Dozens of communities across the country host holiday events from late November through the new year. We’ve compiled a list of some of the festivities where Coloradans can take in the sights and sounds of the season.

This is a growing list. Is there an event you know of that isn’t listed below? Email (email protected).

Denver area

Flowers of Light (November 20 – January 12, Denver Botanic Garden, Denver)

At the Denver Botanic Gardens’ York Street location, visitors can walk a miles-long path of lights that illuminate the garden’s plants and trees. Attendees can also enjoy holiday treats and beverages that are available for purchase.

The trail of lights (November 29 – January 5, Denver Botanic Garden at Chatfield Farms, Littleton)

The Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms takes visitors along a light-lit path, glowing cottonwoods and pines, and antique tractors and illuminated models. Visitors can also enjoy synchronized lights and music, dancing Christmas trees and a holiday market.

Mile High Tree (November 22 – December 31, Denver)

At Civic Center Park, visitors can enjoy the Mile High Tree, a 110-foot tree-like structure made of LED lights. The tree features free public light shows timed to multicultural holiday music.

Lights from the Zoo (November 23 – January 5, Denver Zoo, Denver)

The Denver Zoo’s annual Zoo Lights feature three million lights spread over 80 acres.

Start the celebrations (November 24, Boulder)

Boulder kicks off the holiday season at 5pm on the 24th by turning on the lights that illuminate Pearl Street Mall, the Civic Center and the Boulder County Courthouse.

Denver Union Station

Denver Union Station Grand Illumination (November 29, Denver)

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with festive activities including holiday favorites by the Denver Puppets, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a festive photo booth and the lighting of the station’s 40-foot outdoor Christmas tree, which displays over 7,000 copies. holiday lights.

Luminova holidays (November 29 – December 31, Elitch Gardens, Denver)

Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens is a display of over four million lights, a 25-foot tall Christmas tree, a 25-foot snowman, a 300-foot candy cane tunnel, lighted swings and more . Visitors can also enjoy rides on select Elitch Gardens attractions and a visit with Santa Claus.

Holidays in the Hudson (November 29 – January 12, Hudson Gardens & Event Center, Littleton)

Visitors to Hudson Gardens can stroll through the gardens to enjoy a light display, explore a lighted maze, themed exhibits and visit with Santa Claus.

Holiday tree lighting (Dec. 3, Aurora Municipal Center, Aurora)

The City of Aurora will host a free tree lighting ceremony from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, featuring holiday-themed activities, food, light shows, performances by local groups and a visit from Santa.

Lakewood Lights (December 5, Lakewood)

The Lakewood Mayor and City Council are hosting a lighting ceremony in Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, walk among the lights, listen to live music and drink hot cocoa. Visit Santa or make an ornament to celebrate this season.

Parade of lights (December 7, Downtown Denver, Denver)

The 9NEWS Parade of Lights features more than 40 floats, giant balloons, marching bands and more.

Brighton City Tree Lighting Ceremony (December 7, Founders Plaza, Brighton)

The City of Brighton Tree Lighting Ceremony also includes a winter market with local artists, artisans and artisan food vendors. Visitors can also enjoy free face painting, a teddy bear and tree of friends and pictures with Santa Claus. Events take place between 1pm and 6pm

Northern Colorado

Winter lights (November 23 – January 1, Loveland)

At Chapungu Sculpture Park in Centerra, visitors can enjoy Winter Wonderlights, an exhibition of 200,000 illuminated African lights and stone sculptures. Every evening, a 30-minute music and light show with holiday songs. Special Winter Wonderlights LIVE nights will feature holiday-themed activities, live entertainment and local vendors.

Catch the glittering parade (November 29, Estes Park)

Gather on Elkhorn Avenue to “Catch the Glow” in this colorful parade with over 40 floats, marching bands, fire engines and other specialty handcrafted vehicles. Then visit Santa and stroll through downtown Estes Park.

Downtown Greeley Winter Festival (November 30 – December 14, Greeley)

The Downtown Greeley Winter Festival will host several events over three weekends, including a holiday open house and shopping bingo, a tree lighting event in Lincoln Park, Holiday Lane Downtown with holiday displays, artists pubs, carriage rides and craft workshops with cards and ornaments. – carrying out activities and many others.

Lyon Holiday Light Parade (December 7, Lyon)

This parade down Main Street includes an appearance by Santa, then heads to the elementary school for the Lyon Holiday Craft Market.

Southern Colorado

Electric Critters (Nov. 29 – Dec. 29, Pueblo Zoo, Pueblo)

Visitors to Pueblo Zoo’s ElectriCritters can enjoy more than 4 million lights, holiday-themed activities and rides at select zoo attractions.

