Colorado Holiday Lights 2026: The Family Guide
Updated November 12, 2026
Colorado's holiday light season starts in mid-November and runs into early January. Most of the big shows now use timed tickets and sell out on weekends, so pick your night early, go on a weeknight if you can, and dress for 20-degree evenings.
In Denver
Blossoms of Light and Zoo Lights are the two classics. Blossoms is more compact and easier with a stroller; Zoo Lights is bigger, with the carousel and train as bonus rides.
Photo: Denver Botanic GardensBlossoms of Light
Denver Botanic Gardens (York Street) · Denver
Denver's beloved holiday light show — over a million LED lights, a light tunnel and glowing gardens. Timed tickets required.
Photo: Denver Zoo Conservation AllianceZoo Lights
Denver Zoo · Denver
More than three million lights across the zoo's 80 acres, plus the carousel and zoo railroad. Timed tickets; weekends sell out.
Photo: dmns.orgMagical Winter Nights
Denver Museum of Nature & Science · Denver
Holiday evenings at the museum in City Park — check the museum site for programming and tickets.
Foothills and south metro
Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms feels like a country walk under dark skies — kids love the light tunnels. Castle Rock's Starlighting is a free, one-day kickoff with fireworks.
Photo: Denver Botanic GardensTrail of Lights at Chatfield Farms
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms · Littleton
A nearly mile-long path of lights through a historic foothills farm, with a warming hut and hot cocoa. Timed tickets online only.
Photo: castlerock.orgCastle Rock Starlighting
Historic Wilcox Square & Festival Park · Castle Rock
A tradition since 1962 — carolers, entertainment and Santa downtown, then the star atop the Rock lights up followed by fireworks.
Worth the drive
Electric Safari puts lights on a mountainside zoo, and ice! at Gaylord Rockies is an indoor (very cold!) option for windy nights.
Photo: CMZooElectric Safari
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo · Colorado Springs
Ranked among the best zoo lights in North America — 85+ light sculptures on the mountainside, Santa visits and animal talks.
Photo: somuchchristmas.comice! at Christmas at Gaylord Rockies
Gaylord Rockies Resort · Aurora
Two million pounds of hand-carved ice in a 9-degree walk-through — this year themed to The Nightmare Before Christmas — plus ice slides and holiday activities.
Holiday trains
Both official Polar Express rides in Colorado sell out fast. The Georgetown Loop's holiday trains are a scenic backup.
Photo: Colorado Railroad MuseumTHE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Colorado Railroad Museum · Golden
A theatrical show, then a steam-train ride to the North Pole to meet Santa. Runs Nov. 6–8, 13–15 and 20–24, then nightly Nov. 27–Dec. 23. Sells out early.
Photo: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RailroadTHE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Durango)
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad · Durango
A vintage steam train rides to the North Pole while the story is read aloud, and Santa boards with the first gift of Christmas. Worth a weekend trip.
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