Enjoy Gorgeous Lights, Great Hotel Deals As Low As $52.80 and More

DENVER, Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Denver officially begins celebrating Mile High Holidays over Thanksgiving Weekend as the Grand Illumination of downtown Denver sees more than 600,000 twinkling lights throughout downtown turned on for the first time. The lights will provide a sparkling backdrop to a weekend in Denver full of shopping, seasonal events and great hotel deals.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131023/DC02949)

Enjoy a weekend excursion and take advantage of deals from some of Denver's best hotels, with rates starting as low as the "mile high" price of $52.80* (Denver is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level).

Here are 10 highlights of Thanksgiving Weekend in Denver. For more Mile High Holiday Weekend events and information, go to MileHighHolidays.com.

Ooh and Ah at the Grand Illumination of Downtown DenverNovember 29The Grand Illumination event lights up downtown Denver with nearly 600,000 lights from Union Station to the City and County Building. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. at Union Station with carolers, food, drink, and family friendly activities.

Experience a Holiday Classic at the Denver Center for Performing Arts - A Christmas CarolNovember 29-December 29Denver's holiday tradition returns! Based on Charles Dickens' classic novel, this joyous and opulent musical adaptation traces Ebenezer Scrooge's triumphant journey to redemption. A Christmas Carol illuminates the meaning of the holiday season and is a beloved tradition for many families.

Let Someone Else Do The Cooking On ThanksgivingNovember 28Not in the mood to baste that turkey? Take the night off and hit the town! Some of Denver's best restaurants want to cook you a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner this year.

Take a Trip to the Art World of ParisThrough February 9, 2014Take a trip to Paris, without leaving The Mile High City. This holiday season, the Denver Art Museum (DAM) presents Passport to Paris, a suite of three French-themed exhibitions, featuring masterpieces by Cezanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, and will feature more Monet in Denver than ever before! Skip the lines and take advantage of great hotel packages with VIP tickets at parisindenver.com.

Uncover the Truth with The MythBustersThrough January 5, 2014Uncover the truth behind some of science's popular myths! Just like the dynamic TV series, the fully interactive Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition mixes scientific method with gleeful curiosity and old-fashioned ingenuity to create a hands-on – and yes, explosive – experience for guests of all ages.

Get Your Holiday Shopping Done EarlyCross some loved ones off your holiday gift list early this year! Cherry Creek North's 16 blocks are filled with holiday lights and decor and the region's largest collection of independently owned boutiques. Browse 160 upscale shops at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Other options include Denver Pavilions and Larimer Square, Belmar Shopping + Dining District, IKEA, and Park Meadows Retail Resort.

Warm to the Glow of Blossoms of LightDecember 1, 2013-January 1, 2014Embrace the holiday season at Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens. More than one million colorful lights draped in elegant designs highlight the Gardens' winter beauty. Romantic and popular kissing spots will return, as well as the always-anticipated HoloSpex glasses. Warm drinks and tasty treats will also be available.

Take a Spin on the Ice – for FREE – at the Southwest Rink at Skyline ParkNovember 30, 2013-February 17, 2014Skyline Park is the place to be this holiday season! Southwest Airlines and the Downtown Denver Partnership invite you to grab your family and friends and head to 16th and Arapahoe in Downtown Denver to the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park! Skating is free with your own skates, or rentals are available for just $2.

Celebrate the Season With Mannheim Steamroller ChristmasNovember 30-December 1Two nights only! Mannheim Steamroller Christmas has been America's favorite holiday celebration for more than 25 years. Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features beloved Christmas music along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in the Buell Theatre's intimate setting.

Visit The Old World at the Denver Christkindl MarketNovember 22- December 21Relive a centuries old German tradition at the annual Denver Christkindl. The sights, sounds and flavors of the holiday season with a German flair arrive on the 16th Street Mall. Music, holiday lights and typical vendor cabins will fill Skyline Park area across from the Daniels & Fisher Clock Tower.

Hotel rates are based on availability and subject to change. Not valid on New Year's Eve. Additional restrictions may apply.

About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors BureauCelebrating more than 100 years of promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. Tourism is the second largest industry in Denver, generating $3.6 billion in annual spending in 2012, while supporting nearly 50,000 jobs. Learn more about Denver on the VISITDENVER website and at TOURISMPAYSDENVER, on Twitter @iknowdenver and the VISIT DENVER Facebook page, or by phone at 800 2 DENVER.

With press or photo inquiries, please contact:Rich Grant: (303) 571-9450 or rgrant@visitdenver.comDeborah Park: (303) 571-9451 or dpark@visitdenver.com

SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau

RELATED LINKShttp://www.visitdenver.com