Whether you love the holiday season or dread it every year, there is something undeniably enchanting about beautiful Christmas lights and displays, of which the Centennial State has plenty. Do you wish to see as many lights and displays as possible? Then take our carefully curated holiday Trail of Lights that will lead you to some of the best Christmas displays around Colorado (link to the original, interactive map can be found on Google Maps).

Google Maps
1. Christmas Mountain U.S.A. (Salida)
Salida, CO 81201, USA
Christmas Mountain U.S.A/Facebook
Did you know that there is such a thing as a Christmas mountain and that it is hiding away right here in Colorado? For one of the most unique and innovative Christmas light displays, make a trip to Salida and Christmas Mountain U.S.A.: a 750-foot-tall tree that is comprised of thousands of bright LED lights.
2. The Broadmoor (Colorado Springs)
The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA
The Broadmoor/Facebook
Whether you stay in your car and drive by or get out and explore, you are guaranteed to love the Christmas festivities at The Broadmoor! Speaking of getting out and exploring, The Broadmoor is home to an annual gingerbread village that is completely hand-crafted and billed as being the largest gingerbread display in the region.

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3. Christmas in Color (Federal Heights)
8800 N Pecos St, Federal Heights, CO 80260, USA
Christmas in Color/Facebook
Arguably the best drive-thru light display in the Centennial State is the unbeatable Christmas in Color, which is located at both Water World and Bandimere Speedway, and features a whopping 1 million lights that are synced to various displays and music. Seriously: neither Scrooge nor the Grinch could resist this festive event.
4. Loveland’s Winter Wonderlights (Loveland)
Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra, 5995 Sky Pond Dr, Loveland, CO 80538, USA
Chapungu Sculpture Park/Facebook
What is better than a magical Christmas light display? A magical Christmas light display that is FREE! Located in - you guessed it! - Loveland, Loveland’s Winter Wonderlights boasts some 80,000+ lights, displays, and illuminated sculptures and spans 26 acres of the Chapungu Sculpture Park.
5. Garden of Lights (Fort Collins)
2145 Centre Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
Gardens on Spring Creek Facebook
Open all through December, the Garden of Lights is a beloved Northern Colorado tradition that is billed as being a "whimsical, twinkling winter wonderland illuminated by hundreds of thousands of LED lights at the Gardens on Spring Creek." (Trust us: If you think this picture is stunning, you will want to see the Garden of Lights in person!)

Who will you bring with you on the trail of lights this year? Tag them in the comments! For even more Christmastime fun around the Centennial State, check out the best Christmas towns in Colorado.

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Trail of Lights

Tori Jane | October 25, 2023

When is the Trail of Lights in Colorado this year?  

Every winter, the Denver Botanic Garden comes alive with truly incredible light displays that folks come from all over the nation to witness. It typically takes place from late November until early January; the current dates for winter 2023/2024 are November 24th to January 1st. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be closed on Christmas, so plan accordingly.   

What are some other winter traditions in Colorado? 

The Trail of Lights is far from the only beloved winter tradition in Colorado! There are many more – all of which are definitely worth a trip. Other wonderful winter traditions in Colorado include:  

  • Estes Park’s Tree Lighting Ceremony – This is one of the most famous, twinkly, beautiful tree lightings in the nation, and it just so happens to be in one of Colorado’s most beautiful towns.  
  • The Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships – Did you know that you can make so much more than just a snowman if you really put your heart into it? Check out these incredible snow sculptures and celebrate the winner.  
  • Visit one of our amazing Christmas towns! Some of our towns, like Breckenridge, Frisco, and Manitou Springs go all out for the seasons.  

Learn more about the best things to do in Colorado in winter.  

What should I do for Christmas in Colorado?  

Of course, the list above isn’t complete – there are so many fun things to do for Christmas in Colorado that you’ll probably never run out of ideas in this lifetime. Other fun ideas for the best winter in Colorado ever are things like: 

Colorado in the winter is amazing – you'll never get bored!  

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