good to know roundup
Holiday Magic Awaits!
C olorado truly shines this time of year—literally! From dazzling light displays and festive train rides to outdoor skating rinks and heartwarming performances, there’s no shortage of ways to make the season merry and bright. Whether your family prefers sipping cocoa while strolling through twinkling gardens, gliding across an ice rink, or hopping aboard a Christmas train bound for the North Pole, these local favorites promise to spark joy for kids and grown-ups alike. Bundle up, grab your mittens, and get ready to create memories that will warm your hearts all winter long. Light Displays Blossoms of Light Denver Botanic Gardens botanicgardens.org Wander through luminous displays that highlight the garden’s beautiful plants. Open nightly through January 11. Closed on Christmas Day. Christmas in Color Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater christmasincolor.net Enjoy magical Christmas displays from the warmth of your car at this drive-through light show. Open nightly through January 4. Closed on Christmas Day. See Denver’s amusement park turned into a spectacular display of over four million twinkling lights. Open nightly through January 4. Closed December 24 and 25. Festival of Lights Parade Tejon Street, Colorado Springs coloradospringsfestivaloflights.com Colorado Springs starts its holiday season off on December 6 by illuminating the town with the Festival of Lights Parade. Bring the family and enjoy the festivities as Santa and a myriad of floats wander down the road. Elitch Holidays Elitch Gardens luminovaholidays.com
Hudson Holidays Hudson Gardens hudsongardens.org/holidays
Zamboni-groomed ice. Open hours are weather-dependent, so check their website for up-to-date information. McGregor Skate McGregor Square mcgregorsquare.com Enjoy skating in the bustling plaza square. Open weekends through January 26. As an alternative to an ice rink, this skating spot in Parker offers a trail of ice that winds through the park. Open seven days a week. The Rink at Belmar Belmar Shopping District belmarcolorado.com An outdoor skating rink in the heart of Belmar. Open daily through January 4. Closed on Christmas Day. Train Rides Santa Express Train Royal Gorge Route Railroad royalgorgeroute.com Take a special ride to the North Pole in the Royal Gorge on a train where holiday spirit abounds. Santa will greet every passenger and give each of them a special gift. Runs through December 31. Closed on Christmas Day. Santa’s Lighted Forest Georgetown Loop Railroad georgetownlooprr.com An exciting nighttime train ride takes passengers through an illuminated forest featuring stunning holiday light displays. It Parker Ice Trail Discovery Park parkerrec.com
Explore a lighted maze, view large-than-life holiday-themed exhibits, and take a selfie with Santa. Open select dates through January 4. Magic of Lights Pikes Peak International Raceway magicoflights.com At Pikes Peak International Raceway, Magic of Lights transforms the track into a dazzling drive-through holiday spectacular featuring over two million lights and Colorado’s longest light tunnel. This family- friendly experience runs nightly through January 3. Mile High Drone Show DPAC Sculpture Park visitdenver.org This state-of-the-art performance features 400 drones creating holiday- themed animations in the sky. Catch the performances at 7 p.m. daily through December 31. Trail of Lights Chatfield Farms botanicgardens.org A mile-long walking trail with glistening lights that illuminate the Colorado foothills. Open nightly through January 11. Closed on Christmas Day. The crowd-favorite Zoo Lights is back and brighter than ever. Open nightly through January 4. Closed on Christmas Day. Skating Rinks Ice Skating at Evergreen Lake Evergreen Lake evergreenrerceation.com Enjoy beautiful Colorado scenery while skating on eight and a half acres of Zoo Lights Denver Zoo denverzoo.org
is open through December 24. The Polar Express Train Ride Colorado Railroad Museum coloradorailroadmuseum.org This unique three-part theatrical
extravaganza offers holiday caroling, a ride to the North Pole aboard vintage coaches,
14 COLORADO PARENT DECEMBER 2025
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