Colorado Christmas Lights 2024-2025

Colorado looks like a fairy tale in the winter. With snow blanketing the mountains and twinkling lights illuminating the buildings in historic mining towns, Christmas is an excellent time to visit the Centennial State. From Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, millions of lights illuminate the cities, filling people's hearts with Christmas cheer.

Downtown Denver Grand Illumination (November 29, 2024–early January 2025)

Downtown Denver Grand Illumination transforms the Mile High City during the holidays. Starting from the beautiful Union Station to the City and County Building—everything is shimmering, sparkling, and glowing. The 110-foot (34-m) Mile High Tree on the 16th Street Mall at Welton Street gets illuminated in late November and stays like that until early January.

Downtown Denver Grand Illumination Ceremony takes place on November 29 at 4 pm, featuring holiday songs performed by the Denver Dolls, a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus, Face painting, a balloon artist, a caricature artist, seasonal beverages, and more.

Downtown Denver has also been hosting the 9NEWS Parade of Lights since 1975. A multi-week extravaganza of activities encompasses the downtown area, from Denver Pavilions to Union Station. The traditional floats are displayed across downtown for over a month, starting in late November.

A Hudson Holidays in Littleton (November 29–January 12, 2024; on selected days)

Hudson Gardens near Littleton, 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Denver, light up the holidays with thousands of dazzling Christmas lights. A Hudson Christmas is a favorite holiday tradition for local families, where you can watch Christmas trees dancing to holiday music. Explore winter wonderland adorned with thousands of Christmas lights where the trails burst with light and color, creating Christmas spirit and warmth. Kids can have a visit with Santa and share their holiday wishes, drink a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoy many photo opportunities.

Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (November 20, 2024–January 12, 2024)

Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the most popular Christmas displays in Denver. The Botanic Gardens lights turn on at 5:30 pm, and people rush to walk around illuminated alleys and observe the central display, which is a large field of LED lights synchronized to music and animation. Warm drinks and live entertainment are also available.

The display operates from 4:30 to 9 pm, except on November 28 and December 25 when it is closed. The last entry is at 9 pm, as the event ends at 9:45 pm. For a socially safe visit, timed tickets must be purchased in advance.

Old Town Fort Collins Christmas Lights (November 1, 2024–February 14, 2025)

Old Town Fort Collins, stretching for about seven blocks, is glowing with thousands of white light garlands, covering archways, alleys, and treetops. The restaurants and shop windows are no less beautiful, creating the atmosphere of a winter wonderland. Lights are abundant on College Ave., Laporte Ave., Magnolia St., Walnut Ave, Linden St., and Pine St. The newly renovated Old Town Square, one of the main gathering spots in the city, features various entertainment and activities.

Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade (December 7, 2024)

Every December, the Colorado Springs holiday tradition gathers crowds of spectators. About 60,000 people flock into the streets to watch 3,000 participants in the parade, a stunning display of lights, music, and performances. Bands, floats, horses, cultural and artistic programs, and festivities make this event so special. Colorado Springs Festival of Light Parade starts at 5:50 pm at the intersection of Tejon St and St. Vrain St in Downtown Colorado Springs. It ends at the intersection of Tejon St and Vermijo Ave.

In addition to the parade, the festival includes cultural and artistic programs, performances, and other festivities that are meant to educate and entertain the general public.

Parade of Lights in Louisville, Colorado (December 6, 2024)

The Parade of Lights in Louisville is an annual Christmas festival in Historic Downtown Louisville on Main Street. Numerous gleaming floats, walking groups of people, dancers, and marching bands help you immerse yourself into the spectacular holiday spirit flat-out. The show starts at 7:00 pm on the first Friday in December.

Estes Park Holiday Lights Driving Tour (November 18, 2024–January 1, 2025)

Seeing Estes Park in the winter is indeed a unique experience, especially, when it gets illuminated by holiday lights. Take a driving tour through the scenic mountains and enjoy the lights displayed by various businesses and homes. The best time for Yuletide Lights Tour is from early December to New Year's Day. At this time, Estes Park Village is decorated the best. In addition, you can enjoy plenty of winter-time activities, like sledding, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing.

Pueblo Parade of Lights (November 30, 2024)

One of the largest Christmas parades in Colorado, the Pueblo Parade of Lights, traditionally takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The parade features colorful and clever floats, school marching bands, drill teams, decorated saddle club horses, and car club vehicles. The route begins at 5:30 pm at Abriendo and Union Ave, continues down Union Ave to City Center Drive, and ends on Main Street at 6th Street.

Greeley's Light up Lincoln (November 30, 2024)

Light Up Lincoln gathers locals and visitors in the heart of downtown Greeley for the lighting countdown in Lincoln Park and a tree lighting. Carolers, sweet treats, hot chocolate, a visit from Santa Claus, and much more entertainment await the public, creating a Hallmark movie-like atmosphere.

Denver Zoo Lights (November 23, 2024 –January 5, 2025)

Denver Zoo Lights is one of the many Christmas Lights in Denver events. A magical light installation features animals, cartoon characters, and holiday symbols covering 80 acres (32 ha). The event features live music, animal sightings, and festive food and drinks. The display operates from Sunday to Thursday from 5 to 8 pm and on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 9:00 pm. Denver Zoo Light is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.