Event

Rad Things (to) Do - November 2023

Austin Nettleton

It is officially November, meaning that the weather is getting much colder, pumpkin-spiced lattes are flowing like water, the Denver Broncos are actually winning games, and, most importantly, Mariah Carey begins her annual thawing ritual to inundate us with her hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” nonstop for the next two months, which includes a stop at the Ball Arena later this month. Stay strong, retail employees.

November also kicks off the holiday season in Denver. There are no shortages of fall festivals, parades, sporting events, concerts and other rad things to do around the metro area, so grab your ticket, hop on the bus or train, and make this holiday season one to remember!

Festivals, Parades and Special Events

It’s a special time of the year in Denver, and the colder weather won’t stop the fun from being had. From the Denver Film Festival to the famous Denver Christkindlmarket to Denver Botanic Garden’s annual Blossoms of Light, there are plenty of festivals, parades and events for families to enjoy this holiday season.

Don’t forget that youth ages 19 and younger can ride RTD services at no cost to them through the Zero Fare for Youth pilot program!

Blossoms of Light

Celebrate the holiday season with a spectacle of dazzling lights at Denver Botanic Garden’s Blossoms of Light. This family-favorite event starts Friday, Nov. 17 and runs through Jan. 7, 2024.

  • Nearest stop: In front of the Botanic Gardens near York Street and 9th Avenue (Route 24)

46th Annual Denver Film Festival

The Denver Film Festival returns for the 46th year! From now until Sunday, Nov. 12, enjoy a plethora of independent films, conversations and events at a variety of venues in Denver and celebrate the timeless art of cinema. Visit denverfilmfestival.eventive.org to check out all the films on tap and purchase tickets. The film festival will be hosting events and screenings at the following locations:

  • Locations:
    • Sie FilmCenter
      • Nearest stops: Colfax Avenue and Josephine Street (Routes 15/15L), and Colfax Avenue and Detroit Street (Route 15)
    • Ellie Caulkins Opera House
      • Nearest stop: Theatre District·Convention Center Station (D, H and L lines)
    • Denver Botanic Gardens
      • Nearest stop: In front of the Botanic Gardens near York Street and 9th Avenue (Route 24)
    • AMC 9 + CO 10 – Colorado Boulevard
      • Nearest stops: 8th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard (Route 6), and Colorado Boulevard and 8th Avenue (Route 40)
    • MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater
      • Nearest stop: West 32 Avenue and Clay Street (Route 32)
    • Denver Museum of Nature and Science
      • Nearest stop: Colorado and Montview boulevards (Routes 20/40)
    • Tattered Cover – Colfax
      • Nearest stop: Colfax Avenue and Elizabeth Street (Route 15)
    • The Jacquard Hotel
      • Nearest stop: 1st Avenue and Fillmore Plaza (Routes 3/3L/83D/83L)
    • 580 Gilpin St.
      • Nearest stop: 6th Avenue and Williams Street (Route 6)

Wild & Scenic Film Festival

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival returns to Denver at The Bug Theatre from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight for a night of fun and educational films dedicated to bringing awareness to the environment and all of its creatures. Visit https://rockymountainwild.org/wsff to learn more about the festival. The Bug Theatre can be accessed at the Navajo Street and West 37th Avenue stop, serviced by Routes 19 and 52.

Denver Veterans Day Parade and Festival

Head on down to City Park, accessible via several stops along Routes 20 and 40 along Colorado Boulevard and East 17th Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, for a celebration and commemoration ceremony of America’s military veterans. Activities include a parade, 5K and 10K run, live music and military displays. The event is free to attend for all ages. Learn more at denverveteransday.com.

Denver Christkindlmarket

A holiday season favorite returns for another year! Denver’s Christkindlmarket opens Nov. 17 at Civic Center Park, accessible via any Civic Center Station-bound bus route. The annual event brings a German flair to Christmas in the Mile High City with a variety of vendors and events and, most importantly, incredible culinary offerings from Germany, including famous German Glühwein and Bavarian-style beers.

The free event goes through Dec. 23. For a full list of vendors and activities, visit christkindlmarketdenver.com.

Union Station lights up for the annual Grand Illumination ceremony to kick off the holidays.

Grand Illumination

On Friday, Nov. 24, Union Station lights up in spectacular fashion to signal Santa’s return to Denver with the annual Grand Illumination ceremony! Come out 4-8 p.m. to enjoy loads of family-friendly events, including face painting, balloon artists, caricature artists, horse-drawn carriage rides and, of course, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus! For the adults, the Terminal Bar, Copper Lounge, Milkbox and Pigtrain Coffee Co. will be offering special adult-only cocktails and beverages.

