Get a bird’s eye view of the festive season in Boulder. Our guide highlights all the essential holiday events. From Boulder old-timers to newcomers, our guide ensures a festive season full of wonder and delight.
Popular Events: Experience the enchanting glow of thousands of lights at the Blossoms of Light, an impressive display that transforms the gardens into a winter wonderland. Featuring vibrant colors and magical scenes, The Nutcracker will transport audiences into a classic holiday tale with captivating performances. And the Lights of December Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing festive floats and community spirit as they light up the streets. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Boulder
- The Nutcracker (Denver)
- Blossoms of Light (Denver)
- Pueblo Parade of Lights (Pueblo)
- Holidays at the Colorado Symphony (Denver)
- Lights of December Parade
- Boulder Christmas Light Show
- Luminova Holidays (Denver)
- Camp Christmas (Aurora)
- Home for the Holidays (Lone Tree)
- CU Presents’ Holiday Festival
See these and even more events listed below!
Boulder Holiday Light Displays
Snow Much Fun Light Displays
What to Expect:
Interactive augmented reality experiences with holiday lights and themed decorations.
Description:
Snow Much Fun Light Displays feature colorful LED lights illuminating downtown Boulder, including the Civic Area, Pearl Street Mall, and historic landmarks. Explore holiday lighting displays with themed decorations and augmented reality experiences using QR codes and Instagram filters.
Where: Boulder | More Info: Snow Much Fun Light Displays
Lights of December Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday parade with diverse floats and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Lights of December Parade in Downtown Boulder features floats created by local businesses, churches, schools, and community groups. The parade includes marching bands, lit fire engines, and holiday carolers, culminating in an appearance by Santa Claus. The event starts at 15th and Walnut streets and proceeds through Broadway and Spruce streets.
Where: Boulder | More Info: Lights of December Parade
Blossoms of Light
What to Expect:
Immersive, luminous displays highlighting plant collections.
Description:
Blossoms of Light is a spectacular holiday event at the Denver Botanic Gardens, featuring a mile-long path through immersive, luminous displays that highlight the garden's plant collections. The event is a cherished holiday tradition, consistently lauded as one of the top holiday light shows in the nation, and it showcases LED lights in line with the garden's core value of sustainability. Holiday treats and warm drinks are available for purchase at Offshoots Café and the Hive Garden Bistro.
Where: Denver | More Info: Blossoms of Light
Luminova Holidays
What to Expect:
Immersive light displays and interactive activities for all ages.
Description:
Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens features over 4 million dazzling lights, a 65-ft. Christmas tree, and interactive activities like light-up hopscotch and giant light swings. Enjoy festive lights from the Ferris Wheel, ride select park attractions, and visit Santa until December 23rd.
Where: Denver | More Info: Luminova Holidays
Pueblo Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Annual parade with over 30 years of festive floats and marching bands.
Description:
The Pueblo Parade of Lights is a long-standing tradition in Southern Colorado, featuring colorful floats, school marching bands, and decorated vehicles that light up Union Avenue and surrounding streets.
Where: Pueblo | More Info: Pueblo Parade of Lights
Boulder Christmas Light Show
What to Expect:
Extensive LED light displays throughout downtown Boulder.
Description:
Downtown Boulder's Christmas Light Show features hundreds of thousands of colorful LED lights illuminating the Civic Area, Pearl Street Mall, and historic buildings, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere.
Where: Boulder | More Info: Boulder Christmas Light Show
Winter Wonderlights
What to Expect:
30-minute music and light shows every night.
Description:
Winter Wonderlights features 150,000 lights, including holiday string lights, twinkling bulbs, and LED mappable snowflakes, set to eight festive songs with moving lights on a 23-foot tall LED Christmas Tree. Special programming includes an inflatable igloo stage and local vendors during select weekends.
Where: Loveland | More Info: Winter Wonderlights
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with floats and live performances.
Description:
The Festival of Lights in Loveland Downtown District is a hometown tradition featuring holiday lighting, live music, community performances, a tree lighting ceremony, holiday market, carriage rides, and Santa.
Where: Loveland | More Info: Festival of Lights
Trail of Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with festive decorations.
