Denver in November: weather, events and what to know

November in Denver is cool, dry and often sunny, with real winter arriving in the mountains. Clocks fell back on November 1, so afternoons end early. Crowds stay moderate until the holiday weeks, and ski season starts to open resorts one by one.

Updated 2026-11-01

November at a glance

Typical temperatures: Highs in the low 50s °F, lows around the mid 20s (approximate; varies a lot day to day)
Precipitation: Mostly dry, with a few inches of snow possible in the city and much more in the mountains
Daylight: Clocks fell back Sunday, November 1; sunset is before 5 p.m. most of the month
Crowd level: Low to medium, rising for Thanksgiving week and early-season ski weekends
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026

Weather in Denver in November and what to pack

Denver swings fast. A 65°F afternoon can follow a snowy morning, and the dry air makes temperatures feel different in sun and shade. Pack layers, not a single heavy coat.

A warm jacket, plus a fleece or sweater for layering.

A hat and gloves for mornings and evenings (and mountain trips).

Sunglasses and sunscreen: UV is strong at altitude even in winter.

Waterproof boots with grip if you plan any mountain or trail time.

Lip balm and moisturizer for the dry air; drink extra water at 5,280 feet.

Daylight shrinks through the month: sunset moves from about 4:56 p.m. on November 1 to about 4:36 p.m. by November 30, with sunrise shifting from about 6:30 a.m. to about 7:01 a.m..

Top events in Denver in November 2026

5 events

Dates as of 2026-11-01; confirm with the organizer.

HALF PRICE: Denver Broncos v Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, November 01, 2:25 PM local (2026-11-01T21:25:00.000Z) · Empower Field At Mile High Ticketed evening show at Empower Field At Mile High on Sunday, November 01.
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, November 01, 2:25 PM local (2026-11-01T21:25:00.000Z) · Empower Field At Mile High Ticketed evening show at Empower Field At Mile High on Sunday, November 01.
Mohammed Assaf Sunday, November 01, 6:00 PM local (2026-11-02T01:00:00.000Z) · Fillmore Auditorium (Denver) Ticketed evening show at Fillmore Auditorium (Denver) on Sunday, November 01.
Beauty And The Beast (Touring) Sunday, November 01, 6:30 PM local (2026-11-02T01:30:00.000Z) · Buell Theatre Ticketed evening show at Buell Theatre on Sunday, November 01.
Teddy Swims: The UGLY Tour Sunday, November 01, 7:00 PM local (2026-11-02T02:00:00.000Z) · Ball Arena Ticketed evening show at Ball Arena on Sunday, November 01.

Also in Denver in November

seasonal picks

Recurring seasonal events and holidays. Dates move year to year, confirm with the organizer.

Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. Ceremonies and events around the city; check local listings for times.
Denver Veterans Day Run, Saturday, November 14. 5K, 10K and rucksack-challenge options; see denverveteransday.com.
Denver Christkindlmarket, about November 20 to December 23. A German-style holiday market at Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus. Dates come from a third-party market listing, so confirm with the organizer.
Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26. Many restaurants close or run special menus; book early.
Ski season openings. Resorts open on a rolling basis depending on snow; check each resort's opening date and snow report.
Sports and shows: check Broncos, Nuggets and Avalanche schedules and venue calendars for game nights.

Crowds, prices and what to book ahead

Calmest: early to mid November, Tuesday through Thursday. Busiest: Thanksgiving week and any weekend with a home game or early-season ski conditions. Book ahead: Thanksgiving dinner (directly with restaurants), holiday-market weekends and ski-resort lodging. Mountain driving: from fall through spring, I-70 can require traction devices during winter weather. Check CDOT road conditions before you go.

What changes in Denver in November

Earlier dark. Plan sightseeing and trail walks for the middle of the day.

Mountain roads and parks. High-elevation roads (such as Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park) usually close for the season by now; check National Park Service road status.

Patios thin out; breweries and indoor rooms fill up.

Red Rocks: show season winds down, but the trails and visitor center stay open when conditions allow.

Best things to do in November

5 picks

Visit the Denver Art Museum or History Colorado on a chilly day.

Walk Union Station and Larimer Square, then head to a RiNo brewery.

Hike the foothills at Red Rocks or Golden on a sunny afternoon.

Take a day trip to Boulder or a nearby mountain town for early-season snow.

Browse the Christkindlmarket once it opens.

Full Denver visitor guide

Sample November itinerary

Day 1: Union Station for coffee, a stroll through LoDo, an afternoon at the Denver Art Museum, and dinner in RiNo.

Day 2: A morning hike near Red Rocks or Golden, lunch in town, and an evening at a brewery or live-music room.

Questions

6 answers

Is Denver worth visiting in November?

Yes, especially for crisp sunny weather, museums, breweries and early ski-season access, with lighter crowds than summer.

What should I wear in Denver in November?

Layers: a warm jacket, fleece, hat, gloves and waterproof boots, plus sunglasses and sunscreen.

Does it snow in Denver in November?

Often a little. Storms can be sudden but usually melt quickly; the mountains get much more.

When do clocks change?

Daylight saving time ended at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Can I still drive into the Rockies?

Many routes stay open, but some high roads close for the season, and winter traction rules can apply. Check road conditions first.

What events are in Denver in November 2026?

Highlights include Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11.; Denver Veterans Day Run, Saturday, November 14.; Denver Christkindlmarket, about November 20 to December 23.; Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26.; Ski season openings.; Sports and shows:; HALF PRICE: Denver Broncos v Kansas City Chiefs on November 01; Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs on November 01; Mohammed Assaf on November 01; Beauty And The Beast (Touring) on November 01; Teddy Swims: The UGLY Tour on November 01. See the live calendar for concerts and nightly shows.