Christmas Events for Kids in Lakewood, CO (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated 4 min read

Rally the corgi has sniffed out the best Christmas events for kids in Lakewood, CO for 2026, and here is what he found: 7 family events, 1 of them free. The magic runs from November 27 (The Children's Nutcracker, Dance Conservatory of Denver) through December 23, with Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers: Be of Good Cheer (from December 5), The Nutcracker, Ballet Ariel (from December 11) and The Nutcracker, Ballet Melange (from December 18) along the way. We check every date on the host’s own website, and each listing links straight there. For the rest of the state, see our Colorado Christmas events for kids guide.

What Rally found in Lakewood

  • 7 Christmas events for kids in Lakewood
  • 1 free event, including Lakewood Lights
  • Meet Santa: Lakewood Lights (December 3)
  • Parades and tree lightings: Lakewood Lights (December 3)
  • Also on the list: 6 Christmas shows and 1 craft workshop
  • Season: November 27 (The Children's Nutcracker, Dance Conservatory of Denver) to December 23 (The Nutcracker Miniature, Colorado Dance Center)
  • Every date checked on the host’s own site on Nov 10

Free Christmas events for kids in Lakewood

Tree lightingFree

Lakewood Lights

Expand to see the parent tip

Lakewood's free seasonal kickoff fills its history park with holiday lights. Choirs and performance groups appear at the Gazebo, where the lighting ceremony is held with carols, and kids can make an ornament before warming up with cocoa and cookies in the park's diner. Santa greets families in his workshop inside the Visitor Center.

It takes place Thursday, December 3, 2026 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, with the lighting ceremony at 5:30 pm. Admission and Santa visits are free, and cocoa and cookies carry a suggested $1 donation. Santa is in the Visitor Center from 3:00 pm, with sensory-friendly visits from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, first come, first served.

Parent tip: Head to the Visitor Center first to join the Santa queue, which is handled by text message, then explore the lights until your turn comes up. Most of the evening is outdoors, so dress everyone for a December night.

Host
City of Lakewood, Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park (opens in a new tab)
Address
Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S Yarrow St, Lakewood, CO 80226 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom City of Lakewood, Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park (opens in a new tab)

New Lakewood events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Lakewood daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Lakewood.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 6 more Lakewood events researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Lakewood.
  • Exclusive access to free events Find the free Christmas events in Lakewood before they fill up.
  • Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

Coming up on this page

  • 6 Shows
  • 1 Santa
  • 1 Lights
  • 1 Crafts
  • 1 Free

Enter your email to get new Christmas events in Lakewood every week.

Free. One email a week with new events in Lakewood. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy

Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Lakewood

Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.

Holiday show

The Children's Nutcracker, Dance Conservatory of Denver

Expand to see the parent tip

Students from the Dance Conservatory of Denver, some as young as 3, dance this version of the holiday ballet. The cast is made up entirely of the school's own students, and the show is aimed at children of all ages rather than seasoned ballet audiences.

Performances run Friday, November 27 through Sunday, November 29, 2026 at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Tickets are $50, which includes a $6 fee, and each day's showtimes are listed on the Lakewood ticket site. The show lasts 2 hours with a 10 minute intermission.

Parent tip: Two hours is a long sit for a 3 year old, so save the snack and bathroom trip for the 10 minute intermission. Look over the showtimes on the ticket page and pick the one that fits around naps.

Host
Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)
Address
Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80226 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)

New Lakewood events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Lakewood daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Lakewood.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Holiday show

A Very Motown Christmas, Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra

Expand to see the parent tip

The small band from the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra plays an evening of holiday music in the style of well known Motown artists. The group performs this soulful, groove-driven seasonal set only once a year.

The concert is Thursday, December 3, 2026 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy. Tickets start at $31 including a $6 fee, and senior, student and group pricing is available. The ticket page lists it for all ages.

Parent tip: This is a weeknight evening concert rather than a show built for small children, so it suits older kids who can sit through a full set of live music. Ask about student pricing when you book.

