‘Tis the season for twinkling lights and festive decorations, and you know what that means: It’s time to get out and explore the festive displays of Christmas lights in Colorado Springs. From traditional holiday displays to modern interactive light shows, there are plenty of spots throughout the city and Pikes Peak region that will put you in the holiday spirit.
Where to Find Drive-Thru Christmas Lights in Colorado Springs and Beyond
Driving around to view holiday lights is a favorite tradition for many. It can be mesmerizing for kids, fun with friends or a great holiday date night with your S.O. After all, it’s not every day that you get to celebrate with vibrant displays of holiday cheer — especially at these elaborate drive-thru holiday light tours.
Magic of Lights at Pikes Peak International Raceway
Nov. 21 – Jan. 4
The most wonderful time of the year gets even brighter when Magic of Lights transform Pikes Peak International Raceway into a massive and vibrant holiday-themed light display with more than 2 million lights. In its fourth consecutive year at PPIR, Magic of Lights features the return of the Jolly Holiday Village, plus the longest light tunnel in Colorado. Most of the light features are enjoyable from the warmth and comfort of your vehicle, including Prehistoric Christmas, Winter Wonderland, the classic 12 Days of Christmas, Toyland and Reindeer Road. The glowing 400-foot Enchanting Tunnel of Lights is twice as long as last year. And you can’t miss the 32-foot-tall waving Barbie, Bigfoot Monster Truck and other brightly lit characters.
The walkable Jolly Holiday Village lets families get out of their vehicles and explore a wonderland attractions including photos with Santa, letter-writing to Santa, photo stations, s’mores, games and more delightful holiday activities. Magic of Lights is open later on Friday and Saturday nights, but you can save by going on weeknights.
Tour of Neighborhood Light Displays
Follow your own self-driving tour of local Christmas lights adventure with Timberline Landscaping’s Colorado Springs Christmas Lights Guide 2025. The map includes homeowners and business owners with lights and computerized light shows, including some offering hot cocoa and coffee. With the map, you can even sync your drive to a holiday playlist and partake in a Christmas light scavenger hunt. The new guide drops Dec. 1.
Holiday Headframe Lighting at Cripple Creek and Victor
Weekend nights Nov. 29 – Dec. 23 and nightly Dec. 24 – Jan. 1
The mining headframes of Cripple Creek and Victor pay homage to the area’s historic Gold Rush days. During the holidays, they light up with giant holiday light installations. Follow the downloadable map for a self-driving tour of the 20-foot displays illuminating the night sky and enjoy some good old-fashioned holiday spirit.
Be sure to stop in Cripple Creek or Victor for an event on the Gold Camp Christmas Celebration schedule. The Holiday Headframe Lighting stays lit weekend nights Nov. 29 – Dec. 23 and nightly Dec. 24 – Jan. 1.
Where to Walk and Experience Christmas Lights in Colorado Springs
If you want to spend more time admiring lights and displays, take a leisurely stroll through one of these Christmas lights exhibits instead.
Electric Safari
Dec. 5 – Jan. 1 except Christmas Eve
It’s time for the holiday zoo lights! Voted in the Top 3 Best Zoo Lights in North America for six years in a row, the Electric Safari lights up the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on select dates through December: Dec. 5-23, Dec. 25 – Jan. 1, to be exact.
Stroll around to see more than 90 artisan-made light sculptures over 50 acres. Take in the stellar city-light views below and listen to the nearby sound of the lions roaring in the night. You’ll also enjoy photos with larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals, and a new holiday-safari themed drone show. Cheyenne Mountain zoo members get free and early admission.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo won No. 2 Best Zoo Lights in North America in this year’s USA Today 10Best list.
Bridge of Lights Drive Thru Christmas Light Show at the Royal Gorge
Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, 12-14. 19-21
Picture yourself walking across America’s Bridge, marveling at the twinkling array of lights that bedazzles you with its brilliance — above the spectacular Royal Gorge. The enchanting experience is now an immersive walk-thru event that will fill everyone with warmth and happiness in the spirit of Christmas. You can take photos with Santa Claus, decorate cookies and ornaments, shop for gifts at the Christmas Market and enjoy cookies, cocoa and cider. The illuminated experience runs through New Year’s Eve. Save time by getting tickets and pre-ordering snacks online.
Christmas Light Festival at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
Dec. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20
All is lit up in the festive atmosphere of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church this holiday season as they celebrate their annual Christmas Light Festival on Friday and Saturday evenings in December before Christmas.
Visitors can stroll through the grounds cloaked with 100,000 colorful lights and warm up with s’mores and hot chocolate around the fire pits on the Woodmen area property, get pictures with Santa and enjoy a giant light maze and a musical light show. It’s perfect for creating lasting holiday memories with family and friends.
Where to Shop, Stroll or Skate Among the Christmas Lights
Admire the lights while you shop, skate and stroll through beautifully decorated towns like Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City, Palmer Lake, Monument and Downtown.
Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs flips the switch on its Christmas tree and holiday lights right after Thanksgiving, and the town turns into a snow globe scene. It’s a homey holiday atmosphere for locals and guests. Stroll through town and peruse the local boutiques, galleries, holiday markets and restaurants. Check their calendar of holidays events and catch the strolling brass band on weekends, the annual elf hunt and more. Plus, you get two-hour free parking on the streets from Nov. 30 to Dec. 25.
