Celebrate the season with the Highlands Ranch community! Discover all the festive happenings in our guide. Whether you're a Highlands Ranch native or a holiday pilgrim, our guide helps you navigate the festive landscape.
Popular events in the area include the Downtown Denver Rink, where you can enjoy ice skating with the stunning city backdrop. The Holidays at the Colorado Symphony promise enchanting performances filled with seasonal classics, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. And you definitely don't want to miss Winter Wanderland, an immersive experience filled with illuminated displays and winter activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Highlands Ranch
- Winter Wanderland (Denver)
- Luminova Holidays (Denver)
- Holidays at the Colorado Symphony (Denver)
- Downtown Denver Rink (Denver)
- Santa at the Hangar (Denver)
- Holiday Celebration (Centennial)
- Holiday in the Ranch
- Christmas at Flying W Ranch (Colorado Springs)
- Bridge of Lights at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park (Cañon City)
- Season of the Star (Castle Rock)
See these and even more events listed below!
Highlands Ranch Holiday Light Displays
Winter Wanderland
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday celebration with 1 million lights and live performances.
Description:
Cherry Creek North's Winter Wanderland features over 1 million twinkling lights wrapping more than 600 trees, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere with live music, stilt walkers, and festive treats.
Where: Denver | More Info: Winter Wanderland
Luminova Holidays
What to Expect:
Immersive light displays and interactive activities.
Description:
Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens features over 4 million dazzling lights, interactive activities, and festive rides, including a 65-ft. Christmas tree and 300-ft. candy cane tunnel.
Where: Denver | More Info: Luminova Holidays
Bridge of Lights at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday light display on a historic suspension bridge.
Description:
Drive across America's Highest Suspension Bridge to witness thousands of twinkling lights that adorn the Royal Gorge Bridge, creating a spectacular holiday light display.
Where: Cañon City | More Info: Bridge of Lights at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
Highlands Ranch Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday in the Ranch
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday event with a Winter Market and Santa photo opportunities.
Description:
A hometown holiday celebration featuring a Winter Market, Christmas caroling, and Santa photo opportunities, all set in a welcoming community atmosphere.
Where: Highlands Ranch | More Info: Holiday in the Ranch
Season of the Star
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities with live entertainment and festive decor.
Description:
The Season of the Star in Castle Rock is a celebration of lights and festive events, featuring family-friendly activities throughout the town, including the annual Starlighting ceremony, Festival Park Starlight Market, Reindeer Games, and more.
Where: Castle Rock | More Info: Season of the Star
Highlands Ranch Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holidays at the Colorado Symphony
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performances of holiday classics and iconic films.
Description:
The Colorado Symphony presents a variety of holiday-themed concerts, including a performance of Verdi's Requiem to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Colorado Symphony Chorus, and a screening of Disney's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" with live orchestral accompaniment.
Where: Denver | More Info: Holidays at the Colorado Symphony
Holiday Celebration
What to Expect:
Local youth choirs performing and interacting with Santa.
Description:
Celebrate the holidays with local youth choirs singing and dancing, hot chocolate, cider, and cookies, while enjoying a family-friendly event with Santa.
Where: Centennial | More Info: Holiday Celebration
Santa at the Hangar
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with Santa visits and craft cocktails.
Description:
Visit Santa at Camp Christmas, where you can share your Christmas wishes in a festive and interactive setting.
Where: Denver | More Info: Santa at the Hangar
Christmas at Flying W Ranch
What to Expect:
Western Christmas celebration with live music and authentic chuckwagon meal.
Description:
The Flying W Ranch presents a Christmas Chuckwagon Supper Show featuring the world-renowned Flying W Wranglers in a festive setting with twinkling white lights and well-lit rock formations. Enjoy a delicious Christmas menu and a musical show that will captivate audiences of all ages.
Where: Colorado Springs | More Info: Christmas at Flying W Ranch
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with local and university dancers.
Description:
The Nutcracker, a timeless ballet by Tchaikovsky, features the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the University of Oklahoma School of Dance, and the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale. Conducted by Thomas Wilson, this performance brings Clara's world to life with a tale of adventure and holiday cheer.
Where: Colorado Springs | More Info: The Nutcracker
Christmas at Glen Eyrie
What to Expect:
Formal, immersive holiday celebration with live music and interactive performance.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Glen Eyrie with a 16th century-style banquet and performance, featuring a 4-course dinner, music, dancing, and humor in the grand Great Hall of the Castle.
Where: Colorado Springs | More Info: Christmas at Glen Eyrie
Highlands Ranch Other Holiday Activities
Downtown Denver Rink
What to Expect:
Free ice skating with various rental options.
Description:
The Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park offers free ice skating with optional skate rentals available. Special events and discounts for 4th graders, My Denver Card holders, and military personnel make it a popular winter activity.
Where: Denver | More Info: Downtown Denver Rink
Holiday Evening at Rock Ledge Ranch
What to Expect:
Historic holiday celebration with diverse cultural and agricultural activities.
Description:
Rock Ledge Ranch transforms into a historically festive setting with St. Nicholas in the Carriage House, wagon rides, old-time musical entertainment, 1860s Homestead Cabin tours, Blacksmith Shop demonstrations, Victorian celebrations in the 1880s Rock Ledge House, and Edwardian festivities in the 1907 Orchard House. Enjoy hot cider, cocoa, and sweet treats while making a special holiday craft.
Where: Colorado Springs | More Info: Holiday Evening at Rock Ledge Ranch
Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday activities and visits with Santa Claus.
Description:
Great Wolf Lodge transforms into a holiday celebration with seasonal festivities, games, crafts, and visits from Santa Claus. Families can participate in a lodge-wide holiday scavenger hunt, Snowfall Celebration singalong, Frosty Fest holiday dance party, and various seasonal-themed games. The event includes customized seasonal arts and crafts, and visits with Santa on select days and hours.
Where: Colorado Springs | More Info: Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge
Santa Express Train
What to Expect:
Unique holiday train experience with Santa Claus and festive decorations.
Description:
The Santa Express Train is a holiday journey through Colorado's Royal Gorge, featuring a beautifully decorated locomotive, meeting Santa Claus, and enjoying hot cocoa and special gifts for children.
Where: Cañon City | More Info: Santa Express Train
Palmer Lake Star Lighting
What to Expect:
Star lighting ceremony on July 4th.
Description:
The Palmer Lake Star Lighting event features the lighting of a star at dusk on July 4th, symbolizing hope and celebrating Independence Day.
Where: Palmer Lake | More Info: Palmer Lake Star Lighting
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Southglenn (2 miles)
- Castlewood (4 miles)
- Littleton (5 miles)
- Centennial (5 miles)
- Columbine (6 miles)
- Englewood (7 miles)
- Ken Caryl (8 miles)
- Parker (11 miles)
- Lakewood (12 miles)
- Denver (13 miles)
- Castle Rock (14 miles)
- Aurora (14 miles)
- Wheat Ridge (16 miles)
- Commerce City (18 miles)
- Arvada (18 miles)
- Golden (19 miles)
- Westminster (20 miles)
- Thornton (22 miles)
- Northglenn (23 miles)
- Broomfield (26 miles)
- Louisville (31 miles)
- Brighton (31 miles)
- Lafayette (31 miles)
- Erie (35 miles)
- Boulder (36 miles)
- Longmont (43 miles)