Best Christmas Light Displays in Denver, Colorado

Denver boasts fantastic Christmas light displays every year. No matter how cold it is it's always lots of fun to bundle up the family and tour the city's Christmas light displays. Businesses hosting formal Christmas light displays offer warm drinks to fend off the chill, or you can stop in at your favorite coffee shop to treat the family to hot chocolate and cider. Snowy evenings can add to the magical ambience of beautiful lights and holiday cheer. Take your family to all of these Christmas light displays in Denver this holiday season.

Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens

Where: 1005 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
When: December 2, 2006 through January 21, 2007
Monday through Sunday 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Admission: $8 for adults, $6 for children

This is one of my favorite Christmas light displays in Denver. The Denver Botanic Gardens uses over 1 million lights to illuminate 17 acres of plants and hardscapes. This year, they have new features including 26 bronze statues and water lily sculptures that will illuminate the Monet Garden Horseshoe Pool. In addition, a variety of entertainment, such as bell choirs, carolers, and dancers, will be offered in an outdoor heated tent, Mitchell Hall, and strolling through the gardens. Look for outdoor food and beverage stations or warm up in Gates Garden Court with hot beverages and snacks while enjoying seasonal plant displays. It takes about 20 minutes to stroll through the garden path. The Christmas light display at the Denver Botanic Gardens is beautiful, captivating, and well worth the cost and effort.

Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo

Where: 2300 Steele Street, Denver, CO 80205
When: December 8, 2006 through December 31, 2006
Sunday through Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Admission: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for children, free under three years old

The Denver Zoo hosts a fantastic Christmas light display every year. The zoo illuminates 35 acres of trees and creates animated animal light displays. One of my favorite Christmas light displays is monkeys swinging through the trees. While strolling the zoo, you can also view live animals while enjoying carolers, instrumental groups, dancers and the Conservation Carousel. Several "warming stations" are available throughout the zoo where you can find roasted nuts, hot chocolate, cider, soft bread pretzels and steamy cappuccino. This year, kids can visit Santa Claus, too. The Christmas light display at the Denver Zoo is enjoyable for adults and fun for the kids, and I highly recommend you check it out this holiday season.

Mile High Lights at Bandimere Speedway

Where: 3051 South Rooney Road, Morrison, CO 80465
When: November 24, 2006 through January 1, 2007
Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; Sunday-Thursday 5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Admission: $15 - $40 per vehicle

Mile High Lights at Bandimere Speedway is Denver's first and only drive-through Christmas light display. From the comfort and warmth of your vehicle, you can enjoy a two-mile procession of lights and displays, some three stories tall. I have not seen this Christmas light display personally, but others have told me it's a nice way for people with reduced mobility to see a Christmas light display. For more information, go to their website at http://www.bandimere.com/home/index.php.

Parade of Lights in downtown Denver

Where: Parade starts at the Denver City and County Building at Bannock and 14th
When: Friday, December 1st at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 2nd at 6 p.m.
Admission: Free

This annual Denver tradition may be a parade, but it's also a beautiful Christmas light display. In addition to large parade balloons and local marching bands, you can see spectacular lighted floats along downtown Denver streets. Downtown coffee shops are open during the parade where you can purchase warm beverages and snacks. I have been to three parades and it can get crowded. I recommend making a fun evening out of the event by parking early downtown, going to dinner, and then staking your claim along the parade route. If you prefer, a limited number of tickets are sold for grandstand seating in front of the City and County Building. Tickets are $15 for adults and children 13 and older. Tickets for children ages 2-12 are $12. Children under 2 years old are free as long as the child sits on the lap of a ticket holder. Also, this event is broadcast live on Friday night on channel 9 in Denver. If you live in the Denver metro area, this annual parade and Christmas light display is a must-see.

These are the best Christmas light displays in Denver, Colorado. Not only can you see these formal light displays, but also there are numerous private residences around the Denver metro area that put on excellent Christmas light displays. Add to your enjoyment this holiday season and see one or all of these Christmas light displays in Denver, Colorado.