Fort Collins Christmas Lights 2024-2025

Blanketed in snow and aglow with vibrant lights, Fort Collins transforms into a magical winter wonderland, which captivates visitors throughout the holiday season. From early November to mid-February, the downtown area sparkles with twinkling decorations, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Visitors and residents alike revel in the holiday spirit, strolling through streets lined with beautifully illuminated storefronts and festive displays. This charming Colorado city truly comes to life with the magic of Christmas, offering a memorable holiday experience for all.

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

Old Town Fort Collins transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland each holiday season, with thousands of twinkling lights illuminating its streets. This year, the Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony will kick off on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 5:30-7 pm in Old Town Square. The event includes live music and a countdown, with the lights expected to turn on around 6:30 pm, marking the official start of the festive season.

The stunning light display in Old Town Fort Collins spans 22 block-faces, illuminating College Avenue, Laporte Avenue, Magnolia Street, Walnut Street, Linden Street, and Pine Street with lights wrapped around archways, alleys, and treetops. South of Downtown, near the First Presbyterian Church, visitors can enjoy a giant blue LED holiday tree with 25,000 pixel lights. The Downtown Holiday Lights will shine nightly through Valentine's Day. Parking may be limited, so visitors are encouraged to use public transportation, carpools, or rideshares.

Gardens on Spring Creek Holiday Lights (Select Nights December 5–29, 2024)

The Community Botanic Garden of Fort Collins, also known as The Gardens on Spring Creek, is a must-see during the holidays, thanks to its annual Garden of Lights Winter Holiday Festival. Visitors can enjoy a whimsical half-mile loop illuminated by hundreds of thousands of LED lights, transforming the garden into a winter wonderland. Highlights include vibrant grapevines, giant flowers, butterflies, and a John Deere tractor. The enchanted forest, a blue LED pond, and the Color Blossom Show at the Great Lawn, with 700 lighted blossoms, are sure to captivate guests.

This year, the event will take place on select nights in December: 5–8, 12–15, 19–23, and 26–29, from 5 to 9 pm (gates close at 8 pm). Tickets are $12 for adults and children 12 and older, $5 for children 5–11, and free for those four and under.

NoCo Winter Wonderland (November 28–December 31, 2024)

Fort Collins' Winter Wonderland at Colorado Youth Outdoors offers a dazzling drive-thru holiday light experience. This festive event transforms 220 acres into a glowing spectacle with wildlife-themed light sculptures and a one-mile illuminated trail. Highlights include lighted trees, falling snow, and even Santa fly fish! Santa, Mrs. Claus, and mischievous elves add to the holiday magic, making it fun for all ages.

The drive-thru tour lasts about 15 minutes and is available from 5:15 to 8:15 pm, with tickets sold in 15-minute time slots. Prices start at $25 per car, so be sure to grab your tickets early—this popular event sells out fast.

Loveland Winter Wonderlights (November 23, 2024–January 1, 2025)

Loveland’s Winter Wonderlights at the Chapungu Sculpture Park offers a dazzling, free holiday experience. Over 200,000 lights, including illuminated African stone sculptures, create a magical atmosphere. A 23-foot (7 m) tall LED Christmas tree is the centerpiece, synchronized with festive music in a 30-minute light show that runs continuously from 5 to 9 pm nightly. On select Winter Wonderlights Live nights (November 23, December 13, and December 14), visitors can enjoy live entertainment, vendors, and holiday-themed activities from 4:30 to 8 pm.

With paved walkways and open spaces, the park provides a pleasant stroll for visitors, who are encouraged to bundle up for Colorado’s unpredictable weather. Parking is available at the nearby Promenade Shops at Centerra, with additional accessible parking during non-Live nights. Visitors can also enjoy shopping and grab a warm drink before heading over to the light show. While well-behaved dogs are welcome, they must be kept away from the live reindeer during Live Nights.

Residential areas

Many residential areas in Fort Collins go all out with Christmas decorations, transforming neighborhoods into dazzling holiday spectacles. Streets like Albion Way, Birmingham Drive, and Crabtree Drive come alive with vibrant light displays and intricate decorations, attracting visitors from across the city. A standout among these homes is the Bishop House, located at 2412 Crabtree Drive, affectionately known as “Bishop Blinkenhaus” during the festive season.

Bishop House

Brad Bishop’s home showcases over 120,000 lights, including synchronized light shows set to music on 90.7 FM. Visitors are treated to festive arches, candy canes, a Mini Christmas Village, and 12-foot-tall (3.7 m) pixel trees that dance in time with the music. One fan favorite is the automated Christmas carousel. This holiday wonderland runs from 5 to 9:30 pm nightly from December 1 through January 1, and Bishop is always making last-minute tweaks to perfect his setup.