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The Winter Christmas Holiday season brings some spectacular lighting ceremonies, events and long traditions to several communities throughout Colorado.

From small-town gatherings to the spectacular Parade of Lights and the lighting of the Civic Center in Downtown Denver, each has a job and special significance all it’s own.

Enjoy this list of Holiday Lighting Celebrations and please comment below if we’ve missed your favorite event.

Denver is often dusted with snow throughout December adding to the holiday spirit as you see the lights from the City and County Building all lit up and the crazy Black Friday crowds have quieted down. JM has listed for you our favorite sights, sounds and things to do in Denver during the holiday in a list below. Please let us know if we have missed your favorite in the comments below.

DENVER SANTA SIGHTINGS

Santa lives at the North Pole just North of Denver so that’s always a treat for the kids but if you don’t want to leave town there are a few other options.

Santa Claus Special
Colorado Railroad Museum
Trains have been in the backdrop of the holidays for generations…but this year, Santa has decided to replace his sleigh and reindeer with Colorado Railroad Museum’s locomotive and a team of historic passenger cars all decked out for the holidays. Santa Claus Special rides, free with admission, depart every 20 minutes.

Admission rates: Museum Members and Children under 2 are free, Children $5, Adults $15, Seniors $10 and Families $30. Purchase your Special Event tickets today!

Photos with Santa Claus at Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek Shopping Center has always been one of our favorite malls in the Denver Metro area and a perfect spot to stop before or after heading downtown to see the lights.
Santa will be available for visits during all mall hours through December 24th. There will be a wide range of photo packages available including options with a CD and a free photo book offer from Snapfish. All creatures great and small are invited to get their photo taken with Santa — so you can bring your, pet, too.

DENVER HOLIDAY LIGHTING DISPLAYS AND EVENTS

Downtown Denver features beautiful lighting displays at the City and County Building turns on nightly at 6 p.m. with 600,000 lights. The bell tower plays carols nightly as well. Larimer Square, Denver Pavilions, Union Station, Skyline Park, the 16th Street Mall, and the historic D&F Tower are also a beautiful sight to see each year.

16TH STREET MALL HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Thanksgiving – January
Denver’s mile-long pedestrian promenade, the 16th Street Mall, is decorated with more than one million white lights. Skyline Park, located at 16th and Arapahoe, will feature nearly 26,000 lights and a 22 foot tall Christmas tree complete with LED lights choreographed to a variety of holiday songs. Denver’s historic D & F Tower, at the center of the park, will also be adorned with holiday lights. More than 400,000 energy efficient LED lights will turn the 16th Street Mall and Curtis Streets between 14th and 16th into an enchanting holiday promenade. Giant holiday snowflakes will also be hung along California and Curtis Streets. Two of Downtown Denver’s major retail destinations, Larimer Square and the Denver Pavilions, will also be illuminated with festive décor on this night and throughout the holiday season. Unique holiday entertainment and special events will take place separately at each destination.

HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES RIDE UP AND DOWN THE MALL NIGHTLY BEGINNING AT 6 P.M., CREATING A SPECIAL WAY TO VIEW THE DISPLAY.

Denver Parade of Lights:


No other holiday celebration in Denver can hold a candle — or strand of twinkling lights — to the grandeur that is the Denver Parade of Lights. Arrive early so you can claim your corner to watch the impressive floats, festive marching bands, diverse dancing groups and local celebrities take over the streets of downtown. In case you’re not up for the cold or the crowds, this one is broadcast live on 9NEWS.

DOWNTOWN BOULDER’S SWITCH ON THE HOLIDAYS:
 NOV. 24, 2019

Every night on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall is a unique experience, but Switch on the Holidays is one of the best. The popular pedestrian thoroughfare crowds with people as live music fills the air and Santa counts down to the grand illumination of the street, courthouse and star atop Flagstaff Mountain.

CATCH THE GLOW HOLIDAY CELEBRATION AND EVENING PARADE:
 NOV. TBA, 2019

Kick off the season in Estes Park on the day after Thanksgiving with carolers, pony rides, hay rides, shopping and, of course, Santa and his elves. When dusk falls, the magical Catch the Glow Parade begins. It’s a 45-minute lighting ceremony with bands, floats and dancers.

PUEBLO PARADE OF LIGHTS:
 NOV. 30, 2019

This event is a well-established holiday tradition in Pueblo. Cheerful onlookers bundle up in coats, hats and mittens to watch nearly 100 lighted floats, antique cars and marching bands pass by. Following the parade, Santa is available to visit with children.

GREELEY LIGHTS THE NIGHT PARADE:
 NOV. 30, 2019

Kick off the holidays in downtown Greeley, where more than 40 lighted parade entries make their way past families who line up early to get the good spots. After the parade, everyone gathers in Lincoln Park for carols and to see the park’s trees light up.

LEADVILLE PARADE OF LIGHTS: NOV. TBA, 2019

Ambling down Harrison Avenue in Leadville, floats depict a variety of popular holiday tunes and Santa and Mrs. Claus ride in the parade to the Lake County Courthouse, where they will visit with kids, listen to Christmas wish lists and pose for photos. Area businesses are competing in a holiday decorating contest, so the whole city sparkles for the occasion.

