Looking for Denver holiday events in 2026? Shop for handmade gifts at the Denver Christkindlmarket, watch the 9NEWS Parade of Lights downtown, or spend an evening at Blossoms of Light. Several Christmas markets and light displays open before Thanksgiving, and a few keep glowing into January.
Our team at New Windows for America rounded up holiday outings across Colorado’s Front Range, too. Find dates for Brighton’s Festival of Lights Parade, Boulder’s Pearl Street celebrations, Golden’s Candlelight Walk, and more, with links to the organizers for hours, tickets, and updates.
Denver Christmas markets and downtown holiday events
Denver Christkindlmarket | Nov. 20–Dec. 23
For a traditional German-style Christmas market, head to Tivoli Quad on Denver’s Auraria Campus. Wooden stalls offer gifts from local and European vendors, along with seasonal food and drinks. Admission is free, so you can drop in for a quick browse or stay for dinner and live entertainment. For a quieter shopping trip, try a weekday afternoon.
Cherry Creek Holiday Market | Nov. 19–Dec. 24
If your gift list includes someone who’s hard to shop for, start with the Colorado makers at Fillmore Plaza in Cherry Creek North. Browse the market, then leave time to see the neighborhood’s holiday lights or grab dinner nearby. The market runs through Christmas Eve, with Christmas Eve hours from noon to 3 p.m.
Denver Union Station Grand Illumination and Urban Holiday Market
Union Station’s Grand Illumination takes place Friday, Nov. 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. Listen to live music in the Great Hall, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, and step outside to see the 40-foot Christmas tree light up at 6:10 p.m. For daytime shopping, visit the outdoor Urban Holiday Market on Nov. 14–15 or Nov. 28–29.
9NEWS Parade of Lights | Saturday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m.
Lighted floats, marching bands and community performers take over downtown Denver for the 52nd annual parade. Street viewing is free. If you’re bringing little ones, look at the route ahead of time so you can pick a viewing spot and plan how to get there around street closures.
Christmas lights in Denver and Littleton
Choose the York Street gardens for a city outing, the zoo for themed nights, or Chatfield Farms for a walk through a historic ranch. All three displays require tickets.
| Light display | 2026–27 dates | What to expect |
| Blossoms of Light | Nov. 20–Jan. 10 | Walk through illuminated gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens’ York Street location. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. |
| Zoo Lights | Select nights Nov. 23–Jan. 3 | Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance celebrates 35 years of Zoo Lights with returning displays and themed nights. |
| Trail of Lights | Select nights Nov. 21–Jan. 3 | At Chatfield Farms in Littleton, follow a lighted path past the historic ranch, cottonwoods and silo. |
Front Range holiday events in Brighton, Boulder, Golden, and beyond
Brighton Winter Market, Festival of Lights Parade, and Photos with Santa
Our hometown spreads the festivities across three weekends. On Saturday, Dec. 5, visit the Winter Market and Tree Lighting at Founders Plaza from 1 to 5:30 p.m., with the tree lighting at 5 p.m. The illuminated Festival of Lights Parade rolls through downtown at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. Bring your camera to Bromley Farms on Friday, Dec. 18, for Photos with Santa from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., along with reindeer, hot chocolate and cookies.
Boulder holiday market and Lights of December Parade
Start with the Firefly Handmade Holiday Market on Nov. 14–15, when artists and makers set up along the Pearl Street Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come back on Sunday, Nov. 22, for Switch on the Holidays. The Downtown Cookie Crawl starts at 11 a.m., and the lighting program begins at 5 p.m. The Lights of December Parade follows on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m., with floats made by local schools, businesses and community groups.
Golden Candlelight Walk and Holiday Parade
Golden’s Candlelight Walk begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. Follow the crowd down Washington Avenue, then stay for the performance at Parfet Park and the lighting of downtown and Clear Creek. If a daytime outing works better for your family, Golden’s Holiday Parade is Saturday, Dec. 12.
Loveland Festival of Lights on Fourth Street
On Friday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., downtown Loveland’s Festival of Lights fills five blocks of Fourth Street. Browse the holiday market and catch live entertainment, then make your way to the Rialto Theater for the 7:30 p.m. tree lighting. It’s a good evening to make a dinner reservation downtown and explore the shops along the way.
Fort Collins holiday lights in Old Town
The downtown lights switched on Nov. 6 and will stay up through February. That gives you plenty of time to wander Old Town Square, stop for a warm drink and shop locally. This is an easy outing to save for after Christmas when you have guests in town and want something you can do at your own pace.
Castle Rock Starlighting and Starlight Market
Castle Rock kicks off its Season of the Star on Saturday, Nov. 21, with food trucks, live entertainment and the annual lighting of the star above town. The downtown festivities run from 2 to 6 p.m., with the ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. Come back Dec. 4–5 for the Starlight Market at Festival Park, or take a downtown stroll under the lights through Jan. 23.
Tips for planning your holiday outing
Check the organizer’s calendar for holiday closures, ticket availability, and weather updates. For downtown parades, look up street closures before choosing where to park or get off transit. For outdoor markets and lights, pack extra gloves and pick a spot along the way to warm up.
Come home to a cozier house
If you notice a draft after an evening out, check that the window closes and locks fully and look for worn weatherstripping. You’ll find more ways to get your home ready for cold weather in our
If drafts persist or you’re considering replacing older windows or patio doors, our local team can walk you through options for your Colorado home and provide factory-direct pricing.
Happy (pre) holidays from all of us at New Windows for America. For a free, no-pressure estimate, call 303-920-0175 or fill out our form for a free estimate online.
Denver Holiday Events FAQ
What free holiday events can I go to in Denver in 2026?
The Denver Christkindlmarket is free to enter from November 20 through December 23, 2026. Street viewing at the downtown Denver 9NEWS Parade of Lights is also free on December 5, 2026.
Which Denver Christmas markets are open on Christmas Eve?
The Cherry Creek Holiday Market is open from noon to 3 p.m. on December 24, 2026. The Denver Christkindlmarket closes for the season on December 23, 2026.
Where can I see holiday lights after Christmas near Denver?
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens runs through January 10, 2027. Denver Zoo’s Zoo Lights and Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms in Littleton both run on select nights through January 3, 2027.