Catch any Union Station-bound bus route or rail line and be sure to swing by the RTD booth for some goodies.

Sports

When Andy Williams wrote his hit single “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” he was explicitly talking about how November is one of the greatest sports months in the 303. The stakes are higher than ever this year, as the Nuggets look to defend their 2023 NBA championship title, the Avalanche look to reclaim their 2022 NHL championship title after being eliminated in the NHL playoffs in 2023, and the Broncos look to just keep their heads above .500 for the first time since 2016. For the area’s colleges, the Buffs look to correct course and earn themselves a spot in a bowl game, while the University of Denver’s men’s hockey team takes the ice, hoping for another shot at the Frozen Four.

Cheer on Denver’s sports teams this month at the following events!

Empower Field at Mile High Stadium (accessible via the E and W lines at Empower Field at Mile High Station)

NFL: Denver Broncos:

  • Nov. 19: vs. Minnesota Vikings
  • Nov. 26: vs. Cleveland Browns

Ball Arena (accessible via the E and W lines at Ball Arena·Elitch Gardens Station, as well as Routes 1, 15L and 20 at Auraria Parkway and 9th Street)

NBA: Denver Nuggets

  • Nov. 14: vs. Los Angeles Clippers
  • Nov. 26: vs. San Antonio Spurs
  • Nov. 29: vs. Houston Rockets

NHL: Colorado Avalanche

  • Nov. 9: vs. Seattle Kraken
  • Nov. 11: vs. St. Louis Blues
  • Nov. 15: vs. Anaheim Ducks
  • Nov. 22: vs. Vancouver Canucks
  • Nov. 25: vs. Calgary Flames
  • Nov. 27: vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Folsom Field (accessible via Routes 204, 225, DASH, GS, SKIP and FF1 at Broadway and Regent Drive)

NCAA Football:

  • Nov. 11: University of Colorado Buffaloes vs. University of Arizona Wildcats

Magness Arena (accessible via the E and H lines at University of Denver Station)

NCAA Men’s Hockey:

  • Nov. 17: University of Denver Pioneers vs. Colorado College Tigers
  • Nov. 17-18: University of Denver Pioneers vs. University of Nebraska – Omaha Mavericks

Concerts

Outdoor concert season has officially come to an end. However, there is still plenty of great music to be enjoyed this month, with absolutely massive acts swinging through the city this month, such as Doja Cat, Alt-J, Lil Uzi Vert and Depeche Mode. Whether you are into rap, indie, EDM, rock or metal, there will be plenty of shows to choose from this month.

Ball Arena (accessible via the E and W lines at Ball Arena·Elitch Gardens Station, as well as Routes 1, 15L and 20 at Auraria Parkway and 9th Street)

Featured band: Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus

  • Nov. 10: Doja Cat (hip-hop/R&B) – “The Scarlet Tour”
    • Supporting act: Doechii (hip-hop/R&B)
  • Nov. 12: Burna Boy (hip-hop/rap) – “I Told Them Tour”
  • Nov. 16: Depeche Mode (rock) – “Memento Mori Tour”
    • Supporting act: Young Fathers (lo-fi/alternative)
  • Nov. 18-19: Trans-Siberian Orchestra (orchestra) – “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve”
  • Nov. 21: Mariah Carey (R&B/pop) – “Merry Christmas One and All!”

Mission Ballroom (accessible via the A Line at 38th·Blake Station)

The California Honeydrops performs at the Mission Ballroom Saturday, Nov. 10.

  • Nov. 10: The California Honeydrops (jazz/funk)
    • Supporting acts: Sam Grisman Project (funk)
  • Nov. 11: Twiddle (jazz/reggae/rock)
    • Supporting act: Melt (indie/soul)
  • Nov. 14: Kesha (pop) – “The Only Love Tour”
    • Supporting act: Jake Wesley Rogers (pop)
  • Nov. 17: Disco Lines (house/bass)
    • Supporting acts: Ship Wrek (trap/hip-hop), INJI (pop/electronic) and Kaleena Zanders (pop/rock/electronic)
  • Nov. 18: Maruda (dubstep) – “Rage Realm”
    • Supporting acts: Infekt, Versa, Chibs, Executioner, Hukae (dubstep)
  • Nov. 24: ATLiens (trance/bass)
    • Supporting acts: Subdocta, Space Wizard, Samplifire, Phiso, Cyclops, Beastboi, High Zombie (dubstep/bass)
  • Nov. 25: Eptic (dubstep) – “Hell On Earth Tour”
    • Supporting acts: Blanke, Must Die!, Spass, Dum Dum, Automhate, Algo (dubstep/bass)
  • Nov. 29: Alt-J (alternative/indie) – “An Awesome Wave 10th Anniversary Show”
    • Supporting act: Meagre Martin (alternative/indie)
  • Nov. 30: Paul Cauthen (country/alternative)
    • Supporting act: Uncle Lucius (alternative/indie)

