Christmas Lights Near Me

Denver Christmas Lights 2026Every garden, zoo, resort and downtown light display around Denver, with what's confirmed for 2026 and what's still last year's dates. We check each one and update this page weekly through New Year's.

Updated Monday, September 14
11 displays
5 confirmed for 2026
8 free

This weekWhat changed since our last update

Confirmed for 20262026 dates not announcedLast year's details, unverified

The big ones

Six displays, and four of them are gardens or parks you walk through with a ticket. Three are confirmed for 2026. If you only do one, we'd pick Blossoms of Light on a weeknight and buy the ticket the day you decide, because it sells out.

Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens Confirmed 2026

Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027 4:30–9pm, closed Nov 26 and Dec 25 Admission, parking free but limited York Street, 3 mi

The gardens on York Street lit end to end, with installations you walk through rather than past. It's the one Denver means when it says the lights, and most nights sell out weeks ahead. Nothing is sold at the door.

Buy the ticket now, then plan the parking. The on-site structure is free but fills fast, and the streets around it need a residential permit. A bus or a bike is easier. The path is concrete and gets icy, so wear shoes with grip.
Official page Directions

Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms Confirmed 2026

Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 5–8:30pm, closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8 and Dec 25 Admission, parking free Littleton, 9 mi south

The Botanic Gardens' country cousin. A lit path winds past the old Hildebrand Ranch, under the cottonwoods and around the silo, with fire pits, s'mores and hot chocolate along the way. It's quieter than York Street and there's room to park. Watch the closures: two Monday–Tuesday pairs in early December on top of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Last entry is 8:30. The site closes at 9:15, so a late arrival is a short visit. Tickets are timed and online only, and there's no rideshare pickup area, so drive.
Official page Directions

Christmas at Gaylord Rockies Confirmed 2026

Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 Ticketed, parking $35 self or $49 valet Aurora, 14 mi northeast

Over 3 million lights across the resort, plus ICE!, the walk-through of carved ice sculptures, themed this year to The Nightmare Before Christmas. Indoor snow tubing, gingerbread decorating and Santa are separate passes. It's the most expensive night on this list before you've bought a ticket, because parking alone is $35.

It's 9 degrees inside ICE! They hand out parkas but bring hats and gloves anyway. Buy tickets and activity passes online ahead, the resort is cashless, and leave time to walk from the garage to a timed entry.
Official page Directions

Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens Last year's details

Last year: Nov 28 – Dec 31 Admission Elitch Gardens, 1 mi from downtown

Colorado's biggest by light count, over 4 million across the amusement park, with candy cane tunnels, oversized displays and some of the rides running. Santa is there. If your kids want rides with their lights, this is the one.

Layer up for the rides. Some only run when the weather allows. Last year a season pass covered unlimited visits.
Returned last year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Denver Zoo Lights Last year's details

Last year: Nov 24 – Jan 4 Admission, parking free 2300 Steele St, 2 mi

Lights across the zoo with the animal habitats lit up after dark, which is the reason to pick it over a garden. Parking is free in the lots by the main entrance between York Street and Colorado Boulevard, and in the four-level garage.

Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 public dates yet; so far the zoo has only posted its after-hours rental page.
Official page Directions

Hudson Holidays at Hudson Gardens Last year's details

Last year: Nov 28 – Jan 4 Admission, under 2 free, parking free Littleton, 10 mi south

Lights through the gardens on Santa Fe Drive, with a lighted maze, oversized themed exhibits and Santa. Theme nights change what you get: last year there was a low-sensory night on December 3, fire dancers on others, and sleigh rides on two dates that needed their own ticket.

Watch for the presale. Last year a November 7 to 9 presale sold discounted any-day tickets. Overflow parking is at Arapahoe Community College, also free.
Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Free

A 110-foot tree downtown and a whole shopping district under lights. Neither costs anything, and the tree is confirmed.

Mile High Tree Confirmed 2026

Nov 20 – Dec 31, 2026 5–10pm daily Free Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus

A 110-foot tree of 60,000 LEDs on the Auraria campus with free light and music shows every night. It's the best free thing on this list and the natural pairing with the Christkindlmarket next door.

Go early on weekends. The shows draw a crowd. Get there before the first one and walk over to the Christkindlmarket after.
Official page Directions

Winter Wanderland in Cherry Creek North Last year's details

Last year: Nov 13 – Jan 4 Free Cherry Creek North, 2 mi

A whole shopping district under more than a million lights on 600 trees, free to walk any night. Last year KOSI 101.1 flipped them on November 13, the earliest lighting in town, and Saturday Night Lights with Santa ran December 6, 13 and 20. The holiday market and Mistletoe Lounge ran November 20 to December 24.

Park in a garage and get validated. There are 13 garages and many shops validate. On-street is metered.
Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Tree lightings and one-night events

Lakewood has posted its 2026 date. The rest are last year's, so plan around the same weekend.

Lakewood Lights at Heritage Lakewood

Dec 3, 2026, 5–8:30pm at Belmar Park. Lights, live music, free cocoa and cookies, Santa in his workshop, with sensory-friendly Santa visits 3–5pm. Free.

Official page Directions

Union Station Grand Illumination

Last year Fri Nov 28, from 4pm, tree lit at 6:10. A 40-foot tree with 7,000 lights, the Denver Dolls, Santa and Mrs. Claus. McGregor Square in LoDo lit its own tree and opened its ice rink the same night. Free.

Official page Directions

Englewood Holiday Express

Last year Dec 5–6 and 12–13 at Belleview Park. Lights, unlimited train rides, Santa, crafts and s'mores. $15, under 2 free, timed tickets that sell out.

Official page Directions

Know a display we're missing?

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