Last updated: November 11, 2024
Plan your festive season with our itinerary guide for Thornton. Discover all the top holiday events. From Thornton regulars to first-time tourists, our guide ensures everyone enjoys the holiday spirit.
Popular events this season include the enchanting Zoo Lights, where millions of twinkling lights illuminate the Denver Zoo, creating a magical atmosphere for all ages. Another highlight is the 9NEWS Parade of Lights, a vibrant procession filled with sparkling floats and cheerful performances, showcasing the city's festive spirit. And you definitely don’t want to miss the Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens, featuring stunning light displays that transform the gardens into a wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Holiday celebration with extensive LED light displays and special attractions.
Denver Zoo Lights features over 3 million LED lights, including animal-shaped displays and a Colorado-themed area, with special attractions like ice sculpting and a train ride through the zoo.
Where: Denver | More Info: Zoo Lights
Immersive, luminous displays highlighting plant collections.
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens is a spectacular holiday event featuring a mile-long path through immersive, luminous displays that accentuate and highlight the gardens' 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 sustainability by using 100% LED lights.
Where: Denver | More Info: Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens
Immersive light displays and interactive activities.
Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens features over 4 million dazzling lights, a 65 ft. Christmas tree, and a 25 ft. snowman that never melts. Enjoy rides on featured Elitch Gardens attractions, visits with Santa Claus, and interactive activities like light-up hopscotch and giant light swings.
Where: Denver | More Info: Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens
LED-lit walking trail with synchronized lights and festive displays.
Trail of Lights at Denver Botanic Gardens - Chatfield Farms features a winding path illuminated by LED lights, showcasing cottonwoods, boxelders, and pine trees. The event includes lit props in the amphitheater, synchronized lights, dancing Christmas trees, and illuminated antique and model tractors. Hot beverages, nuts, and kettle corn are available for purchase, along with fudge and caramels in the warming hut. The Holiday Market offers holiday gifts.
Where: Denver | More Info: Trail of Lights at Denver Botanic Gardens - Chatfield Farms
Immersive holiday lights display with live music and treats.
Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland features over 1 million twinkling lights illuminating more than 600 trees, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere with live music and complimentary treats.
Where: Denver | More Info: Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland
Synchronized light and music display at a water park.
Christmas in Color at Water World in Federal Heights features over a million synchronized holiday lights and music, creating a festive atmosphere perfect for family outings.
Where: Federal Heights | More Info: Christmas in Color - Federal Heights
Sensory-friendly Santa visits for families with disabilities.
Thornton WinterFest is a community event at Carpenter Park Fields featuring Santa's Village, ice-skating, holiday markets, and sensory-friendly Santa visits.
Where: Thornton | More Info: Thornton WinterFest
Spectacular performance by precision drill riding teams.
The 9NEWS Parade of Lights is an annual holiday tradition featuring the Varsity Big Red Team and Westernaires Batons team as they perform in Downtown Denver. The parade route begins at the City & County Building, crosses Colfax Avenue, and travels through various streets before finishing at 14th Street and Glenarm Place.
Where: Denver | More Info: 9NEWS Parade of Lights
Celebratory concert with student and faculty performances.
The Holiday Festival at CU Presents features student choirs, bands, and orchestras, along with world-class faculty performers, in a winter concert of holiday favorites and new delights.
Where: Boulder | More Info: Holiday Festival at CU Presents
Elaborate sets and costumes.
The Nutcracker by Rocky Mountain Ballet Academy is a timeless ballet performance featuring mischievous dancing mice, sweet Sugar Plums, and a symphony of swirling snowflakes, set to Tchaikovsky's enchanting score.
Where: Denver | More Info: The Nutcracker by Rocky Mountain Ballet Academy
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
The Nutcracker by Colorado Conservatory of Dance is a full-length production of the timeless ballet, featuring gorgeous sets, stunning choreography, and professional guest artists. The show follows the journey of young Clara as her Nutcracker doll comes to life, whisking her away to a whimsical realm filled with the Sugar Plum Fairy, dashing Cavalier, and other enchanting characters.
Where: Broomfield | More Info: The Nutcracker by Colorado Conservatory of Dance
Aerial performance of The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe with holiday activities.
Join Iluminar Aerial as they bring The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe to life with aerialists and dancers flying through the air. Watch the beloved children's book come alive with a holiday-themed gift shop, silent auction, and baked goods sale.
Where: Denver | More Info: Narnia: A Magical Holiday Adventure - Iluminar Aerial
Free ice skating with various rental options.
Ice skating at Skyline Park offers free admission and skate rentals, with special events and activities throughout the season.
Where: Denver | More Info: Skyline Park Ice Skating
Sensory-friendly event with reduced stimulation.
The Denver Zoo Low-Sensory Night offers a tailored experience for guests with sensory processing disorders, featuring reduced crowds, quiet rooms, and minimized movement effects. Guests can enjoy the Zoo Lights without triggering features, with free sensory kits available for checkout.
Where: Denver | More Info: Denver Zoo Low-Sensory Night
Traditional Hanukkah celebration with a latke contest.
Join the JCC Denver for a Hanukkah Celebration featuring a latke contest, traditional food, and community camaraderie.
Where: Denver | More Info: Chanukah Celebration in Cherry Creek
