Denver’s newest holiday tradition is back for another sparkling season. Magical Winter Nights returns to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science from Nov. 25, 2026, through Jan. 2, 2027, transforming the museum’s halls into a glowing winter wonderland after dark.
Guests follow a self-guided evening journey through a series of immersive scenes. Warm up with fireside cocoa in The Lodge, discover an ice castle in the Castle Corridor, glide across an iceless skating rink under the moonlit Savannah Skating scene, and try your luck at the Cryptid Carnival’s playful games. The adventure builds toward an aurora borealis light show, a cozy Après Ski cabin and a Penguin Disco where snow falls to the music.
Every ticket also includes admission to Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids, the museum’s fantastical exhibition where a 17-foot dragon, kraken tentacles and the infamous “Feejee mermaid” meet real science. Most guests spend 45 to 75 minutes exploring.
Museum members save $5 per ticket, and select 21+ nights add seasonal drinks and a relaxed grown-up atmosphere — including an ugly sweater party, an après ski party and a winter solstice celebration. Seasonal snacks, festive cocktails and the keepsake Village Shoppe round out the evening.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