Host
Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)
Address
Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80226 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)

New Lakewood events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Lakewood daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Lakewood.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Holiday show

Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers: Be of Good Cheer

Expand to see the parent tip

Jon Chandler, Mary Huckins and Ernie Martinez lead a group of Colorado western, folk and bluegrass players through acoustic holiday favorites and a handful of new songs. Guitar, harmonica, keyboards and just about every stringed instrument share the stage in an Americana concert that returns to the Lakewood Cultural Center each December.

There are three performances: Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 pm, each scheduled for 90 minutes. Tickets range from $36 to $71 through the Lakewood Cultural Center box office. Parking at the center is free.

Parent tip: Choose one of the 2:00 pm matinees with kids, since the Saturday evening show does not finish until about 9:00 pm. Ninety minutes of acoustic music works best for school-age children who already enjoy live bands.

Host
Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)
Address
Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80226 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)

New Lakewood events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Lakewood daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Lakewood.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Holiday show

The Nutcracker, Ballet Ariel

Expand to see the parent tip

Ballet Ariel, in its 28th anniversary season, stages a new production of The Nutcracker danced to Tchaikovsky's score. The story follows Clara from the holiday party through the Land of Snow to the Sugar Plum Fairy's castle, with detailed costumes along the way.

Showtimes are Friday, December 11, 2026 at 6:30 pm, Saturday, December 12 at 2:00 pm and 6:30 pm, and Sunday, December 13 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $44, $56 or $68 including a $6 fee, and group discounts are available. All ages are welcome.

Parent tip: The Saturday and Sunday 2:00 pm matinees are easier on young children than the 6:30 pm curtains. There are three price levels, so look at the seat map when you book and choose a spot where a small child can see the stage.

Host
Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)
Address
Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80226 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)

New Lakewood events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Lakewood daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Lakewood.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Holiday show

The Nutcracker, Ballet Melange

Expand to see the parent tip

Ballet Melange and students from its academy perform the full-length Nutcracker, choreographed and staged by Elizabeth Shipiatsky after Vainonen and Petipa. In this telling the girl who receives the Nutcracker doll from Uncle Drosselmeyer is called Masha, and the production uses costumes from Russia and Ukraine along with projections created for the company.

Performances run Friday, December 18 through Sunday, December 20, 2026 at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Tickets are $46 including a $6 fee, with child and senior discounts available. Each day's showtimes are listed on the ticket page.

Parent tip: This is the complete ballet and the organizers suggest ages 3 and older, so save it for children who can stay seated through a long story. Ask for the child discount when you buy.

Host
Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)
Address
Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80226 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)

New Lakewood events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Lakewood daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Lakewood.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Holiday show

The Nutcracker Miniature, Colorado Dance Center

Expand to see the parent tip

An all-youth cast from Colorado Dance Center tells the Nutcracker story through a mix of ballet, contemporary and hip-hop. The studio runs a non-competitive program for dancers ages 3 to 18, so everyone on stage is a child or teen.

Shows are Tuesday, December 22 and Wednesday, December 23, 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Tickets are $25 including a $3 fee and went on sale November 2. The ticket page describes the show as family friendly.

Parent tip: The page warns that flashing lights and fog machine effects may be used, so prepare children who are sensitive to either. With only two performances in the last days before Christmas, book ahead if you have a date in mind.

Host
Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)
Address
Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80226 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Lakewood Cultural Center (opens in a new tab)

New Lakewood events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Lakewood daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Lakewood.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

We check every event above on the host’s own page for the date, time and cost, plus the things parents ask about, like sign-ups and ages. Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Colorado Christmas train rides page.

See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each Lakewood Christmas event for kids happens

The first is The Children's Nutcracker, Dance Conservatory of Denver in Lakewood on November 27; the last runs to December 23. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.

Looking further afield? Our Colorado Christmas events for kids guide lists every event we have found in the state, and we have city guides for Denver, Westminster, CO, Littleton and Thornton. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

2026 Christmas events are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Lakewood

Lakewood's Christmas season is switched on in a history park. Each December the city lights up the 20th-century buildings of Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, where cocoa and cookies are served in an old diner and the lighting ceremony takes place at a gazebo.