Paramount Theatre (accessible via the D, H and L lines at 16th·California Station or the Free MallRide at 17th Street and Glenarm Place)

Featured band: Postmodern Jukebox - All The Small Things (Blink-182 Cover)

  • Nov. 10: Mark Normand (comedy) – “Ya Don’t Say Tour”
  • Nov. 11: Kathleen Madigan (comedy)
  • Nov. 12: Dirty Dancing in Concert (orchestra)
  • Nov. 14-15: A Charlie Brown Christmas (orchestra/play) – “Live On Stage”
  • Nov. 19: Blippi (children’s play) – “The Wonderful World Tour”
  • Nov. 21: Postmodern Jukebox (jazz/swing) – “Life in the Past Lane Tour” 
  • Nov. 25: Blue October (rock/alternative)
  • Nov. 29: One Night of Tina: A Tina Turner Tribute Show (pop/soul/R&B)
  • Nov. 30: Geddy Lee of Rush (rock) – “My Effin’ Life in Conversation”

Fillmore Auditorium (accessible via Route 15 at Colfax Avenue and Emerson Street or Colfax Avenue and Clarkson Street)

  • Nov. 10: Fever Ray (electropop) – “Fall 2023 Tour”
    • Supporting act: Christeene (punk/rap)
  • Nov. 13: Lil Uzi Vert (hip-hop/rap/metal) – “Pink Tape Tour”
  • Nov. 17: Everglow (K-pop/rap) – “All My Girls 2023 U.S. Tour”

Ogden Theatre (accessible via Route 15 at Colfax Avenue and Emerson Street or Colfax Avenue and Clarkson Street)

  • Nov. 9: The Cat Empire (reggae)
    • Supporting act: High Fade (funk)
  • Nov. 10-11: Kitchen Dwellers (bluegrass)
    • Supporting acts: Cris Jacobs (rock) (Nov. 10 only) and Mountain Grass Unit (bluegrass) (Nov. 11 only)
  • Nov. 14: We Came As Romans (metalcore) – “Darkbloom II Tour”
    • Supporting acts: Emmure (deathcore), Bodysnatcher (hardcore) and Archetypes Collide (metalcore/hard rock)
  • Nov. 15: Story of the Year (emo/pop punk) – “20 Years of ‘Page Avenue’”
    • Supporting acts: Four Year Strong (pop punk/metalcore), Youth Fountain (pop punk)
  • Nov. 16: In Flames (metalcore)
    • Supporting acts: Havok (metal), In the Company of Serpents (deathcore)
  • Nov. 17: Jeremy Zucker (pop/indie) – “Is Nothing Sacred?: The Tour”
    • Supporting acts: Tiffany Day (pop/indie) and Jake Minch (indie)
  • Nov. 18: Koan Sound (drum and bass/ambient) – “Led By Ancient Light”
    • Supporting acts: Edit, Copycatt, Hudson Lee & Frequent, Aleph (bass/house/ambient)
  • Nov. 20: The Struts (glam rock/hard rock)
    • Supporting act: Mac Saturn (glam rock)
  • Nov. 25: J. Worra (house/trance) – “Rinse & Repeat Tour”
    • Supporting acts: Max Styler and Matt Suave (house)

Oriental Theatre (accessible via Route 44 at West 44th Avenue and Tennyson Street)

