sash tying). Stop by with a small-ish package to decorate; The Collective will provide the paper and the know-how.
Rollinsville Holiday Market
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, Howlin Wind Brewing, 51 A Main St., Rollinsville. Free
Add a wintry vibe to your holiday shopping with this high-altitude artisan market in the former mining town of Rollinsville. Enjoy $1 off beers while you support a dozen local makers and stuff your stockings with ice water tie-dye, flower-press beanies and mountain-grown mushrooms.
Looking for more BoCo events? Here you go.