The Denver Botanic Gardens presents its 19th annual Blossoms of Light. More than a million lights will sparkle on the grounds of the Gardens this year, many of them energy-efficient LEDs. Carolers, dancers and bell choirs will perform periodically throughout the Blossoms’ run, and hot drinks and snacks will be available. Pick up a pair of Holospex: The popular glasses are back this year, turning the light displays into 3-D shapes. And watch out for dangling mistletoe — designated kissing areas are scattered around. 6-9 p.m. nightly, Saturday through Jan. 20. 1005 York St.; 720-865-3500. $9, $7 for seniors age 65 and older, $6 for children 4-15. Children 3 and younger are free. Botanic Gardens members receive $2 off admission.
At City Park, the Denver Zoo is getting ready for its 17th year of Zoo Lights. Starting Dec. 7, 38 acres of the zoo will be transformed into a twinkling holiday light show. Animated light sculptures and animal ice carvings dot the landscape, and warming stations in between are stocked with hot cider and yummy food. This year there will be more real-animal viewing opportunities, too. Special nights like Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve have additional activities planned. 5-9 p.m. nightly, Dec. 7-Jan. 6. 2300 Steele St.; 303-376-4800. $8, $4 for adults 65 and older, $2 for kids 3-11. Children under 2 are free.
Also coming up: Next Friday, the Santa Fe arts district will be aglow with luminarias, a Southwestern tradition. Luminarias de Santa Fe Drive also features mariachis, carolers, Aztec dancers and more. 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 7. 600-1000 blocks of Santa Fe Drive. Free.
Saturday. It sounds like a kid’s dream: Christmas at a candy factory. It comes true Saturday when Hammond’s Candies, a longtime local candy manufacturer, will open its doors for the seventh annual Candy Cane Festival. Decorate a gingerbread cookie, go on a train ride or join in with the Christmas carolers. Santa and his live reindeer will be available for photo opportunities, too. Free tours of the factory are offered, so the curious can see how Hammond’s creates its handmade candies and chocolate. Willy Wonka would be proud. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 8. Hammond’s Candies, 5735 Washington St.; 303-333-5588. Free.
Sunday. Get an early start on Hanukkah this year at Rose Medical Center’s Community Chanukah Celebration on Sunday. (The holiday officially starts at sundown on Tuesday). The event includes all sorts of games and activities, plus a full schedule of music. The Borscht Brothers, Steve Brodsky and Friends, Los Lantzmun and Cantor Martin Goldstein will keep the party going. And, of course, there will be lots of traditional Hanukkah food to sample. The celebration is open to everyone. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Rose Medical Center Founders Building, East Ninth Avenue and Dahlia Street; 303-316-6342. Free.
HOW TO SUBMIT LISTINGS
Our Hot Tix column appears each Friday on the Going Out page. Our Tickets list, a rundown on what tickets are now going on sale, appears on the Going Out page. Ticket prices in both lists do not include service charges. Submissions should reach us at least one week before the on-sale date. For Hot Tix or our Tickets list send e-mail to jwenzel@denverpost.com, (subject: Ticket Source). Or, send postal mail to John Wenzel/Ticket Source, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver CO 80202. Include date and address of event, date and time tickets go on sale, ticket prices, agency or box office selling tickets, phone number for the public. A color JPG image or non-returnable slide is preferred.
CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS
weekend@denverpost.com (subject: Calendar) Note: We cannot guarantee return of photos and other material.This week. This time of year, Denver’s a beacon of holiday cheer to rival Clark Griswold’s blinding house of Christmas lights. Two of the city’s biggest light displays are powering up in the next week, adding to the glimmering megawatts downtown and at the City and County Building.