How Lakewood celebrates

The city's main tradition is Lakewood Lights, a free annual celebration at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park on South Yarrow Street. City sources call it annual without giving a founding year. A 2019 report describes it at what was then the Lakewood Heritage Center, with 15 historic buildings decorated, hay wagon rides behind a vintage tractor, roasted chestnuts at the 1930s farmhouse and a Mayor's Tree Lighting. The current version keeps the gazebo ceremony, carols from local high school choirs, an ornament craft and free Santa visits in the Visitor Center. Nearby, the Lakewood Cultural Center fills December with holiday concerts and several Nutcracker productions.

Christmas last year in Lakewood

In 2025 Lakewood Lights was held on Friday, December 5 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm, with the lighting ceremony at the Gazebo at 5:30 pm led by the mayor and City Council. Sensory-friendly Santa visits ran from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, local high school choirs sang carols, and visitors were asked to bring a nonperishable item for the Pack the Pantry food drive. That same week the Lakewood Cultural Center presented The Broadway Hollywood Holiday Songbook on December 3 and the Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers show Home for the Holidays on December 6 and 7.

Fun facts about Christmas in Lakewood

In 2019, 15 of the park's historic buildings were decorated and eight were open with holiday activities, and visitors voted for their favorite lamp post decorated by local groups. In 2021 the Denver Center for the Performing Arts announced that Camp Christmas, created by Lakewood artist Lonnie Hanzon, would move to the park with about six acres of displays, a mile of garland and 23 pun-themed trees. Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park is marking its 50th anniversary in 2026, and the December 3 Lakewood Lights is one of the anniversary dates.

Traditions today

  • Lakewood Lights: The city's free annual holiday evening decorates Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park with lights and brings families out for music, crafts and Santa.
  • Gazebo lighting ceremony: The lights are switched on at the park's Gazebo at 5:30 pm with carols, and in 2025 the mayor and City Council led the ceremony.
  • Santa's workshop at the Visitor Center: Santa meets children indoors at the Heritage Lakewood Visitor Center, with a sensory-friendly session before the main event begins.
  • Cocoa and cookies in the diner: Hot cocoa and cookies are served in the park's diner for a suggested $1 donation.
  • Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers: Jon Chandler, Mary Huckins and Ernie Martinez return to the Lakewood Cultural Center each December with an acoustic Americana holiday concert.
  • The RINK at Belmar: The Belmar shopping district lists a Holiday Tree Lighting on November 20 and an outdoor skating season at The Plaza from November 20, 2026 to January 31, 2027.

A fact for kids

At Lakewood Lights you do not have to stand in line for Santa. You give a phone number, go and look at the lights, and Santa's elves send a text when it is your turn.

Questions about Christmas in Lakewood

What is Lakewood Lights?

Lakewood Lights is the city's free annual holiday celebration at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park. The history park is decorated with lights, and the evening includes a lighting ceremony at the Gazebo, choir performances, an ornament craft, cocoa and cookies in the diner, and free visits with Santa.

Where does Lakewood hold its holiday lighting ceremony?

The ceremony is at the Gazebo in Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S. Yarrow St. The park is a 20th-century history park, museum and festival grounds run by the city. Santa's visits take place indoors at the park's Visitor Center.

When did Lakewood Lights begin?

City pages describe Lakewood Lights as an annual event but do not give a founding year. A news report from December 2019 shows it already well established at the Lakewood Heritage Center, with a Mayor's Tree Lighting and a Green Mountain High School choir performing.

What was Lakewood Lights like in earlier years?

In 2019 it ran on a Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Fifteen historic buildings were decorated, hay wagons were pulled by a vintage tractor, chestnuts were roasted at the 1930s farmhouse, and there were holiday crafts, dreidel and gelt, and free photos with Santa.

What happened at Lakewood Lights in 2025?

The 2025 event was on Friday, December 5 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm. Lakewood's mayor and City Council led the 5:30 pm lighting at the Gazebo, high school choirs sang carols, families made keepsake ornaments, and visitors brought nonperishable food for the Pack the Pantry drive.

When is Lakewood Lights in 2026?

The city lists Lakewood Lights for Thursday, December 3, 2026 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, with the tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 pm. It is also one of the dates tied to the 50th anniversary of Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, which the city is celebrating throughout 2026.

What was Camp Christmas in Lakewood?

Camp Christmas was a holiday installation from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Hanzon Studios. In 2021 it was announced for Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, running November 18 to January 2 across about six acres and several historic structures, with Lakewood artist Lonnie Hanzon as Camp Director.

