Celebrate the Holidays in Civic Center Park

The annual Light the Lights celebration kicks off the daily* holiday light and music show at Denver's City and County Building. This year's event will be hosted by Denver7 anchor Micah Smith. The Colorado Children's Chorale, celebrating their 50th anniversary delighting audiences around the world, is set to perform holiday favorites sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit. At approximately 5:15 pm, the giant switch will be flipped, illuminating the City and County Building in an overload of holiday cheer!

The 8-minute choreographed light and music show continues to run every night* at 5:45 pm and 6:45 pm from Nov 22 through Jan 21 except for the below schedule exceptions. The City and County Building will showcase a festive, static light display before, between, and after the two nightly shows until 10:45 pm.

*SCHEDULE EXCEPTIONS:

• There will be no light and music shows on Mondays due to the City Council meetings taking place inside the building.
• There will be a special light schedule on Sat, Dec. 2 to highlight activities as the 9News Parade of Lights that begins right in front of the City and County Building.
• Additionally, the City and County Building will remain completely dark for an annual memorial vigil honoring persons experiencing homelessness on Thurs, Dec. 21.

Come experience the joy and charm of an authentic German-style holiday market! The Denver Christkindlmarket, located in Civic Center Park, will host both local and European craft and food vendors. As cheerful sounds of live holiday music fill the air, savor the season with traditional glühwein, German biers, and traditional holiday fare. Don’t miss this family-friendly holiday market! It’s free and open to the public! Everyone is willkomen!

The Christkindlmarket will be open daily from Nov 17 through Dec 23.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Plenty of international and local vendors of gifts, crafts, and European cuisine
• A packed entertainment calendar featuring traditional German music, bluegrass, A cappella, and more
• Traditional German Glühwein, Prost beers, and international liquors
• Table reservations for family and corporate parties are available for the heated and beautifully decorated Festival Hall
  
  

HOURS OF OPERATION

November 17 – December 23, 2023

Sunday – Wednesday: 11 am – 7 pm
Thursday – Saturday: 11 am – 9 pm

Festival Hall Hours: 
Thursday - Saturday: open until 10pm

Exceptions:
Thanksgiving Day, November 23: 11 am – 4 pm

More Christkindlmarket details are available at https://www.christkindlmarketdenver.com/.

Denver’s holiday season will once again be illuminated by the spectacular Mile High Tree’s dazzling light and music show presented by XCEL Energy & Xfinity. Everyone's invited to get close and step inside this brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation.  The tree features nightly free public light shows choreographed to multi-cultural holiday music and can accommodate up to 140 guests at a time for an immersive viewing experience within the tree.

The Mile High Tree is the largest installation of its kind in North America. You don't want to miss this unique and festive experience.

The Mile High Tree is open every day from 5 to 10 pm and admission is FREE!

Find out more at denver.org/milehighholidays/tree/.

It's another longstanding Denver tradition - for one night only! The 9News Parade of Lights holiday spectacular features more than 40 parade entries including extravagantly illuminated floats, giant helium-filled character balloons, magnificent marching bands, traditional equestrian groups, and vibrant cultural displays. And of course, special appearances by Major Waddles the Penguin and Santa!

The parade takes place on Sat, Dec 2, starting at 6 pm at Denver’s City and County Building and winding through downtown.

Come on down to see it in person or watch all the excitement live on 9NEWS. The parade will also be rebroadcast throughout the month of December on Channel 9. 

Find more information including the parade route at winterindenver.com/parade.