Description:
Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms features a winding path illuminated by LED lights, showcasing cottonwoods, boxelders, and pine trees. Enjoy lit props in the amphitheater, synchronized lights, dancing Christmas trees, and illuminated antique tractors. Hot beverages and snacks are available for purchase, and the event includes a Holiday Market for gift shopping.
Where: Chatfield | More Info: Trail of Lights
Denver Zoo Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular LED light displays with interactive elements.
Description:
Denver Zoo Zoo Lights features over 2 million LED lights, including installations like Aurora Borealis and Savannah Sunset, spread across 80 acres. The event includes nightly ice-carving demonstrations, cozy fire barrels, and festive holiday food and drink options.
Where: Denver | More Info: Denver Zoo Zoo Lights
Electric Safari
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo features over 85 unique light sculptures, larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals, and a holiday-safari themed drone show. Guests can also enjoy interactive activities, animal encounters, and hot cocoa throughout the zoo.
Where: Colorado Springs | More Info: Electric Safari
9NEWS Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular parade with diverse floats and performances.
Description:
The 9NEWS Parade of Lights is a festive holiday event featuring floats, helium-filled character balloons, marching bands, equestrian units, and cultural entries, culminating in a special appearance from Santa Claus.
Where: Denver | More Info: 9NEWS Parade of Lights
Boulder Holiday Markets and Shopping
Schweiger Ranch Austrian Christmas
What to Expect:
Authentic Austrian culture and traditions celebrated with Santa, reindeer, and local crafts.
Description:
Schweiger Ranch presents its annual Austrian Christmas event, celebrating Austrian traditions with Santa, reindeer, carriage rides, authentic Austrian food, music, and local handcrafted gifts.
Where: Parker | More Info: Schweiger Ranch Austrian Christmas
Boulder Holiday Shows and Entertainment
CU Presents’ Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
World-class faculty and guest performances.
Description:
CU Boulder's Holiday Festival is a winter concert featuring student choirs, bands, orchestras, and world-class faculty performers, showcasing holiday favorites and new delights.
Where: Boulder | More Info: CU Presents’ Holiday Festival
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker is a timeless ballet that captures the festive spirit of the season with mischievous dancing mice, sweet Sugar Plums, and a symphony of swirling snowflakes.
Where: Denver | More Info: The Nutcracker
Home for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Old-school variety show with celebrity appearances and diverse musical styles.
Description:
Home for the Holidays is a holiday spectacular featuring dancers, singers, holiday songs, and celebrity appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. With an updated storyline for 2023 and a few spectacular surprises, this show is sure to delight and put you in the holiday spirit.
Where: Lone Tree | More Info: Home for the Holidays
Holidays at the Colorado Symphony
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performances of beloved holiday films and music.
Description:
The Colorado Symphony presents a variety of holiday-themed concerts, including Disney's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and Halloween Spooktacular, featuring a range of classical and contemporary music.
Where: Denver | More Info: Holidays at the Colorado Symphony
Camp Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday celebration with interactive installations and Santa visits.
Description:
Camp Christmas is a 15,000 square-foot, 360-degree immersive holiday experience featuring handcrafted installations, nostalgic scenes, and playful decorations. Visitors can discover their holiday superpower, visit Santa, and savor craft cocktails in a surreal mashup of yuletide cheer.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Camp Christmas
Sound of The Rockies
What to Expect:
Award-winning ensemble providing world-class harmony for special events.
Description:
Sound of The Rockies is Colorado's premier nonprofit men's a cappella group and barbershop chorus, featuring over 100 singers who share captivating music through community outreach initiatives and performances.
Where: Denver | More Info: Sound of The Rockies
Boulder Other Holiday Activities
St. Nick on the Bricks
What to Expect:
Free Santa meet-and-greet with optional electric train ride.
Description:
Visit St. Nick on the Bricks at the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center, where kids of all ages can meet Santa for free. Bring your list and camera to capture holiday memories. A suggested donation of $10 per group is appreciated. The event also features the Snowflake Express, an electric train ride along Pearl Street for children ages 10 and under.
Where: Boulder | More Info: St. Nick on the Bricks
Homes for the Holidays Tour
What to Expect:
Touring historic homes with unique decorations and local history.
