Colorado.com Staff Writer

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<p>There are plenty of things to do in Colorado when the most wonderful time of the year rolls around. Some of the simplest joys of the season are the spectacular lighting festivals held throughout the state.<br />
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Colorado Festivals: Holiday Lighting

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Courtesy of Downtown Boulder

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<h2>Blossoms of Light</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.colorado.com/botanical-gardens/denver-botanic-gardens">Denver Botanic Gardens</a> downtown location celebrates the holiday season with an ever-changing display of light and color, including <a href="https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/blossoms-light">Blossoms of Light</a> — a 360-degree immersive light experience that runs from mid-November through the first week of January. Additionally, the gardens' Chatfield Farms location transforms into a magical village of light displays and other festive activities at its <a href="https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/trail-lights">Trail of Lights</a> event.</p>
<h2>Mile High Tree</h2>
<p>Enjoy one of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/denver">Denver</a>'s favorite holiday attractions at Civic Center Park from mid-November to the end of December. At 110 feet tall and surrounded by oversized holiday ornaments, this dazzling tree-shaped behemoth is magically multicolored and covered in lights.The <a href="https://www.denver.org/milehighholidays/tree/">Mile High Tree</a> is also the largest art installation of this type in North America.</p>
<h2>Downtown Boulder’s Switch on the Holidays</h2>
<p>Every night on <a href="/cities-and-towns/Boulder">Boulder</a>’s <a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/pearl-street-mall-beloved-boulder-attraction">Pearl Street Mall</a> is a unique experience, but <a href="https://www.boulderdowntown.com/light-up-the-holidays/events/switch-on-the-holidays">Switch on the Holidays</a> in late November is one of the best. The popular pedestrian thoroughfare crowds with people as live music fills the air and Santa counts down to the grand illumination of the street, courthouse and star atop Flagstaff Mountain.</p>
<h2>Catch the Glow Holiday Celebration and Evening Parade</h2>
<p>Kick off the season in <a href="http://www.colorado.com/visit-estes-park-channel">Estes Park</a> on the day after Thanksgiving with carolers, pony rides, hay rides, shopping and, of course, Santa and his elves. When dusk falls, the magical <a href="https://www.visitestespark.com/event/catch-the-glow-parade/13065/">Catch the Glow</a> begins. It’s a 45-minute lighting ceremony with bands, floats and dancers.</p>
<h2>Pueblo Parade of Lights</h2>
<p>This event is a well-established holiday tradition in <a href="/cities-and-towns/Pueblo">Pueblo</a> in late November. Cheerful onlookers bundle up in coats, hats and mittens to watch the <a href="http://puebloparadeoflights.com/">Pueblo Parade of Lights</a>, in which nearly 100 lighted floats, antique cars and marching bands pass by. Following the parade, Santa is available to visit with children.</p>
<h2>Greeley's Light up Lincoln</h2>
<p>Kick off the holidays in downtown <a href="/cities-and-towns/greeley">Greeley</a> in late November, where everyone gathers at Lincoln Park for hot cocoa, carols and to see the park's trees light up at the aptly named <a href="https://www.greeleydowntown.com/special-events/">Light up Lincoln</a>.</p>
<h2>An Extravaganza of Lights at Hudson Gardens</h2>
<p>Walk through a winter wonderland of thousands of outdoor lights in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/littleton">Littleton</a> from late November through December. At <a href="https://www.hudsongardens.org/enjoy/christmas-lights/">An Extravaganza of Lights at Hudson Gardens</a>, explore the trails, where bursts of light and color wrap around trees and shimmer on bodies of water.</p>
<h2>Denver Zoo Lights</h2>
<p><a href="https://denverzoo.org/things-to-do/">Zoo Lights</a> has been transforming Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance into Colorado’s wildest winter wonderland for decades, starting in early December and running through the first week of January. More than 2 million lights sparkle across 80 acres amid the 3,000 residents who call the zoo home. A low-sensory night is available.</p>
<h2>Leadville Parade of Lights</h2>
<p>Ambling down Harrison Avenue the <a href="https://www.leadvilletwinlakes.com/things-to-do/category/events/">Leadville Parade of Lights</a>, vibrant floats depict a variety of popular holiday tunes and Santa and Mrs. Claus ride in the parade to the Lake County Courthouse, where they visit with kids, listen to Christmas wish lists and pose for photos. <a href="/cities-and-towns/leadville">Leadville</a> businesses compete in a holiday decorating contest, so the whole city sparkles for the occasion in early December.</p>


