DECEMBER 2023 GUIDE TO HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOWS, SANTA VISITS, SEASONAL FOOD & DRINK, PARADES, AND MORE!

Celebrate holiday magic with more than forty floats, balloons, marching bands, equestrian units, cultural displays and special guest appearances from Major Waddles the penguin and Santa. More than 50 local artisan vendors, live music, and festive drinks and decor.
The market is FREE, open to the public and family- and dog-friendly.

WHEN: Saturday, December 2nd, 6 to 9 pm; viewing
COST: FREE (optional paid grandstand seating, $25, or $50 VIP, Sign up here: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/ParadeofLightsGrandstands
ROUTE: Bannock Street at Civic Center, Tremont Place, 17th Street, Arapahoe Street, 15th Street, Glenarm Place, 13th Street.
WEBSITE: www.winterindenver.com/parade

One million twinkling lights, hundreds of shops and dining options, a traditional holiday market and a variety of festive seasonal activities.

WHEN: Ongoing Holiday Events thru Sunday, December 24 include:
• Cherry Creek Holiday Market: daily, Fillmore Plaza, 105 Fillmore Street.
• Mistletoe Lounge Pop-Up Christmas Bar: daily, Fillmore Plaza.
• Small Business Weekend: Friday, Nov. 24, thru Sunday, Nov. 26, Cherry Creek North.aturday, December 2nd, 6 to 9 pm; viewing
• Saturday Night Lights: Entertainment in the streets, hot chocolate, DJ & dance floor, Saturdays, Dec. 2 thru Dec. 16, 5pm to 7pm.
LOCATION:  Cherry Creek North, Steele St. to University Blvd, between 1st & 3rd Avenues.
WEBSITE: www.winterindenver.com/parade

Immerse yourself in a 15,000 sq. foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer. The experience lets guests wander through a surreal mashup of nostalgic scenes, scratch their heads at playful pun trees, and reconnect with the joy of the season. “Camp Christmas” was created by Colorado-based installation artist Lonnie Hanzon and Hanzon Studios.

WHEN: Daily thru Dec. 24 (Mon. – Wed. 4 to 8pm; Thurs. – Sat. 4 to 9pm; Sundays, 10am to 8pm; (special hours on Monday, Dec. 18 only, 10 am to 9 pm).
COST:  Basic Camp Christmas Admission: $12; Flexible Camp Christmas, $17. Optional add-ons: A Very Campy Fashion Show, $20-$25;
VIP Camp Christmas Experiences: Tour with Camp Christmas creator Lonnie Hanzon, $62; Drag Queen Tour, $62; Santa Experience, $10 add-on.
LOCATION:  Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas Street, Aurora
WEBSITE: www.denvercenter.org

A dazzling and ever-changing display of light and color at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Visit one of the Gardens’ signature events! For three decades this annual holiday light extravaganza has transformed our York Street location into a twinkling wonderland. In line with our core value of sustainability, all lights used are LED.
• Holiday treats and warm drinks will be available for purchase at Offshoots Café and the Hive Garden Bistro.

WHEN: Daily through January 7, 4:30 to 9pm nightly (closed on Christmas Day).
COST:  $18 to $25 / free for children ages 2 and under.
LOCATION:  Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street, Denver, CO
PHONE/WEB: 720-865-3500  •  www.botanicgardens.org

An authentic German-style holiday market. This year the market will expand to 46 European-style village huts featuring merchants from around the world including Old German Christmas, Wise Elk Ukrainian toys and food vendors featuring new offerings such as Infini Cakes and Das Brathaus by Chef Walter Neuhold.
• Fuel your shopping with authentic Glühwein (mulled spiced wine), German Biers and hot chocolate, and nosh on Bavarian-style pretzels, fresh smoked salmon, Knödel, Goulasch, Nürnberger sausages, pastries, caramels and European chocolates.
• More for families and kids – The new Kinder Wunderland will include s’more-making stations and yard games for children and their families. Non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased in special penguin-themed “kinder mugs”.

WHEN: Through Dec. 23rd: Sundays – Wednesdays, 11am to 7pm; and Thursdays – Saturdays, 11am to 9pm (lights out at 10pm).
COST:  FREE
LOCATION:  Denver Civic Center Park, 101 West 14th Avenue, Denver, CO
WEBSITE:   www.christkindlmarketdenver.com

* DECEMBER 2, 2023 – BOULDER’S ANNUAL HOMETOWN PARADE meanders through historic downtown. During the Lights of December Parade, hear marching bands, watch floats go by and get a feel of Boulder’s distinctive lifestyle during this night-time parade. The grand finale includes an appearance by the jolly old man himself — Santa Claus!

* ST. NICK ON THE BRICKS: Enjoy the holiday season as we illuminate the pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall including the iconic Art-Deco style Boulder County Courthouse. WHEN: Visit Santa every Saturday thru Dec. 23rd, 11am to 2pm. Bring your list and a camera to capture priceless holiday memories.

