LOCAL HOSPITALITY

Christmas is officially in the rearview mirror and the annual question starts to surface: How long can the Christmas lights stay up?

In Colorado, there’s a pretty clear answer.

Every January, the National Western Stock Show rolls into Denver, bringing rodeos, livestock shows, stockyards, and a full-on celebration of the state’s Western roots. For 16 days, the Front Range fills with ranchers, farmers, and visitors from across the West. And with them comes a long-standing local custom.

The Christmas lights stay on until the Stock Show ends.

This tradition dates back to the 1940s, when city leaders encouraged residents to leave their holiday lights up as a way to welcome Stock Show visitors during one of the coldest, darkest stretches of the year. The idea was simple: keep the city bright, festive, and inviting while Denver played host to one of its most important annual gatherings.

Over time, it stuck as a signal of western hospitality.

So if you’re looking around the neighborhood wondering whether it’s time to unplug, you’ve got cover. In Colorado, the lights don’t come down when Christmas ends. They come down when the Stock Show does (January 25th this year).

In a place where ranching and urban life have always overlapped, it’s a small but meaningful nod to who Colorado was, and still is.

That’s tradition.

THE BRIEFING

Sunrise 7:22 AM
Sunset 4:46 PM
Snow Report: We need 5 ft…

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TUESDAY

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- Weekly Run Club, 6pm. Run, then beers

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- Trickster Tuesday Family Magic Show, 7-9pm. Laughs 

WEDNESDAY (NYE) 🍾 

The Eddy Taproom & Hotel, Golden- Noon Years Eve PJ Party, 11am-3pm. Kid friendly

The Golden Mill, Golden- 2nd Annual Noon Year’s Eve Celebration, 12-4pm. Festive

Miners Saloon, Golden- Live music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- New Years Eve w/ Dog Log (Phish Tribute), 6-9pm. Rock on

Evermore Wine Cafe, Evergreen- New year’s Eve 4-Course Dinner, 5 or 8pm. Delicious 

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- NYE Party w/ The Living Room Band, 7-10pm. Great music… better company 

Center Stage, Evergreen- Mocha and Mistletoe NYE Movie Party, 8pm. Local Film

Etta Jeanne, Golden- New Years Eve DJ Party, 9pm-1am. Captain Insano spinning beats

THURSDAY

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Cheese Night w/ Cheese Ranch, 5-10pm. Beer pairings

FRIDAY

Ultra Secret Private Water- Winter Fly Fishing Clinic w/ Pat Dorsey. Check it out

Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Fondue Friday, 5pm. Yummy

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Disco Revue “Live Dance Band”, 7pm. Golden Age

SATURDAY

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Start the year right

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Wash Park band, 7pm. Denver’s Premier Funk

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- North Fork Shine, 8pm. Foothills own!

SUNDAY

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Smorgasgrass, 1-5pm. Toetapping Beats

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

MONDAY

Golden Game Guild, Golden- Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

Civic Center Christmas Lights, circa 1953

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See you around the next bend!