The best time of the year is here! Bundle up, grab a hot chocolate and enjoy these Christmas light events with the whole family. Many of these events are free and don’t require a reservation in advance. For a fun and festive night with the family, you don’t have to travel far. Most Mainstreets have a free lighting event and have glittering bulbs until Christmas. 

A Hudson Christmas

5pm

This light extravaganza will brighten the holiday season with a dazzling forest that every guest will love. There are exciting and unique lights to look at along with blow-up characters that will make everyone jolly! Prices start at $1 and there are several dates to choose from. Reserve your ticket so the whole family can enjoy this winter wonderland. Make sure to bring your camera because the magical forest makes for a great Christmas card! Nov. 25 – Dec. 31. The Hudson Gardens & Event Center, Littleton. hudsongardens.org

Blossom of Light 

4:30 – 9pm

The signature Botanic Gardens event is back for a year that will be better than ever! There are trees fully decorated with sparkling lights and colorful walkways to guide you. The Botanic Gardens York Street location becomes a fascinating wonderland that everyone in the family will enjoy. There are delicious treats and holiday drinks to warm you up while you tour the magnificent light display. Guests have to purchase tickets in advance because time slots have limited availability. Nov. 18 – Jan. 7. Botanic Gardens, Denver. botanicgardens.org

Holiday Lights Mini Golf 

At the Adventure Golf and Raceway, play miniature golf that has holiday-themed courses and over 100,000 interactive lights. The holiday cheer is at Buccaneer Bay, Adventure Cove and Lost Continent. There will be holiday food and delicious beverages including hot cocoa and spiked hot cocoa for adults! Adult tickets are $10, and children are $8, so plan to go on this magical course this holiday. Buccaneer Bay, Adventure Cove and Lost Continent. adventuregolfandraceway.com

Free

Civic Center Park

5:45 – 6:45pm

The iconic choreographed light show downtown is back for a fun (and free!) display. The eight-minute light show will happen daily, except for Mondays at the City and County Building in Civic Center Park. After the light show, the holiday display will still be happening until 10:45 p.m. Plan your trip ahead of time because parking can be difficult, and, in some areas, you will have to pay. Nov. 23 – Jan. 22. City and County Building, Denver. denver.org

Golden Visitor Center

Not too far from Denver, there are bright and glittering lights to see. At the Golden Visitor Center, there is a single (and huge!) evergreen tree that is dressed up in holiday lights. There are around 5,000 Christmas lights decorating the single tree. This magnificent tree is free to see, so make a night out of it and go downtown to explore more beautiful lights! The town of Golden has more than 45,000 lights that brighten the streets. Until February. Golden Visitor Center

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

5 – 7pm

This free event is full of holiday activities, live entertainment and delicious treats. There is also a special guest (Santa!) that will be joining in on all the fun. There will be thousands of glittering lights to get everyone excited for the Christmas season. No reservations are needed for this magical event, so plan to attend and enjoy the festivities. Anyone with a disability or who needs any accommodations can contact the City of Aurora. Dec. 6. Aurora Municipal Center. Auroragov.org