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<h2>Night of Lights in Gunnison</h2>
<p><a href="/cities-and-towns/gunnison">Gunnison</a>'s historic downtown lights up for the holidays each December as well. At <a href="http://www.gunnisonchamber.com/annual-night-of-lights">Night of Lights in Gunnison</a>, bonfires will warm your tootsies and hot cocoa will warm everything else, while an art walk and live entertainment make sure you've got plenty to keep your family busy.</p>
<h2>Denver Parade of Lights</h2>
<p>No other holiday celebration in <a href="/cities-and-towns/Denver">Denver</a> can hold a candle — or strand of twinkling lights — to the grandeur that is the <a href="https://www.winterindenver.com/parade">Denver Parade of Lights</a>, held in early December. Arrive early so you can claim your corner to watch the impressive floats, festive marching bands, diverse dancing groups and local celebrities take over the streets of downtown. In case you’re not up for the cold or the crowds, this one is broadcast live on 9NEWS.</p>
<h2>Lighting of Breckenridge</h2>
<p>Hear timeless holiday carols, watch the Race of the Santas start on <a href="/cities-and-towns/breckenridge">Breckenridge</a>'s Main Street, and nom on cookies and hot cocoa as trees are lit in early December during the <a href="https://gobreck.com/event/lighting-breckenridge-race-santas">Lighting of Breckenridge</a>. The Holiday Dog Parade knocks everyone's socks off with its cuteness and Santa even comes for a visit.</p>
<h2>Lyons Parade of Lights</h2>
<p>Revel in old-style community spirit that makes Lyons a magical place during the holidays in early December. <a href="https://www.townoflyons.com/354/Lyons-Holiday-Parade-of-Lights">Lyons Parade of Lights</a> festivities kickoff on Main Street and are followed by a fireworks show.</p>
<h2>Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade</h2>
<p>Downtown <a href="/cities-and-towns/Colorado-Springs">Colorado Springs</a> is the place to be for their annual parade and lighting ceremony in early December. Floats, high-school marching bands, groups on horseback and Santa Claus himself bring the holiday spirit at the <a href="https://www.coloradospringsfestivaloflights.com/">Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade</a>.</p>
<h2>Grand Junction Parade of Lights</h2>
<p>Historic Downtown <a href="/cities-and-towns/grand-junction">Grand Junction</a> celebrates decades of its <a href="https://downtowngj.org/events/">Parade of Lights</a> in early December with more than 100 lighted floats from local organizations, businesses, performers and youth groups. </p>
<h2>Country Christmas</h2>
<p>Experience the delight of the season’s small-town-style in the northeast Colorado town of <a href="/cities-and-towns/Holyoke">Holyoke</a> in early December. The most popular activity of <a href="http://www.holyokechamber.org/home/events">Country Christmas</a> is the Parade of Lights, which features floats decorated according to the annual theme.</p>
<h2>Alamosa Parade of Lights</h2>
<p>Bikes, cars and floats cover themselves in holiday lights and roll through downtown <a href="/cities-and-towns/alamosa">Alamosa</a> to bring holiday cheer to San Luis Valley families and visitors in late December's <a href="https://www.alamosa.org/event-calendar">Parade of Lights</a>.</p>
<h2>Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade</h2>
<p>The slopes light up as Telluride Resort employees glide gracefully down the dark mountain, torches in hand during the <a href="https://www.telluride.com/event/christmas-eve-torchlight-parade/">Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade</a>. Watch the glowing trail from town; popular viewing spots in <a href="/cities-and-towns/Telluride">Telluride</a> are Main Street, Pacific Street and Columbia Avenue. Rumor has it, that after a long night of delivering presents around the world, Santa comes to Telluride for some much needed R-and-R — so you might just catch a glimpse of the man in red.</p>
<h2>Want More?</h2>
<p>There are so many ways to celebrate the holidays in Colorado. Check out <a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/winter-train-trips-colorado">Winter Train Trips in Colorado</a>, <a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/holiday-markets-colorado">Holiday Markets in Colorado </a>and <a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/colorados-iconic-winter-events-celebrations">Colorado's Iconic Winter Events &amp; Festivals</a>.</p>
