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Sure, Colorado is known for its slick mountain resorts. The upscale eateries. The craft beer. The sledding hills with fresh pow-pow. But another thing the state totally hits outta the North Pole? Holiday lighting events. Attractions across the state light up the cold, winter night’s sky with thousands and thousands of holiday lights, warm drinks, festive tunes and more for you and the family to enjoy.

From the Denver Zoo Lights to the 9NEWS Parade of Lights, we’ve rallied up 11 of the season’s hottest Colorado holiday lighting events that have become traditions for families each year. What are you waiting for? Grab your planners, get bundled up and go out and have some illuminating fun.

Adventure Golf Holiday Lights
When: Nov. 4, 2016 through Dec. 11, 2016. Closed Monday through Wednesday. Open Thursday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Open daily from Dec. 15, 2016 through Jan. 1, 2017 from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Price: $10/adult (13-59); $8/child (4-12); $8/senior (60+)
Location: Adventure Golf & Raceway, 9650 N. Sheridan Blvd, Westminster, CO 80031
Website:

This has quickly become one of our favorite Colorado holiday pastimes. It’s a great way to brush up on your putt-putt skills with 54 holes of miniatures golf AND take in nearly 100,000 twinkling colorful lights. The folks at Adventure Golf seriously know what’s up when it comes to create the magic. Kids will love the volcano that erupts every 10 minutes and the light holiday treats and beverages including hot cocoa, s’mores and Y-E-S, adult spirits.

Butterfly Pavilion Living Lights
When: Various dates in December through January from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster, CO 80020
Price: $11/adults; $9/seniors (65+) and Westminster residents; $6/children ages 2-12
Website:

If you’ve ever been to the Butterfly Pavilion, then you know all about its creepy, crawly and magnificent animals, bugs and butterflies in its many exhibits throughout. During the holidays though, you get to see those animals in a whole new light. Literally. After dark, bring the family to see the light displays. Oh and mom–you’re in luck. They actually bring in bartenders to serve up beer, wine and various cocktails to enjoy. Okay, we buried the lead on that one, didn’t we?

Denver Zoo Lights 2016
When: Runs from Dec. 2, 2016 to Jan. 1, 2017
Location: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205
Price: For Peak Nights, the cost is $17/adults; $12 for children ages 3-11; $14 for seniors (65+).
Website:

Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo is the Rocky Mountain Region’s largest lighting event with 70 acres of illuminated sculptures, festivities that include meeting Santa Claus (select dates, check the website), live animal demonstrations, ice carvers, jugglers, carolers, singing princesses, instrumental groups, delicious holiday treats for the kids – and adult beverages that just might make mom actually kiss Santa Claus and loads more. Admire all the lights as you walk through the Denver Zoo looking at rhinos, hippos, mountain goats, elephants, gibbons. Okay, you get the point. On Dec. 26-30, Denver Zoo will celebrate Kwanzaa with African cultural holiday music, entertainment and various activities. Check out the calendar online for specialty nights for additional celebrations.

9NEWS Parade of Lights
When: Dec. 2 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.
Where: Kicks off at Denver’s City and County Building
Price: Grandstand tickets $19/adults (people over 12); $16/children ages 2-12; Free elsewhere along parade route
Website:

9NEWS Parade of Lights gives Disneyland a run for its money. It’s exactly what you imagine, only better. Bundle up the kids and head to Denver’s City and County Building to watch some of the state’s best high school marching bands playing Christmas classics, floats with thousands of sparkling lights, the appearance of Major Waddles, hot chocolate and various vendors serving drinks to warm the soul – and stick around to the end with an appearance by the big guy in red himself -SANTA! To make the experience extra special, purchase grandstand tickets so you can see all the action up-close.

