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! 

Holiday Lights Shine Across Denver

We are going to the Parade of Lights tonight and I can't wait. Nothing gets us more in the holiday spirit that trekking down to Hudson Gardens or Botanic Gardens for a stroll beneath the holiday lights. Denver is lucky to have numerous festive light shows and most are priced fairly. Fill your flask with peppermint schnapps and +Enjoy!

Denver City and County Building - The building will be lit every night starting Friday, December 3rd and will remain on until the end of the Stock Show in late January.Note: Photographers nights will occur every Sunday through December. The lights will be on from 5:45PM to 10:45PM each night.  On Photographers nights the street lights in Civic Center park will be turned off to accommodate photography of the building.

Blossoms of Light -- A perennial favorite at the Denver Botanic Gardens on York St.  They will be turned on December 3rd and run through January 2nd from 5:30PM to 9:30PM.  Don't miss the mistletoe balls that are strategically placed for smooching. There is an admission fee of $9.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors (+65) and kids.

The Trail of Lights -- Part of the Denver Botanic Gardens.  The hours are fees are the same as the Blossoms of Light (see above).

The Wild Lights at the Denver Zoo -- Run form December 10 – January 2nd. hours from 5PM to 9PM.  There is an admission charge for Wild Lights, $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors (+65) and kids. They have two new features this year that only happen from the 17th to 21st. Ice Carving from 5PM. to 8PM and Fire Dance from 6PM to 8PM. Note: We love this event, but it can be very crowded and family oriented. If screaming toddlers set your teeth on edge, pick a night that is really, really cold. The warmer the evening, the more kids.

Living Lights - Located at the Butterfly Pavilion, this newest entry in Denver's festive light show is inside and great for those who want to beat the cold. If you haven't been to the Buttery Pavilion, you should go. It is a very cool place to mingle with all kinds of amazing creatures. Please note that this show has a limited run, from
December 11th to the 19th, 5:30PM to 8:00PM., adults are $10.00 and senior (+65) and kids are $8.00.

Hudson Holiday Lights -- The lights are at the Hudson Garde3ns on South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton and are created in conjunction with MOA (Museum of Outdoor Arts) in Englewood.  Last year was their first year for holiday lights and they won .  They won awards last year for creative use of lights and promise to have a even better display this year.  The lights shine from 5:00PM. to 9:00PM. The dates are Fridays and Saturdays from November 19th to December 12th, then nightly from December 17th to January 2, prices are Adults, $9.00, Seniors (+60) $8.000, Kids 4-12 $6.00.


Main Street in Downtown Littleton is a wonder of lights running the full length of Main Street. the lights are on every night and they are FREE. They usually run on the same schedule as the Denver City and County Building, until the end of Stock Show.