There’s never a shortage of holiday light displays throughout the Denver metro area, but those living in the southwest metro area have some options close to home.
Both Hudson Gardens in Littleton and the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield are bringing back their holiday light shows, both starting the day after Thanksgiving.
At the is back for its seventh year with some new lights and customized chandeliers. On weekends and other select nights, the gardens will have a decorated firetruck that is available to ride around the area. It will cost an additional $6, but patrons will get hot chocolate and a chance to visit with Santa.
The tunnels at the gardens will also be decorated with lights this year.
“The kids seem to like that,” said Christine Warford, facility rental and events manager for the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.
The Trail of Lights originally opened one year when the light show at the Denver location was not available. The Trail of Lights performed well that winter and organizers kept it going.
This year’s event opens
Friday and runs through Sunday. It opens daily starting Dec. 5, running through Jan. 1.
“It’s a whole different market from downtown,” Warford said. “People like to stay close to home. This is our suburban site.”
At Hudson Gardens, this is the third year in the current format for the . The lights also open Friday, but the event is only open weekends until Dec. 12, when it starts running daily until Jan. 3.
The lights are included in the cost of admission, and this year’s biggest draw will be a visit with Santa, also included in the price.
“People can bring their own camera and take any pics they want with him,” said Heidi Resetarits, marketing and communications manager for Hudson Gardens.
Also new this year is a tractor-drawn wagon ride that take riders outside the gardens near the river to see the lights from afar.
“It’s a neat way to see it,” Resetarits said.
The gardens will also have a singing forest and a gingerbread area that resembles the board game Candy Land. Santa is available at the gardens until Dec. 23.
“I am overwhelmingly excited that this citywide treasure exists,” Littleton City Councilman Randy Stein said.
The city of Littleton will have some events of its own with a candlelight walk
Friday and
Saturday. In downtown Littleton, there are more than 1 million lights, and a new display of snowflakes near the light-rail station, according to Littleton spokeswoman Kelli Narde.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or
Trail of lights
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Jefferson County
When: 5:30-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Dec. 5-Jan. 1
Cost: $5 to $12
Hudson christmas holiday light show
Where: Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton
When: 5-8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-Jan. 3
Cost: $11 adults ($9 members), $8 children 4-12
