Holiday lights near Denver for families (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 27 – Jan 15 · All times are local Mountain Time
We list 13 holiday light events around Denver for Oct 27 – Jan 15: 4 displays running for weeks and 9 one-night events. 4 list free admission. Displays that run for weeks come first, then one-night parades and tree lightings around Denver. Popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 10 (Closed Nov 26 and Dec 25; public tickets on sale Nov 9; advance tickets only) · 4:30–9pm
- Cost
- Timed tickets (prices to be announced)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday light displays throughout the York Street gardens. Timed tickets in advance; public sale Nov 9.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 – Sun, Jan 3 (Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8 and Dec 25; public tickets on sale Nov 9) · 5–8:30pm
- Cost
- Timed tickets (prices to be announced)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A mile-long walking trail of holiday lights on the farm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo
- When
- Mon, Nov 23 – Sun, Jan 3 (Select nights; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; tickets on sale Nov 5) · Sun–Thu 4:30–9pm · Fri & Sat 4:30–10pm
- Cost
- Adults $29.95, youth $22.95 ($25.95/$18.95 on value nights); 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Timed-entry holiday lights across the zoo. Tickets go on sale to the public Nov 5.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Hudson Holidays at Hudson Gardens
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Jan 3 (Nov 27–Jan 3; free Santa photos through Dec 23) · 5–9pm (Dec 24 until 7pm)
- Cost
- Dated tickets: adults $20, seniors $18, youth (3–12) $15, 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday lights through the gardens with a lighted maze and selfie stop with Santa. Tickets on sale Nov 9 (presale Nov 6–8).
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
One-night light parades and tree lightings
Belmar Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 · 5–8pm (tree lit at 6pm)
- Cost
- Free event
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Belmar’s season opener in the plaza: the tree lighting at 6pm, opening night of the outdoor rink, holiday craft tables, letters to Santa and to service members, horse-and-wagon rides and a Santa photo spot. Activities are first come, first served.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Castle Rock Starlighting
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 · 2–6pm; ceremony 5pm, Star lit about 5:30pm, then fireworks
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Community celebration as the Star on the butte is lit for the season, followed by fireworks.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Switch on the Holidays on Pearl Street
- When
- Sun, Nov 22 · 11am–7pm; grand illumination 5pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Downtown Boulder's holiday kickoff with the grand illumination of Pearl Street at 5pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Commerce City Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Wed, Dec 2 · 5:30–8:30pm
- Cost
- No admission price listed; treats are free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The city’s tree lighting at the Civic Center with carolers, Santa visits and letters to Santa, live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides, crafts and face painting, hot chocolate, the Winter Wonderland ice rink and a holiday market. Park on the south side off 60th Avenue.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Olde Golden Candlelight Walk
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 · 6–9pm; walk starts 6:30pm at 15th St & Washington Ave
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Bring a candle and carol down Washington Avenue to Parfet Park for the lighting of the park and Clear Creek corridor. Golden History Museum and the library open with activities.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Westminster Holiday Lighting Ceremony
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 5:30–8pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday lights, music, food vendors and Santa, with a full-size sleigh and kid-size train for photos. Mostly outdoors; dress warmly.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
9NEWS Parade of Lights
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 6pm (about 1 hour)
- Cost
- Free to watch along the route; grandstand seats are ticketed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Denver's lighted holiday parade with floats, giant balloons, marching bands and Santa. It starts at 14th & Bannock and loops about 2 miles through downtown via Tremont, 17th, Curtis and 15th streets.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Aurora Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Tue, Dec 8 · 5–7pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Illumination of thousands of light strands with holiday activities, sweet treats, performances and Santa.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Lights of December Parade
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · 6–7:30pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Lighted floats, marching bands, lit fire engines and Santa. Route starts at 15th & Walnut, goes west to Broadway, north to Spruce and east to 15th & Spruce.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around Denver in 2026?
4 light displays on our list run for weeks: Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver, Nov 20 – Jan 10), Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms (Littleton, Nov 21 – Jan 3), Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo (Denver, Nov 23 – Jan 3) and Hudson Holidays at Hudson Gardens (Littleton, Nov 27 – Jan 3).
Which holiday light events near Denver are free?
4 light events list free admission on the official page: Belmar Holiday Tree Lighting (Lakewood, Fri, Nov 20), Olde Golden Candlelight Walk (Golden, Fri, Dec 4), 9NEWS Parade of Lights (Denver, Sat, Dec 5) and Aurora Holiday Tree Lighting (Aurora, Tue, Dec 8).
How much do ticketed light displays near Denver cost?
Prices from the official pages: Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (Timed tickets, prices to be announced) and Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms (Timed tickets, prices to be announced). See all 5 above. Prices can change by night.
Can kids see Santa at a light display near Denver?
Yes. 7 light events on our list have Santa: Belmar Holiday Tree Lighting (Lakewood, Nov 20), Hudson Holidays at Hudson Gardens (Littleton, Nov 27 – Jan 3) and Commerce City Holiday Tree Lighting (Commerce City, Dec 2). See all 7 above. Some charge extra for Santa photos.
Which holiday lights events near Denver need tickets or registration?
2 events on our list say on the official page that they need advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver) and Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms (Littleton). Book through each official page.
Which Denver-area cities have holiday lights events?
We list holiday lights events in 9 cities, including Denver (3), Littleton (2), Boulder (2), Lakewood (1) and Castle Rock (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
See something that's off? Send us a correction.
Know a family event we're missing? Tell us about it.