16 Dog-friendly holiday lights displays: Colorado’s Front Range

No matter what you celebrate, December is a time to warm yourself with the festive twinkling lights of the season, an activity you can enjoy together with your dog if you know where to go! In this post, we share the lowdown on all the best dog-friendly holiday lights displays in the Denver Metro area.

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The joy of seeing holiday lights is a magical experience that fills the heart with warmth and wonder. Twinkling displays transform ordinary streets into glowing wonderlands, each bulb a tiny beacon of celebration. The vibrant colors and creative designs evoke childhood nostalgia, while the soft glow invites quiet moments of reflection. Whether strolling hand-in-hand with loved ones or marveling from the warmth of a car, the beauty of holiday lights brings a sense of togetherness and a spark of joy that brightens even the coldest winter nights.

All of the following dog-friendly displays are festive sensory delights that are sure to warm your hearts and paws!

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Denver

1. Mile High Tree

The tree is a spectacular light show set to music that you can walk inside with your dog. The backdrop is the Christkindlmarket on one side, and the City/County Building on the other, both illuminated with more lights! You’ll also find fun holiday photo ops galore. We recommend visiting on a weeknight for smaller crowds, but be aware that there is a lot of stimulation at this display, so be sure your pooch can handle it.

• WHEN: Nov. 22 – Dec. 31, 5pm – 10pm nightly
• WHERE: Civic Center Park
• COST: FREE
• More information

2. Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland

Celebrate the season in Cherry Creek North, Denver’s must-see holiday destination featuring a million dazzling lights wrapping more than 600 trees, illuminating the entire neighborhood.

• WHEN: Nov. 21 – Dec. 24, 6pm – 8pm nightly
• WHERE: Cherry Creek North, 2401 E. 2nd Ave., Ste. 150
• COST: FREE
• More information

3. Larimer Lights

Larimer Square will come alive with dazzling lights and festive decorations during the holiday season. Enjoy live music, unique shopping from local artisans, and seasonal treats from the restaurants as you take in the lights.

• WHEN: Nov. 29 – Dec. 31 nightly
• WHERE: Larimer Square, 1530 16th St., Denver 
• COST: FREE
• More Information

4. Mile High Drone Show

This holiday season, the Denver skyline will dazzle with the first-ever Mile High Drone Show. Each night, 400 drones will create stunning holiday-themed animations every night at 7 p.m. for free. Spanning nearly 400 feet high and 500 feet wide, the show features festive scenes like Santa, Denver landmarks, and surprises like the Blue Bear and Blucifer, all brought to life by VISIT DENVER and Brightflights Drone Shows.

• WHEN: Nov. 22 – Dec. 31, 7pm nightly
• WHERE: Viewable from locations throughout the city, we recommend Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
• COST: FREE
• More Information

5. Merry & Bright Lights – Union Station

Union Station presents its holiday light show, Merry & Bright Lights, featuring exciting animations, new interactive visual creations by local artists, and much more. It runs daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• WHEN: 5pm – 10pm nightly
• WHERE: Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver
• COST: FREE
• More Information

6. Light the Lights – Civic Center Park

Visit Civic Center Park to watch the City & County of Denver Building’s choreographed light show set to music at 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. nightly. After the eight-minute show, the building remains illuminated with a festive static display until 10:45 p.m.

• WHEN: Nightly from late November through late January
• WHERE: Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave. Denver
• COST: FREE
• More Information

Aurora

7. Highlands Neighborhood Clocktower

This display features lights & oversized ornaments that you can walk inside and pose for photos.

• WHEN: Nightly
• WHERE: 900 E-470, Aurora
• COST: FREE
• More information

8. Aurora Municipal Building

This display features rows of  illuminated trees & lights display, perfect for strolling with your pup.

• WHEN: Nightly
• WHERE: 15151 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora
• COST: FREE
• More information

Golden & Morrison

9. Golden Holiday Lights Along Clear Creek

This display is perfect for a sparkly nighttime walk with your pooch along the icy creek. It’s beautiful, peaceful, with plenty to see and delight in. After you complete the loop, you can also stroll down Washington Avenue for more festive fun.

• WHEN: November 22 – January 31 nightly
• WHERE: Downtown, along the Clear Creek Trail, between Ford St. & Illinois St.
• COST: FREE
• More information

10. Brightest Show on Earth – Red Rocks

If your pooch is not going to love being around lots of people and crowds, a drive-through holiday experience is perfect! This is a bit pricey, but very fun. Be sure to get tickets now, because they sell out quick!

• WHEN: Nightly through December 29
• WHERE: Red Rocks, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
• COST: From $34.99/vehicle
• Tickets

Boulder

11. Boulder Civic Area & Flagstaff Star Light 

2024 marks the 77th anniversary of the Boulder Star on Flagstaff Mountain. The beloved Boulder Star was first lit in December 1947 and has made its holiday appearance every year since. You can see the star, plus thousands of illuminated lights on an evening stroll on the Boulder Creek Path through the Boulder Civic Area.

• WHEN: Nightly, through January
• WHERE: Boulder Civic Area (We like to park at the library and walk the path east to 13th st., then loop back around on the other side of the creek)
• COST: FREE
• More Information

Westminster

12. Westminster City Hall Lights

The entire City Hall & municipal campus is decked out with stellar lights displays, and it’s a great place to take your dog for a festive walk in the evening! There is tons of parking, and this spot would be a great place for a reactive dog who doesn’t want to be around crowds. 

• WHEN: Nightly throughout December
• WHERE: 4800 W 92nd Ave, Westminster
• COST: FREE
• More Information

Federal Heights

13. Christmas in Color – Waterworld

Drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. Drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more. Take your time enjoying this lighting extravaganza!

• WHEN: Through Dec. 29, 5:30pm – 10pm nightly 
• WHERE: Waterworld, 8801 N Pecos St, Federal Heights
• COST: From $34.99/vehicle
• Tickets

Littleton

14. Historic Downtown Littleton Lights

Each winter, Littleton’s Main Street transforms into a snow globe–worthy strip illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights and anchored by a 55-foot Christmas tree. 

• WHEN: Nightly throughout December
• WHERE: Historic Downtown Littleton
• COST: FREE
• More Information

Loveland

15. Winter Wonder Lights – Chapungu Sculpture Park

Explore the enchanting Chapungu Sculpture Park, adorned with over 200,000 lights, illuminated African stone sculptures, and nightly 30-minute music and light shows. Highlights include a 23-foot LED Christmas Tree synchronized to nine festive songs.

• WHEN: Nov. 23 – Jan. 31, 5pm – 9pm nightly
• WHERE: Chapungu Sculpture Park, 5995 Sky Pond Dr, Loveland
• COST: FREE
• More Information

Estes Park

16. Nightly Glow in Bond Park & Pixel Pine Tree

The downtown area of Estes Park is beautiful around the holidays, and this display features a stunning light show on a giant illuminated tree, plus light-up photo ops. Pair this with the holiday lights driving tour, and you’ll have a perfectly festive evening with your dog!

• WHEN: Nov. 23 – Jan. 1, 5pm – 9pm nightly
• WHERE: Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park
• COST: FREE
• More information
• Add-On: Holiday Lights Driving Tour (more info)

Stay Warm!

If you’re in need of any gear for your cold weather explorations, here are a few of our favorites.

Powder Hound jacket – Our go-to winter jacket for dogs, this jacket is cute, comfortable, functional, and warm but not too warm.

Nitehowl Rechargeable LED Safety Necklace – Perfect for keeping the dogs festive and visible on night walks

Smartwool Hand Warmers – My absolute favorite solution to keeping my hands warm but fingers free to take photos and fiddle with leashes.

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket – My go-to jacket for extreme warmth in a super light package.