Artist Lonnie Hanzon Retired Camp Christmas
The long-running holiday attraction will sell off its massive inventory via four upcoming online auctions.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Seasonal Events
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Artist Lonnie Hanzon has officially retired his immersive holiday attraction, Camp Christmas, after seven years of operation. The production, which once saw peak attendance of 50,000 tickets in Denver, will liquidate its decor and props through a series of online sales.
Why it matters
The closure follows a period of declining attendance and rising operational costs. Hanzon also noted the difficulty of competing in an increasingly crowded local market that now features approximately 60 holiday-themed drinking establishments.
Camp Christmas hosted more than 250,000 visitors throughout its seven-year run. The upcoming liquidation includes items accumulated over 25 years, with four separate auctions planned to clear the warehouse.
The players
Lonnie Hanzon
The artist created and self-funded the final edition of the immersive holiday attraction.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
This cultural organization launched the original Camp Christmas production through its Off-Center program.
The details
The production, originally launched in 2019 by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Off-Center program, failed to maintain its momentum after an attempt to tour the show to Dallas. Assets will be sold through an online platform called Enchantment Bazaar, with Hanzon expecting many of the vintage ornaments, Santas, and antiques to sell for significantly less than their original value.
Timeline
2019: Camp Christmas launched.
2024: The attraction traveled to Dallas for an engagement.
October 2, 2026: Hanzon announced the retirement of Camp Christmas.
October 14, 2026: The first online auction begins.
December 2026: The final online auctions conclude.
Industry Dynamics
The closure reflects a broader shift in holiday entertainment, where localized pop-up bars have crowded out large-scale immersive installations. This trend follows a pattern set by the rise of seasonal holiday-themed pop-up bars, highlighting how consumer preferences have migrated toward smaller, high-frequency nightlife experiences.
Fans of the attraction can bid on show props, vintage ornaments, and antiques through the Enchantment Bazaar online platform starting in mid-October. Items will be auctioned in four distinct segments through December 2026.
The takeaway
The retirement of Camp Christmas serves as a case study in how niche holiday attractions struggle to maintain viability against an influx of low-cost, high-density seasonal competitors. Collectors may find unique opportunities to acquire vintage holiday decor at significantly reduced prices during the upcoming liquidation sales.
Further reading
Learn more about local Seasonal Events happening across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Denver Westword.
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