* SNOW MUCH FUN! VIRTUAL (AR) EXPERIENCE: This year, explore downtown Boulder both real and virtual through a new lens as you adventure through a self-guided AR tour of the district. Scan QR codes on each block of the Pearl Street Mall, as well as on the East End and West End and all the way to the Civic Area and Library to access fun filters via Instagram. Look for signage with Freezie, or follow along on this winter wonderland trail and meet snowmen, penguins and more as you go! (MAP: https://ctycms.com/co-boulder/docs/2023-snow-much-fun-lighting-map.pdf)

COST:  FREE
LOCATION:  1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall, Downtown Boulder, CO
WEBSITE: www.downtownboulderholidays.com

The station’s outdoor 40-foot-tall Christmas tree features more than 7,000-holiday lights that transform the exterior façade of Denver’s landmark train station into a spectacular canvas spreading holiday cheer for all ages.
• Favorite holiday songs performed by the Denver Dolls & the Dickens Carolers
• Face painting, a balloon artist, a caricature artist and more.
• Horse-drawn carriage rides.
• Seasonal beverages from Terminal Bar and the Cooper Lounge on an extended patio

WHEN:  Nov. 25th thru Dec. 27th, 5 to 10 pm nightly; FREE.
LOCATION:  Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street, 303-592-6712
WEBSITE: www.unionstationindenver.com

For 33 years, Zoo Lights has been the heart of your holidays. Now, with 80 acres boasting over three million lights, we’re still the one making spirits bright. 
This year there are NEW animated light sculptures, returning favorites, nightly ice-carving exhibitions, and festive seasonal treats and craft cocktails.
And there’s a good chance you’ll get to encounter an elephant, giraffe or hippo!

WHEN:  December 2nd thru January 7th. Sundays – Thursdays, 5 to 9pm, and Fridays & Saturdays, 5 to 10pm. (Closed Christmas Day.)
COST:  $18 to $28.
LOCATION:  Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele Street, Denver, CO
PHONE/WEBSITE: 720-337-1400 • www.denverzoo.org

Just under a mile, stroll along a winding path glistening with lights that illuminate the Colorado countryside –  brightly illuminated cottonwoods, box elders and pine trees line the pathway. 
Be entertained by lights synchronized to music; enjoy singing Christmas trees, walk through multiple light tunnels. A holiday market and beverages available, too.

WHEN:  Nov. 24th thru January 1st. Various evenings, 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
COST:  $10 to $16.
TICKETS must be purchased in advance for a specific time. No onsite ticket sales.
LOCATION:  Chatfield Farms, 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO
PHONE/WEBSITE: 720-865-3500 • www.botanicgardens.org

Larger-than-life holiday displays and immersive light displays.
– Over 4 million dazzling lights and even more rides and attractions
– 300 foot candy cane tunnel and interactive light-up hopscotch

WHEN:  Fri, November 24th, thru January 1st. Select dates, 5 to 9 pm.
COST:  Single-day tickets $24.99
LOCATION:  Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204
WEBSITE: www.luminovaholidays.com

Come out and enjoy downtown Erie, with local school choirs, free carriage rides and a visit with Santa just before the Parade of Lights. FREE

WHEN:  Friday, December 1st, 4:30 to 8:30pm. PARADE:  begins at 6:30pm, from Perry and Briggs Streets, traveling north on Briggs to Cheesman Street). 
LOCATION:  Historic Downtown Erie, 605 Briggs Street, Erie. CO

Join Lakewood’s mayor and city council for a lighting ceremony, then enjoy a stroll among the light displays, listen to festive live music, visit with Santa and warm up with hot cocoa.

WHEN:  Friday, December 1st, 5 to 9 pm.
LOCATION:  Heritage Lakewood, 801 South Yarrow Street, Lakewood, CO
WEBSITE: www.lakewood.org

WHEN:  Friday, December1st: 
• Candlelight Walk Holiday Show, 5 p.m., Parfet Park, 719 10th Street, Golden;
• Candlelight Walk starts at 6:30 p.m., 15th St. and Washington Avenue.
COST:  FREE (2023 commemorative candles available for a small cash donation of $2 beginning Nov. 25 at the Golden Visitors and Information Center.
LOCATION:  1010 Washington Avenue, Golden. CO
WEBSITE: www.visitgolden.com

On the hunt for the perfect present? Sip and shop at the Belleview Station Holiday BAZAAR in the Denver Tech Center this December! This outdoor market will feature more than 80-plus carefully curated vendors, fashion trucks, food trucks and street food, pop-up bars, and a heated beer garden featuring festive holiday sips and more!
WHEN:  December 9th and 10th, 2023
COST:  FREE
LOCATION:  Over two blocks at S Newport Street and E Chenango Avenue at Belleview Station in the heart of the Denver Tech Center.

Downtown Denver is home to the tallest digital Christmas tree in the country. The Mile High Tree — a seven-story tall, 39-foot diameter conical structure — will feature light shows choreographed to multi-cultural holiday music on the tallest pixel-LED technology tree in the country. The tree stands 10-feet taller than the tree in Rockefeller Center and contains 60,000 lights. It will be lit throughout the holiday season, and, YES, you can actually go inside the tree!
WHEN:  November 17 thru December 31, 5 pm – 10 pm. The tree is easy to access in Civic Center Park. On New Year’s Eve — A special ball drop-style countdown at 9pm.
LOCATION:  Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Avenue, Denver, CO 80202
WEBSITE: https://www.denver.org/milehighholidays/mile-high-tree/#showtimes