Santa’s Wonderland free photos
If the kiddos need some free holiday magic, head over to Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Nov. 3 through Dec. 24. This is one of the best free events in town as the outdoor retailers continue the tradition of in-person visits with Santa, live elves, snowmen, reindeer and take-home craft kits. Kids can get a free 4×6 photo taken with Santa, printed while customers wait, as well as a free custom digital video to share on social media. Santa’s Wonderland hours vary by date. Other photo packages are available for purchase and instant print in the store. Make reservations up to seven days in advance. basspro.com; cabelas.com
Score free Wendy’s chicken nuggets
Slam dunk! Bargain hunters and basketball fans alike will appreciate this “nugget of savings” from Wendy’s. When a Denver Nuggets player gets a double-double at a home game during the regular 2024-25 season, fans score free spicy or crispy chicken nuggets (6-count) with any purchase the following day. Limit one per person. wendys.com
Just Between Friends Holiday Kids Consignment Sale
‘Tis the season for saving, and JBF Aurora is solving the holiday hustle problem with a special Winter/Holiday Kids Consignment Sale on Nov. 9 and 10, at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds (25690 E. Quincy Ave.) in Aurora. Discounts run 50% to 90% off retail, so frugal families will be able to save hundreds of dollars on toys, games, winter clothes, baby equipment and gear, books, pajamas and more. With an anticipated 100 consignors and over 20,000 items for this event, it is going to be a great place to get some holiday shopping done on a budget! Entry is free on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with 50% off most items on Sunday. aurora.jbfsale.com
Denver Veterans Day Festival
The area’s largest salute to freedom fighters is the Denver Veterans Day Festival in City Park on Nov. 9. This free, family-friendly event goes from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features a music stage, kids and family activities, military displays, and vendors. The festival serves as a celebratory “thank you” to our veterans who have fought to ensure our freedoms. A parade starts around 10:30 a.m., featuring a march through military history as participants represent different conflicts over the years, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I and World War II. Spectators will also enjoy corporate floats, car clubs, marching units, bands, and more. denverveteransday.com
Golden Corral military appreciation dinner
Golden Corral honors active and retired military personnel with a free military appreciation dinner on Nov. 11, from 5 p.m. to closing. Anyone who has served in the U.S. military (active, retired, National Guard or Reserves) is eligible for the thank-you dinner (dine-in only). Accompanying family members or guests must pay regular menu prices. In the past 21 years, Golden Corral has served more than 6.4 million complimentary meals; guests, in turn, have shown their appreciation by donating more than $19.5 million to the Disabled Veterans of America. There are five locations along the Front Range: in Aurora, Sheridan, Thornton, Loveland and Colorado Springs. goldencorral.com/military-appreciation/
Great Clips
Veterans Day is about celebrating those Americans who are a cut above the rest, and Great Clips is trimming grooming costs for the day. On Nov. 11, the hair salon is giving all veterans and active military members a free haircut. Not in need of a haircut that day? Pick up a card for use on a future visit from Nov. 12 to 29. Qualifying customers must present a proper military ID for either the free haircut or card. Customers who purchase a service on Veterans Day will also receive a free haircut card to share with a veteran in their life. Because of the offer’s popularity, expect a long wait or use the chain’s online check-in system for faster service. Sports Clips is also offering a complimentary cut to active military and veterans on Nov. 11. greatclips.com; sportclips.com
Free ice skating in Downtown Denver
Free ice skating returns to downtown Denver’s Skyline Park (16th and Arapahoe St.) for another winter as the Downtown Denver rink welcomes locals anxious to lace up some blades from Nov. 21 to Feb. 2, 2025. Bring your own skates or rent a pair — $9 for kids ages 12 and under and $12 for everyone else age 13 & older. All fourth-graders get free skate rental; those with a MyDenver card get discounted rentals. Hours vary, so check the rink’s website. winterindenver.com/rink
Dunkin’ deal
Dunkin’ is making getting through the week a little sweeter this holiday season. From Nov. 6 to Dec. 25, the doughnut shop is offering a free Classic Donut with the purchase of any beverage every Wednesday. The sweet giveaway is only available to Dunkin’ Rewards members. Sign up online at dunkindonuts.com/en/dunkinrewards. New members also get a free medium drink with purchase just for signing up. dunkindonuts.com
Larson’s Ski & Snowboard Swap
Larson’s Ski & Sport (4715 Kipling St.) in Wheat Ridge runs its popular ski and snowboard swap from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 23 and 24. The swap includes skis, snowboards, boots, bindings, poles, snowshoes and outerwear. Employees from Loveland Ski Area also will be on-site selling four-packs at an event-exclusive discount, as well as individual tickets, season passes and pass cards. If you have items you would like to sell, bring them to the shop between Nov. 18 and 22. Staffers can help you pick a price for your items and take care of all the tagging and paperwork. If your gear sells, you can either get 70% of the amount it sold for as a check, or 100% of it as store credit. larsonsport.com
Castle Rock Starlighting
The Castle Rock “Lighting of the Star” has been a community event since 1936. The same spirit of volunteerism, generosity and love of tradition continues today as Castle Rock businesses and residents celebrate Starlighting on Nov. 23. The free event features caroling, dancing, Santa Claus, hot chocolate, Kids Zone and more — all along Wilcox Square. Ongoing festivities around the square and at Festival Park are from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The actual Star lighting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m., with the star lit about 5:30 p.m., followed immediately by fireworks. castlerock.org/castle-rock-starlighting/
Littleton Candlelight Walk & Parade
Downtown Littleton officially kicks off the holiday season on Nov. 29 with its annual Candlelight Walk and Parade from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Santa Claus is the guest of honor for a procession down Main Street that includes floats, music and holiday entertainment. The popular holiday event will feature music, dancing trees, reindeer and more. The evening caps off with a magical drone show over the Melting Pot at the west end of Main Street after Santa lights the big tree in Bowles Plaza. The best place to watch: on Main Street, anywhere west of Prince Street. visitlittleton.org
Parker Mayor’s Holiday Lighting
Parker’s O’Brien Park comes alive for the holidays on Nov. 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. during the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting. Gather around the Town Tree and join the mayor and the Parker Chorale in a sing-a-long to kick off the event. Once the park is lit up, it’s time for more fun. Follow a path to holiday ice sculpture displays. parkerco.gov
Rocky Mountain Holiday Train Show
All aboard! The Rocky Mountain Holiday Train Show steams into Loveland on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at The Ranch Events Complex (5830 Arena Circle). With more than 60 vendors, this is a great show for the young and the young-at-heart, whether you are just getting started in the hobby or a long-time scale modeler. They will be selling trains in scales ranging from N to G. Kids can participate in plenty of free and low-cost activities. The show is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10. Kids age 12 and younger and Boy Scouts in uniform get in for free. rockymountaintrainshow.com
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