Most Spectacular Christmas Light Displays in the Denver Area

Driving or strolling through a fairyland of outdoor light displays is a holiday treat that costs no more than gasoline or shoe leather. And there’s no place prettier than Denver/Boulder, especially when the snowy backdrop is the real deal. Here’s a list of the best Christmas lights in the area for the 2022 season. Our list includes professional and municipal displays and private homes.

We’ve put together a Google map for the home lights to make it easier to plot your visits. To see the map, just scroll down past the pictures of the lights.

We’re updating continuously, so send your suggestion for amazing displays to Laura@milehighonthecheap.com (please include the name of the display (if you know it), address and a photo):

Public Displays

Downtown Denver

Christmas is a time when even those most ardent suburbanites come downtown. The opulent light display decorating the City and County Building (at Civic Center Park) from the ground floor to the dome has been a holiday tradition since 1935 and the lighting is spectacular by any measure.

This year, a choreographed holiday show at the City and County Building will occur for about 8 minutes at 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., and then goes to a static holiday look until 10:45 p.m.

No shows on Mondays and there will be no lights on Tuesday, December 20.

In addition, more than 100,000 lights festoon the trees of the 1.25 mile-long 16th Street Mall. Ride the FREE mall shuttle and gaze at the magical scene.

Strings of white lights strung across Larimer Street between 14th and 15th Streets provide a brilliant and festive setting for great dining and shopping (window or otherwise).

You may also want to check out the Mile High Tree at Civic Center Park.

The seven-story tall “tree” features more than 60,000 lights with a light and music show every 15 minutes nightly from November 18 to December 31. You can even step inside the tree.

Union Station

Merry & Bright Lights at Union Station transforms the exterior of Denver’s landmark train station into a spectacular canvas spreading holiday cheer.

This outdoor light show at features interactive visual imagery created by Denver artists projected across the station’s historic facade and synced with classic holiday music.

The free show runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night through Monday, December 26.

Cherry Creek North

Cherry Creek North has created Winter Wanderland, a stunning canopy of more than 600 trees adorned with nearly a million twinkling lights across 16 blocks.

As you wander the neighborhood’s 16 blocks, you’ll find eight special musical trees, elaborately decorated with strands of lights choreographed to music in a timed show.

At each musical tree, visitors can register for a $1,000 Cherry Creek North gift card.

New for 2022: Visitors can also explore LAPS: A Journey Through Time, an interactive art installation featuring six giant musical hourglasses, enticing visitors to bend time and then sit back and watch as bursting light and dancing colors fill the air.

Golden

Golden’s impressive holiday lights transform the charming town into a winter wonderland with downtown, the Clear Creek Walking Path, Golden History Park, Parfet Park and the Visitors Center spectacularly illuminated with an estimated 45,000 bulbs.

A single giant evergreen tree in front of the Golden Visitors Center is wrapped in approximately 5,000 lights all on its own. The lights shine bright through the second week of February.

Littleton

Historic Downtown Littleton decks itself out in millions of multi-colored lights that adorn the trees along Main Street. Shop the merchants as you stroll block after block.

Aurora

Aurora Municipal Center is a bright festival of with sparkling lights on the building exterior and walkways.

Boulder

Boulder’s Light Up The Holidays festoons downtown Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall and the Civic Area with thousands of lights and illuminated ornaments.

The plaza in front of the Boulder County Courthouse (between 13th and 14th Streets) features lighted trees, an “electric fountain” and a canopy of lights.

Don’t miss your chance for some photo ops on the courthouse lawn with a holiday bear and reindeer family.

The Civic Area features more than 275,000 LED lights and you can explore colorful displays from the “Let It Snow Playground” at the Boulder Public Library to the “Candy Cane Forest” at the Glen Huntington Bandshell.

Above the city, a lighted star shines from Flagstaff Mountain, a local tradition since 1947. See the lights from November 20 through January 1.

Westminster

Westminster City Hall is adorned in thousands of colorful lights through the end of December. The Westminster Christmas tree is simply breathtaking.

Loveland

Loveland is awash in lights during the holidays from Winter Wonderlights at I-25 and Centerra to Loveland’s thriving downtown district to Christmas Walk in the Woods (starts Dec. 10 and has $8 admission fee) on the west side of town.

Loveland Winter Wonderlights is at Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra.

Each night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., visitors will revel in holiday string lights, twinkling bulbs, LED mappable snowflakes, illuminated African stone sculptures, the only 20’ LED mappable Christmas Tree in the state and 30-minute music and light shows each evening starting at 5:30 p.m.

It’s open from November 19 through January 1.

Private Homes

Self-guided driving tours are a terrific option this holiday season.

All these displays, often synchronized to Christmas music, are put on by regular people, at their own expense, and it takes an incredible amount of time and creativity. So visit and let them know you appreciate it.

