The "Parade of Lights" is beautiful and fun. It always occurs the weekend AFTER the weekend followingThanksgiving. In other words, it's usually the first weekend in December, although this year, one of the days of the event does fall in November. The parade is long and consists of beautiful lighted floats, huge balloons, high school marching bands, and other entertainment and let's not forget...Santa! It is very well attended so arrive early to stake out your spot and bring a camping chair if you'd like.
This year, the parade starts on Friday, November 30, at 8 PM and also runs on Saturday, December 1, starting at 6 PM. The parade begins at 14th and Bannock (across from Civic Center Park and the City and County Building). You can purchase grandstand seating tickets for this area by going to:
http://www.downtowndenver.com/Life/WhattoDo/9NEWSParadeofLights/GrandstandTickets/tabid/556/Default.aspx Or...you can watch for free along the parade route. The bulk of the route runs along 17th Street and again along 15th Street between Tremont and Arapahoe. You can also watch it live on 9 News starting at 8 PM on Friday, 11/30/12, or watch one of the few rebroadcasts, also listed on the above website.
You could attend "Zoo Lights" at The Denver Zoo. Here you can view acres of lights and displays, some looking as if the lighted animals are moving! This year Zoo Lights opens on Friday, November 30, 2012, and runs through January 2, 2013. It runs from 5:30 to 9:00 PM each night. Text Dzoo to 56512 on the night you visit to find out that evening's schedule of events; to find out the location of special up-close animal encounters; and for special offers!
Then there is the "Blossoms of Light" at the Denver Botanic Gardens where you will also find brilliant light displays. Open nightly, Nov. 30, 2012 through Jan. 1, 2013, including Christmas eve, Dec. 25, and New Year's Eve; 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Or with the foothills as your backdrop, you can opt for the "Trail of Lights" at the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. This year, they will be opening a skating rink to add to the fun. Open nightly, Nov. 30, 2012 through Jan. 1, 2013 (This includes Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1)
5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
For future years, you can go the "lighting of the lights" in either Downtown Denver at the City and County Building next to Civic Center Park or in Downtown Littleton. Both events occur the night after Thanksgiving.
There is a "Holiday Walk" in Evergreen each year. It is held the first Friday of December, starting at 5:00 with the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Evergreen Lake House next to Evergreen Lake. Sing some Christmas carols and meet Santa. Then, stroll along the lake path, lit with luminaries to Downtown Evergreen where you will find food and entertainment at nearly all of the Downtown Evergreen businesses.
If smaller crowds are your style, check out the annual Holiday Parade in Conifer. This year marks the parades' 30th year, and the event will be held on Saturday, 12/1/2012, at 1:30 PM, at
Sutton Road in Aspen Park.
For more events such as Breakfasts with Santa, Concerts, Theatre, etc., just search the internet for "holiday things to do around denver" as there are many other holiday events not listed here.
