Denver Holiday & Christmas Lights
Holiday favorites give you the chance to do as the locals do during the holidays in Denver. Read below for some of our most beloved winter rituals and events.
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Holiday favorites give you the chance to do as the locals do during the holidays in Denver. Read below for some of our most beloved winter rituals and events.
We strive to post the most current and accurate event information, but changes and cancellations do occur, so please check the official event website to confirm all details before attending.
WHEN: Nov. 16–Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
Winter Wanderland displays a collection of free holiday offerings and festivities throughout the neighborhood! Festivities include a dazzling display of nearly one million twinkling lights on more than 600 trees spread throughout the walkable neighborhood. Throughout the holiday season, enjoy Saturday Night Lights with complimentary holiday treats and festive entertainment, a Chanukah celebration, and the Cherry Creek North Holiday Market, produced by Fetch Markets.
WHEN: Nov. 17–Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Civic Center Park
Join in the free festivities at the Mile High Tree. It’s a brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation that provides a dazzling lights-and-music show. And, for the first time, you can experience two of Denver's most popular holiday attractions in one place: America’s tallest digital tree and the Denver Christkindlmarket, the city’s only authentic German holiday market.
WHEN: Dec. 2, 2023–Jan. 7, 2024
WHERE: Denver Zoo
It's official: Zoo Lights has been making magic, memories, and even marriages for 30 amazing years! Presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores, this illuminating annual event transforms Denver Zoo into Colorado's WILDEST winter wonderland. Don't miss this year's historic celebration, with more than a million lights sparkling over 80 acres—plus a host of special measures to keep your family safe and healthy.
Downtown Denver is twinkling like never before this holiday season. Take an evening stroll through the heart of the city by following this self-guided tour.
WHEN: Nov. 17, 2023–Jan. 7, 2024 (closed Nov. 23 and Dec. 25)
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
This annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms Denver Botanic Gardens into a twinkling winter wonderland. Sip warm drinks and nibble on tasty treats as you stroll.
WHEN: Nov. 24–Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
This family-friendly event brings larger-than-life holiday displays and immersive experiences for all to enjoy. It features millions of dazzling lights, a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, twinkling snowmen who never melt, a 300-foot-long candy cane tunnel, giant presents and ornaments, a wall of lights, rides on Elitch Gardens attractions, interactive activities like a light-up hopscotch, strolling holiday entertainers, Old Saint Nick and his elves, and more.
WHEN: Nov. 16–Dec. 24, 2023
WHERE: Stanley Marketplace
Welcome back to Colorado’s campiest, quirkiest holiday tradition! Make merry and immerse yourself in a 15,000-square-foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer. It’s fun, it’s fleeting and just the right amount of camp; it’s everything you love about the holidays wrapped into one sparkling experience. Leave your worries behind, discover your holiday superpower, visit Santa, and sample craft cocktails from the Base Camp and Fairy Bars. Wander through a surreal mashup of nostalgic scenes, scratch your head at playful pun trees, and, most importantly, reconnect with the joy of the season.
WHEN: Nov. 24–Dec. 31, 2023
WHERE: Hudson Gardens & Events Center
You'll be enchanted by even more towering trees draped in thousands of colorful lights. A grove of dancing Christmas trees, a multi-colored forest inhabited by giant snowmen, the holiday light tunnel and glowing reindeer will light up Hudson Gardens into an extravaganza of holiday cheer. Purchase a delicious cup of hot cocoa or adult beverage before stopping by for a perfect free family photo opportunity with Santa.
WHEN: Nov. 25–Dec. 30, 2023
WHERE: Downtown Denver
This holiday season, embark on a fun-filled, 90-minute Denver holiday lights bus tour experience as you take in all of the magic and cheer of this festive time of year in The Mile High City. Enjoy the unique history, architecture and beauty of Denver’s holiday lights and top sights at night. The tours are limited to 14 guests and you'll get to see and experience Denver's holiday lights in the toasty warm comfort of the shuttles.
WHEN: Nov. 24, 2023–Jan. 1, 2024; 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (closed December 25)
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, Littleton
Stroll through the Colorado countryside along a winding path glistening with lights. Features this year include singing Christmas trees, three-sided light tunnels, illuminated antique and model tractors, a children's play area with synchronized music, and warm holiday food and drink for purchase. Visit the Holiday Market to purchase holiday gifts Nov. 24–27, Dec. 1–3, 8–10 and 15–17.
WHEN: Nov. 17–Dec. 30, 2023
WHERE: Water World (Denver), Arapahoe County Fairground (Aurora), Bandimere Speedway (Morrison)
With not one but three locations, Christmas In Color at Water World , Arapahoe County Fairground and Bandimere Speedway is a can't-miss holiday lights experience! Drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. Drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more. Take your time enjoying this lighting extravaganza – we won’t judge you if you join the kids with your face pressed against the window!
WHEN: Nov. 10, 2023–Jan. 7, 2024
WHERE: Adventure Golf & Raceway, Westminster
During the holiday season, Buccaneer Bay, Adventure Cove and The Lost Continent transform into beautiful holiday-themed light displays with more than 100,000 interactive lights on all three courses!
WHEN: Nov. 22, 2023; 5:15–7 p.m. (kick-off celebration)
WHERE: City & County of Denver Building in Civic Center Park
Starting with the kick-off celebration on Nov. 22, 2023, each night at 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. an eight-minute choreographed light and music holiday show will light up the night. It then goes to a festive, static holiday display until 10:45 p.m. The light and music shows will not play on Mondays because of City Council meetings, but the static light display will still shine.
WHEN: Nov. 17–Dec. 31, 2023 on select days (closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
WHERE: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Cañon City
In an experience sure to become a time-honored Christmas tradition, you're invited to drive across the Royal Gorge Bridge, 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River, while it's decked out in thousands of holiday lights. Driving across the Royal Gorge Bridge is not regularly offered outside of pre-arranged car club groups, so this is truly something special! Guests can purchase hot cocoa, coffee or cider in a Bridge of Lights souvenir cup and holiday cookies to enjoy while driving through the light display. Hours: 5:30 p.m.–9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.