Some are collecting money for charitable causes. If a radio station is listed, tune your car radio to that station to listen to the coordinated music. Please be considerate of these folks’ neighbors.

If a website or Facebook page is listed, make sure to visit and check out the hours, start dates, and any additional information that you need to know.

Many homes hope to light up on Thanksgiving, while others may not throw the switch until early December, so be patient and wait a bit if you are planning a longer drive from your home.

You’ll find a map for private home displays at the end of the listings.

We’re looking for more homes to showcase, so if you know of one please email Laura@milehighonthecheap.com with the address, any details and a photo, if you have one.

Arvada Homes

Candy Cane Land
5026 W. 61st Pl., Arvada, 80003
Candy canes, gingerbread men and lights dancing to the music. Frosty the snowman and a drummer.

Figgyville 2022
7519 Braun Way, Arvada, 80005
The Figliolino Family’s light display grows every year. There’s a 12-foot Grinch!, Rudolph and his friends from Misfit Toy Island, Elsa, Minions and Santa Claus. The lights on the house dance to different holiday songs. Runs nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. November 24 to January 1.

Git Lit
13970 W 89th Loop, Arvada, 80005 (92.7 FM)
Every night be submerged into a great Christmas light show from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy a 30-foot mega tree, a quartet of singing trees and 6 mega screens all synced to music!

Larsen Light Show
6198 Estes St., Arvada, 80004 (105.5 FM)
500,000 lights synced to music.

Peace on Earth
10102 W. 60th Ave., Arvada, 80004
15,000+ watts of vintage lights. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. to January 1.

Aurora Homes

Aurora Highlands neighborhood clocktower
3900 E-470 Ave., Aurora, 80019
Beautiful display at this neighborhood’s clocktower. Features a large ornament that you can walk through and pose for photos.

ChristSmith 2022
6533 S Quemoy Way, Aurora, 80016 (88.5 FM)

All pixel light display with more than 15,000 pixels, 10+ songs, singing Santa and tree. Runs Sunday to Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

It’s A Wonderful Light
4822 S. Picadilly Ct., Aurora, 80015
The award-winning “It’s a Wonderful Light” display sparkles brightly and spreads Christmas cheer with more than 55,000 lights! This display is a tribute to the family’s two children who have autism. It also benefits the Autism Society of Colorado through the #SPREADLIGHT campaign. You will see a variety of colors in the display which represents the incredible variety of the autism spectrum.
Donations collected for Autism Society of Colorado.

Jones House
11454 E. Center Ave., Aurora, 80012
Twinkling lights, Nativity scene and Santa on the rooftop.

Broomfield Homes

Broomfield Lights
5061 Yates Circle, Broomfield (91.3 FM)
It’s time for another year of crazy Christmas lighting in Broomfield. Every bulb on the house is an individually controllable RGB LED pixel and can be any color at any time. The result: awesome Christmas music with dazzling lights, effects that can be seen from space!

Come check it out for yourself and also play with our hands-on interactive Christmas lights where you can use a guitar or drum kit or a steering wheel to control 1000 LED pixels in fun and exciting ways, including playing Snake in 3D!

The show is 10 minutes long and runs continuously from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Christmas Musical Light Show
16719 Cathedral Way, Broomfield, 80023
A musical light show you have to see to believe. New songs added each week. Runs nightly 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Lights of Prospect Village
16573 Prospect Lane, Broomfield, 80023 (93.5 FM)
Plans to be running around December 12, but may be sooner. This is the second year for the light show which has more than 22,000 individual lights synced to music. Mix of fun songs and Christmas tunes.

Two different 25-minute shows run on a rotating schedule. One playlist runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the other on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There’s a brief intermission of about 5 minutes between showing.

Updates for shows times and opening dates can be found here.

Osborn Family Lights
16533 Prospect Lane, Broomfield, 80023 (90.3 FM)
Plans to be running by mid-December. 5,300+ lights that change color and pattern set to 15 minutes of sequenced music. Show times: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday (will start at 5 p.m. the week of Christmas).

The Murray’s
3510 W. 130th Place, Broomfield, 80020 (89.9 FM)
Now in its 17th year. Dances to music every night from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Centennial Homes

The Great Inflatable House
19875 E. Belleview Place, Centennial, 80015
See some 65 inflatables and other decorations. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly through New Year’s Eve.

Lights at Schalleys
7148 S. Grant St., Centennial, 80122 (98.1 FM)
30,000+ dancing lights set to music. Seven different songs.

Schmidt House
5492 S. Jasper Way, Centennial, 80015
Lights, trees and inflatables.

