Parade of Lights illuminates downtown
through saturday. The 36th annual 9News Parade of Lights twinkles its way through downtown starting tonight and brings a couple of new treats to the lineup: A huge, 42-foot-long tiger balloon and an updated float for Santa and his sleigh. There’ll also be a small army of high-school marching bands. Watch for the Westernaires mounted drill team, Colorado Disc Dogs, Rocky Mountain Rollergirls and traditional dancers. 8 p.m. today, 6 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Denver, 15th and 17th streets between Tremont Place and Arapahoe Street; grandstand at the City and County Building, West Colfax Avenue and Bannock Street. Admission is free. Advance grandstand tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for children ages 2 to 12.
“Olde Golden Christmas” celebration
Today and Saturday. Golden officially gets in the holiday spirit with an “Olde Golden Christmas.” The celebration starts tonight with a candlelight and caroling walk. Bring a candle — or buy one for 50 cents — and join the parade through downtown Golden, with warm drinks, snacks and entertainment along the way. A reindeer petting zoo greets kids at the end of the walk. Saturday, the town begins a series of “Olde Fashioned Hometown Parades,” complete with Santa, elves, Christmas music and floats. Afterward, hitch a free ride in a horse-drawn carriage — or kids can hop into a wagon pulled by a Newfoundland dog. The parades continue Dec. 10 and 17. Candlelight Walk: 6:30 p.m. today. Gather at Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St., Golden, beginning at 6 p.m. Parade: 11 a.m. Saturdays. Washington Avenue, downtown Golden. Free.
A whole lot of lights at Botanic Gardens
through jan. 1. The Denver Botanic Gardens will be in full, sparkling bloom — in two locations — during “Blossoms of Light” and “Trail of Light.” “Blossoms” invites guests to wander through the gardens’ main York Street site, decorated with hundreds of thousands of colorful lights. New this year: four ice sculptures and a synchronized light display in the amphitheater. The “Trail of Light,” at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, guides holiday revelers along a glimmering path. Both events will have warm drinks available. 5:30-9:30 p.m. daily. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St.; 720-865-3500. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton; 303-973-3705. $9.50 adults, $7.50 seniors and students, $6.50 for children 3 to 12.
“Snack With Santa” at Children’s Museum
Saturday. Get a photo with Santa — and plenty of midday playtime — at “Snack With Santa” at the Children’s Museum of Denver. Instead of waiting in a line, kids pick up a “Santa Pass” with an appointed visit time. They can play in the museum, stop in at the hot- cocoa bar and take a final look at their list before meeting the big man. Grown-ups, bring a camera, as there won’t be a pro photographer on-site. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Children’s Museum of Denver, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive; 303-433-7444. Activities included with museum admission: $8 for guests ages 2 to 59, $6 for 1-year-olds and seniors age 60 and older.
.
.
.
.
.
.
