Dozens of communities across the state host holiday events from late November through the New Year. We’ve put together a list of some of the festivities where Coloradans can enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

This is a growing list. Do you know of an event not listed below? Email (protected email).

Denver area

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

At the York Street location of the Denver Botanic Gardens, visitors can stroll through a mile-long path of lights illuminating the gardens’ plants and trees. Attendees can also enjoy holiday treats and drinks available for purchase.

Trail of lights (November 29 – January 5, Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, Littleton)

The Chatfield Farms Trail of Lights takes visitors on a walking path lit by lights, glowing poplars and pines, and illuminated antique and miniature tractors. Visitors can also enjoy synchronized lights and music, dancing Christmas trees, and a holiday market.

Kilometer-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 offers nightly free public light shows synchronized with multicultural holiday music.

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

The Denver Zoo’s annual Zoo Lights features three million lights spread across 80 acres.

Light up the holidays (November 24, Boulder)

Boulder kicks off the holiday season at 5 p.m. on the 24th by turning on the lights that illuminate the Pearl Street Mall, civic area and the Boulder County Courthouse.

Denver Union Station

Denver Union Station Illumination (November 29, Denver)

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with festive activities including holiday favorites from the Denver Dolls, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a festive photo booth and the lighting of the 40-foot outdoor Christmas tree top of the station displaying more than 7,000 holiday lights.

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

Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens is a display featuring more than four million lights, a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, a 25-foot snowman, a 300-foot candy cane tunnel, lighted swings and more Again. Visitors can also enjoy rides on some Elitch Gardens attractions and a visit with Santa.

Hudson Vacations (November 29 – January 12, Hudson Gardens & Event Center, Littleton)

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

Christmas tree lighting (December 3, Aurora Civic Center, Aurora)

The City of Aurora will host a free tree lighting ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. with holiday-themed activities, treats, light displays, performances by local groups and a visit from Santa.

Lakewood Lights (December 5, Lakewood)

Lakewood Mayor and City Council host lighting ceremony at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park. Walk among the lights, listen to live music and drink hot chocolate. 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 Brighton City Tree Lighting Ceremony also includes a winter market with local artists, artisans and craft sellers. Visitors can also enjoy free face painting, a stuffed tree and friends, and photos with Santa. Events run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Northern Colorado

Winter Wonders (November 23 – January 1, Loveland)

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

Attend the light parade (November 29, Estes Park)

Gather on Elkhorn Avenue to “catch the glow” of this colorful holiday parade featuring more than 40 hand-crafted floats, marching bands, fire trucks and other specialty vehicles. Then visit Santa and take a stroll through downtown Estes Park.

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

Downtown Greeley’s Winterfest will host several events over three weekends, including an open house and shopping bingo, a tree lighting event in Lincoln Park, Holiday Lane Downtown with holiday displays, local artists, carriage rides and maker workshops with cards and ornaments. -do activities and more.

Holiday Lights Parade in Lyon (December 7, Lyon)

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

Southern Colorado

ElectriCritters (November 29 – December 29, Pueblo Zoo, Pueblo)

ElectriCritters visitors to the Pueblo Zoo can enjoy more than 4 million lights, holiday-themed activities and rides on select zoo attractions.

Pueblo Parade of Lights (November 30, Pueblo)

This more than 30-year-old tradition kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with festive floats, school marching bands, drill teams, decorated saddle horses and automobile club vehicles. The parade route begins at Abriendo and Union Ave and goes down Union Ave. to City Center Drive to Main Street, ending at 6th Street.

Alamosa Christmas Light Parade (December 6, Alamosa)

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

40th Annual Festival of Lights Parade (December 7, downtown Colorado Springs)

This parade features nearly 100 lit and decorated floats traveling down Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs. Departure is scheduled for 5:50 p.m.

Mountains and western slope

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

Passengers on the Leadville Railroad can enjoy a train journey through the snow-capped mountains of Colorado aboard a train adorned with Christmas lights.

Winter in the mountains (November 23 – December 31, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs)

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park begins its holiday season with a kickoff party on November 23, followed by holiday concerts on select evenings, including Thanksgiving weekend and December 26-31. All season long, enjoy half a million lights and a musical Christmas. tree, Santa’s workshop, an Alpine roller coaster ride, live music and festive food and drinks. Visitors can take photos with Santa on Saturdays in December.

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

The City of Grand Lake holds its annual tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving. From 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., participants will be able to sing Christmas carols, enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies and enjoy the appearance of Santa Claus and his reindeer.

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

Leadville will host a festive parade on Harrison Avenue starting at 6 p.m.

“Night of Lights” (December 6, Downtown Gunnison)

The Winter Wonderland features a snow globe, music and a walk among the stands at IOOF Park. Santa makes a special appearance before heading to the Elk’s Lodge after the tree lighting. Winter Wonderland runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with Santa lighting the tree at 6:30 p.m.

Lighting and art market on the first Friday in December (December 6, Silverthorne Pavilion, Silverthorne)

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

Grand Junction Parade of Lights (December 7, downtown Grand Junction)

Main Street lights up with the 2024 Parade of Lights. The theme this year: “Vacation in the Tropics”. Get into the holiday spirit with 80 floats, then enjoy all the holiday displays at downtown businesses.

Breckenridge Lighting (December 7, downtown Breckenridge)

Breckenridge festivities begin the first weekend in December with the Breckenridge Lighting and Santa Run. Visitors can enjoy a dog parade, moose walk and the lighting of the town tree. Downtown Breckenridge’s iconic Christmas lights continue to twinkle all winter long.

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

Mt. Crested Butte’s annual Light Up the Night event will feature live music, Christmas tree and menorah lightings, cookie decorating, photos with Santa and Frozen, face painting, arts and crafts, fire truck rides and a hot chocolate bar. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Garden of Lights (December 14-15 and 21-22, Montrose Botanical Gardens, Montrose)

Illuminated paths and garden displays, horse-drawn wagon rides, hot chocolate, photo opportunity at the horse shed and Santa Claus. Last entries before 8:00 p.m. each evening.

Torchlight parade (December 24, Winter Park)

Winter Park Resort is hosting a Christmas 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 chocolate and treats. Following the parade, there will be a non-denominational religious service at West Portal.

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

Starting at 6:30 p.m., Telluride Ski Resort ski instructors will race down the mountain with torches, lighting the mountainside as part of this Christmas Eve tradition.

Eastern Plains

Holyoke Parade of Lights (December 2, Holyoke)

This year’s theme is “A Candyland.” The parade passes through downtown Holyoke, starting on South Interocean Dr. near the Golden Plains Motel. The parade will start at 6:15 p.m. 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)

The parade will run from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Pine Street, east of the nursing home/assisted home, before heading to W 10th Street and down Cedar Street.