NIGHT OF LIGHTS IN GUNNISON: NOV. TBA, 2019

Gunnison‘s historic downtown lights up for the holidays each December as well. Bonfires will warm your tootsies and hot cocoa will warm everything else, while an art walk and live entertainment make sure you’ve got plenty to keep your family busy.

DENVER PARADE OF LIGHTS:
 TBA, 2019

No other holiday celebration in Denver can hold a candle — or strand of twinkling lights — to the grandeur that is the Denver Parade of Lights. Arrive early so you can claim your corner to watch the impressive floats, festive marching bands, diverse dancing groups and local celebrities take over the streets of downtown. In case you’re not up for the cold or the crowds, this one is broadcast live on 9NEWS.

LIGHTING OF BRECKENRIDGE: DEC. 7, 2019

The Summit Choral Society sings timeless holiday carols, the Race of the Santas starts on Breckenridge‘s Main Street, cookies and hot cocoa are served, trees are lit, the Bernese Mountain Dog Parade knocks everyone’s socks off with its cuteness and Santa visits the Barney Ford Museum.

COLORADO SPRINGS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE: nDEC. TBA, 2019

Downtown Colorado Springs is the place to be for the 33rd annual parade and lighting ceremony. Floats, high-school marching bands, groups on horseback and Santa Claus himself bring the holiday spirit at this family favorite.

GRAND JUNCTION PARADE OF LIGHTS: DEC. TBA, 2019

Historic Downtown Grand Junction celebrates more than 30 years of the Parade of Lights with more than 100 lighted floats from local organizations, businesses, performers and youth groups. Those in the know show up early for the Winter Festival (starts at 11am), where local non-profit organizations line the streets selling holiday goodies and crafts.

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS AND PARADE OF LIGHTS:
 DEC. TBA, 2019

Experience the delight of the season’s small-town-style in the northeast Colorado town of Holyoke. The most popular activity of the night is the Parade of Lights, which features floats decorated according to the annual theme. There are contests for best float, tree and window display. Children can give their wish lists to Santa at the Vets club where the local fire fighters serve up a hot chili supper.

ALAMOSA PARADE OF LIGHTS: DEC. TBA, 2019

Bikes, cars and floats cover themselves in holiday lights and roll through downtown Alamosa to bring holiday cheer to San Luis Valley families and visitors.

CHRISTMAS EVE TORCHLIGHT PARADE:
 DEC. 24, 2019

The slopes light up as nearly 100 Telluride Resort employees glide gracefully down the dark mountain, torches in hand. Watch the glowing trail from town; popular viewing spots in Telluride are Main Street, Pacific Street and Columbia Avenue. Rumor has it, that after a long night of delivering presents around the world, Santa comes to Telluride for some much needed R-and-R — so you might just catch a glimpse of the man in red.

There are so many ways to celebrate the holidays in Colorado. Check out Winter Train Trips in Colorado, Holiday Markets in Colorado and Colorado’s Iconic Winter Events & Festivals.

Photo Credits: Downtown Boulder and Miles.

BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT

Denver Botanic Gardens
November 29 – January 1
Warm drinks and tasty treats will also be available. Seasonal entertainment will be available on select evenings.

9NEWS Parade of Lights
Downtown Denver

Trails of Light 
Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield
5:30-9 p.m.

Living Lights
Butterfly Pavilion

Zoo Lights
Denver Zoo

DENVER’S HOLIDAY PERFORMING ARTS, THEATRE & DANCE

The Nutcracker
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex
November 28 – December 27

A Christmas Carol
Stage Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Nov-Dec

The SantaLand Diaries
Garner Galleria Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Nov – Dec

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Buell Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Direct from Broadway, A Christmas Story, The Musical, nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, comes to hilarious life onstage! The Associated Press calls it “a joyous Christmas miracle.”

SPECIAL HOLIDAY EVENTS IN DENVER

DOWNTOWN DENVER HOLIDAY EVENTS

While life in Downtown Denver is elevated year-round, holidays are from the pages of a storybook. When making your seasonal plans, we invite you to discover the magic of Winter in the City! Downtown Denver is THE destination for a true merrymaking experience that encompasses everything from dining and shopping to events and accommodation options. There is no better place to eat, shop, play and stay than Downtown Denver for the holidays.

Throughout the holiday season, Winter in the City poses many events that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to our winter wonderland. Be sure to mark your calendar for eventshappening only in Downtown Denver!

Christkindl Market

November 20 – December 23
Open daily, hours vary

The German American Chamber of Commerce will host a Christmas market in the spirit of an age-old German tradition. Craftspeople and artisans from all over offer rare, imported products, and food vendors will be dishing out European fare. Grab a Brat and a Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) and warm up in the large holiday warming tent. Free music and dancing will be happening throughout the market. The calendar is packed with entertainment, including bands, choirs, dancing and much more! For more information, visit the website.

Grand Illumination

Join us for Downtown Denver’s festive holiday lighting ceremonies at Union Station and the City and County Building. In addition, thousands of lights at Skyline Park, D & F Tower and along the 16th Street Mall and 14th Street add even more magic to this special evening. This is a FREE public event.

