The Festival of Lights parade is a beloved Christmas tradition in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado Springs. Every year, people bundle up in coats, hats and gloves to watch nearly 100 illuminated floats, vintage cars and marching bands pass by. Seniors must bring a valid ID showing they are over 65 years old to validate their discounted tickets at the boarding gate. The parade starts on Tejon Street and continues south until it reaches Vermijo Street.
The Denver Zoo also celebrates the holiday season with its Zoo Lights event. More than 2 million lights sparkle across 80 acres among the 3,000 animals who live at the zoo. Visitors can decorate their baby, bike or stroller with festive lights and explore the garden in a new way. In addition, the grounds of Chatfield Farms are transformed into a magical town filled with light displays and other festive activities.
The hillsides light up as Telluride Resort employees glide gracefully down the dark mountain, torches in hand. The downtown Denver Botanic Garden celebrates the holiday season with an ever-changing display of lights and colors, including an immersive 360-degree lighting experience. Standing 110 feet tall and surrounded by oversized Christmas ornaments, this dazzling tree-like giant is magically multicolored and covered in lights. Some may wonder why Starlight is now confined to Garden of the Gods and not to all of downtown Colorado Springs.
Check out winter train travel to Colorado, Colorado's Christmas markets, and Colorado's iconic winter events: & Festivals for more festive activities. So when does the Festival of Lights end each night in Colorado Springs? Arrive early so you can take advantage of your spot and see the impressive floats, festive marching bands, diverse dance groups and local celebrities taking over the streets of the city center. The parade usually ends around 9 pm, but it may vary depending on the day.
