Denver's two biggest holiday shows are Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker (Nov. 28 to Dec. 27, 2026) at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and the DCPA's A Christmas Carol (Nov. 25 to Dec. 27, 2026) at the Wolf Theatre. Tickets for both are on sale now. The Colorado Symphony, Fever's Candlelight series, the Arvada Center and the Lone Tree Arts Center all have holiday programs too. Here are the dates, venues and starting prices we found on each organizer's site.
When is The Nutcracker in Denver in 2026?
Colorado Ballet performs The Nutcracker from Saturday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 27, 2026 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, with the Colorado Ballet Orchestra playing live. Shows are at 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. depending on the day, and Christmas Eve has a 1 p.m. show only. Tickets start at $40, and the ballet uses dynamic pricing, so popular dates cost more. The ballet runs about 1 hour 50 minutes with one intermission and is recommended for ages 5 and up. Colorado Ballet: The Nutcracker
When does A Christmas Carol run at the Denver Center?
The DCPA Theatre Company's musical A Christmas Carol runs Nov. 25 through Dec. 27, 2026 at the Wolf Theatre, 1400 Curtis St. Base ticket prices are $41 to $195, including the city seat tax, plus an 18% service fee. It runs about two hours with a 15-minute intermission and is recommended for ages 6 and up (children 4 and up are allowed, and everyone needs a ticket). The DCPA notes ghost scenes that may frighten younger kids, plus stage fog and strobe lighting. DCPA: A Christmas Carol
What holiday concerts is the Colorado Symphony playing?
All of these are on the Colorado Symphony's holiday calendar at Boettcher Concert Hall (1000 14th St., Denver):
- Home Alone in Concert: Nov. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 29 at 2:30 p.m.
- Celtic Woman: Silver Bells Christmas Tour: Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
- A Classical Christmas: Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 1 p.m.
- A Colorado Christmas (with the Colorado Children's Chorale and a Santa visit): Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 12 at 2:30 and 6 p.m., Dec. 13 at 1 p.m.
- John Denver: A Rocky Mountain Christmas: Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
- Holiday Brass: Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
- Too Hot to Handel: Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
- Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert: Dec. 22 and 23 at 7 p.m.
- A Night in Vienna: Dec. 31 at 6:30 p.m.
The symphony's site also lists a $26 ticket category, but prices weren't posted for each show when we checked. Colorado Symphony holiday events
Which Candlelight holiday concerts are on in Denver?
Fever's Candlelight series has string-quartet holiday programs at three Denver venues. These were the starting prices when we checked, and they can change:
- Christmas Carols on Strings: Kirk of Highland, Dec. 17 and 19 (from $33), and Trinity United Methodist Church, Dec. 18 and 19 (from $31).
- Christmas Classics: Trinity United Methodist Church, Dec. 18 and 19 (from $33.50), and The Ritz-Carlton, Denver, Dec. 20 and 26 (from $35.50).
- Christmas Special Featuring "The Nutcracker" & More: The Ritz-Carlton, Denver, Dec. 27 (from $36).
Candlelight Concerts in Denver
What holiday shows are playing in the suburbs?
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Arvada)
The Arvada Center (6901 Wadsworth Blvd.) stages this family musical on its Main Stage Nov. 20, 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027, with guest children's choirs from around the metro. Tickets start at $62, and previews start at $45 (base prices; fees extra). Tickets for kids 6 to 12 are 35% off. It's recommended for ages 6 and up, and lap seating isn't allowed. Arvada Center: Joseph
Lone Tree Arts Center (Lone Tree)
The Lone Tree Arts Center (10075 Commons St.) has a run of holiday shows:
- Suzy Bogguss: A Swingin' Little Christmas: Sunday, Nov. 29
- Kalani Pe'a's Hawaiian Christmas: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.
- The Swingles: Together at Christmas!: Thursday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
- Symphony of the Rockies: Merry & Bright: Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.
- Motones vs. Jerseys: Holiday Hi-Fi: Dec. 16 to 20
- Holiday Family Movie: A Muppet Christmas Carol: Wednesday, Dec. 23, with activities at 3 p.m. and the movie at 4 p.m.
Free 20-minute pre-show chats, which the center calls festive introductions to its holiday programs, run before the Nov. 29, Dec. 2 and Dec. 16 (matinee) shows. Lone Tree Arts Center events
Which holiday shows have sensory-friendly, ASL or audio-described performances?
- The Nutcracker: sensory-friendly and audio-described at 1 p.m. Nov. 29, plus audio-described at 1 p.m. Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.
- A Christmas Carol: ASL interpretation, audio description and open captioning at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 6.
- Joseph: ASL-interpreted Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 1 p.m., and audio-described Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.
Tips for booking a holiday show
- Buy from the official site. The DCPA says denvercenter.org is the official source for A Christmas Carol tickets. For every show here, the organizer's link is the safest place to buy.
- Compare dates. The Nutcracker uses dynamic pricing, and the DCPA points to Dec. 16 to 19 at 7 p.m. as having its best availability.
- Check age guidance. The ballet is recommended for ages 5 and up, and A Christmas Carol and Joseph for ages 6 and up.
- Make a night of it. Find dinner in our restaurant listings or check local deals. For more holiday nights out, see the DFRO events calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Nutcracker tickets in Denver in 2026?
Colorado Ballet tickets start at $40. Prices rise for popular performances because of dynamic pricing.
Is A Christmas Carol family-friendly?
The DCPA calls it a family musical and recommends it for ages 6 and up. It has ghost scenes that may frighten younger children.
What holiday shows are in the south metro?
The Lone Tree Arts Center has holiday concerts from Nov. 29 to Dec. 23, including The Swingles (Dec. 10) and Motones vs. Jerseys (Dec. 16 to 20). Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village is another south-metro night out.
Are there holiday shows on New Year's Eve?
Yes. The Colorado Symphony plays A Night in Vienna at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, and Joseph runs at the Arvada Center through Jan. 3.
Where is the Wolf Theatre?
The DCPA lists the Wolf Theatre at 1400 Curtis St. in downtown Denver.
Confirm details before you go. Dates, times and prices can change after we check them, and ticket prices often change with demand. Use the organizer's link in each section for the latest information.
No organizer paid to be included; sponsored entries are always labeled. Know of a holiday show we missed? Tell us in the DFRO Facebook group.