Old Colorado City
The historic Old Colorado City shines bright with holiday lights and decorations, and the shopping district’s special events bring the season alive. The annual Christmas Stroll features Dickens’ carolers, live reindeer and Santa Claus at his cabin in Bancroft Park. You can get photos with Santa on weekends through December. And the exciting new addition this year is the Old Colorado City Christkindlmarket. All those holiday lights make shopping at OCC’s art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and watering holes even more magical.
Skate in the Park, Downtown
Don’t just look at Christmas lights from your car or the sidewalk, skate beneath them at the annual pop-up outdoor ice rink, Skate in the Park. The entire Acacia Park transforms into a winter wonderland with lights in the trees and holiday tunes from the ice skating rink.
Of course, holiday lights line the downtown streets too for festive eating, drinking and shopping. Plan for an early skate session before the Festival of Lights Parade on Dec. 6. And shop local in the 180-plus boutiques, galleries, vendors, restaurants and bars at all these festive holiday events throughout the season.
Palmer Lake Star
Every December since 1935, the Palmer Lake Star has illuminated the hillside overlooking the picturesque town of Palmer Lake, welcoming locals and visitors with its warm glow. You can see it as you drive on I-25, north of the Springs. But you’ll find it even more cheerful above the lake and town. Read a little about its history in The Palmer Lake Star Shines On.
Monument
In downtown Monument, Limbach Park is the place for festive holiday lights. The annual Monument Tree Lighting happens Dec. 6. You’ll find crafts, cookie decorating, pet pictures and Santa! He will arrive with a little help from the Monument Fire Department. Of course, you can come back throughout the season to walk under the lights and shop and eat at the town’s boutiques, galleries and bistros.
Fort Carson
The Mountain Post kicks off the season with its annual WhoFest Holiday Event and tree lighting ceremony, happening this year on Dec. 5 at Iron Horse Park. It’s Fort Carson’s biggest holiday festival, with a holiday market featuring local vendors, food and drinks and entertainment for the whole family that includes a holiday train, crafts, games and entertainment. You can get your pictures with Santa Claus and a free Christmas tree as part of the Trees for Troops program. Note this event is only open to DOD ID cardholders, including active-duty service members, dependents, retirees or Department of Defense civilians.
Where to Stay and Experience Beautiful Christmas Lights at Colorado Springs Hotels and Resorts
Add holiday lights to Colorado Springs hotels and resorts and you’ve got some truly magical settings. They are best enjoyed by overnight guests who get to take full advantage of special holiday events and offerings. But you can always book a dinner reservation — at some of the best restaurants in the Springs — and enjoy all the hotel lights and decorations.
The Broadmoor
The Broadmoor doesn’t take the holidays lightly. Instead, they deck out the property with millions of twinkling lights and tons of festive decorations to make the holiday season come alive. And you don’t want to miss the impressive gingerbread display, a classic Broadmoor tradition. The twinkling lights surrounding the historic hotel and resort are always an elegant and inspiring scene. From Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, the 12 Days of Christmas are filled with special events, such as baking demonstrations, beer tastings, fireside story time, family bingo and more. And the Classic Broadmoor Holiday Show is an annual tradition filled with food and music.
Local/non-overnight guests are welcome to visit Monday through Thursday from Dec. 1-18. Here are the details.
Hotel Polaris
Hotel Polaris is lit up with holiday lights and celebrations as part of the Wings of Winter. Operation Elf provides guests with a holiday package that includes aviation-themed cookies, chilled milk and a commemorative NORAD holiday story. The Commanders Cocoa Bar serves special hot chocolate blends and Flights with Santa let you join Capt. Kringle for a visit to the North Pole via the 737MAX flight simulator.
Garden of the Gods Resort
If you’re looking for a festive winter delight, the Christmas lights display at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs is a beautiful option overlooking the Garden. Book a holiday overnight or plan your light-viewing experience around dinner at the Grand View restaurant and take a stunning night walk, surrounded by thousands of mesmerizing little bulbs. You can also ooh and aah at the pastry team’s gingerbread village display. It all kicks off with the Magic on the Mesa the day after Thanksgiving with caroling, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and even a DJ set mixing holiday favorites.
Don’t Miss These Holiday Lights Parades
Kick-off the holiday season with even more festive fun at these holiday parades.
Festival of Lights Parade
Get there early for this favorite holiday parade through downtown on Tejon Street on Dec. 6. It will be packed with floats, lights, music, characters and Santa Claus, of course.
coloradospringsfestivaloflights.com
Manitou Christmas Parade
Manitou Springs loves to celebrate, and the annual Manitou Springs Christmas Parade brings out the festive locals. The colorful procession rolls down Manitou Avenue on Dec. 7 with fun floats, carolers and twinkling lights. And you know Santa will be there.
Lights Above the Clouds Christmas Parade
Want to celebrate in Woodland Park? This year’s parade will end with a bang — literally! As Santa nears the end of the parade, a brilliant fireworks display will launch as a dazzling finale.
Gold Camp Country Christmas Parade
Cripple Creek celebrates the season with its annual parade on Dec. 13 at noon. This year’s theme of Gold Camp Country Christmas celebrates the charm and nostalgia of the season in the historic mining and mountain town.
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