The holiday season in Northern Colorado is a magical time, and there’s no better way to feel the festive spirit than by visiting dazzling light displays. From twinkling neighborhoods to professionally designed spectacles, NoCo offers holiday cheer for all ages. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing, a romantic evening, or just a bit of inspiration for your own home décor, these light displays are sure to fill you with wonder.
We’ve rounded up the top 10 holiday light displays in Northern Colorado, so you can plan your route and make the most of this festive season. Here’s where to catch the brightest, most enchanting holiday lights this year.
1. NoCo Winter Wonderland
Where? Colorado Youth Outdoors, 4927 County Rd 36, Fort Collins
The NoCo Winter Wonderland delivers a spectacular drive-thru holiday light experience. This one-mile loop of festive décor allows visitors to stay warm in their vehicles while enjoying animated light displays, big-game animal sculptures, and seasonal surprises. It’s a creative way to embrace the holiday spirit without the cold walk-through crowds.
What makes it especially fun: the event is produced by the nonprofit Colorado Youth Outdoors, so your ticket supports outdoor programs in Northern Colorado. Expect whimsical themes, dancing lights, and new elements added each year to keep things fresh. Whether you’re bundling up the kids or planning a cozy ride-through with friends, it’s a memorable way to kick off your holiday light tour.
2. WinterFest in Downtown Greeley
Where? Lincoln Park & 9th St, Greeley
When? Saturdays, November 29th-December 13th
In the heart of downtown Greeley, this festive multi-weekend event brings holiday magic to life. Kirked by the iconic “Light Up Lincoln” tree-lighting ceremony at Lincoln Park, the city dresses up in shimmering lights, cheerful music, and community spirit galore. The sidewalks along 8th and 9th Streets become “Holiday Lane,” where illuminated displays, performances from local bands and dance troupes, and warm beverages make the stroll a delightful seasonal outing.
What makes WinterFest stand out is the mix of walkable light displays and engaging community vibes. It’s not just about seeing lights – it’s about gathering in the downtown plaza, shopping local, enjoying small-business open houses, and watching the lights countdown together. For anyone looking to soak in the holiday atmosphere without the drive-through feel, this is a warm and inviting spot that delivers sparkle and heart.
3. Bond Park’s Nightly Light Show Spectacular
Where? 170 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park
When? November 22nd-January 1st, 5-9 p.m.
Beginning November 22nd, Bond Park in downtown Estes Park becomes the glowing heart of the town’s winter festivities with the Nightly Light Show Spectacular. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening through January 1st, visitors can gather to watch the dazzling, choreographed light show that transforms the park into a symphony of color and sound. At the center of it all stands the state’s only Pixel Pine Tree – a state-of-the-art display that uses cutting-edge technology to create intricate patterns and animations synced perfectly to classic holiday tunes. The result is a mesmerizing, multi-sensory experience that captures the magic of the season and brings families, friends, and visitors together in awe.
Beyond the show itself, Bond Park and downtown Estes Park shimmer with life-sized illuminated sculptures and photo-worthy installations, making it a true holiday wonderland. Guests are encouraged to take a self-guided stroll through the nearby streets, discovering festive window displays, cozy shops, and tempting local treats along the way. Whether you’re snapping photos beside the glowing reindeer, sipping cocoa from a local café, or simply soaking in the mountain air under a canopy of lights, the Nightly Light Show Spectacular delivers a blend of high-tech magic and small-town charm that’s uniquely Estes Park.
4. Garden of Lights at The Gardens on Spring Creek
Where? 2145 Centre Ave, Fort Collins
When? December 12th-28th
The Garden of Lights at The Gardens on Spring Creek is a beloved holiday tradition that transforms the lush gardens into a twinkling winter wonderland. Visitors can wander along illuminated pathways, marvel at creative light displays, and enjoy the magical combination of nature and festive decor. From glowing trees and sparkling sculptures to enchanting archways, every corner of the garden is designed to captivate both children and adults alike.
In addition to the stunning lights, the Garden of Lights offers a variety of seasonal activities. Guests can explore the beautifully lit gardens at their own pace with timed entries. Special events, like visits from Santa and nightly live entertainment, add to the experience, making it a perfect outing for families, couples, or anyone looking to soak in the holiday spirit in Fort Collins.
5. 12 Days of Christmas Light Display
Where? Dwayne Webster Veterans Park, 400-422 W Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland
The “12 Days of Christmas” light display at Dwayne Webster Veterans Park in Loveland turns the park into a glowing holiday tableau, with larger-than-life scenes from the famous carol brought to life in vibrant lights. The display runs annually from around late November through January 1st, and nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors drive (or stroll) through the park, enjoying themed light panels that illustrate each “day” of the song – geese, drummers, pipers, and more – arranged among the trees and along the roadway. The ambiance is festive yet relaxed, making it a wonderful stop for families, friends, or a quiet evening outing.
What makes this display especially appealing is its free access and its status as a community favorite in NoCo. Since the larger drive-through event at the nearby sculpture park is not returning this year, this display steps up as a reliable and cheerful holiday light option. Whether you plan a quick stop or a longer evening out, the “12 Days of Christmas” display offers a charming and accessible way to experience the holiday lights in Northern Colorado.
6. Christmas Walk in the Woods
Where? 1750 Savage Rd, Loveland
When? December 12th-31st, 5-8 p.m.
