Free and cheap things to do in Denver in December

Pet photos with Santa

Santa Claus knows when your furry family members are being naughty or nice. Make them part of all your holiday traditions, including getting a photo with the big guy. Both Petco and PetSmart are hosting events for pets to meet Santa. Santa is making an appearance at Petco at select locations on Dec. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. On Dec. 16 and 17, PetSmart is hosting its Paws & Claus photo event from noon to 3 p.m. (Hours may vary by location at both stores, so check first.) Reservations are required at PetSmart. The Shops at Northfield (I-70 and Central Park Boulevard) in Denver are hosting a meet-and-greet with Santa on Dec. 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. petco.com; petsmart.com; shopsatnorthfield.com/events

Target gift cards

This weekend is right on target for holiday savings. On Dec. 2 and 3, get 10 percent off Target gift cards in-store or online. The offer is only available to Target Circle members. The one-time-use discount is only valid for a single transaction, so make sure all of the gift cards (in whatever denominations) are purchased at the same time. target.com/circle

Snarf’s SAMta event

Snarf’s Sandwiches is offering customers a chance to meet SAMta. Who? Sam is part of the trio (including Bev and Chip) that make up the popular local sandwich shop’s famous mascots. The 9-foot-tall Sam is making his first appearance as at Snarf’s Sandwiches (1490 S. Broadway) in Denver on Dec. 3 from 1 to 5 p.m. Each child will receive a free gift bag; the first 100 children will also go home with a free Snarf Scarf. Plus, a photographer will be on-site taking free photos to share. For more places around town to meet Santa Claus, visit milehighontheheap.com/meet-santa-denver-boulder. eatsnarfs.com

Holiday Pie Palooza

Sample, sip and shop your way to a tasty solution for the perfect holiday treat or gift. The Holiday Pie Palooza is Dec. 7 at the Kitchen Network (1895 Quebec St.) in Denver. From 5 to 8 p.m., the evet includes free tastings from local dessert businesses, beverage tastings, food trucks, a pie eating contest (with prizes!), a DJ and performances by students from the Denver School of the Arts. Participating vendors include Hinman’s Pies, D-Bar, Dirt Coffee, Bully Boy Baking, The Helping Hen, Totally Nutz and others. Tickets are $10 at the door or $7 online. Kids 5 and under get in for free. Proceeds benefit the Denver School of the Arts. eventbrite.com

Visit the Village

The Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center (25690 E. Quincy Ave.) in Aurora is the site of Visit The Village on Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Holiday revelers of all ages can spend the day strolling through a Village Marketplace with local craft and artisan vendors; enjoy make-and-take crafts; meet with Santa; take horse-drawn carriage rides; and participate in lots of children’s activities (including a petting farm). Treats available for purchase. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased onsite. Children 2 and under are admitted for free. One member per family can get in for free by donating a new, unwrapped gift for any age. arapahoecountyeventcenter.com/visitthevillage

Boulder’s Freezie Fest

Celebrate winter and all things snowmen in Downtown Boulder (1300 Pearl St.). This year’s annual Freezie Fest is on Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy visits with Santa, train rides on the Snowflake Express, holiday crafts and loads of festive family activities along the Pearl Street Mall and beyond. Freezie Fest is also the last day to play Find Freezie. Find as many Freezies as you can in downtown Boulder businesses for a chance to win a gift card. boulderdowntown.com/light-up-the-holidays/events/freezie-fest

Superior Winter Festival

The Superior Winter Festival is a two-day extravaganza on Dec. 9 and 10 at the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road) from 1 to 5 p.m. each day. The weekend celebration will offer something for everyone — naughty or nice. Shop local vendors (including food) at the Winter Market. Plus, families will enjoy meeting Santa, a reindeer encounter, riding The Polar Express, live music and more. Admission is free. superiorchamber.com/winter-festival

Teriyaki Madness BOGO

Chicken teriyaki lovers should get ready to be “bowled over.” Teriyaki Madness is celebrating National Chicken Teriyaki Day with a sweet (and savory) deal. On Dec. 11, buy a Chicken Teriyaki Bowl and get another bowl for free at the eatery. The offer is only available for Mad Rewards members. Join on or before Dec. 10 to enjoy the discount. Plus, every loyalty member who places on order on Dec. 11 will be entered to win free bowls for a year, with up to 25 winners. There are 12 locations in Colorado. teriyakimadness.com/national-chicken-teriyaki-day

TubaChristmas

Hundreds of tubas, euphoniums and other low-register brass instruments spread holiday cheer on Dec. 17 at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The holiday music is in the air from 11 a.m. to noon as part of TubaChristmas 2023, a nationwide series of free concerts performed by local, volunteer musicians. Afterward, jump on the free 16th Street Mall shuttle and explore downtown for holiday shopping and more festive fun. Thankfully the event is on Sunday because metered parking is free in Denver that day. tubachristmas.com

Comfort Dental

Many people fear the dentist not because of pain, but because of the expense. Comfort Dental is giving a generous gift to those who otherwise cannot afford care. On Dec. 23, the dental network is hosting its annual Care Day with free services from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Patients are assisted first-come, first-served, so plan accordingly. Choose from a variety of basic dental services, from a cleaning to an extraction. More serious issues are handled individually at the staff’s discretion. There are dozens of locations throughout Colorado. comfortdental.com/care-day

Recycle holiday lights

If you have broken, burned-out or impossibly tangled sets of holiday lights, don’t just throw them away in the trash. Recycle them for free instead. Thanks to Denver’s recycling program, locals can recycle holiday lights from Dec. 1 to 31 at two different locations – Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-Off (intersection of S. Quebec and E. Cherry Creek South Drive) and Blue Star Recyclers (953 Decatur St.). Days and hours vary by location. Light strings and wires for incandescent, LED, and icicle lights are all acceptable. Bubble (liquid-filled) or neon lights are not accepted. denvergov.org

More freebies, discounts and deals at MileHighOnTheCheap.com. Send tips to info@milehighonthecheap.com 14 to 21 days in advance.

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