The Stricker’s Winter Wonderland
6636 S. Lafayette, Centennial, 80121
The LED’s, videos and music will take your breath away. Get a glimpse of Santa and his sleigh, along with many other of your favorite characters including The Grinch. Watch Santa’s elves hard at work and listen to Santa tell the story of The Night Before Christmas. And if that wasn’t enough…check out Whoville and the 22′ mega tree. Running live every night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through New Year’s Eve.

Shuey House
5169 S. Pitkin St., Centennial, 80015
Lights dancing to music.

Commerce City Homes

Blown Away
5840 E 67th Ave., Commerce City, 80022

Godek’s Christmas Display
21580 Orleans Circle, Commerce City
Lighting display is bigger and better than ever covering two houses. If you stop by you can play games for prizes! Donations collected for Homeless Veterans.

Onstott House
10046 Fraser St., Commerce City, 80022
The Onstott family is taking a year off from coordinating a light show to feature a more traditional light display. There’s an icy wonderland where Eddie the Christmas Yeti is eager to celebrate the season, and a bustling North Pole with elves, reindeer, toys, gifts and and 18-foot-tall Santa. Look to the north of the driveway where the North Pole Express has placed a mailbox to collect letters to Santa. Be sure you include a return address if you want him to respond.

Conifer Homes & Churches

Conifer Community Church
9998 Havekost Rd., Conifer, 80433
Gorgeous dancing display. Park and sit with 40 minutes of songs and dancing lights on a continuous loop. Runs nightly from November 26 to January 6. Sunday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Denver Homes

Fortna House
2780 S. Harrison St., Denver, 80210
More than 11,000 lights, a 35-foot decorated tree, animation and music at times. Santa is stuck upside down on the chimney with kicking legs and his elf has a call-out that says “sorry boss.” Also look for elves passing the present back and forth and the snowman juggling presents.

Holiday Sound and Light Extravaganza
2040 S. Clarkson St., Denver, 80210 (89.1 FM)

Watch in awe as Frosty conducts a symphony of over 8000 lights, set to 10 of your favorite Holiday Classics. There are 10 different short programs, running daily from 6 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. with a new program every five minutes.

Don’t miss the 25 foot tall tree of lights, and the custom made LED matrix displays!

This holiday season, many families are struggling with food insecurity. Participating with LightsForBites.org to raise money for Food Bank of the Rockies.

A Monet Christmas
860 S. Hudson St., Denver, 80246
More than 10,000 lights offer splashes of contrasting and complementary colors. This is the 27th year decorating the house.

Windsor Gardens neighborhood
595 S. Clinton St. (entrance at Alameda & Clinton), Denver, 80247
This active adult neighborhood has about 3,700 residents. Dozens of buildings and townhomes are decorated by the residents, with a contest for the best decorated. The loop around the neighborhood is about 2 miles.

York Street Lights
2885 S. York St., Denver, 80210 (95.9 FM)
More than 9,000 lights sequenced to Christmas music and broadcast over an FM station. 40-minute shows run every hour from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. From 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can select the next song via a browser on your phone (28 options currently available).

Englewood Homes

Candy Cane Lane
6326 S. Florence Way, Englewood, 80111
Lights set to music. Features Santa, Rudolph, elves, deer, and three polar bears at the North Pole! Stroll under a candy cane arch, write a personal note to Santa and “mail” it in the animated mail box. Take a candy cane to remember your magical journey.

Owen Winter Wonderland
6229 Iola Way, Englewood, 80111
Lights wrap around the house and backyard, too. The family has been lighting up the neighborhood for more than 20 years.

Fort Collins Homes

Bishop House
2412 Crabtree Dr., Fort Collins, 80521 (90.7 FM)
More than 100,000 lights decorate the front and back of the home. Musically-synced light show. Mini Christmas village, driveway arches, four 15-foot tall trees on the roof and so much more. Show runs nightly 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. December 1 through Dec. 31.

Franktown Homes

Franktown Festival of Lights
575 N. White Tail Dr., Franktown, 80116 (90.7 FM)
More than 200,000 lights span two acres. Features a custom light show synchronized to music every 20 minutes. Frosty’s Forest walking trail. Drive through a 15-foot ornament and see the 13-foot Ferris wheel with Disney and Sesame Street characters. It’s easy to spend an hour exploring the grounds.

Open nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through January 1. See detailed show schedule here. Donations of nonperishable foods accepted for local food banks.

Greeley Homes

Artz House
1712 37th Ave., Greeley
“For forty years my Aunt and Uncle — Jim and Jo Perry, lovingly displayed these Christmas lights in Morrison. Last year they passed the torch on to us. May they bring joy, peace, and hope to you and yours this holiday season!” — The Artz Family.

