Holiday Light Displays & Tree Lighting Events Along the Front Range

Whether you're curled up on the couch or bundled up for an outdoor adventure, there's a holiday light show for you!

Holiday light displays and events are listed alphabetically by city. 

Christmas in Color 
Load up your friends and family into your car, truck, or minivan and experience Christmas like never before. Drive through acres of more than 1.5 million lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. You’ll drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways, and more.

Three locations this year: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, Bandimere Speedway, and Water World parking lot.

• November 18–January 1, 2023 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
• 5:30-10:00 PM
• Starting at $35 per vehicle (advance purchase only; tickets not available on-site)
• Use promo code KID2022 for 25% off!

Christmas at Gaylord Rockies
Explore acres of twinkling lights and decorations and exciting holiday activities and events, such as snow tubing and ice skating. Step into ICE!, a wonderland carved by expert artisans out of two million pounds of colorful ice. See the story of A Charlie Brown Christmas!™ in larger-than-life sculptures and even plunge down slides made entirely of ice in this Gaylord Hotels original experience.

• November 18–January 2, 2023
• Prices vary by activity; bundle to save up to 30%
• Macaroni KID readers enjoy up to 20% off ICE! with code MACKID

Holiday Tree Lighting

Watch as thousands of strands of lights illuminate the Aurora Municipal Center. Celebrate the season with holiday-themed activities, treats, live entertainment, and a visit from a very special guest.

• Tuesday, December 6 at 5:00 PM
• FREE!

Holiday Hometown Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Kick off the holiday season with Southlands' annual evening hometown parade. Round out the event with the tree lighting ceremony. Guests may catch a glimpse of some special guests - including Santa himself!

• Saturday, November 19 at 6:00 PM
• FREE!

Lights of December Parade
Spectators will enjoy floats created and decorated by local businesses, churches, schools, and civic groups. The grand finale includes an appearance by the jolly old man himself — Santa Claus! 

• Saturday, December 3 at 6:00 PM
• FREE!

Trail of Lights
Get into the Holiday spirit and enjoy a stroll through the light display at The Ridge Golf Course at Castle Pines!

• December 2–18, 2022 (closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
• 5:00-8:00 PM
• FREE!

Cherry Hills Village Winter Celebration & Tree Lighting
Festivities include horse-drawn hayrides, outdoor games and prizes, seasonal treats, visits with Santa, and the community's annual tree lighting ceremony.

• Friday, December 9 from 6:00-8:00 PM
• FREE!

Santa's Arrival & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Take in the sights and sounds of the holidays with Centennial's favorite grand holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony. Explore the shopping center via Clydesdale carriage rides, dine on cookies and cocoa with elves, and take photos with Santa. Then, top the night off with the annual tree-lighting ceremony.

• Friday, November 18 from 5:00-8:00 PM
• FREE!

Electric Safari
Celebrate holiday lights and cheer with 85 light sculptures on over 50 acres! Warming fires throughout the Zoo and select indoor animal exhibits offer a reprieve from the chill. Advance timed tickets are required; no walk-up tickets are available. Free unlimited visits for members (reserve tickets online).

• Select nights December 2–January 1, 2023
• 5:00-8:30 PM
• Children (3-11): $15.75-$20.75 | Adults (13+): $19.75-$24.75

Cherry Creek Shopping Center's Tree Lighting & After Party
Enjoy hot chocolate, sweet treats, and entertainment in anticipation of lighting the 60’ Christmas tree. After-party festivities include visits with Santa. Reservations for visiting with Santa are recommended.

• Saturday, November 19 from 5:00-7:00 PM
• FREE! Photo packages are available for a fee.

Mile High Tree
Step inside a brilliantly-lit 110-foot-tall immersive art installation. The Mile High Tree puts on a dazzling music and lights show. America’s tallest digital tree and the Denver Christkindlmarket (open November 18–December 23) will converge to offer The Mile High City’s newest holiday celebration.

• November 18–December 31, 2022
• 5:00-10:00 PM
• FREE!

Blossoms of Light
The Gardens’ signature event for over three decades transforms the Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street into a twinkling winter wonderland. Holiday treats and warm drinks will be available for purchase at the Hive Garden Bistro.

• November 18, 2022–January 7, 2023 (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
• 4:30–9:00 PM
• Children (3-15): $20 | Adults: $24 (advance purchase only; tickets not available on-site)

Winter Wanderland
Celebrate the season in Cherry Creek North, Denver’s must-see holiday destination featuring nearly a million twinkling lights wrapping more than 600 trees and an outdoor holiday market (through December 24). Enjoy free treats and entertainment from 5:00-7:00 PM on December 3, 10, and 17.

