Hey Nerds,
Happy holidays. We here at Nerd Meets World recognize there are many holidays this season you may or may not choose to observe and we’re here to tell you we hope you do whatever it is you do this time of year to the best of you abilities. If that’s going all out around the house with lights and decor, do it. Are you putting on the one festive sweater you own and going out for drinks, right on. If that’s get out of bed and not scream at your coworkers, cool. You do you.
Since relocating to Colorado, my Nerd Partner 4 Life and I are trying our best to get a taste of what Denver and greater Colorado have to offer. As the days get shorter and colder, we’re shifting from road trips to the mountains to local fare that we can easily walk to from our Lower Downtown apartment. What’s bananas is there’s SO MUCH TO DO! So here is a sampling of the things we’ve done so far this holiday season to keep our days merry and bright…even though the sun sets by well before 5pm.
Denver Parade of Lights
This is a one and done, so I can’t help y’all if you missed it, but Denver has an annual Parade of Lights that runs through downtown Denver. You can pay for a seat in a grandstand OR you can do what we (and thousands of others did) and line up along the route for free. Fair warning: people are going to bump and jostle you as they walk by. It sucks. You can either stew in your own seething hatred or you can take in the brightly lit floats and colorful balloons! I recommend the latter.
Pro tip: arrive early to secure a spot near the street rather than climbing up on a higher landing of an office building.
Colorado Symphony
Performing since 1989, the Colorado Symphony has a multitude of holiday performances in December. From Handel’s Messiah to a John Denver Holiday Celebration, there’s a little something for everyone.
So what did we see? Home Alone in Concert!
That’s right, nerds. We attended a performance of the the symphony playing the soundtrack to Home Alone as the movie played. Kevin doing unspeakable things to two nitwit crooks on a big screen with a full symphony and chorus performing below. What a unique way to experience this talent and also relive a childhood classic.
If you wanted to see something similar, they’re performing Elf in Concert later this month! Check out the schedule.
Denver Christkindl Market and Mile High Tree
Have you ever been to Germany? No need! You can hit up this adorable little European-esque market here in Denver!
Free and open daily through December 23, the Christkindl Market features shops and food vendors for all your German holiday needs. Wooden toys! Gluhwein! Schnitzel! The sights and smells are top notch and if you buy the commemorative mug you get $8 refills of hot gluhwein (this Head Nerd recommends the traditional red).
The Christkindl Market also provides a spectacular view of the Mile High Tree and the illuminated Denver City Council building. Light shows happen nightly and you can walk through the 7-story tall tree!
Fun Fact: The Mile High Tree is 10 feet higher than the tallest Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in history and contains 60,000 LED lights to create its signature programming.
Miracle at Union Station
What better way to round what we’ve tackled this holiday season than with a holiday pop-up bar!
Miracle at Union Station is a festively lit pop-bar featuring holiday cocktails with aptly festive names like Elfing Around #2 and Rudolph’s Replacement. You can also try the hot buttered rum or mulled wine if you’re looking for something to warm you up on a cold Denver night. Plus, some of the fun mugs and glassware are for sale!
They do take reservations which affords you 1 hour and 15 minutes for groups up to 4 or 1 hour and 30 minutes for groups larger than 4. (No parties larger than 8.) You do have to watch the time, but it’s more than enough to enjoy a drink or two and complimentary cheddar popcorn.
Is the holiday season over? Heck no! And we’ll keep getting out there and exploring. But for now, I hope this helps any local nerds in the Denver area find something fun to do between now and new year.
Cheers!
Head Nerd