At the City and County Building in Denver on Friday, November 23, 2012 for Denver Grand Illumination celebration. (Denver Post file)
Guests to the former Trail of Lights. The Chatfield display will now be called Santa's Village. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
A dance group walks in the annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights past the City & County Building on December 2, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. (Denver Post file)
Kids watch as the annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights makes its way through downtown Denver on December 2, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. (Denver Post file)
A lighted shark at the Denver Zoo lights November 25, 2016. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Visitors enjoy a giant tree decorated for the Hudson Christmas show at Hudson Gardens & Event Center on November 29, 2013, in Littleton. (Denver Post file)
The annual Olde Golden Christmas Candlelight Walk parades downhill on Washington Street through downtown to Clear Creek. (Denver Post file)
Denver Zoo lights November 25, 2016. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Jane Rockwell, 7, stands next to a lighted moose at the Denver Zoo lights November 25, 2016. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Denver Zoo lights in 2016. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Erika Stephenson hoists her son Noah Stephenson, 2, on to her shoulders so he can get a better view but he looks more interested in his light-up tree during the Denver Parade of Lights. (Denver Post file)
The annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights makes its way past the City & County Building on December 2, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. (Denver Post file)
The annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights makes its way past the City & County Building on December 2, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. (Denver Post file)
The annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights makes its way past the City & County Building on December 2, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. (Denver Post file)
Members of the Denver Samoyed Rescue march in the annual Denver Parade of Lights. (Denver Post file)
Denver Zoo lights. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
The annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights makes its way past the City & County Building on December 2, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. (Denver Post file)
Denver Botanic GardensBlossoms of Light & Trails of LightVisit both Denver Botanic Gardens locations and see the more than 1 million colorful lights. (Denver Post file)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER: Children walk by a light display at the Denver Botanic Gardens annual Blossoms of Light event on December 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms the garden's York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland.The event runs through January 1, 2018(Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER: People walk through light displays at the Denver Botanic Gardens annual Blossoms of Light event on December 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms the garden's York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland.The event runs through January 1, 2018(Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER: A crowd gathers to watch the interactive light display that moves to the beat of music and people's voices that is one of displays at the Denver Botanic Gardens annual Blossoms of Light event on December 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms the garden's York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland.The event runs through January 1, 2018(Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER: A crescent moon rises amidst the light displays at the Denver Botanic Gardens annual Blossoms of Light event on December 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms the garden's York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland.The event runs through January 1, 2018(Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER: Beautiful lights on display at the Denver Botanic Gardens annual Blossoms of Light event. This annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms our York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland.from behind looking at light to music. Had an interactive light display that went to the beat of music and peopleÕs voices. Runs through January 1, 2018on December 19, 2017 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER: People walk through light displays at the Denver Botanic Gardens annual Blossoms of Light event on December 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms the garden's York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland.The event runs through January 1, 2018(Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Guests to the former Trail of Lights enjoy the old school house on the property all lit up. The Chatfield display will now be called Santa's Village. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
1 of 25
At the City and County Building in Denver on Friday, November 23, 2012 for Denver Grand Illumination celebration. (Denver Post file)
ExpandBy John Wenzel | jwenzel@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
We’ve seen your list (we’ve checked it twice) and we know holiday lighting displays are tied with sledding, decorating the house and making sure the dog doesn’t eat those decorations for your must-do annual traditions.
That’s why we rounded up some of the most notable around the metro area — and beyond — starting in the coming days, and generally viewable through New Year’s Eve.




