What holiday shows does the Lakewood Cultural Center present?

The center at 470 S. Allison Parkway hosts holiday concerts and dance each December. In 2025 its own series offered The Broadway Hollywood Holiday Songbook and the Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers. The 2026 calendar adds several Nutcracker productions and a Canadian Brass holiday concert on December 16.

Can children with sensory needs visit Santa in Lakewood?

Yes. Lakewood Lights sets aside sensory-friendly Santa visits from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, before the main event starts. Visits are free and first come, first served at the Heritage Lakewood Visitor Center. The city asks for 48 hours of notice for other accommodation requests.

Is there ice skating in Lakewood at Christmas?

The Belmar shopping district lists The RINK at Belmar at The Plaza from November 20, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Its events page also shows a Holiday Tree Lighting on November 20 to open the season, though it gives no times.

Sources

  1. Lakewood Lights (2026 event listing), City of Lakewood
  2. Lakewood Lights (news release, November 18, 2025), City of Lakewood
  3. Lakewood Lights: Activities, Schedule, Entertainment (December 2, 2019), Patch
  4. LCC announces two distinctive holiday performances (October 28, 2025), City of Lakewood
  5. Happy Birthday: Heritage Lakewood is celebrating 50 years of community, City of Lakewood
  6. A camp-ier Camp Christmas (September 27, 2021), Denver Center for the Performing Arts
  7. Lakewood Lights brightens the season, Mile High on the Cheap
  8. LCC Presents The Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers, City of Lakewood
  9. Arts and Culture Events, City of Lakewood
  10. Tree Lighting + RINK at Belmar Opening, Belmar

Keep the Christmas magic going: track Rally the corgi on Christmas Eve, print free Christmas coloring pages, learn how to say Merry Christmas in 100+ languages, find train museums to visit with kids, or browse Christmas events in every Colorado city.

Lakewood Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in Lakewood to start with?

Start with Lakewood Lights on Thursday, December 3, 2026 at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, a free evening with a lighting ceremony, an ornament craft and Santa. For a first ballet, The Children's Nutcracker runs November 27 to 29 at the Lakewood Cultural Center with a cast of students ages 3 and up.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Lakewood?

Yes. Lakewood Lights on December 3, 2026 is free to attend, and visits with Santa in the Visitor Center are free too. Cocoa and cookies in the park's diner carry a suggested $1 donation. The holiday shows at the Lakewood Cultural Center are all ticketed.

Where can kids meet Santa in Lakewood?

Santa has a workshop in the Heritage Lakewood Visitor Center during Lakewood Lights on December 3, 2026. Visits run from 3:00 pm, with sensory-friendly visits from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Meet-and-greets are free and first come, first served, and the queue is managed by text message so families can explore while they wait.

Which Nutcracker in Lakewood is best for young children?

The Children's Nutcracker, November 27 to 29, 2026, features Dance Conservatory of Denver students ages 3 and up. The Nutcracker Miniature on December 22 and 23 has an all-youth cast and adds hip-hop. Ballet Ariel, December 11 to 13, and Ballet Melange, December 18 to 20, stage fuller productions that suit children who can sit longer.

Which Lakewood holiday events need tickets?

Every show at the Lakewood Cultural Center is ticketed through the Lakewood ticket site or box office. Listed prices include $25 for The Nutcracker Miniature, $46 for Ballet Melange, $50 for The Children's Nutcracker, and $44 to $68 for Ballet Ariel. Lakewood Lights on December 3 needs no ticket.

Are there holiday concerts for families in Lakewood?

Two. A Very Motown Christmas with the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra is Thursday, December 3, 2026, the same evening as Lakewood Lights. Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers: Be of Good Cheer brings acoustic Americana on December 5 and 6, with 2:00 pm matinees both days that suit children better than the Saturday evening show.

Are there Christmas train rides for kids near Lakewood?

Santa trains and holiday train rides have their own guide: Rally Takes the Train’s Colorado Christmas train rides guide. This Lakewood guide covers Santa visits, story times, light shows and other events off the rails.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 10, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Christmas Events for Kids in Lancaster, OH (2026)
Next

Christmas Events for Kids in Lake Zurich (2026)