Colorado truly shines this time of year—literally! From dazzling light displays and festive train rides to outdoor skating rinks and heartwarming performances, there’s no shortage of ways to make the season merry and bright. Whether your family prefers sipping cocoa while strolling through twinkling gardens, gliding across an ice rink, or hopping aboard a Christmas train bound for the North Pole, these local favorites promise to spark joy for kids and grown-ups alike. Bundle up, grab your mittens, and get ready to create memories that will warm your hearts all winter long.
Light Displays
Blossoms of Light
Denver Botanic Gardens
botanicgardens.org
Wander through luminous displays that highlight the garden’s beautiful plants. Open nightly through January 11. Closed on Christmas Day.
Christmas in Color
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater christmasincolor.net
Enjoy magical Christmas displays from the warmth of your car at this drive-through light show. Open nightly through January 4. Closed on Christmas Day.
Elitch Holidays
Elitch Gardens
luminovaholidays.com
See Denver’s amusement park turned into a spectacular display of over four million twinkling lights. Open nightly through January 4. Closed December 24 and 25.
Festival of Lights Parade
Tejon Street, Colorado Springs
coloradospringsfestivaloflights.com
Colorado Springs starts its holiday season off on December 6 by illuminating the town with the Festival of Lights Parade. Bring the family and enjoy the festivities as Santa and a myriad of floats wander down the road.
Hudson Holidays
Hudson Gardens
hudsongardens.org/holidays
Explore a lighted maze, view large-than-life holiday-themed exhibits, and take a selfie with Santa. Open select dates through January 4.
Magic of Lights
Pikes Peak International Raceway
magicoflights.com
At Pikes Peak International Raceway, Magic of Lights transforms the track into a dazzling drive-through holiday spectacular featuring over two million lights and Colorado’s longest light tunnel. This family-friendly experience runs nightly through January 3.
Mile High Drone Show
DPAC Sculpture Park
visitdenver.org
This state-of-the-art performance features 400 drones creating holiday-themed animations in the sky. Catch the performances at 7 p.m. daily through December 31.
Trail of Lights
Chatfield Farms
botanicgardens.org
A mile-long walking trail with glistening lights that illuminate the Colorado foothills. Open nightly through January 11. Closed on Christmas Day.
Zoo Lights
Denver Zoo
denverzoo.org
The crowd-favorite Zoo Lights is back and brighter than ever. Open nightly through January 4. Closed on Christmas Day.
Skating Rinks
Ice Skating at Evergreen Lake
Evergreen Lake
evergreenrerceation.com
Enjoy beautiful Colorado scenery while skating on eight and a half acres of Zamboni-groomed ice. Open hours are weather-dependent, so check their website for up-to-date information.
McGregor Skate
McGregor Square
mcgregorsquare.com
Enjoy skating in the bustling plaza square. Open weekends through January 26.
Parker Ice Trail
Discovery Park
parkerrec.com
As an alternative to an ice rink, this skating spot in Parker offers a trail of ice that winds through the park. Open seven days a week.
The Rink at Belmar
Belmar Shopping District
belmarcolorado.com
An outdoor skating rink in the heart of Belmar. Open daily through January 4. Closed on Christmas Day.
Train Rides
Santa Express Train
Royal Gorge Route Railroad royalgorgeroute.com
Take a special ride to the North Pole in the Royal Gorge on a train where holiday spirit abounds. Santa will greet every passenger and give each of them a special gift. Runs through December 31. Closed on Christmas Day.
Santa’s Lighted Forest
Georgetown Loop Railroad georgetownlooprr.com
An exciting nighttime train ride takes passengers through an illuminated forest featuring stunning holiday light displays. It is open through December 24.
The Polar Express Train Ride
Colorado Railroad Museum coloradorailroadmuseum.org
This unique three-part theatrical extravaganza offers holiday caroling, a ride to the North Pole aboard vintage coaches, and a visit with Santa. Daily train rides are available through December 23.
Victorian Holiday Celebration
Georgetown Loop Railroad georgetownlooprr.com
Board this holiday train to learn from Ebenezer Scrooge about his visits from Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Open December 26 through January 1.
