Denver Holiday Lights 2012

It is time for Denver to light up...er...for the holidays with annual holiday light shows. You know the drill by now. Bundle up. Families usually go earlier in the evening and they tend to stay home when it is ultra-cold, so plan accordingly.

The best news is that Hudson Gardens' A Hudson Christmas is returning for 2012. We love everything about Hudson Gardens, but the holiday light show is the best. Check out the carolers, hot coco and wassail and carriage rides ($6). Ticket prices are $9 for adults, and $6 child (ages 4-12). Special prices for members. Children 0-3 get in FREE. Tickets are available online at tickethorse.com or at the door each night of the show The lights run through Jan. 1, from 5PM to 8:30PM. Open on the following days:

Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday Nov. 24
Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1
Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8
Friday, Dec. 14 through Tuesday, Jan. 1 (including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day) 

Located at 6115 South Santa Fe Drive

Also not to be missed is Denver Zoo's Zoolights, Dec. 9 to Jan. 1. Hours are 5-9PM. Admission is $10 for adults (ages 12-64), $6 for kids (ages 3-11), $8 for seniors over 65. Members get $2 off admission fees. Also, Bring a non-perishable food donation and receive $1 off your Zoo Lights admission.  Purchase Tickets for Zoolights here.  in Denver’s City Park (on 23rd Ave. between Colorado Blvd. and York St.).

Denver Botanic Gardens' Blossoms of Light, runs through  Jan.1 from 5:30 – 9:30PM.  This year they are charging one set of admission fees for "non-peak" admission through Dec. 13 and another set of prices for admission through Jan. 1. So check the above link for pricing. (roughly $10-$12 per adult non-member, and special prices for members) Keep in mind that on Friday nights you can get purchase a little hooch for your hot chocolate, another plus.  Check out the above link for details. Purchase tickets online to Blossoms of Light here.  Located at 10th & York Street in Denver.

DBG's Chatfield Preserve's Trail of Lights holiday display, featuring more than one million twinkling lights illuminating a winding prairie path. The Hildebrand Ranch will be decorated for the season and antique tractors will be on display. Hayrides, hot drinks, etc.  This year they've added a skating rink (must rent skates there). 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton. Same admission prices as Botanic Gardens.

Not really lights, per se, but don't miss The Fort restaurant's Los Posado's celebration on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.  Celebrated in Mexico and throughout the United States from December 16 to 24, Las Posadas commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter on the night of baby Jesus’ birth. The Tesoro Foundation partners with the Christian Life Movement to present this traditional event. Complimentary biscochitos and hot beverages are provided. Bundle up. FREE admission. 4:30-6:30PM at the Fort, 19192 Hwy. 8, Morrison.

Finally, why not throw everyone in the car and drive around town to see residential holiday displays? Check out the Denver Post's cool Holiday Lights Map. Doesn't cost anything but the price of gas and a thermos of coco!