Denver, Colorado – The Christmas Capitol of the World!

As the Christmas Capitol of the World, Denver has many attractions around the city that are perfect for seeing festive holiday lights.

This post was written by BTTM team member Alicia Glassmeyer.

Christmas Capitol of the World

The city of Denver is known for many things, including it’s natural beauty and world class museums and delicious breakfast restaurants. But the Mile High City also has another claim to fame… Christmas lights!

The story revolves around the child of electrician D. D. Sturgeon, who was very ill at Christmas time in 1914. Sturgeon had the “bright” idea of hanging paint dipped light bulbs on a tree outside the window so his sick child could see and enjoy some of the holiday cheer he was missing from his bed.

This led to an outdoor lighting contest in Denver a few years later, and as Denver began illuminating its City Hall each year at Christmas it was dubbed the “Christmas Capitol of the World” in the 1920s. Today you can still enjoy a piece of this history with a holiday trip to Denver to see the lights! Below you’ll find our recommendations for where to see the best holiday lights in Denver.

Denver Botanic Gardens

In a place where cold weather and snow is a frequent occurrence during the winter months, a trip to the botanic gardens might seem like a crazy idea. Fortunately, the Denver Botanic Gardens has a fantastic light display throughout December that makes for a fun evening out with family or friends no matter what the weather! It’s actually considered one of the best things to do in Denver in December.

Even the kids will delight in the lights because there are tunnels of colorful lights with changing patterns, a walkway of “light sabers” through some tall grasses, and glowing orbs of light reflecting on the water gardens. And, in case you aren’t convinced yet, there are hot beverages and mini donuts on sale at concessions that will warm you right up. The “Blossoms of Light” show is a path that winds visitors through the gardens and ends with a lovely interactive dancing light show with music.

Chatfield Farms

Not even all Denverites know there is a second Denver Botanic Gardens facility, but we’re letting you in on the secret! Just southwest of Denver in Littleton, you will find Chatfield Farms. In the summer, this is a lovely botanic garden and working farm and a fun pumpkin patch in the fall.

In the winter, it transforms to the “Trail of Lights” a fun twist on the Christmas light viewing tradition with the addition of antique tractors decorated with lights, a red barn, candy cane striped silo, and a huge cottonwood tree with thousands of lights. When we visited there was a fun activity for kids to make reindeer out of candy canes, a hot beverage station, and a nice warming hut with a fun photo backdrop complete with holiday costume items.

Downtown Denver

Taking a stroll along the 16^th Street Mall in downtown Denver is an experience in itself, but during the holiday season it is transformed into a wonderland. There is a German style Christkindl Market, an ice skating rink at Skyline Park, and lighted trees line the lovely pedestrian street mall. It is possible to take in all the magic in an hour or you can spend an entire night taking in the sights and grabbing dinner and drinks. Here are the best places to see holiday lights in Downtown Denver:

Union Station

This historic Denver train station has recently been remodeled and turned into a hotel and gathering place complete with restaurant, bar, and an ice cream shop that serves boozy milkshakes! Inside they have decorated with lovely wreaths and a giant Christmas tree. Outside, the building is always lit up beautifully, but at Christmas time it is extra special with red and green lighting.

The Daniels & Fisher Clock Tower

A historic piece of the Denver skyline, this clock tower used to be part of a department store. The store is long gone, and part of the tower is now an events venue, but it lights up the sky every night with a variety of colors for different seasons or events. Much like Union Station, the red and green lights at Christmas time are the best. This is conveniently located on the 16^th Street Mall and right behind it is the ice skating rink that pops up for the holiday season.

Denver City and County Building (City Hall)

This is the showstopper and part of Denver’s holiday lighting history. Every year after Thanksgiving, there is a Grand Illumination event when the lights downtown are officially turned on. The display here is simply magical, the whole building glows and festive music rings from the bell tower.

There are displays on the steps in front of the building and the lights change color throughout the evening. This year the tower goes from a beautiful purple color to the standard red and green holiday colors.

Final Thoughts On Denver Christmas Lights

There are still even more places to take in some beautiful displays of light in and around Denver. Zoo lights at the Denver Zoo is always great, and what’s more fun than walking around a zoo at night sipping spiked hot chocolate and viewing fun animal themed lights?

If you’re visiting Denver in early December, the city hosts the annual Denver Parade of Lights which is great fun to watch rolling along the downtown Denver streets. Also, every year the Denver Post puts out a map of local light displays in the metro area that helps you customize a route to see beautifully decorated homes.

So grab a jacket (and maybe some boots if there’s snow) and head out to see the bright holiday lights in one of our favorite cities!

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Alicia is an amateur photographer from Colorado. She loves camping, dogs, and cake.