Description:
Explore Boulder's historical homes during the Homes for the Holidays Tour, featuring architectural marvels, exquisite craftsmanship, and captivating stories.
Where: Boulder | More Info: Homes for the Holidays Tour
Freezie Fest
What to Expect:
Free train rides and Reindeer Games.
Description:
Join us for a celebration of winter and all things snowmen This snowman extravaganza includes FREE train rides (weather permitting), visits with Santa, and Reindeer Games featuring crafts and other activities.
Where: Boulder | More Info: Freezie Fest
WinterFest at Colorado Chautauqua
What to Expect:
Historic cottage tours and festive market.
Description:
WinterFest at Colorado Chautauqua is a holiday celebration featuring a tree lighting ceremony, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa's Cottage, historic cottage tours, and a festive market. Activities include a cyber-scavenger hunt, festive craft-making, cookie decorating, and guided hikes.
Where: Boulder | More Info: WinterFest at Colorado Chautauqua
Downtown Denver Rink
What to Expect:
Free ice skating with optional affordable rentals.
Description:
The Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park offers free ice skating with optional skate rentals available for adults ($11) and children ($9). Special events include themed nights and a glow-in-the-dark silent disco. The rink is open daily from November to February, with varying hours depending on the day.
Where: Denver | More Info: Downtown Denver Rink
Christmas in Loveland
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with various activities and entertainment in Historic Downtown Loveland.
Description:
Christmas in Loveland features carriage rides, train rides, complimentary tastings, crafts, holiday beverages, and trolley rides throughout Historic Downtown Loveland.
Where: Loveland | More Info: Christmas in Loveland
Old-Time Christmas
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday events in a historic mountain town setting.
Description:
Manitou Springs transforms into an old-time Christmas town with numerous events, including seeing Santa, Victorian Christmas at Miramont Castle, Christmas Tree Lighting at Wheeler Town Clock, and a Christmas Parade on Manitou Avenue.
Where: Manitou Springs | More Info: Old-Time Christmas
December Delights
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian holiday traditions with interactive activities.
Description:
Join Four Mile Historic Park for December Delights, an immersive holiday experience featuring Victorian traditions. Enjoy carolers, live music, and activities like creating holiday crowns and reindeer stick horses. Sip hot chocolate and explore the park's festive atmosphere.
Where: Denver | More Info: December Delights
Ugly Sweater 5K
What to Expect:
Unique holiday-themed run with festive attire and finish line festivities.
Description:
The Ugly Sweater 5K is a festive run/walk event where participants dress in their tackiest holiday sweaters. The event features a certified 5K course, fully stocked aid stations, and a finish line expo with food and a party-like atmosphere. All participants receive a race logo shirt and finisher's medal.
Where: Denver | More Info: Ugly Sweater 5K
Chanukah on Ice
What to Expect:
Multifaceted celebration with live music and diverse activities.
Description:
Join Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch for a vibrant Chanukah celebration featuring world-renowned Israeli singer Yoel Sharabi, Chanukah Unity Menorah Gelt Drop, falafel, kosher BBQ, Kona Ice Truck, Chanukah Art, fire juggler, balloon sculpting, face painting, doughnut decorating, hot latkes, Judah Maccabee mascot, latke bar, music, dreidel moonbounce, and raffles.
Where: Lakewood | More Info: Chanukah on Ice
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Louisville (8 miles)
- Lafayette (10 miles)
- Broomfield (12 miles)
- Erie (12 miles)
- Longmont (14 miles)
- Westminster (17 miles)
- Northglenn (17 miles)
- Arvada (18 miles)
- Golden (18 miles)
- Thornton (19 miles)
- Wheat Ridge (20 miles)
- Commerce City (23 miles)
- Lakewood (24 miles)
- Brighton (24 miles)
- Denver (24 miles)
- Loveland (28 miles)
- Englewood (29 miles)
- Aurora (31 miles)
- Littleton (31 miles)
- Columbine (31 miles)
- Ken Caryl (31 miles)
- Southglenn (34 miles)
- Castlewood (36 miles)
- Highlands Ranch (36 miles)
- Centennial (37 miles)
- Windsor (37 miles)
- Evans (39 miles)
- Fort Collins (41 miles)
- Greeley (41 miles)
- Parker (44 miles)