• November 17–December 24, 2022
• FREE!

Light the Lights
This treasured and long-standing annual celebration returns to its pre-pandemic glory. This year’s program will feature live holiday music performed by the Denver Municipal Band. At approximately 5:15 PM, Mayor Hancock will flip Denver’s giant light switch and turn on the holiday light and music show at Denver's City and County Building. The 8-minute interactive light and music show will place nightly* throughout the holiday season.

• Light the Lights Celebration: Wednesday, November 23, from 4:30-5:30 PM
• Light and Music Show: Nightly (*except Mondays and December 21) through January 22 at 5:45 PM and 6:45 PM
• FREE!

Holiday Lights & Sights Walking Tours

Embark on a fun-filled 1.5-mile walking tour of the Mile High City. Trekkers will visit iconic Denver landmarks such as the D&F Clock Tower, Larimer Square, The Mile High Tree adorned with thousands of Denver Christmas lights, and Christkindl Market (through 12/23). The complete experience lasts approximately 2 hours and ends at Union Station in LoDo.

• Thursdays-Mondays, November 27 through January 1
• Pricing starts at $25.99 per person.

Zoo Lights
One of Denver’s most beloved and popular holiday traditions spans 80 acres with illuminated animal sculptures that swing through trees, jump across lawns, and hide in bushes. The newest installations include enchanting additions like Aurora Borealis, Savannah Sunset, and Electric Jungle. Enjoy nightly ice-carving demonstrations, cozy fire barrels, and festive holiday food and drink!

• December 3–January 15, 2023 (Closed Christmas and New Year's Eve)
• Sunday-Thursday from 5:30-8:00 PM
• Friday-Saturday from 5:30-9:00 PM
• Low-Sensory Night on December 31
• Children (3-11): $15 | Adults: $25

Parade of Lights
This holiday spectacular features more than 40 parade entries, including extravagantly illuminated floats, giant helium-filled character balloons, magnificent marching bands, traditional equestrian groups, and vibrant cultural displays. And, of course, special appearances by Major Waddles the Penguin and Santa!

• Live Parade: Friday, December 3 at 6:00 PM
• The parade will also be rebroadcast throughout the month of December on Channel 9. 
• FREE!

Luminova Holidays
Luminova Holidays returns to Elitch Gardens, featuring Santa Claus, more than 4 million dazzling lights, a 65-foot Christmas tree, a 25-foot snowman, a candy cane tunnel, rides (limited attractions), photo ops galore, and so much more!

• November 25, 2022–January 1, 2023
• 5:00-10:00 PM 
• $34.99 (reservations required)

December Delights
Explore Victorian holiday traditions with live entertainment, crafts, ice skating, and more. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Bee House or shop for that perfect gift from curated local vendors in the Holiday Marketplace.

• December 10–11 & 17–18
• 4:30-8:30 PM
• Early Bird Pricing (before November 12): Children (4-17): $21 | Adults: $25
• Add $5 per ticket if purchased on or after November 12

Holiday Express
Celebrate the holiday season and explore Belleview Park as a winter wonderland filled with lights, Santa, s’mores, crafts, hot cocoa, and train rides.

• December 9–10 & 16–17
• 3:30-8:30 PM
• $12 per person (advance purchase only; tickets not available on-site)

Holiday Market & Tree Lighting

Experience holiday merriment at the annual mayoral tree lighting ceremony. Shop for gifts, visit with Santa, and take in the wonder of the holiday lights.

• Saturday, December 3 from 2:00-6:00 PM
• FREE!

Christmas in Color
Load up your friends and family into your car, truck, or minivan and experience Christmas like never before. Drive through acres of more than 1.5 million lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. Drive past giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways, and more.

Three locations this year: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, Bandimere Speedway, and Water World parking lot.

• November 18–January 1, 2023 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
• 5:30-10:00 PM
• Starting at $35 per vehicle (advance purchase only; tickets not available on-site)
• Use promo code KID2022 for 25% off!

Franktown Festival of Lights
One of the largest private and free home light displays in Colorado features approximately 200,000+ Christmas lights and spans 2.5 acres of property. Lights are synchronized to music every 20 minutes starting at 5:20 PM with the last show beginning at 9:40 PM.

