Christkindl Market, ’80s overload, fancy houses and more things to do in Denver this weekend

‘Tis the season — already?!

Through Dec. 23.  Say what you will about the Christmas decorations already littering people’s yards, but there’s no denying our thirst for holiday comfort (and drinks). That’s why the pre-Thanksgiving debut of downtown Denver’s Christkindl Market this weekend makes sense: The old world-style market, which runs Nov. 16-Dec. 23 at Skyline Park on the 16th Street Mall, is all about familiarity. This year’s 18th annual version brings back the Glühwein (mulled spiced wine), Bavarian-style beer and hot cocoa, along with local, European-style holiday crafts. Snack on German pretzels, soup, smoked salmon and sausages while you check out live entertainment and cozy up in the Festival Hall. Lederhosen optional. Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 1515 Arapahoe St. Free admission. christkindlmarketdenver.com

Home(s) for the holidays

Friday and Saturday. South Denver’s tidy Belcaro and Bonnie Brae neighborhoods are known as much for their historic homes as the food and drink that surrounds them, which makes this weekend’s L’Esprit de Noël Holiday Home Tour both a launchpad for a day on the town and a destination in itself. Organized by the Central City Opera Guild as a fundraiser for its high-country arts nonprofit, the tour includes a half-dozen homes decked out for the season by area florists and table designers. Check out this 42nd annual walking tour 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 16-17 for $28 online or $30 at King Soopers grocery stores — and at the door of the first home, 740 S. Jackson St. A $50 “supporter” ticket includes a $20 donation to the Central City Opera. centralcityopera.org

Back to the future

Sunday. As the definition of retro continually updates itself, this weekend’s third Denver Retro Con will be sure to include plenty of 1970s through ’90s baubles: lunch boxes, fashion and toys, yes, but also interactive elements like arcade games, retro hair and make-up makeovers, Lego sculptures (and a play area), an ’80s fashion show, costume contest, TV and movie trivia, and ’80s karaoke. To wrap it up, the Con is holding a Prince-Off, in which attendees can unleash their inner Purple One to win Retro Con cash (good at any booth). Denver writer and DJ Jason Heller will also pull double duty by spinning tunes and, at noon, talking about his book, “Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music and the decade Sci-Fi Exploded.” 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Ramada Plaza Denver North, 10 E. 120th Ave. in Northglenn. $6-$8 per person; kids under 12 and cosplayers free. $12 for early-bird entry at 10 a.m. denverretrocon.com

Fresh voices in dance

Saturday and Sunday. As part of the 11th annual Neustadt JAAMM Festival, which began last month and closes Nov. 18, savvy Denver dance company Wonderbound is stepping out of its usual routine with Wonderlab. The collaboration with the Mizel Arts and Culture Center finds company members Morgan Sicklick, Sarah Tallman and Ben Youngstone choreographing new ballets with live, original music from Denver’s Jesse Manley, Annie Aqua, Emily Rose Lewis, David Short and Dean Hirschfield. While it debuted on Thursday, there are still shows at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 and 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Elaine Wolf Theater,350 S. Dahlia St. $30-$36. jccdenver.org/wonderlab

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