Governor’s holiday home
We all love to decorate our homes for the holidays, even governors. The stately Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion (400 E. Eighth Ave.) is open for free tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Dec. 6. The tours run again Dec. 10-13. It has been fully decorated inside and out for the holidays, with the theme “Colorful Colorado.” The tour of the entire main floor includes a peek at the Great Hall and the State Dining Room among others. No reservations are accepted. However, large groups are encouraged to e-mail info@grpfund.org in advance. Tours are at the pace of the visitor and may last from 20 to 45 minutes.
Night light
You can’t hold a candle to the beauty of this annual family-friendly tradition in Golden. Oh, wait, you can. Olde Golden Christmas continues its tradition of a candlelight walk Friday at 6 p.m., with hundreds of candle-holding carolers strolling their way down Washington Avenue. The end of the journey includes lots of festive holiday fun, with snacks, activities and more. It gets even brighter, as Santa flips the switch on thousands of lights to illuminate the night through the end of the year. New this year, fireworks will light the sky following the walk. Plus, Clear Creek History Park will be lit to add even more holiday cheer. Bring your own candle or purchase one (or a glow stick) for $1.
Step it up
Holiday parades abound this time of year, but the signature event for Denver is the 9News Parade of Lights on Friday at 8 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. See marching bands, dazzling floats, giant balloon characters and horse-drawn carriages illuminated with sparkling lights. Our spies tell us to expect an appearance by Major Waddles the Penguin and Santa Claus. Spectators can take it all in for free along the two-mile route: on Tremont between 14th and 17th streets, on 17th from Tremont to Arapahoe, on Arapahoe between 17th and 15th streets and on 15th from Arapahoe to Glenarm. To avoid parking hassles, take RTD Light Rail and/or the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle. Mall shuttles will not operate during the one-hour parade but will be running before and after. RTD’s Light Rail H, F and D lines will bring you directly to the parade route. However, during the parade, these lines will be temporarily suspended on Stout and California between 14th and 18th streets.
Lakewood shines
Lakewood shines a bit brighter following the mayor’s tree lighting on Friday and Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Heritage Center (801 S. Yarrow St.). Both evenings offer free museum tours, free tractor pulled hay-wagon rides, free photos with Santa, hot cocoa and holiday cookies for $1 each in the White Way Grill, holiday ornament making in the Country School and gift shopping in the 20th Century Emporium.
Santa’s Boulder house
Santa’s House has been a Boulder tradition since 1972 and is a great way to start the holiday season. On Dec. 5 and 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the festively decorated house, play carnival games for 25 cents each, be entertained with musical performers and enjoy stories from Mother Goose. Plus, there’s a bake sale for to satisfy any sweet tooth. The comfortable, homey atmosphere is the perfect setting for infants and younger children to tell Santa what they want for Christmas. Admission is $4 per person at the Pi Beta Phi House, 890 11th St., Boulder. Proceeds are donated to local children’s charities.
Every Saturday, Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez at compile “Cheap Checklist” to help smart shoppers find freebies, discounts and deals. Send tips to info@milehighonthecheap.com 10 to 14 days in advance.
