DENVER – If you’ve been ready to decorate your home for the winter holidays even before Halloween was over, you’re not alone – and luckily for you, a bunch of holiday lighting events are happening starting next week to kick off the festivities!
1. Downtown Tree Lighting – Grand Junction
November 16, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
If you're ready to get in the Christmas spirit, you better make the drive to Grand Junction where residents will await Santa's visit as they light up the Christmas tree at 4th and Main, but also all of Main Street in downtown Grand Junction - at the same time!
2. Downtown Boulder's Switch on the Holidays – Boulder
November 18, 2018 at 5 p.m.
The Pearl Street Mall is pretty all on its own, but decorate it with Christmas lights and the scene turns into postcard. Live music will fill the air as the city count downs to the grand illumination of the Boulder County Courthouse and the Pearl Street Mall. The evening will include roaming performances by the Boulder Chorale, a stage performance by the Denver Dolls and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself! If you stick around you'll get a chance for a free visit with Santa until 7 p.m.
3. Light the Lights – Denver
November 23, 2018 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
A fun and heartwarming tradition that's nearly 100 years old, the annual lighting of Denver's City and County building is the perfect kickoff to the holiday season. There will be a lights and ice winter festival in Civic Center Park, hot chocolate, cold adult beverages, a Yellow Snow Dog Race and food trucks. The lighting of the lights will happen between 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
4. The Grand Illumination at Union Station – Denver
November 23, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Want to continue the party in downtown Denver? Witness the lighting of Denver's Union Station as well as the station's brand new 40-foot tall outdoor Christmas tree. The holiday cheer doesn't just end there - witness the launching of the Denver Union Station Holiday Market with the Denver Flea. There will be live music and holiday entertainment throughout the evening. The lights will stay on through the end of December.
5. 2018 Mayor's Holiday Lighting – Parker
November 23, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Join the Town of Parker for an enchanted evening as O'Brien Park comes alive for the holidays! Gather around the Town Tree and join the Mayor and the Parker Chorale in a Sing-a-long to Silent Night to kick off the event. Following the sing-a-long, the Mayor, along with the Town Council will count down to the Town Tree and Grand Park Lighting.
6. Catch the Glow Christmas Parade and Celebration – Estes Park
November 23, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Get in the holiday spirit a day after Thanksgiving in Estes Park as the magic of Christmas begins to unfold throughout town. Visit Santa Claus at his workshop from noon to 2 p.m. and enjoy a lighted Christmas parade which runs through the length of Elkhorn Avenue starting at 5:30 p.m.
7. Candlelight Walk – Littleton
November 23, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Sip hot cider, listen to holiday music and get to see some reindeer before Santa Claus pays a visit down Main Street, magically illuminating more than one million lights in the trees as he passes each block. Once Santa reaches the end of Main Street, he'll throw the switch on the big Christmas Tree in the plaza.
8. Georgetown Christmas Tree Lighting – Georgetown
November 24, 2018 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Kickoff the holiday season in Georgetown with a fun-filled day of holiday cheer! Catch a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, pay Santa Claus a visit, and stay for the lighting of the Christmas Tree as soon as it gets dark while sipping on hot chocolate or apple cider. The tree lighting will be in downtown at the intersection of Rose and 6th Streets (Strousse Park) at approximately 5:15 p.m. Stick around for a special reading of "The Night Before Christmas" at Hamill House. If you're still up for more, head over to the John Tomay Memorial Library to decorate Christmas cookies until 8 p.m.!
9. Pueblo Parade of Lights – Pueblo
November 24, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Hailed as a one of the largest Christmas parades in Colorado, the Pueblo Parade of Lights has been a holiday tradition for nearly 30 years. Prepare to be amazed by colorful and clever floats, marching bands, drill teams, decorated saddle club horses, car club vehicles and more. The parade will pass from the Mesa Junction down Union Avenue to Main Street, then west to end at 6th and Court. It all starts at 5:30 p.m.
10. Greeley Lights the Night Parade – Greeley
November 24, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Head over to downtown Greeley as more than 50 lighted parade entries (including horses, bands, dance teams and classic cars) travel north from 15th St. to Lincoln Park on 9th Ave. to mark the start of the Christmas holidays. Afterward, head to Lincoln Park for the lighting of the trees and stay for more holiday goodies and visits from Santa Claus himself!
