Ring in 2021 with family fun in Denver with these New Year’s Eve events. Fireworks, skate parties, a replica of Times Square for Kids and so much more!
NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS IN DENVER
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2021; 9 p.m. and midnight
WHERE: 16th Street Mall
The sky will once again sparkle over downtown at the close of 2021 with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks. The two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and midnight. For the best viewpoints, stand along the 16th Street Mall. The identical fireworks shows will be synched to a music playlist from live DJs along the mall. Each show will run for about eight minutes and can be viewed from anywhere along the mall. The DJs will play tunes from 8 p.m. to midnight.
WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2021
WHERE: Skyline Park
Bundle up for some free ice skating in the heart of downtown and enjoy special events.
NOON YEAR’S EVE
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2021; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
WHERE: Children’s Museum of Denver
The museum is bringing in the sights, sounds and excitement of Times Square to the Children’s Museum – all before bedtime! Our celebration is filled with countdowns and ball drops each hour, rainbow confetti, bubble wrap fireworks, crafts, music and more.
CAMP CHRISTMAS
WHEN: Nov. 18, 2021–Jan. 2, 2022
WHERE: Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park
Journey through artist Lonnie Hanzon’s fantastical wonderland of lights, dazzling decorations, music, and memorabilia as you explore mesmerizing yuletide scenes spread across a six-acre landscape. The experience is primarily outdoors, with several opportunities to visit decked-out indoor displays (and warm up!) throughout. camp-christmas.com
CHRISTMAS IN COLOR
WHEN: Nov. 19, 2021–Jan. 2, 2022
WHERE: Water World and Bandimere Speedway (Morrison)
Load up your friends and family into the van (or car, or truck) and experience the holiday season like never before. Drive through acres of more than 1.5 million lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. You’ll drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more. It’s like being immersed in another world. You can experience the attraction at two locations. (Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.)
A HUDSON CHRISTMAS: EXTRAVAGANZA OF LIGHTS
WHEN: Nov. 26–Dec. 31, 2021 (on select days)
WHERE: Hudson Gardens & Events Center
Hudson Christmas is back after two long years. You’ll be enchanted by even more towering trees draped in thousands of colorful lights. A grove of dancing Christmas trees, a multi-colored forest inhabited by giant snowmen, the holiday light tunnel and glowing reindeer will light up Hudson Gardens into an extravaganza of holiday cheer. hudsongardens.org
SKATE THE LAKE NEW YEAR’S EVE
WHEN: Dec. 31, 2021
WHERE: Evergreen
Join the Evergreen Chamber and our local mountain community for the family-friendly, alcohol-free 25th annual New Year’s Eve Skate the Lake event at Evergreen Lake, December 31 from 6 to 10 pm. Fireworks at 8:00 pm then open skate under the lights until 10, skate rentals while supplies last. Food trucks on site with snacks and dinner available. Hot chocolate, fire pits, and fun. Free parking and free shuttles from various locations. members.evergreenchamber.org/
HOLIDAY LIGHTS MINI GOLF
WHEN: December 2021
WHERE: Adventure Golf & Raceway, Westminster
During the holiday season, Buccaneer Bay, Adventure Cove and The Lost Continent transform into beautiful holiday-themed light displays with more than 100,000 interactive lights on all three courses! adventuregolfandraceway.com/attractions/holiday-lights-mini-golf/
Denver New Year’s Eve Lights
CHERRY CREEK NORTH WINTER WANDERLAND
WHEN: Nov. 18–Dec. 31, 2021
WHERE: Cherry Creek North
During Winter Wanderland, explore 16 sparkling blocks with more than a half-million lights and discover eight twinkling displays choreographed to music. New this year is an interactive art installation, “domino effect” by Creos, which will feature 120 brightly colored dominos, each with its own sound profile. And during Saturday Night Lights (Dec. 4, 11 and 18) stroll beneath 600 illuminated trees while enjoying free festive treats and entertainment. cherrycreeknorth.com
THE MILE HIGH TREE BY MODELO USA
WHEN: Nov. 19, 2021–Jan. 1, 2022
WHERE: 16th Street Mall at Welton Street
Join in the free festivities at this festive holiday attraction, the Mile High Tree. It’s a brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation that provides a dazzling lights-and-music show.
BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT
WHEN: Nov. 19, 2021–Jan. 8, 2022 (closed Nov. 25 and Dec. 25, 2021)
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens is proud to host Blossoms of Light, an annual family-friendly event that has become a tradition for people across Colorado. Come interact with incredible light displays — a large field of sound-reactive, animated LED lights — plus sip warm drinks and nibble on tasty treats as you stroll. Pre-purchased timed tickets are required. botanicgardens.org
ZOO LIGHTS
WHEN: Nov. 22, 2021–Jan. 2, 2022
WHERE: Denver Zoo
It’s official: Zoo Lights has been making magic, memories, and even marriages for 30 amazing years! Presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores, this illuminating annual event transforms Denver Zoo into Colorado’s WILDEST winter wonderland. Don’t miss this year’s historic celebration, with more than a million lights sparkling over 80 acres—plus a host of special measures to keep your family safe and healthy. denverzoo.org/events/zoolights/
2021 ANNUAL HOLIDAY LIGHTING
WHEN: Nov. 24, 2021–Jan. 23, 2022; 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m each night
WHERE: City & County of Denver Building
Each night, at 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., an interactive holiday show will occur for 7-9 minutes, and then goes to a static holiday look until 10:45 p.m.
LUMINOVA HOLIDAYS
WHEN: Nov. 24, 2021–Jan. 2, 2022
WHERE: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
Making its Colorado debut, this family-friend event brings larger-than-life holiday displays and immersive experiences for all to enjoy. It features more than 3 million dazzling lights, a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, a 25-foot-tall snowman that never melts, a 200-foot-long candy cane tunnel, giant ornaments, a wall of lights, rides on limited Elitch Gardens attractions, train rides for the kids (and the kids at heart), interactive activities like a light-up hopscotch, strolling holiday entertainers, Old Saint Nick and his elves, and more. www.elitchgardens.com
TRAIL OF LIGHTS
WHEN: Nov. 26, 2021–Jan. 2, 2022
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms
Stroll through the Colorado countryside along a winding path glistening with lights. Features this year include a three-sided light tunnel, illuminated antique and model tractors, a children’s play area and warms holiday food and drink. Visitors must purchase a ticket online for a specific day and time. botanicgardens.org
NIGHT LIGHTS DENVER
WHEN: Permanent installation
WHERE: Daniels & Fisher Tower
Night Lights Denver features rotating content designed by local artists and the community and projected on the Arapahoe Street side of the Daniels & Fisher Tower every Tuesday through Sunday evening.
Guide to the Holidays in Denver
Denver’s Best Light Displays & Family Fun
Ultimate guide to outdoor skating in Colorado
30 places to go sledding in Colorado
7 Best Christmas tree farms in Denver
Denver’s best holiday markets and craft fairs
See our event calendar for even more family fun in Denver.
-Colorado.com
Author: Mile High Mamas