Downtown Denver Grand Illumination
When: Nov. 25, 6 p.m.
Location: Union Station, Skyline Park, Larimer Square, Denver Pavilions, 16th Street Mall and D&F Tower
Price: Free
Website:

If you’re looking for a holiday tradition you and the family make each year, heading to Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination with a Thermos full of hot cocoa for the kids and blankets should be one of them. On Nov. 25 at 6:30 p.m. some of Denver’s most iconic buildings will flip the switch and light up the night’s sky. 9NEWS will have a live ‘light the lights’ countdown at Union Station, which begins at 6 p.m., but check out all the buildings during Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination. In addition, Union Station, Denver City and County Building, Skyline Park, Larimer Square, Denver Pavilions, 16th Street Mall and the historic D&F Tower will all officially turn on their holiday displays.

Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade
When: Dec. 3, 2016 at 5:50 p.m.
Location: Tejon Street, Downtown Colorado Springs
Price: Free, donations accepted online
Website:

If you want to step away from the Mile High City for an evening of holiday fun, put Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade on the family itinerary. Now in its 32nd year, the parade is set for Dec. 3, 2016 at 5:50 p.m. Everyone will love watching bright floats, high school marching bands, Santa Claus and other holiday festivities. Grab your warm clothes, bundle the kiddos and take in all the dazzling lights. It’s a memory you’ll cherish forever. Yes, even if your 2-year-old has an epic tantrum over eating another candy cane. Ahhhhh, memories.

Blossoms of Lights
When: Runs from Nov. 25, 2016 through Jan. 1, 2017 (includes December 24, 25 and 31) from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
Price: $13/adults; $11/adult member, seniors (65+), military; $10/children ages 3-15
Website:

Get ready for an impressive, make-your-jaw-drop holiday light extravaganza at Denver Botanic Gardens’ Blossoms of Light event. Guests will love the grand illuminated O’Fallon Perennial Walk and the Romantic Gardens. You’ll walk through the gardens to admire twinkling lights, warm and tasty drinks and even a souvenir mug which is new this year! Y-E-S.

Chatfield’s Trail of Lights
When: Runs from Nov. 25, 2016 through Jan. 1, 2017 (includes December 24, 25 and 31) from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128
Price: $11/adult; $9/adult member, seniors (65+), military; $8/children ages 3-15
Website:

You and the fam will love walking through a winding path with gorgeous scenery and magnificent light displays at Botanic Gardens Chatfield for the annual Trail of Lights event. For 2016, they’ve added longer trails with more lights, Farmer Green and animal light sculptures at Green Farm Barn, a magical enchanted forest, insect light sculptures at Lavender Garden, music in the children’s play area, a warming hut, fire pit and more! On Dec. 6 and 7, the kiddos will love story time and cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus!

Gunnison Night of Lights
When: Dec. 2 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Downtown Gunnison, Colorado
Website:

Experience all that Colorado has to offer over the holidays and head to Gunnison for the Night of Lights, which makes for a fun couple of hours for the family. On Dec. 2 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Santa will light the community Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m., there will also be light sculptures, live entertainment, fun games and more.

Lakewood Lights
When: Dec. 2 & 3, 2016 from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Location: Lakewood Heritage Center, 801 S. Yarrow Street, Lakewood, CO 80226
Price: Free
Website:

Locals and visitors alike will thoroughly enjoy this annual celebration in Lakewood, Colorado. Experience thousands of lights with many family-friendly activities from hay-wagon rides to museum tours, photos with Santa, music, holiday ornament making, shopping and more! If you head out on Friday night, Dec. 2, you can listen to Green Mountain High School’s Shadows of the Mountains choir.

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade
When: Dec. 24, 2016 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Location: Telluride Resort in Telluride, CO
Price: Free
Website:

Wanting to get away for Christmas? Load up the gifts, pack your suitcases, your stockings, don’t forget the wiener dogs -or the kids–and head to Telluride for the annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade. About 60-100 Telluride Ski Area employees can be seen from town as they ski down Coonskin to Telluride Trail while holding glowing torches. Pretty cool, right?

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