TubaChristmas

December 20, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Tap your toes to your favorite holiday tunes at the annual TubaChristmas concert in Skyline Park. Featuring 300 tuba players from all over the region, TubaChristmas is one of the most celebrated and longest-running holiday festivities in Colorado. For more information, click here.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

December 31, 9:00 p.m. & Midnight

To welcome the arrival of the new year, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Downtown will once again fill the skies twice during the evening. The first show, at 9:00 .m. will entertain families and others looking for an early celebration, while the second show officially marks the start of the New Year at midnight. The two fireworks programs are identical.

Georgetown Christmas Market
Downtown Georgetown, CO (6th and Rose St.)
December 5-13, 10am to 5pm

Parker Country Carriage Parade
Saturday at Noon
Mainstreet
Old fashioned fun in historic downtown Parker with the traditional sighting of Santa Clause at the end of the parade. It will be accompanied by reindeer, kids attractions and an outdoor market. Home for the Holidays Christmas Market from 10-4.

A Brown Family Christmas Tour 
Molly Brown House Museum
The “Unsinkable” Molly Brown treasured the holidays as a time to be family and remember the joyful moments. Enjoy her holiday traditions with a special tour of their decorated home at night.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Downtown Denver
December 31
Ring in the New Year with Denver’s annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks with viewpoints along the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. The two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and Midnight, taking place simultaneously at two undisclosed sites along the 16th Street Mall.

HOLIDAY CONCERTS at BOETTCHER CONCERT HALL

A Colorado Christmas
Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex
December 11-13

Handel’s Messiah
Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex
December 18-20
The Colorado Symphony and Chorus join forces to exalt Messiah to new heights.

Holiday Brass
Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex
December 18 & 20

Symphony at the Movies: Home Alone
Christopher Dragon, conductor
Colorado Symphony Chorus, Mary Louise Burke, associate director

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the holiday classic, Home Alone, with your Colorado Symphony! The concert event features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live as the film is screened on large suspended screens. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy who’s accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern). Hilarious and heartwarming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the entire family.

The Denver Brass Holiday Concerts

You are sure to find some wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season with your loved ones in the list above. If we have missed your favorite way to spend your time during the Christmas season please let us know in the comments below. We will add it for next year.

Photo Credit: Visit Denver

Holyoke Country Christmas and Parade of Lights:
Experience the delight of the season’s small-town-style in the northeast Colorado town of Holyoke. The most popular activity of the night is the Parade of Lights, which features floats decorated according to the annual theme. There are contests for best float, tree and window display. Children can give their wish lists to Santa at the Vets club where the local fire fighters serve up a hot chili supper.

Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony 

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is always the festive occasion in historic downtown Parker when citizens gather for the annual Mayors Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Parker Chorale and local high school choirs lead the community in a moving candlelit Christmas Carol time, the Horse Drawn Carriage rides begin and all of the lights in O’Brien Park and along Mainstreet and in the Victorian district are lit. There are vendors and plenty of warm holiday glow each year.

Castle Rock Star Lighting
This year is the 76th annual Star Lighting on the Rock ceremony where the giant star atop the castle shaped rock is lit for the residents and everyone driving through Castle Rock from Denver to Colorado Springs to enjoy. The event starts at 5:00 and the star will be lit promptly at 5:30 p.m.
Place: Downtown Castle Rock

Activities 2 pm—7 pm
Skating under the STAR! Rink at the Rock –
Carriage & Trolley Rides from 4 different locations.
Santa & Santa’s Workshop
Entertainment & Performances, Puppet Shows, Carolers’, Live Nativity Scene, and much more…

Starlighting Ceremony: 5 pm
Star Lighting and 30-minute fireworks show: 5:30 pm
Chili Dinner at the CR Fire Department: 4-7pm

Walking Guide here

Other Popular Holiday Lighting Festivals in Colorado

Olde Golden Christmas

Experience small town, authentic holiday charm at Olde Golden Christmas in historic downtown Golden, presented by the Golden Chamber of Commerce. Olde Golden Christmas features Victorian carolers, holiday art market, live theater, dazzling holiday lights along Clear Creek, Santa encounters, free Newfoundland cart rides and more. Don’t miss Golden’s awe-inspiring Candlelight Walk with fireworks on Dec. 4 and holiday parades on Dec. 5, 12, 19. The parades start at 11am with lots of activities before and after. visitgolden.com

Pueblo Parade of Lights: Saturday,November 28 beginning at 5:30

Greeley Lights the Nights: November 28 – Lighted holiday parade kicks off the Christmas season in Downtown Greeley. After over 50+ lighted parade entries make their way to downtown Greeley, the City of Greeley lights up Lincoln Park.

Denver Botanic Gardens’ Blossoms of Light

Dates & Times:
Open nightly, in December
Including Christmas eve, Dec. 25, New Year’s eve and New Year’s day
5:30-9 p.m. (lights on until 9:30 p.m.)

Dillon’s Festival of Lights

For other fun free things to do this winter in Colorado be sure to read this post