Get your holiday season off to a beautiful start!
As the holiday lights start filling the skyline, we are reminded of the beauty that surrounds us this season. One of our favorite things about the holiday season is seeing all those beautiful Christmas trees light up the state. Here's our list of 10 Christmas tree lighting events happening in Colorado.
*The following events are in order by location.
Aurora
Holiday Hometown Parade and Tree Lighting
When: Saturday, November 23, at 6 p.m.
Where: Southlands Main Street, Aurora
Price: Free
The holiday season kicks off in grand fashion at Southlands. The Hometown Parade and Tree Lighting will have floats, music, entertainment, and a special appearance by Santa himself.
Breckenridge
Lighting of Breckenridge and Race of the Santas
Courtesy of the Dew Tour (Facebook)
When: Sunday, December 7, from 3–7 p.m.
Where: Main Street Breckenridge
Price: Free
The perfect location to kick off the holiday season, this event has so much to do: a snowman building competition, a dog parade, Moose March, Race of the Santas, the lighting of the town tree, and much more.
Colorado Springs
City of Colorado Springs Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Saturday, November 23, at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Acacia Park, 115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs
Price: Free to attend; $10 for ice skating, includes skate rental
Colorado Springs yearly celebration and tree lighting at Acacia Park includes ice skating, games, live entertainment, Santa, and, of course, the lighting of the tree.
Denver
Grand Illumination
When: Friday, November 29, from 5–8 p.m.
Where: Denver Union Station
Price: Free
Denver Union Station’s iconic holiday celebration includes the lighting of the 40-foot-tall Plaza Christmas Tree. The festivities will include a vintage performance by the Denver Dolls and holiday music by the Denver Bronze. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand for the family-friendly festivities.
Mile High Tree
When: Saturday, November 30, from 5–10:30 p.m.
Where: Denver Center for Performing Arts Sculpture Park
Price: Free
America’s Tallest Digital Tree is a new addition to the holiday tree displays this year. The 110-foot-tall immersive art installation will be set up in the Denver Performing Arts Center’s Sculpture Park. The tree is the largest of its kind in North America and can fit 140 guests inside at a time for an immersive, light and musical experience.
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Durango
Singing With Santa and Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Friday, November 29, from 5:30–8 p.m.
Where: Main Street Durango
Price: Free
Downtown Durango welcomes in the holiday cheer with Singing for Santa and the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree. Free hot chocolate and cookies and photo ops with Santa, bring your own camera!
Fort Carson
Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting and Santa's Workshop
When: Friday, December 6–Saturday, December 7
Where: William Reed Special Events Center
Price: Free; some ticketed events
The Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony on December 6 will have free hot cocoa, cookies, and goodie bags for the kiddos, a ski and snowboard expo, and food and beverages available for purchase. Then, Saturday will bring Santa’s Workshop, as well as Catch Me If You Can 5K and Jingle Bell Jog.
Glenwood Springs
Annual Hotel Colorado Lighting Ceremony
When: Friday, November 29, from 3:15–9 p.m.
Where: Hotel Colorado, 526 Pine Street, Glenwood Springs
Price: Free
A meet and greet with Santa, a performance by Symphony in the Valley, The Denver Dolls, Legacy Dance Company, Liberty Classic Academy, and so much more await you. Hot chocolate and cookies will be for sale, and the evening will end with a firework show and tree lighting.
Idaho Springs
Tree Lighting and Dinner With Santa and Mrs. Claus
When: Saturday, November 30, from 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where: Miner Street, Idaho Springs
Price: Free; dinner is ticketed
Shop at local stores, boutiques, art galleries, enjoy local brews and grub, then join Santa and Mrs. Claus for dinner at the North Pole (Located at the Elks Lodge). Seating is limited, so get your tickets by calling Jonathan at (303)-567-4421, extension 115. After dinner, Mrs. Claus will treat everyone to storytime in Citizen’s Park before Santa hits the lights on the tree.
Winter Park
Holiday Market and Tree Lighting
Courtesy of Winter Park Resort (Facebook)
When: Saturday, November 30, from 12–5 p.m.
Where: Winter Park Resort
Price: Free
Head up to Winter Park for a celebration of the season, along with skiing, shopping, awesome views, and much more. The Holiday Market will feature handmade goods from local crafters, artists, chefs, and brewers. After an afternoon of shopping, stay for the Tree Lighting and photos with Santa.
What's your favorite holiday tree lighting event to attend in Colorado? We know we didn’t get to all of them, so let us know of any unique or impressive ones in the comments to add to our list.