Highlands Ranch Homes & Churches

Cottoncreek Manor
9971 Cottoncreek Dr., Highlands Ranch, 80130
Award winning house with more than 100,000 lights which include deer, angels, Snowmen as well as a full-size sleigh and Santa. Come and get a picture with Santa and enjoy the lights. Lights are on daily from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Freeland House
9711 Bucknell Way, Highlands Ranch, 80129 (90.1 FM)
25,000 lights set to 5 hard rockin’ Christmas tunes. Tune to 90.1 to jam along with a 16 foot tall Santa sleighing on his guitar.

Gingerbread House
10221 Fairgate Way, Highlands Ranch, 80126
DIY 6-foot candy canes and lollipops.

Grace Presbyterian Church Christmas Display
9720 U.S. Hwy 85 N (at Highlands Ranch Pkwy & Santa Fe Dr.), Highlands Ranch, 80125
Christmas light display synchronized to music broadcast over FM radio. Look for a sign showing the station frequency when you pull into the driveway. Show runs daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Orcutt House
9355 Wolfe Dr., Highlands Ranch

Severson Christmas Light Show
2880 Canyon Crest Lane, Highlands Ranch, 80126
Display features lots of snowmen, snowflakes and lighted trees. They also have an across-the-street lighted banner. Please come by and see the lights.

Star Wars: The Battle for the North Pole
9973 Blackbird Place, Highlands Ranch, 80130
The Christmas Spirit is strong in this house. The home is decorated on all four sides, so you can’t miss it, with the main display featuring the characters of Star Wars. Out back, Santa is landing on the roof above a world of dinosaurs and more! Lights are on from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly.

Lakewood Homes

Green Mountain Winter Wonderland
63 S. Zinnia Ct., Lakewood, 80228
A huge light display for all to enjoy!

Martin House
831 S. Kline Way, Lakewood, 80226
50,000+ lights, tons of inflatables, gingerbread house.

Notter House
1969 S. Taft St., Lakewood, 80228 (89.9FM)
This is the second year for the homeowners doing programmed lights. Enjoy 25+ songs, including both Christmas and Hanukkah music.

Littleton Homes

Warren House
7664 S. Hoyt St., Littleton (90.7 FM)
Light show synchronized to 20+ songs.

Lone Tree Homes

Schweiger Ranch Holiday Display
10822 S. Havana St., Lone Tree, 80124
Come and enjoy the display of holiday lights through mid-January. Access to the Ranch property is closed and entrance within the gates is not permitted. Still, the lights can be viewed from the warmth and comfort of your car from the parking lot and along Havana street. If you’re up for a winter evening walk, get a closer view by using the East West Trail.

Longmont Homes

Die Hard Christmas
2461 Mapleton Cir., Longmont, 80503
What! They couldn’t fit in a few more decorations?

Loveland Homes

Huffaker Home
847 N. Namaqua Ave., Loveland
Amazing animated display.

Milliken Businesses

Nature’s Herbs and Wellness
3220 Center Dr., Milliken (95.1 FM)
More than 42,000 lights synced to a 25-minute, six-song playlist featuring both traditional and New Age Christmas music. You can hear the music by tuning into the radio station from your car in the Nature’s Herb’s parking lot. The display runs nightly from sundown to 9 p.m. through January 31, 2023.

Parker Homes

Anderson House
9787 Stonebriar Ln., Parker

Lights in Meridian
10662 Hillrose St., Parker, 80134

Lights on Larkspur
11837 Larkspur Dr., Parker, 80134 (97.1 FM)
Thousands of LED lights synchronized to music. Show runs 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday & Saturday. Runs through New Year’s Day.

Wilford Family Christmas Lights
10339 Severance Dr., Parker, 80134 (90.9 FM)
Lights dance to music Sunday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bring your letters to Santa! Put them in the mailbox with a return address and receive a response!

Thornton Homes

Lights on Northlake
12804 North Lake Dr., Thornton (90.7 FM)
Musical light show sync’d with Christmas music! Show runs nightly 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. For 2022, brought back the jukebox, so you can tell it what you want it to play next! Songs are played in order that they are received.

If you do not see the song you want within the list, it means it already played or it is in the queue and you’ll need to refresh your browser. Simply go to http://www.lightsonnorthlake.com to start playing your favorites.

Snidow Family Christmas
12551 Ash St., Thornton, 80241
Old-fashioned Christmas display with many vintage items. Stop by for a candy cane. Lights on 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. nightly.

Westminster Homes

Daddy’s Crazy Christmas Lights
6330 W. 110th Pl., Westminster (104.9 FM)
Lights set to music which changes slightly every night.

Lights By David True
8560 W. 89th Ave., Westminster, 80021
Lights are programmed to Christmas music playing outside. Mr. True has been decorating the house for 30 years.

Wheat Ridge Homes

Candy Cane Lane
4712 Dover St., Wheat Ridge, 80033
The family has been doing this display for 18 years and it takes more than 50 hours to complete.