Cherry Creek North’s holiday season has an official start: on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, the district holds its “A Holiday Less Ordinary” kickoff with the Million Light Plug-in, when the more than one million lights strung through the 16-block shopping district switch on for the winter, and the unveiling of the Giving Machines, vending machines that let you buy a gift for a local organization instead of for yourself. Cherry Creek North has not posted a start time or an exact spot for the ceremony yet, so check its Winter Wanderland events page before you head over.
The kickoff also opens the rest of Winter Wanderland, which Cherry Creek North describes as a series of free outdoor events through November and December: the lights themselves, Windows Less Ordinary storefront displays, a Holiday Cherry Hunt, Festive Sips at businesses around the district, Small Business Weekend after Thanksgiving, and the seventh annual Cherry Creek Holiday Market on Fillmore Plaza, which opens the same day and runs through Christmas Eve with live music and local makers. Everything outdoors is free; the market is free to browse.
Know before you go
- When: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026 (time not listed)
- Where: Cherry Creek North shopping district, Denver, CO 80206; the Holiday Market is on Fillmore Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Who: All ages
- Details: Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland events
More like this: Denver · Seasonal · Free Things to Do · Holiday Lights, Markets and Tree Lightings in Denver and Wheat Ridge, 2026 · Cherry Creek Holiday Market, Nov. 19-Dec. 24 · The Mile High Tree, Nov. 20-Dec. 31 · Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens
