Beginning Thanksgiving weekend, downtown Denver will be twinkling like never before. New for 2025, three holiday favorites — the Mile High Tree Presented by Xcel Energy and Xfinity, the Mile High Drone Show, and the Denver Christkindlmarket, now celebrating its 25th anniversary — will all be in one downtown location, on the Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus. Plus, experience the Western Carousel, a beautifully restored 42-foot Herschell masterpiece.

Take an evening stroll through the heart of the city by following this self-guided tour. All of these attractions are free and can be experienced throughout the holiday season. 

You can start the tour at any point and easily get around using the free 16th Street FreeRide. Along the way, there are tons of places to dine or warm up with a coffee, tea, cocoa or hot toddy. The complete tour, as described, is about two miles from one end to the other.

Map

Denver Union Station

During Thanksgiving weekend each year, the switch gets flipped on the holiday lights at Denver Union Station, providing the perfect backdrop for selfies. 

 

Dairy Block 

Just two blocks from Denver Union Station, Dairy Block created Denver's first fully activated alleyway and has become a year-round must-see in the city with access to the Denver Milk Market gourmet food hall and the Maven Hotel. For the holidays, the heated alley takes on some special magical cheer. 

 

16th Street

Every day of December, there will be holiday activities, pop-ups and events planned all along 16th Street. Thanks to the Downtown Denver Partnership, every tree on the pedestrian promenade will have holiday lights starting at the end of November. And, there will be two interactive light installations: "Impulse” at Wynkoop Plaza and “Light Lanes” at 16th and Tremont.

 

Larimer Square Lights

Larimer Square is Denver’s urban shopping district where Victorian buildings house specialty boutiques and unique chef-driven restaurants. It's also a popular gathering spot during the holidays where Larimer Square Lights features — you guessed it — dazzling lights, festive decorations and live music.

 

Night Lights Denver at the Daniels & Fisher Tower

Along the 16th Street Mall, the Denver Theatre District launched Night Lights Denver in early November 2019. This year-round, cutting-edge projection mapping installation on the Arapahoe Street side of the Daniels & Fisher Tower (1601 Arapahoe St.) is on display every Thursday through Saturday evening. Don’t miss the chance to see ultra-creative minds utilize this iconic Denver landmark — once the tallest building in Denver and west of the Mississippi — as a cultural canvas for sharing their work. Night Lights Denver features works by Colorado-based artists.  

 

The Mile High Tree + Denver Christkindlmarket + Western Carousel

Cross Speer Boulevard and step inside this brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall, 39-foot-wide immersive art installation. The Mile High Tree Presented by Xcel Energy and Xfinity is the tallest digital tree in North America (and the tallest art installation in Denver’s history by the way) and features spectacular evening light shows using pixel LED technology choreographed to the classic holiday songs. The tree is located near one of Denver's other major holiday attractions, the Denver Christkindlmarket on the Tivoli Quad at the Auraria Campus. It's the city’s only authentic German holiday market and features lights, food, music and, of course, unique gifts. You also won't want to miss the Western Carousel, a beautifully restored 42-foot Herschell masterpiece adorned with hand-carved horses and intricate detailing that captures the nostalgic magic of a classic holiday ride. 

Hours

The Mile High Tree Presented by Xcel Energy and Xfinity

5–10 p.m. (Nov. 21–Dec. 31, 2025)

Denver Christkindlmarket

1–9 p.m., Monday–Thursday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday–Sunday (Nov. 21–Dec. 23, 2025)

 

Mile High Drone Show

For more than 40 magical nights, 600 drones will soar into the sky, creating breathtaking holiday-themed animations from the launching area on the Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus. See these dazzling displays from across the city every night, Nov. 21–Dec. 31, 2025. From Santa and his reindeer to iconic Denver landmarks like the Mile High Tree and Denver Union Station, each night will bring a new visual experience to life in 15-minute shows. 

Where to Watch at 7 p.m. nightly

 

Denver City & County Building

It doesn't get any more colorful than this. Each night at 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., an eight-minute choreographed light and music holiday show takes place at the City & County Building in Civic Center Park. It then goes to a festive, static holiday display until 10:45 p.m. Note: There will be no shows on Dec. 6 and Dec. 21, 2025; and on Mondays due to city council meetings.

 

More Lights All Over Town

Merry and magical moments are all over town just waiting to be unwrapped. Also, check out Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens and Elitch Holidays at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park. See more lights extravaganzas. 

 

Private Tours 

Forever Party Bus: Holiday Lights Tours

Fill your evening with holiday bliss by checking out the city's top community and residential holiday lights with your favorite people. Forever Party Bus can customize your outing with buses ranging in size from 12 to 34 passengers. There are two- and four-hour options to suit group preferences and budgets. You can also add extras like hot cocoa bars, Santa Claus visits and holiday-decorated buses.

 

Discover Denver Tours: Holiday Lights & Sights Bus and Walking Tours

This holiday season, embark on a fun-filled, 90-minute Denver holiday lights bus tour experience with Discover Denver Tours as you take in all of the magic and cheer of this festive time of year in The Mile High City. Enjoy the unique history, architecture and beauty of Denver’s holiday lights and top sights at night. The tours are limited to 14 guests and you'll get to see and experience Denver's holiday lights in the toasty warm comfort of the shuttles. They are also offering walking tours.