Once again, the family is collecting both cash and non-perishable food item donations to deliver to local food banks in need. In 2021, they collected over 15,000 pounds of food and $9000 in cash donations that were given to local charitable organizations supporting our communities.

• November 24–January 1, 2023
• 5:00–10:00 PM
• FREE! Nonperishable food items or cash donations for local food banks are gratefully accepted.

Winter Holiday Trains
Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure (day-time departures) and Santa’s Lighted Forest (the evening holiday lights trains) are back, with even MORE lights added this season! Santa will be on every departure until Christmas to begin checking his list. The fun continues after Christmas with the Victorian Holiday Celebration featuring Ebeneezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future!

• Select dates November 11–January 8, 2023
• Departure times and prices vary
• Save 25% on Santa’s Saver Departures on select days and times

Olde Golden Christmas
Olde Golden Christmas events are a longstanding tradition beloved by all. Golden warmly welcomes holiday revelers to celebrate the spirit of the holidays with a variety of special events throughout the season.

• Candlelight Walk is December 2 at 6:30 PM
• Holiday Parade is December 10 at 10:30 AM
• Jingle on the Avenue: A Character Mingle is December 17 from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM
• Listed events are FREE!

The Polar Express™ Train Ride
This unique, three-part theatrical extravaganza of Holiday Magic includes holiday Caroling and the “Hot Chocolate” song and dance, a ride to the North Pole aboard vintage coaches, and a visit with Santa to top off the experience!

• Select dates November 11–December 23
• Youth (Ages 2-15): $80 | Adults (Ages 16+): $100
• 10% discount on standard seating for all performances before Thanksgiving

Mayor's Holiday Lighting 2022
The holiday season comes alive at Greenwood Village's annual mayoral holiday lighting event. Guests will enjoy carnival games, kids' activities and crafts, food trucks, visits with Santa, and the glow of holiday lights at City Hall.

• Saturday, December 10 from 4:00–7:00 PM
• FREE! Reserve your tickets in advance online.

Camp Christmas
Denver’s campiest, quirkiest holiday adventure returns in 2022. Explore a six-acre winter wonderland and rekindle your sense of yuletide cheer! With a classic carousel, hot cocoa, visits with Santa, and sweet treats on hand every night, kids of all ages are sure to have a jolly old time. 

• Most days from November 17–December 24, 2022 (closed Thanksgiving)
• 4:00–9:00 PM
• Tickets start at $12

Trail of Lights
Tucked into the foothills under the dark sky, the glow of lights can be seen for miles. Just under a mile of walking trail (with the option of a shorter path), the illumination of cottonwoods, box elders, and pine trees line the pathway through the Green Farm, Crossroads, Deer Creek Discovery Children's Play Area, and 1880s Hildebrand Ranch homestead.

• Friday–Sunday evenings from November 25–December 11, 2022
• Nightly from December 16, 2022–January 1, 2023 (closed Christmas Day)
• 5:00–8:30 PM
• Children (3-12): $12 | Adults: $16 (advance purchase only; tickets not available on-site)

A Hudson Christmas
Sing and dance to some of your favorite holiday songs in a grove of dancing Christmas Trees. Stroll through a winter wonderland, say “hello” to giant snowmen and glowing reindeer, and enjoy a walk through a holiday light tunnel. Be sure to grab a cup of hot cocoa to warm your hands and heart this holiday season.

• Select Nights from November 25–December 31, 2022
• 5:00-9:00 PM
• Children (3-12): $12-$17 | Adults: $15-$20

Christmas in Color
Load up your friends and family into your car, truck, or minivan and experience Christmas like never before. Drive through acres of more than 1.5 million lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. You’ll drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways, and more.

Three locations this year: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, Bandimere Speedway, and Water World parking lot.

• November 18–January 1, 2023 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
• 5:30-10:00 PM
• Starting at $35 per vehicle (advance purchase only; tickets not available on-site)
• Use promo code KID2022 for 25% off!

Holiday Lights Mini Golf
It's the most wonderful time of year when Adventure Golf and Raceway transforms the park into Holiday Lights Mini Golf. It is a fantastical journey through 54 holes of miniature golf, with over 100,000 twinkling colorful lights and beautifully decorated features throughout. Weather permitting, you can “putt” your skills to the test on the miniature golf course while walking through the displays.

• November 11–January 8, 2023 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas)
• 5:00–9:00 PM
• Children (4-12): $8 | Adults: $10

NOTE: Living Lights at the Butterfly Pavilion will not be taking place in 2022