This annual event transforms the woods just west of Loveland into a magical evening stroll of holiday lights and festive displays. Guests follow a gently-rising quarter-mile mulched trail through illuminated trees and themed scenes – think Santa’s House, an Elf Workshop, and even a classic 1968 Chevrolet Christmas Truck. The setting is immersive yet walkable, making it a favorite for families looking for a light-filled but relaxed outing.
What sets this display apart is its faith-based focus and its origin as a locally grown experience. The organizers emphasize the celebration of the birth of Christ alongside the holiday lights, and the event includes live entertainment on select nights – carolers, tubas, and even Santa make appearances. It’s a ticketed event (with free admission for very young children on some nights) and visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and arrive ready to enjoy the ambiance.
7. The Greeley Holidaze House
Where? 1712 37th Ave, Greeley
The Greeley Holidaze House has become a beloved local holiday landmark. Each November, the homeowners begin preparing for the display, sourcing decorations, rewiring older lights to LEDs, and erecting themed scenes both inside and out. When the lights go on each night from around 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (weather permitting), passers-by are greeted by more than just simple strands of bulbs: towering inflatables, synchronized lighting effects, and plenty of holiday cheer make this one of Northern Colorado’s standout private displays.
What makes the Greeley Holidaze House especially memorable is its community spirit and family legacy. The current display carries on from a previous generation – when the homeowner’s relatives held an iconic light show in another town – and now the Artz family pours weeks of work into building the experience for visitors. For viewers, it offers a cozy yet festive stroll or drive-by opportunity, perfect for families with young kids, couples seeking a quick dose of holiday sparkle, or anyone simply looking to soak in seasonal cheer without massive crowds.
8. The North Pole at Pelican Farms
Where? 2106 Grain Bin, Windsor
The North Pole at Pelican Farms lights up the holiday season in northern Colorado with an impressive display of over 63,000 lights synchronized to music that visitors can broadcast on 103.3 FM right from their car. Nestled in the Pelican Farms section of Windsor, this show offers a drive-by experience where you stay warm in your vehicle, tune in to the music, and watch the lights dance in rhythm to festive tunes.
What makes the experience stand out is the scale and interactivity of the display. With tens of thousands of lights and a dedicated radio frequency that coordinates the light-show audio, it offers a vibrant and immersive holiday outing perfect for families, couples, or groups looking for something a little different than the usual neighborhood string lights. And because it’s set in a growing Windsor neighborhood, the backdrop seamlessly blends suburban charm with spectacle, offering both the comfort of a local stop and the “wow” factor of an event.
9. The Festival of Trees
Where? Estes Park Resort, Estes Park
When? November 12th-December 14th
The Festival of Trees at Estes Park Resort is a festive holiday spectacle nestled in the scenic mountain town of Estes Park. Held annually in the resort’s grand lobby, this event features dozens of elaborately decorated Christmas trees, each one crafted and themed by local businesses, organizations, or individuals from the Estes Valley community. From the kick-off evening, where you’ll find complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, to the drawing in mid-December where lucky winners take home their favorite tree, it’s a warm-hearted celebration of creativity and community spirit.
What makes this display especially inviting is the blend of mountain-town charm, holiday whimsy, and philanthropy. Beyond simply viewing the trees, guests contribute to a great cause: the event is organized by the Estes Park Quota Club and supports their work in education, community support, and aid for those in need in the valley. With the backdrop of the Rockies and that cozy resort setting, the Festival of Trees becomes more than a stop on a lights tour – it transforms into a memorable evening outing where you can soak in the holiday atmosphere, enjoy some treats, and share that festive feeling with loved ones.
10. Longmont Lights Festival
Where? Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave, Longmont
When? December 12th-13th
Each December, Roosevelt Park in Longmont transforms into a dazzling wonderland for the annual Longmont Lights Festival. The park sparkles with millions of twinkling lights, creating a breathtaking backdrop for this two-day celebration of the season. Visitors can stroll through the illuminated pathways, sip hot cocoa, and take in the joyful sights of the holiday displays that wrap around the park’s trees, gazebos, and open spaces. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting – perfect for couples, families, and anyone eager to embrace the festive spirit.
In addition to the light displays, Roosevelt Park’s Ice Rink and Pavilion add an extra layer of winter magic to the event. Guests can lace up their skates and glide across the ice under the glow of holiday lights, or simply enjoy the music, laughter, and energy of the rink from the sidelines. With carolers, seasonal treats, and a cheerful community vibe, the Longmont Lights Festival captures everything that makes Northern Colorado’s holiday season so special – tradition, togetherness, and plenty of sparkle.
Shine Bright, NoCo!
From Estes Park’s twinkling mountain charm to the glowing streets of downtown Loveland, Northern Colorado truly knows how to light up the holidays. Each display, from community parades and choreographed light shows to peaceful park strolls and drive-through spectacles, offers its own kind of magic. Whether you’re wandering hand-in-hand through a tunnel of lights or snapping photos with Santa under a sparkling tree, these events bring neighbors and visitors together in the spirit of joy and wonder that defines the season.
So grab your mittens, pour some hot cocoa, and make a plan to explore these festive favorites. No matter where you start, you’ll find warmth, laughter, and plenty of holiday glow all across NoCo. After all, the best way to celebrate this time of year is to step into the light – literally!