Get ready for holiday joy in Columbine! Our guide is packed with must-see events and activities. Whether you're intimately familiar with Columbine or just getting to know it, this guide maximizes your seasonal joy.
This holiday season, experience the enchanting display of twinkling lights at Zoo Lights, where the Denver Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland filled with stunning light installations. Another highlight is the Cherry Creek North Holiday Market, which offers unique local crafts and festive treats, offering a perfect opportunity for holiday shopping. And the Grand Illumination is something you definitely don’t want to miss, as it showcases the magical moment when the entire town lights up for the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Columbine
- Zoo Lights (Denver)
- Cherry Creek North Holiday Market (Denver)
- The Polar Express (Golden)
- Grand Illumination (Denver)
- Bridge of Lights at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park (Cañon City)
- WinterFest (Boulder)
- Holiday Evening at Rock Ledge Ranch (Colorado Springs)
- Christmas at Flying W Ranch (Colorado Springs)
- Santa Express Train (Cañon City)
See these and even more events listed below!
Columbine Holiday Light Displays
Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with extensive light displays.
Description:
Denver Zoo Lights features over 3 million LED lights transforming the zoo into a vibrant display of animal-themed light displays, with special attractions like ice sculpting and a train ride through the zoo.
Where: Denver | More Info: Zoo Lights
Grand Illumination
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with live music and a giant Christmas tree lighting.
Description:
The Grand Illumination at Denver Union Station features family-friendly entertainment, including classic holiday hits by the Denver Dolls, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, and seasonal beverages. The event culminates with the lighting of a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree adorned with over 7,000 holiday lights.
Where: Denver | More Info: Grand Illumination
Bridge of Lights at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-thru light display on a historic suspension bridge.
Description:
Drive across America's highest suspension bridge, adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, and enjoy festive holiday music and treats like hot cocoa and cookies.
Where: Cañon City | More Info: Bridge of Lights at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
Columbine Holiday Markets and Shopping
Cherry Creek North Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique gifts from local artisans and creators.
Description:
The Cherry Creek North Holiday Market is a premier holiday event in Denver, featuring dozens of hand-picked vendors selling unique gifts and seasonal items. Located on Fillmore Plaza, the market offers a variety of local makers, designers, and creators, along with the Mistletoe Lounge for refreshments.
Where: Denver | More Info: Cherry Creek North Holiday Market
Columbine Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Polar Express
What to Expect:
Interactive theatrical experience with vintage train ride and Santa visit.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum features a three-part theatrical extravaganza with holiday caroling, a cabaret-style show, and a ride to the North Pole aboard vintage coaches pulled by a coal-fired steam locomotive. Guests enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and a Silver Bell, culminating in a visit with Santa.
Where: Golden | More Info: The Polar Express
WinterFest
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn carriage rides and holiday market activities.
Description:
WinterFest at the Colorado Chautauqua is a holiday celebration featuring festive food and drinks, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, and family-friendly activities like holiday market exploration, cookie decorating, and craft making.
Where: Boulder | More Info: WinterFest
Christmas at Flying W Ranch
What to Expect:
World-class Western Christmas show with festive music and clean humor.
Description:
Join us at the Flying W Ranch for a Christmas Chuckwagon Supper Show featuring the world-renowned Flying W Wranglers. Enjoy a delicious meal of smoked center-cut Angus strip steak and smoked Berbere chicken, followed by a musical show that will make your heart sing. The event is set amidst twinkling white lights and stunning, well-lit rock formations, creating a memorable holiday experience.
Where: Colorado Springs | More Info: Christmas at Flying W Ranch
Columbine Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Evening at Rock Ledge Ranch
What to Expect:
Historic holiday celebration with unique activities and demonstrations.
Description:
Rock Ledge Ranch transforms into a traditional holiday setting with St. Nicholas in the Carriage House, wagon rides, old-time musical entertainment, 1860s Homestead Cabin historic tours, Blacksmith Shop demonstrations, Victorian celebrations in the 1880s Rock Ledge House, and Edwardian festivities in the 1907 Orchard House. Enjoy special Ranch-made gifts and sweet treats throughout the ranch.
Where: Colorado Springs | More Info: Holiday Evening at Rock Ledge Ranch
Santa Express Train
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with Santa Claus and festive lights.
Description:
The Santa Express Train is a festive holiday journey through Colorado's Royal Gorge, featuring Santa Claus, hot cocoa, cookies, and special gifts for children. The train offers various classes of service, including Vista Dome, Deluxe, and Coach, with dining and drinks available for purchase. The event includes a holiday display with over 50,000 lights and offers unique shopping opportunities at the Santa Fe Depot retail store.
Where: Cañon City | More Info: Santa Express Train
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Ken Caryl (2 miles)
- Littleton (3 miles)
- Highlands Ranch (6 miles)
- Englewood (6 miles)
- Southglenn (6 miles)
- Lakewood (8 miles)
- Castlewood (9 miles)
- Centennial (10 miles)
- Denver (11 miles)
- Wheat Ridge (12 miles)
- Golden (14 miles)
- Arvada (15 miles)
- Aurora (16 miles)
- Commerce City (17 miles)
- Parker (17 miles)
- Westminster (17 miles)
- Castle Rock (19 miles)
- Thornton (20 miles)
- Northglenn (21 miles)
- Broomfield (23 miles)
- Louisville (27 miles)
- Lafayette (28 miles)
- Brighton (30 miles)
- Boulder (31 miles)
- Erie (32 miles)
- Longmont (40 miles)