Best Christmas Light Shows in Colorado 2025: Ultimate Guide to Holiday Displays
Every winter, cities across Colorado light up with displays that draw visitors from all over. People of all ages come out to see these shows and soak up the holiday spirit.
You can find some of the best Christmas light shows in Colorado, offering unique sights and experiences for everyone. Whether you live nearby or you’re traveling in, these events can make the season feel extra special.
Table of Contents
- 1 Find the Best Accommodations
- 2 1) Lone Tree Light Show
- 3 2) Denver Zoo Lights
- 4 3) Franktown Festival of Lights – Colorado
- 5 4) Brilliant Christmas Lights
- 6 5) Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms
- 7 6) Above All Holiday Lighting
- 8 7) Christmas in Color at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds
- 9 8) Christmas in Color at Water World
- 10 9) Christmas Walk in the Woods
- 11 kris kringle tips
- 12 10) Colorado Holiday Lights
Find the Best Accommodations
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1) Lone Tree Light Show
You’ll find the Lone Tree Light Show tucked in a quiet residential area of Lone Tree, Colorado. This display stands out for its creative use of lights and music, drawing locals back year after year.
The lights sync up with classic holiday songs and some newer tunes. You can take in the show from your car, which is honestly a relief on those freezing nights.
Parking’s simple—just find a spot along the nearby streets. It’s free, which makes it a solid pick for families or a group of friends looking for a low-key outing.
The crowds here stay pretty small since it’s not a huge commercial event. No long waits, no bumper-to-bumper traffic, just a cozy neighborhood vibe.
Before you go, check their social media for show times and any last-minute changes. The schedule can shift from year to year.
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Location: 881 Altair Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Website: Visit Website
2) Denver Zoo Lights
Denver Zoo Lights transforms the zoo into a glowing wonderland every holiday season. After dark, you can stroll the paths and see thousands of lights in all sorts of shapes and colors.
Animal-themed displays wrap around trees and fences. It’s a little magical, honestly.
Some nights get packed, so it’s smart to arrive early or pick a weekday. The event usually runs from late November through early January.
You’ll need tickets, and prices can change depending on your age or the date. The Denver Zoo sits right by City Park in central Denver.
Parking’s available but fills up fast, especially on weekends. If you’re coming from out of town, you might want to check out hotels nearby.
Rating: 4.5 (187 reviews)
Location: 2900 E 23rd Ave, Denver, CO 80205
Contact: (720) 337-1400
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late Nov–Early Jan* | 5–9 PM* | 2900 E 23rd Ave, Denver, CO 80205 | Varies by age/date* | Search nearby hotels | https://denverzoo.org/events/zoolights/ |
*Check the official website for the exact dates, times, and ticket prices.
3) Franktown Festival of Lights – Colorado
The Franktown Festival of Lights runs nightly from late November through December. This display takes over a private residence and has welcomed the public since 2005.
No tickets, no reservations, and no entry fee. Just show up and enjoy.
They encourage you to bring a canned good or hygiene item for local food banks. Last season, the event collected about 10,000 pounds of food and nearly $10,000 in donations.
The lights sync with Christmas music, and shows run every 20 minutes. You can walk a lighted trail or watch from your car, depending on how busy it is.
During crowded times, it’s walkers only. There are photo spots and displays, with the event running from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM nightly.
The last show starts at 9:40 PM. Tune to FM 90.7 for the music or listen through outdoor speakers.
For the best view, use only your parking lights. Please drive slowly and watch out for folks crossing the road.
Rating: 4.9 (63 reviews)
Location: 575 N White Tail Dr, Franktown, CO 80116
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 28 – Dec 29, 2024 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 575 N White Tail Dr, Franktown, CO | Free (donations only) | Booking.com nearby hotels | Visit Website |
4) Brilliant Christmas Lights
Brilliant Christmas Lights is a professional light installation service in Denver. You can check out a huge variety of outdoor lighting designs at this spot.
They use commercial-grade lights and handle setups quickly and safely. If you want your home or business to shine, you’ll find plenty of advice and examples of their work here.
The staff helps with installation, maintenance, and taking everything down when the season’s over. Lots of Denver locals trust this company for reliable, friendly service.
The store sits in a commercial area just west of downtown. If you stop by, you can chat with a team member about your lighting ideas and needs.
The company’s website has contact details and booking info if you’re ready to get started.
Rating: 5 (42 reviews)
Location: 4444 Morrison Rd #3, Denver, CO 80219
Contact: (720) 729-7777
Website: Visit Website
5) Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms
Chatfield Farms, just outside Littleton, hosts a Christmas light display that’s become a favorite for many. Each holiday season, the working farm transforms its fields and paths with colorful lights.
You can wander outdoor trails and see installations shaped like trees, animals, and other farm touches. Hot drinks, snacks, and photo spots pop up around the event.
The open fields let you see the lights from all sorts of angles. It’s usually peaceful, though weekends can get a little busy.
There’s parking onsite, and tickets are often sold in advance online. Since everything’s outdoors, dress warm—Colorado nights are no joke.
Bring your camera, too. There are plenty of spots set up for holiday photos with glowing lights in the background.