11. Night of Lights in Gunnison – Gunnison
November 30, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the start of the holiday season in Gunnison by going down to Main Street near Tomichi for live entertainment, holiday music and more. There will be lighted flats, community fun and a storefront display competition. This year's Night of Lights theme is "It's a Wonderful Gunnison Life."
12. Lakewood Lights – Lakewood
November 30 and December 1, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Get together with family and friends and enjoy a stroll among the light displays or hop on a wagon ride, listen to festive live music and warm up with roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate at Lakewood's annual holiday lighting ceremony. You'll also get a chance to spin the dreidel to get coin-shaped chocolate gelt and take a photo with Santa Claus and craft an ornament to commemorate the beginning of the holiday season.
13. Denver Parade of Lights – Denver
November 30 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Dec. 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
If you are ready to ring in the holiday season in Denver, what better way than to head downtown and take part in the Denver Parade of Lights? The magical event will feature more than 40 entries including extravagantly illuminated floats, giant helium-filled character balloons, extraordinary marching bands, traditional equestrian units and vibrant cultural demonstrations. The event will take on Friday and Saturday, but make sure to arrive early so you can get a good spot to see Santa!
14. Leadville Parade of Lights – Leadville
November 30, 2018 starting at 6 p.m.
Floats with the sound of holiday music will be passing through Harrison Avenue as the Clauses make their way to the Lake County Courthouse. Visitors will be able to enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate on the courthouse lawn.
15. Grand Junction Parade of Lights – Grand Junction
December 1, 2018 at 5 p.m.
Thousands of people will be enchanted as they line seven blocks of Main Street to see more than 100 lighted floats in downtown for the 36th Annual Parade of Lights. This year’s parade theme is “A Who-Christmas in Junction-Ville.”
16. Festival of Lights Parade – Colorado Springs
December 1, 2018 starting at 5:50 p.m.
The 33rd Annual Festival of Lights Parade and lighting ceremony will bring floats, high school marching bands, groups on horseback and the man himself - Santa Claus - in order to bring the holiday spirit to the Pikes Peak region.
17. Lights of December Parade – Boulder
December 1, 2018 at 6 p.m.
Enjoy floats created and decorated by local businesses, churches and civic groups for the 31st Annual Lights of December Parade. There will also be marching bands, lit fire engines, holiday carolers and much more.
The Parade starts at 15th & Walnut and heads West to Broadway, then North on Broadway to Spruce, and then East on Spruce ending at 15th.
18. County Christmas: Parade of Lights – Town of Holyoke
December 3, 2018 from noon until 6 p.m.
If you want to get away from the big cities and have a more low-key holiday celebration, head over to the Town of Holyoke in northeast Colorado for the Parade of Lights, where you’ll see floats, experience window shopping and taste some hot chili supper.
19. Holiday Tree Lighting – Aurora
December 4, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
'Tis the season to be merry and bright in Aurora. Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes as the city preps to ring in the holiday season. There will be live music, dance performances, face painting, live reindeer, hot chocolate and snacks, a special visit from Santa Claus at around 5:45 p.m., story telling with Mrs. Claus, and much more.
20. Lighting of Breckenridge – Breckenridge
December 8, 2018 starting at 3 p.m.
Breckenridge isn’t all about skiing and snowboarding – specially during the holiday season. Head to the mountains as the town transforms for the holidays. Did we mention you can participate in the Race of the Santas? There will also be a holiday market, a dog parade, a reindeer run, caroling and the Lighting of Breckenridge. You can meet Santa from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
21. Annual Tree Lighting at the Little Nell – Aspen
December 9, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This festive, family-friendly event is held in the courtyard at The Little Nell in Aspen. The city will count down together to the exciting tree lighting as you enjoy complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, carolers and photo opportunities with none other than Santa Claus. The Aspen Animal Shelter will also be on site with “reindeer” pups.
22. Alamosa Parade of Lights – Alamosa
December 22, 2018 at 6 p.m.
Head to Alamosa for the Inaugural Round-up Rudolph 5K at 3 p.m. and stay for the Christmas Lights Parade that takes place at 6 p.m. You’re encouraged to dress up and run, walk or stroll for lots of Christmas holiday joy!
23. Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade – Telluride
December 24, 2018 starting at 6:30 p.m.
If you want a unique holiday lighting experience, head down to Telluride for the Christmas eve torchlight parade. Nearly 100 Telluride Ski Area employees can be seen from town as they ski down Coonskin to Telluride Trail and into town with glowing torches. Best viewing spots include Main St., Pacific St. and Columbia Ave.