  • Nov. 10: Black Stone Cherry (hard rock)
    • Supporting acts: Giovannie and the Hired Guns (country rock) and Jigsaw Youth (punk)
  • Nov. 12: GreatGuys (K-pop) – “Record of Youth World Tour”
  • Nov. 14: Free Throw (emo)
    • Supporting acts: Prince Daddy & The Hyena (punk/emo), Charmer (emo) and Saturdays At Your Place (alternative/emo)
  • Nov. 16: Left to Die (death metal) – “Reborn Dead Western US Tour”
    • Supporting acts: Mortuous, Mortal Wound and Street Tombs (death metal)
  • Nov. 18: Coven (rock) and Lucifer (heavy metal) – “The Satanic Panic Tour”
    • Supporting act: Early Moods (doom metal)
  • Nov. 20: Purple Kiss (K-pop) – “The Festa Tour”
  • Nov. 21: Katatonia (progressive metal) – “Sky Void of Stars North America 2023”
    • Supporting acts: GOST (industrial metal) and SOM (progressive metal)

Bluebird Theater (accessible via the Route 15 at Colfax Avenue and Cook Street)

Salt Lake City's up-and-coming indie superstar Ritt Momney performs at the Bluebird Theater on Nov. 14. (Photo credit: Daniel Prakopcyk/Disruptor Records)

  • Nov. 9: Cole Scheifele (folk/acoustic)
    • Supporting acts: Holly Lovell and Sturtz (indie)
  • Nov. 10: Royal and the Serpent (pop punk/alternative) – “The First Ever R.A.T.S. Headline Tour”
    • Supporting acts: Carlie Hanson and Baby Fisher (pop)
  • Nov. 11: Yam Haus & Sawyer (alternative/indie)
  • Nov. 12: Vedo (R&B) – “Still Having Mood Swings Tour”
  • Nov. 13: Madison Ryann Ward (Christian/indie) – “A New Thing Tour”
  • Nov. 14: Ritt Momney (alternative/indie)
    • Supporting act: 26fix (bass)
  • Nov. 15: Harm’s Way (hardcore) – “Common Suffering Record Release Tour”
    • Supporting acts: Fleshwater, Ingrown and Jivebomb­­­ (hardcore)
  • Nov. 16: Allison Russell (folk/R&B) – “The Returner Tour”
  • Nov. 18: Durry (alternative/indie)
  • Nov. 19: The Lacs (country/rap) – “The Party from the South Tour 2023”
  • Nov. 28: Brujeria (Latin/extreme metal) – “Esto Es Tour 2023”
    • Supporting acts: Piñata Protest (punk) and NO/MAS (grindcore)

HQ (accessible via Route 0 at South Broadway and West Bayaud Avenue)

Featured band: In Her Own Words - Lights Out

  • Nov. 15: Inferi (technical metal/death metal) – “Rags to Riffage Tour 2023”
    • Supporting acts: First Fragment (extreme death metal), Summoning the Lich (death metal) and Tómarúm (progressive black metal)
  • Nov. 18: Incantation and Suffocation (death metal) – “Ancient Unholy Uprising Tour 2023”
    • Supporting acts: Skeletal Remains and Stabbing (death metal)
  • Nov. 19: In Her Own Words (pop punk) and Lil Lotus (pop punk/emo rap)
    • Supporting acts: London Mars and sace6 (alternative/indie)
  • Nov. 22: Urban Heat (post-punk)
    • Supporting act: Rare DM (synthwave/darkwave)

Gothic Theatre (accessible via Route 0 at South Broadway and Eastman Avenue, or South Broadway and West Floyd Avenue)

Featured artist: LP Giobbi - Can't Let You Go

  • Nov. 10: The Greatest Generation (alternative/indie)
  • Nov. 11: Scene Queen (pop punk/emo/hyperpop) – “BBP Nationwide Tour”
    • Supporting acts: Ellise and Rivals (pop punk/emo)
  • Nov. 12: Of The Trees (electronic/house) – “Red Rocks Afterparty”
    • Supporting acts: Barclay Crenshaw (funk/lo-fi), Yheti (dubstep) and The Librarian (bass)
  • Nov. 16: LP Giobbi (electronic/indie) – “Light Places Tour”
    • Supporting act: Bad Snacks (electronic/experimental hip-hop)
  • Nov. 17: Muscadine Bloodline (country) – “Teenage Dixie Tour”
    • Supporting act: Gabe Lee (country)
  • Nov. 18: Royal Blood (rock) – “North America Tour”
    • Supporting act: HotWax (alternative/rock)
  • Nov. 24: Quicksand (post-hardcore)
    • Supporting acts: Hotline TNT (indie) and Abrams (psychedelic rock)
  • Nov. 25: Mammoth WVH (hard rock) – “Mammoth II Tour 2023”
    • Supporting act: Nita Strauss (hard rock/metal)