Rating: 4.6 (2976 reviews)
Location: 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128
Contact: (720) 865-3500
Website: Visit Website
| Dates (2025) | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typically late Nov – Dec | Dusk – 9 p.m. | 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128 | Varies by event | Hotels near Chatfield Farms | botanicgardens.org |
6) Above All Holiday Lighting
If you’re after professional holiday lighting in Colorado, you might want to check out Above All Holiday Lighting. They work with homeowners in spots like Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Wash Park, and Highlands Ranch.
The team creates custom displays for all sorts of holidays, but Christmas and Halloween are their bread and butter. They use commercial-grade LED products and handle installation with care.
They custom splice wires for even bulb placement, so your roofline actually looks sharp and bright. You get the full package—design, setup, maintenance, and removal when the season wraps up.
Above All Holiday Lighting gives back too, donating free displays to families through their charity program. If you want to brainstorm ideas or get a quote, just call, text, or email for a free design consult.
Rating: 4.9 (94 reviews)
Location: 4860 S Acoma St, Englewood, CO 80110
Contact: (303) 578-8177
Website: Visit Website
7) Christmas in Color at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds
This holiday light show lets you drive through a long path packed with displays built from millions of lights. You tune your car radio to catch the music as you roll along the marked route.
Each section of the show moves and changes color with the songs. The event is a hit with families because you stay in your car—no need to brave the cold if you don’t want to.
Organizers plan new light themes every year, so there’s usually something fresh to see. The show takes over a big fairgrounds east of Denver, so traffic moves steadily and you won’t feel crammed in.
Buy tickets online and pick your arrival time slot. Makes the whole thing a little less stressful, honestly.
Rating: 3.8 (63 reviews)
Location: Christmas in Color at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds
Contact: (801) 613-0689
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unconfirmed (Check website) | Evening hours | 25690 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80016 | Unlisted (see website) | Hotels near Arapahoe County Fairgrounds | https://www.christmasincolor.net/ |
8) Christmas in Color at Water World
Water World in Federal Heights transforms into a massive Christmas light show called Christmas in Color each holiday season. You drive your car through thousands of lights set to music, following a winding route through the park.
Families, couples, and groups roll through to see holiday lights without ever stepping outside. The display includes synchronized lights, glowing tunnels, and vibrant decorations.
Music plays through your car’s radio, perfectly timed with the lights. You really should reserve tickets ahead, especially as Christmas gets closer—those nights fill up fast.
The drive-through takes 20 to 30 minutes, give or take, depending on traffic. All ages are welcome, so bring whoever you want.
Dates, times, and ticket prices change every year, so double-check the website before you go. Plenty of hotels are nearby if you need a place to crash.
Rating: 4.1 (37 reviews)
Location: 8800 N Pecos St, Federal Heights, CO 80260
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to stay nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not Yet Announced for 2025 | Not Yet Announced | 8800 N Pecos St, Federal Heights, CO 80260 | Info posted on website | Hotels near Water World (Booking.com) | christmasincolor.net |
9) Christmas Walk in the Woods
Christmas Walk in the Woods happens every night in December, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It’s just a short drive from Loveland, Colorado—look for the ticket trailer when you park.
The woods light up with Christmas displays and themed photo spots. You’ll see backdrops like Santa’s House, an elf workshop, and a classic Christmas truck, ready for your family photos.
Santa swings by, and live Christmas music fills the air. Dickens carolers and tuba players show up to play throughout the event.
Sorry, but no pets allowed. You can grab tickets at the entrance without dealing with big online fees, and they take cash or cards.
Dress warm—it’s Colorado in winter and this is all outdoors. Simple as that.
Rating: 4.9 (18 reviews)
Location: 1750 Savage Rd, Loveland, CO 80538
Contact: 970-667-3002
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December (not 24/25) | 5:00-8:00 | 1750 Savage Rd, Loveland, CO | Not listed | Booking.com – Loveland hotels | Visit Website |
kris kringle tips
Dress in warm layers, including a thermal base, cozy sweater, insulated jacket, hat, gloves, and a scarf. Wear waterproof boots with thick socks for comfort while walking on snowy or icy paths. Don’t forget hand warmers for extra warmth and a crossbody bag to keep your hands free for treats and shopping.
10) Colorado Holiday Lights
If you want someone else to handle your holiday display, Colorado Holiday Lights in Englewood can set up custom Christmas lights for your home or business. Planning is straightforward—they’ll work with you on the design and make it happen.
They take care of installation, maintenance, and removal after the holidays, so you don’t have to mess with tangled lights or ladders. Their team keeps things reliable and safe, which is honestly a relief.
Most of their work is around the Denver metro area. The office is easy to find, and you can just call if you have questions or want to set something up.
Rating: 5 (14 reviews)
Location: 301 Inverness Way S, Englewood, CO 80112
Contact: (720) 795-8445
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov–Dec 2025 | Call for availability | 301 Inverness Way S, Englewood, CO 80112 | Varies | Hotels near 80112 on Booking.com | Not available |
Christmas Market Closures
Due to econonic conditions and tariffs, some Christmas Markets may cancel their events due to lack of vendors. If you are aware of a closed market,or find errors on a listing, please reach out on our Contact Us page so that we may update this post.
