The holidays are a truly magical time of year, filled with family gatherings, delicious food and drinks, and time-honored traditions. If you’re looking for a fun way to get into the festive spirit this year, consider checking out the Northern Colorado Holiday Light Trail.
This brand-new initiative connects several towns along the Front Range that go all out when the temperatures start to drop, including Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, Greeley, Longmont and Boulder. When you plan an adventure along the trail, you’ll be mesmerized by elaborate, colorful displays of twinkling holiday lights. You’ll also be able to enjoy a wide array of family-friendly activities and offerings.
Here are some of the highlights along the trail.
Fort Collins
Garden of Lights Winter Holiday Light Festival: Stroll this half-mile loop at the 12-acre botanic gardens to see illuminated blossoms, grapevines and flowerbeds. It’s open the below dates in December; check the calendar for live performances by groups like Crispy Watkins, Shtonkmas Brass and more. You can also sip hot cocoa (or something stronger!) and see Santa Claus.
- Thursday, Dec. 5 – Sunday, Dec. 8
- Thursday, Dec. 12 – Sunday, Dec. 15
- Thursday, Dec. 19 – Monday, Dec. 23
- Thursday, Dec. 26 – Sunday, Dec. 29
Downtown Holiday Lights: Head to Old Town Fort Collins to see 22 blocks of holiday lights each night from now through Valentine’s Day 2025. While you’re there, cross a few people off your shopping list for holiday gifts at stores like The Cupboard, Bookstore on the Square and Burn Candle Bar.
NoCo Winter Wonderland: Stay nice and toast in your car while marveling at 19 moving light displays and 200,000 lights during this 1-mile drive-through display. It’s on from Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, and tickets are $25 per vehicle.
Loveland
Winter Wonderlights: Visit the Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra for one of Colorado’s best free choreographed holiday light shows. On specific nights, you can enjoy live reindeer, ice carving, live entertainment, themed activities, festive winter beverages around a fire pit and a new Christkindl-inspired holiday market. It’s on from Nov. 23 through Jan. 1.
Festival of Lights: Make your way to Downtown Loveland on Nov. 22 for the annual tree lighting ceremony, holiday market, live music and entertainment, carriage rides and more.
Boulder
Light Up the Holidays: Attend the Switch on the Holidays event in downtown Boulder on Nov. 24. After that, do your holiday shopping on Pearl Street under the glow of colorful lights.
Snow Much Fun: From Nov. 24 through Jan. 31, enjoy Snow Much Fun on Pearl Street and near the Boulder Public Library. This self-guided, augmented reality holiday lighting tour involves scanning QR codes to access fun Instagram filters.
Winterfest: Spend the weekend of Dec. 5-7 at Chautauqua for Winterfest, when the historic buildings and evergreens will be illuminated for the holiday season. Also enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, food and drinks, a holiday market, carriage rides and crafts.
Greeley
Festival of Trees: Now in its 35th year, Greeley’s Festival of Trees features decked out trees and family-friendly activities in the lobbies of the Union Colony Civic Center. Wander among the beautifully decorated evergreens, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, bid on items in the silent auction and visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause. The festival runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 7.
Winterfest: Enjoy three Saturdays of festivities in downtown Greeley (Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14), including a holiday open house (with a bingo card), a tree lighting ceremony, live performances, a holiday gift market and makers’ workshops.
Estes Park
Catch the Glow: This five-week holiday season includes a wide array of activities, including interactive light displays, a tree lighting ceremony, a holiday wine festival, concerts and performances, events and offers from local businesses; it runs from Nov. 23 through Jan. 1. Also enjoy the parade on Nov. 29.
Snowman Festival: Don’t miss the snowman scavenger hunt, holiday market, live reindeer, visits with Santa, carriage rides, ice carving, princesses and more at Bond Park on Dec. 7-8.
Holiday Lights Driving Tour: Fill a thermos with hot cocoa and take Estes Park’s self-guided holiday lights driving tour from Nov. 23 through Jan. 1. You’ll find directions on Google Maps.
Longmont
Longmont Lights Festival: On Dec. 13, head to Longmont’s Roosevelt Park for holiday lights, fire pits, music, costumed characters and more. Then, on Dec. 14, attend the Longmont Lights Parade on Main Street. Can’t make these dates? Plan a romantic stroll through Roosevelt Park to see the lights anytime between now and mid-January.
Longmont Holiday Lights Trolley Tour: Grab some friends and ride the Brewhop Trolley all over town to see Longmont’s best holiday lights. The tour is offered on various dates in December, and you must buy tickets in advance (act fast, as they often sell out!).
