For my family, the holidays are all about traditions–both new and old. And new on our 2024 holiday bucket list is the NEW Northern Colorado Holiday Light Trail!
Extending from Fort Collins to Loveland to Estes Park and surrounding cities and towns, the new Holiday Light Trail allows visitors to experience festive light displays, free family-friendly activities and even drive-thru options at Northern Colorado cities known for having some of the best light displays in the state. Here are a few highlights of the Northern Colorado Holiday Light Trail so be sure to add this to your holiday bucket list!
NEW Northern Colorado Holiday Light Trail
Loveland
Festival of Lights in Loveland
WHEN: Nov. 22, 2024, from 5-8 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Loveland
A hometown tradition, this Festival of Lights signature event draws local crowds into Downtown Loveland for the debut of holiday lighting along 4th Street. Celebrate the holiday season with live music and entertainment, a tree-lighting ceremony, a holiday market, carriage rides, Santa and more! downtownloveland.org/festivaloflights
12 Days of Christmas Display
WHEN: Nov. 22, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025, from 5 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Dwayne Webster Park, 422 W. Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland
This a holiday light event featuring a larger-than-life, drive-by illuminated display based on the classic Christmas Carol, the 12 Days of Christmas. 
Winter Wonderlights
WHEN: Nov. 23 through Jan. 1, 2025
WHERE: Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra in Loveland
Winter Wonderlights brings one of the top free choreographed holiday light shows in the state to Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra for six weeks, running nightly from Nov. 23 through Jan. 1, 2025. Signature Live Nights, with live entertainment, themed activities, live reindeer, ice carving and a brand-new holiday market, will take place Nov. 23 and Dec. 13, and 14, 2024 from 4:30 – 9 p.m. Also, during Live Nights, guests can relax in the Cocoa Cabana and cozy up to a fire pit to watch the light show while enjoying a local brew or festive winter beverage with friends and family. Children young and young-at-heart can visit with princesses, holiday characters or superheroes on select Live Nights, and those who have been naughty or nice can share their wishes with the jolly ‘ol man himself at Santa’s Workshop by Centerra on Dec. 13 and 14. Check the website for a detailed schedule of events and updates for Live Nights activities and special guest appearances.
NEW Cocoa Cabana
During Winter Wonderlights special Live Nights on Nov. 23 and Dec. 13 and 14, visit the new Cocoa Cabana to soak in the light show while sipping festive winter beverages including the signature Winter Wonderlights Holiday Mule, indulge in espresso martini variations or order a hot spiked (or NA) cider and cocoa, as well as enjoy light snacks from onsite vendors. This holiday-inspired version of an open-air beverage lounge is situated on the Great Lawn at Chapungu and guests of all ages are welcome. The Cocoa Cabana is perfectly positioned for guests to sit back and relax while watching on-stage performances and the light show with seating amongst tables surrounded by patio heaters. Visit from 4:30 – 9 p.m. on Live Nights. One percent of all profits from the Cocoa Cabana will be donated to Winter Wonderlight’s non-profit partner the Larimer County Food Bank. Guests can donate via this link, using an onsite QR code or by bringing non-perishable foods on Live Nights to benefit the local food bank and support local families in need this holiday season (visit the Loveland Ford or Loveland GMC dealerships to drop off donated food items on other evenings). visitloveland.com/winterwonderlights
NEW Market + Music + Magic
Also new this year, Live Nights will feature a festive holiday market featuring local artists, crafters, small businesses and vendors. Be sure to pick up Loveland’s annual Collectible Ornament at the market. Each year, the Loveland Winter Holiday Council partners with a local artist to produce a limited-edition collection of holiday ornaments. This year’s ornament, “Five Goldens Ringing” by Jim Hingten ($30) features a family of golden retriever dogs ringing bells. Each ornament is one-of-a-kind, numbered, and includes the artist’s bio and the meaning behind the design. It will be sold at this year’s holiday market, as well as at the Loveland Visitors Center (5400 Stone Creek Circle, Loveland).
Christmas Walk in the Woods
WHEN: Dec. 13-31, 2024
WHERE: Savage Woods, Loveland
The Christmas Walk in the Woods celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with a walk through Savage Woods. Visit Santa’s House, Elf Workshop, 1968 Chevrolet Christmas Truck and more! christmaswalkinthewoods.com
Christmas Walk in the Woods
Fort Collins
Downtown Holiday Lights
WHEN: November 1, 2024, through Valentine’s Day 2025.
