🚗 Deck the Denver Metro: Your Hilariously Handy Guide to Holiday Lights & Parades (And How to Get There!)

Hey Northglenn neighbors and Denver Metro dwellers!

It's that glorious time of year again. The air is crisp, the hot chocolate is aggressively spiced, and the whole city is about to be draped in so many twinkling lights, you'll swear you've accidentally driven into a giant jewelry box.

We here at Fahrenheit Motors know your ride is ready to handle that Colorado winter. But before you brave the chilly nights and the unavoidable Christmas music earworms, you need a plan! Forget aimlessly driving around for hours like Clark Griswold. We've compiled the absolute must-see festive events in the Denver Metro area, complete with the essential info: dates, times, and the approximate distance from our Northglenn HQ (because driving is half the fun... mostly!).

So, top off that gas tank, grab your ugliest sweater, and let's get jingling with our Handy Denver Holiday Guide.

🌟 The Big, Bright, & Beautiful Light Shows - Denver's Holiday Guide

These are the jaw-droppers, the camera-roll fillers, the events that will make you feel like a kid again (or at least distract you from your holiday shopping debt).

Event	Approximate Distance from Northglenn	Dates & Times	Why You Should Go (Our Friendly Advice!)
Zoo Lights(Denver Zoo)	11 miles	Nightly, Nov 23 – Jan 5, 2026 (Check website for specific times)	The Classic! Over a million lights, animated sculptures, and you get to see some chilly animals. Don't worry, the cold ones love it!
Blossoms of Light (Denver Botanic Gardens)	12 miles	Nightly, Nov 21 – Jan 12, 2026 (Closed Nov 27 & Dec 25)	The Artsy One! It's a gorgeous, immersive walk through the gardens. Perfect for a slightly more sophisticated (but still dazzling) date night.
The Mile High Tree (Auraria Campus, Tivoli Quad)	10 miles	Nightly, Nov 21 – Dec 31, 2025; Every 15 minutes, 5 PM – 10 PM	The Tall Guy! America's tallest digital Christmas tree puts on an incredible light-and-music show. Plus, the Denver Christkindlmarket is right next door for a little German flair!
Christmas in Color (Water World)	5 miles!	Select Dates, Nov 20 – Dec 28, 2025	The Drive-Thru Hero! Since this one is practically in our backyard (Federal Heights!), you barely have to leave Northglenn! Millions of synchronized lights you can enjoy from the warmth of your car. Win-win!
Luminova Holidays (Elitch Gardens)	10 miles	Nightly, Nov 28 – Jan 4, 2026	The Amusement Park Fun! Millions of lights, rides, a 300-foot candy cane tunnel, and a giant snowman. It’s like Christmas and a summer vacation had a sparkly baby.

🎊 Parades & Festive Gatherings to Partake in Next Year! 

If you need marching bands, gigantic balloons, and Santa Claus waving from a float, you're looking for a parade!

• The 9NEWS Parade of Lights (Downtown Denver)

  • Approximate Distance from Northglenn: 10 miles

  • Date & Time: Saturday, December 6, 6:00 PM

  • The Scoop: This is the Denver parade. Get ready for extravagantly lit floats, massive character balloons (look for Major Waddles the Penguin!), and a true spectacle that shuts down the city in the best way possible. Find a spot downtown early, dress warm, and prepare for a seriously festive atmosphere!

    
    

• Noel Northglenn (Northglenn, Check City Website)

  • Approximate Distance from Northglenn: Literally 0-1 miles! (You can probably walk!)

  • Date & Time: Friday, December 5, (Check City of Northglenn events for exact time and location, often around the city hall/rec center)

  • The Scoop: Don't forget our local heroes! A great community event that often includes a tree lighting, caroling, Santa visits, and that cozy, small-town holiday vibe. A perfect, quick, and easy trip for the whole family!

🏡 Bonus: Dazzling Denver-Area Houses

Sometimes, the best lights aren't ticketed events, but the labor of love from a seriously dedicated homeowner. While addresses can change, here are two famous, highly-rated light displays that are worth the short drive:

• Onstott Christmas Extravaganza (Commerce City)

  • Approximate Distance from Northglenn: 8 miles

  • The Scoop: This house is legendary for its density of lights and intricate setup. They even often have a special mailbox for letters to Santa! Tune your radio to the synchronized music and prepare to be utterly blown away by one family's commitment to holiday cheer.

• It's A Wonderful Light (Aurora)

  • Approximate Distance from Northglenn: 25 miles

  • The Scoop: Worth the slightly longer haul to Aurora, this display is famous for its sheer volume—we're talking hundreds of thousands of bulbs. They often host special nights with hot chocolate and even costumed superheroes!

🎁 The Fahrenheit Motors Holiday Conclusion

Whether you're cruising a mile down the road for the drive-through lights in Federal Heights or heading downtown for the big parade, we want your holiday travels to be safe, fun, and hassle-free.

The Denver Metro area really knows how to put on a show for the holidays. So, crank up the carols, double-check that your tires are ready for any snowy surprises, and go make some memories.

Now tell us, what's your favorite Denver holiday tradition? We're taking notes for our next festive road trip!

Need a quick check-up before you take on the Mile High City's holiday hustle? Would you like to check our service availability to make sure your ride is in tip-top shape for the long holiday nights?