Summit Music Hall (accessible via Routes 0, 9, 15 and 20 at 18th and Blake streets, or via Route 52 at 20th and Blake streets)

Pop punk powerhouse Real Friends co-headlines at Summit Music Hall on Nov. 17 with Knuckle Puck. (Photo credit: Danielle Parsons/Pure Noise Records)

  • Nov. 9: Dying Fetus (death metal) – “Make Them Beg for Death Tour”
    • Supporting acts: The Acacia Strain (deathcore), Despised Icon (death metal), Creeping Death (deathcore), Gates to Hell (deathcore)
  • Nov. 10: Laszewo (electronic/alternative)
    • Supporting acts: Koastle (pop/electronic) and Distant Matter (EDM)
  • Nov. 11: Baroness (progressive metal) – “Sweet Oblivion Tour 2023”
    • Supporting act: Wayfarer (metal)
  • Nov. 12: Siddhartha (rock) – “US Tour 2023”
  • Nov. 14: Dragonforce (power metal)
    • Supporting acts: Amaranthe (symphonic metal), Nanowar of Steel (power metal), and Edge of Paradise (hard rock/power metal)
  • Nov. 15: Kota the Friend (hip-hop/rap) – “Flowers For My Friends Tour”
    • Supporting act: Price (hip-hop/rap)
  • Nov. 16: Dirty Honey (rock) – “Can’t Find The Brakes Tour”
    • Supporting act: Austin Meade (rock)
  • Nov. 17: Knuckle Puck and Real Friends (pop punk)
    • Supporting acts: One Step Closer and Arm’s Length (pop punk)
  • Nov. 18: Spencer Brown (progressive house/techno)
  • Nov. 28: The Japanese House (alternative/indie)
    • Supporting act: quinnie (alternative/indie)
  • Nov. 30: Joe DeRosa (comedy)

Marquis Theatre (accessible via Routes 52 and RX at 20th and Larimer streets, or via Route 38 at Larimer and 21st streets)

Featured band: Dying Wish - Paved In Sorrow

  • Nov. 10: The Kiffness (pop) – “2023 North American Tour”
  • Nov. 11: Samiam (punk)
    • Supporting acts: Better Than Dead and Hospital Socks (punk)
  • Nov. 12 – Blü Eyes (pop)
    • Supporting act: Avery Lynch (alternative/indie)
  • Nov. 13: Angel Dust (alternative/indie)
    • Supporting acts: Candy (rock/alternative), Bib (hardcore) and Mary Jane Dunphe (pop/rock)
  • Nov. 14: This Wild Life (pop punk/emo)
    • Supporting acts: Broadside, Worry Club and Not My Weekend (pop punk/emo)
  • Nov. 15: Can’t Swim and Belmont (pop punk/emo)
    • Supporting acts: House Parties and Long/Last (pop punk/emo)
  • Nov. 18: Frenship (house/electronic)
    • Supporting acts: Torine and Bizzy (pop/indie)
  • Nov. 19: Alesana (metalcore/post-hardcore) – “A Place Where The Sun Is Silent Tour”
    • Supporting acts: Limbs, Vampires Everywhere, Across The White Water Tower, and Under Auburn Skies (post-hardcore)
  • Nov. 21: Dying Wish (metalcore/hardcore) – “Symptoms of Survival Tour” 
    • Supporting acts: Boundaries, Foreign Hands and Roman Candle (metalcore/hardcore)
  • Nov. 22: Mandy Yoches and the Hell Yeahs (alternative/indie)
  • Nov. 24: Shadows Tranquil (experimental shoegaze)
    • Supporting acts: Julian Street Nightmare (alternative/dark wave) and Polly Urethane (alternative/indie)
  • Nov. 28: Eem Triplin (hip-hop/rap) – “Still Pretty North American Tour”

Theatre

The holiday season means the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) will be bumping with some classic plays and musicals. Check out what’s going on this month below and snag tickets to the following events at denvercenter.org/tickets-events/.

DCPA can be accessed via the D, H and L lines at Theatre District·Convention Center Station and via the Free MallRide at 15th and Curtis streets.

Randy Weeks Conservatory

  • Little Red – A Musical Adventure
    • Ongoing through Dec. 23

Kilstrom Theatre

  • Clyde’s
    • Ongoing through Nov. 26

Buell Theatre

  • The Hip Hop Nutcracker
    • Nov. 17-18
  • Annie
    • Nov. 21-26

Wolf Theatre

  • A Christmas Carol
    • Nov. 17-24
Written by Austin Nettleton