WHERE: Old Town Fort Collins
You’ll have more than just the Christmas season to see the thousands of lights that encompass 22 blocks of Old Town Fort Collins. They’ll last until Valentine’s Day! visitftcollins.com/noco-holiday-light-trail
NoCo Winter Wonderland
WHEN: Nov. 28 – Dec. 31, 2024
WHERE: Fort Collins
This one-mile-long drive-thru holiday light display features 19 moving light displays and 200,000 lights. This tradition was started in 2020 to create a festive holiday experience during the Covid lockdown. Now in its 5th year, NoCo’s Winter Wonderland is an opportunity to get into the holiday spirit while spending time with friends and family, all while supporting a non-profit Colorado Youth outdoors. The holiday experience showcases Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their troublemaking elves enjoying a Colorado Christmas on CYO’s 220 acres. Keep your eyes peeled for five Colorado big game species! nocowinterwonderland.com
Garden of Lights Winter Holiday Light Festival
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 5 – Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024
WHERE: Gardens on Spring Creek, Fort Collins
Explore the beautifully transformed botanic gardens as you stroll along a whimsical half-mile loop, glowing with colorful grapevines, towering flowerbeds, dancing blossoms, and vibrant displays. Visit with Santa and enjoy other live entertainers while you warm up with a hot cocoa or beverage from our full bar. You won’t want to miss this magical experience — where every step illuminates a world of wonder! See the schedule at fcgov.com/gardens/garden-of-lights.
Greeley
35th Annual Festival of Trees
WHEN: Nov. 29-Dec. 7, 2024
WHERE: Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley
The Festival of Trees welcomes visitors to a winter wonderland of beautifully decorated trees and family fun in the lobbies of the Union Colony Civic Center. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, look through a wide range of gifts in the silent auction, or attend one of the festival’s signature events like Santa, the Whoville Holidays and more. greeleygov.com/activities/fot/festival-of-trees
Note: Winterfest and Holiday Lane will return this year. Go to visitftcollins.com for details.
Estes Park
Festival of Trees
WHEN: Nov. 13-Dec. 15
WHERE: Estes Park Resort
Don’t miss the chance to see 50 beautifully decorated holiday trees and participate in the raffle, enjoy holiday treats, and take part in the children’s coloring contest. The trees will be on display until December 15th, and the event is free and open to the public. This holiday fundraiser supports Estes Park Quota’s charitable work in the community. visitestespark.com
Catch the Glow Holiday Season
WHEN: Nov. 23, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025
WHERE: Estes Park
This five-week holiday extravaganza features holiday lights, enchanting events, interactive light displays and special offers from local businesses. Events and displays are located throughout Estes Park. The parade will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2024.
Snowman Festival Weekend
WHEN: Dec. 7 and 8, 2024
WHERE: Estes Park
Snowman Festival Weekend includes a Snowman Scavenger Hunt, a holiday market, and appearances by live reindeer, princesses, Santa and more. At 5 p.m., watch the Nightly Light Show Spectacular, featuring the state’s only Pixel Pine tree. visitestespark.com.
Longmont
Longmont Lights Festival
WHEN: Dec. 13, 2024-mid-January 2025
WHERE: Roosevelt Park in Longmont
The Longmont Lights Festival features thousands of holiday lights, fire pits, music, costumed characters and more and will return Dec. 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. in Roosevelt Park in Longmont. The following night, on Dec. 14, 2024, catch the Longmont Lights Parade beginning at 5 p.m. on Main Street. The lights will remain on through mid-January, 2025. Be sure to also check out the Holiday Lights Trolley Tour takes place on various dates in December in Longmont. Take a ride on the Brewhop Trolley and visit some of the greatest holiday lights displays in Longmont. All ages are welcome; tickets must be purchased in advance. https:/longmontcolorado.gov
Boulder
Switch on the Holidays
WHEN: Nov. 24, 2024
WHERE: Downtown Boulder
Kick off the holiday season as Boulder flips the switch that illuminates lights along the Pearl Street Mall, Civic Area and around the Boulder County Courthouse during Switch on the Holidays! The program starts at 5 pm and concludes with the flip of the switch at approximately 5:20 pm. Visits with Santa at the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center until 7 pm.
Snow Much Fun
WHEN: Nov. 2024-January 2025
WHERE: Boulder’s Civic Area
Snow Much Fun in Boulder’s Civic Area features hundreds of thousands of colorful LED lights near the Boulder Public Library from late November 2024 through January 2025. Explore the colorful lights and augmented reality experiences using QR codes along the way. Grab a cup of hot cocoa on nearby Pearl Street. boulderdowntown.com
Colorado Chautauqua’s Winterfest
WHEN: Dec. 5-7, 2024
WHERE: Colorado Chautauqua, Boulder
Create unforgettable memories at Winterfest, Chautauqua’s annual holiday celebration! Enjoy festive food and drinks, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a variety of family-friendly activities including the Winter Fairy Forest and Santa’s Cottage. From exploring the holiday market to crafting ornaments, there’s something for everyone. Winterfest includes the lighting of Chautauqua’s historic buildings and evergreens, which remain lit for the season. www.chautauqua.com.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