Festive Fun
A Christmas Carol
Wolf Theatre
denvercenter.org
This splendidly festive tradition illuminates the meaning of the holiday season in a way that has resonated for generations. Performances run through December 28.
A Christmas Carol: A Participation Play
Town Hall Arts Center
townhallartscenter.org
Become part of Dickens’ masterpiece in an inventive one-hour adaptation. Performances held December 17–20.
Colordao Ballet: The Nutcracker
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
coloradoballet.org
The Nutcracker returns to the stage for Colorado Ballet’s 65th season to delight audiences of all ages. Through December 28, this timeless tradition and audience favorite captures the festive spirit of the season, replete with mischievous dancing mice, sweet Sugar Plums, a symphony of swirling snowflakes, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.
Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland
Cherry Creek North
cherrycreeknorth.com
A must-see holiday destination featuring dazzling lights, holiday markets, pop-up holiday bars, and special celebrations. Open daily through December 24.
Christkindl Market
Civic Center Park
christkindlmarketdenver.com
A cherished Denver tradition returns with wooden huts, twinkling lights, and a fun market atmosphere. Shop handmade items, eat traditional European treats, and enjoy live entertainment. Open daily through December 23.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
The Ranch Events Complex
cirquemusica.com
Delight in the perfect fusion of circus artistry and beloved holiday melodies as Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland delivers a heartwarming celebration like no other on December 23.
Disney On Ice presents “Let’s Dance!”
Ball Arena
disneyonice.com
An all-new, high-energy production that turns the rink into the ultimate party, Ball Arena will transform as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy remix fan-favorite Disney tunes into dazzling performances featuring Frozen 2, Wish, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Moana. From December 5–7.
Disney’s Frozen
Arvada Center
arvadacenter.org
Disney’s Frozen is an unforgettable journey packed with lovable characters, thrilling surprises, and soaring music, including the hits “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Let it Go.” Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Disney’s Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love. Through January 4.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Buell Theatre
denvercenter.org
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Performances run December 3–7.
Elf in Concert
Boettcher Concert Hall
artscomplex.com
This holiday season, relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf in Concert on December 22 and 23.
Handel’s Messiah – Awakening
Boettcher Concert Hall
coloradosymphony.org
A Chamber Chorus of the Colorado Symphony Chorus will join the soloists on stage to bring more immediacy to the narrative while the full forces of the Symphony Chorus continue to thrill with their exciting and exacting choral sound, presenting Handel’s masterpiece in an enhanced dramatic context that this story-telling composer would have appreciated. Through December 21.
ICE! featuring “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
Gaylord Rockies
christmasatgaylorrockies.com
Experience all your favorite holiday moments in one place this holiday season with dazzling displays, tempting treats, and festive activities. Open through January 2.
It’s A Wonderful Life
Hensel Phelps Theatre at Union Colony Civic Center
eventticketscenter.com
Don’t miss this cherished tradiiton of discovering why It’s A Wonderful Life and join the characters as they dsicover their worth. Through December 20.
Old Colorado City Christkindlmarket
Bancroft Park
occchristkindlmarket.com
The Old Colorado City Christkindlmarket will bring the magic of a tranditional German christmas market to Colorado Springs. Through December 21.
Santa’s Workshop
The North Pole
northpolecolorado.com
This unique mountain park keeps the holiday spirit alive year-round. Take a ride on over two dozen attractions for young families, and pop into Santa’s Village for a magical experience. Open select dates through December 24.
The Nutcracker
Parsons Theatre
northglennarts.org
Step into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker, a timeless ballet that weaves a tale of magic, dreams, and holiday wonder. This timeless tradition will capture audience’s festive holiday spirit. Performances held December 11–14.
Wassail Days
Main Street, Frsico
townoffrisco.com
Wassail Days is Frisco’s super fun celebration of all things winter and the holidays, celebrated by local businesses offering unique wassail recipes to sample. Wassail Days is also a competition among businesses serving Wassail. Guests are encouraged to taste at least 12 different types of wassail at 12 different locations and fill their “12 Sips of Wassail Card.” Through December 7