Pueblo Parade of Lights (November 30, Pueblo)

This 30-plus year tradition begins at 5:30pm with festive floats, school marching bands, drill teams, decorated saddle club horses and car club vehicles. The parade route starts at Abriendo and Union Ave and goes down Union Ave. to City Center Drive to Main Street, ending at 6th Street.

Alamosa Christmas Parade of Lights (December 6, Alamosa)

The Alamosa Christmas Parade of Lights begins with the lighting ceremony at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Attendees will find smiling faces, Christmas cheer and lots of fun on Main St.

The 40th Annual Festival of Lights Parade (Dec. 7, downtown Colorado Springs)

This parade features nearly 100 lighted and decorated floats that travel down Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs. The withdrawal is scheduled for 17:50

The mountains and the western slope

Leadville Railroad Holiday Express (November 21 – January 5, Leadville Railroad, Leadville)

Passengers on the Leadville Railroad can enjoy a train ride through Colorado’s snowy mountains on a train decked out in holiday lights.

Winter on the Mountain (November 23 – December 31, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs)

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park kicks off its holiday season with a launch party on November 23, followed by live holiday music on select nights, including Thanksgiving weekend and December 26 – 31. All season long, enjoy half a million lights, a musical Christmas. tree, Santa’s workshop, an alpine coaster ride, live music and festive food and drink. Visitors can take pictures with Santa on Saturdays in December.

Grand Lake Tree Lighting Ceremony (November 29, Town Square Park, Grand Lake)

The city of Grand Lake hosts its annual tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving. From 6 to 8:30 p.m., attendees can sing Christmas carols, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, and enjoy an appearance by Santa Claus and his reindeer.

Leadville Main Street Parade of Lights (Dec. 6, Harrison Ave., Leadville)

Leadville hosts a festive holiday parade on Harrison Ave. starting at 18.00

“Night of Lights” (Dec. 6, downtown Gunnison)

Winter Wonderland features a snow globe, music and a cabin ride at IOOF Park. Santa makes a special appearance before heading to the Elk’s Lodge after the tree lighting. Winter Wonderland is from 5.30pm-7.30pm, with Santa lighting the tree at 6.30pm.

First Friday December Holiday Art and Lighting Market (December 6, Silverthorne Pavilion, Silverthorne)

The Silverthorne Pavilion will host the annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Art Market from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. The family-friendly event will include hot chocolate, local artists selling their wares, live music, carolers, holiday crafts and a visit from Santa. .

Grand Junction Parade of Lights (Dec. 7, Downtown Grand Junction)

Main Street lights up with the 2024 Parade of Lights. This year’s theme: “Vacation in the tropics”. Get into the holiday spirit with 80 floats, then enjoy all the holiday windows at downtown businesses.

Breckenridge Lighting (Dec. 7, downtown Breckenridge)

Breckenridge’s holiday festivities begin the first weekend in December with the Breckenridge Lighting and Race of the Santas. Visitors can enjoy a holiday dog ​​parade, an elk march and the lighting of the city tree. Downtown Breckenridge’s iconic holiday lights continue to shine all winter long.

MTCB Lights up the night (December 14, Lodge at Mountaineer Square Plaza, Crested Butte)

The annual Light Up the Night event at Mt. Crested Butte will feature live music, Christmas tree and menorah lighting, cake decorating, Santa and Snow Queen pictures, face painting, arts and crafts, fire truck rides and a hot cocoa bar. The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m

The Garden of Lights (December 14 – 15 and 21 – 22, Montrose Botanic Gardens, Montrose)

Lighted walkways and garden displays, plus horse-drawn wagon rides, hot cocoa, horse barn photo shoot and Santa Claus. Last entries by 8pm every evening.

Torchlight parade (December 24, Winter Park)

Winter Park Resort hosts a holiday celebration on Christmas Eve with a torchlight parade at 5:30 p.m. Before the parade, visitors can take photos with Santa and enjoy hot cocoa and treats. After the parade, there will be a non-denominational church service at the West Portal.

Christmas Eve Cakesht Parade (December 24, Telluride Ski Resort, Telluride)

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., ski instructors from Telluride Ski Resort will descend the mountain with torches, lighting up the mountainside in this Christmas Eve tradition.

Eastern Plains

Holyoke Parade of Lights (December 2, Holyoke)

This year’s theme is “A Candyland”. The parade goes through downtown Holyoke, starting on South Interocean Dr. at the Golden Plains Motel. The Step-off Parade is at 6:15 pm STAR will broadcast the parade on 92.3 FM High Plains Radio for those listening from the warmth of their cars.

Sedgwick County Parade of Lights (December 5, Julesburg)

Parade will take place from 5:30-6:00pm on Pine St., east of the Assisted Living/Nursing Home before proceeding to W 10th St. and on Cedar St.