Celebrate the Holidays in Civic Center Park

Light the Lights 2024

Denver's annual holiday event at the City and County Building on November 27th.

Event Overview

Light the Lights 2024 is Denver's annual holiday kickoff event, bringing the community together for an evening of music, lights, and celebration. The event will be hosted by Denver7 anchor Micah Smith, and features performances by the Denver Gay Men's Chorus, special appearances by Denver's beloved mascots, and a dazzling light and music show at the City and County Building. This year's event will take place on Wednesday, November 27, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, on Bannock Street in front of the City and County Building.

Event Schedule

Time	Activity
4:00 PM	Unofficial start: Interact with Denver Police, Sheriff, Fire Department, and mascots
4:30 PM	Event begins: Opening remarks by Denver7's Micah Smith
4:45 PM	Performance by the Denver Gay Men's Chorus
5:15 PM	Mascots flip the switch for the holiday light show
5:30 PM	Conclusion of the event: Ongoing light and music show throughout the season

ADA Accommodations:

There will be designated seating for those with mobility impairments and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. An ASL interpreter will be available on-site. Seating is first-come, first-served and accessible from both 14th Ave and Colfax Ave.

Can't Attend in Person? Watch Live!

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live on denvergov.org and the City and County of Denver's Facebook page. Don't miss the magic of the holiday season, no matter where you are!

Performer and Speaker Bios

Micah Smith - Denver7 News Anchor

Micah Smith is Denver7's Social Equity Reporter and joined the station in 2018. Originally from Memphis, TN, and raised in St. Louis, MO, she graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Before moving to Colorado, Micah worked as a reporter and weekend anchor at WBTV News in Charlotte, NC, covering major national stories like the death of Reverend Billy Graham and Hurricane Florence. In her spare time, Micah enjoys traveling, documentaries, and cheering for her Missouri Tigers. She is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Denver Gay Men's Chorus

The Denver Gay Men's Chorus has been a beloved cultural group in the city, bringing joy and music to events around Denver. Their holiday performance will highlight this year's Light the Lights, filling the night with festive songs.

Denver's Illumination Ambassador Team

Denver's Illumination Ambassador Team will consist of Denver's beloved mascots:

• Dinger - The mascot of the Colorado Rockies, Dinger is a triceratops, inspired by fossils found at Coors Field.
• Rocky - Representing the Denver Nuggets, Rocky is a mountain lion and a fan favorite in Colorado sports.
• Bernie - The mascot of the Colorado Avalanche, Bernie is a friendly dog.
• RapidMan - The mascot of the Colorado Rapids, RapidMan is a blue water figure who started as the team's water boy. He represents Colorado's role as the "Headwaters State," where several major rivers begin.
• Wooly - The mascot of the Colorado Mammoth Lacrosse team, Wooly is a strong and spirited mammoth.

Nightly Light and Music Show Schedule:

The City and County Building's light show will run every Tuesday through Sunday at 5:45 PM and 6:45 PM, with a static display between shows and until 10:45 PM.

• On Mondays, only static lights will be shown due to City Council meetings.
• The light display will remain until the end of the National Western Stock Show on January 26, 2025.

Exceptions:

• No light show on Saturday, December 7 during the 9News Parade of Lights.
• The building will remain dark on Saturday, December 21 for the We Will Remember:Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil.

Come experience the joy and charm of an authentic German-style holiday market! The Denver Christkindlmarket, located in Civic Center Park, will host both local and European craft and food vendors. As cheerful sounds of live holiday music fill the air, savor the season with traditional glühwein, German biers, and traditional holiday fare. Don't miss this family-friendly holiday market! It's free and open to the public! Everyone is willkomen!

The Christkindlmarket will be open daily from Nov 17 through Dec 23.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Plenty of international and local vendors of gifts, crafts, and European cuisine
• A packed entertainment calendar featuring traditional German music, bluegrass, A cappella, and more
• Traditional German Glühwein, Prost beers, and international liquors
• Table reservations for family and corporate parties are available for the heated and beautifully decorated Festival Hall
  
  

HOURS OF OPERATION

November 22 - December 23, 2024

• Sunday - Wednesday: 11 am - 7 pm
• Thursday - Saturday: 11 am - 9 pm

Festival Hall Hours:
Thursday - Saturday: open until 10pm

Exceptions:

• Thanksgiving Day, November 23: 11 am - 4 pm

• Final week (12/15 - 12/23) : 11:00am - 9:00pm
  
  

More Christkindlmarket details are available at https://www.christkindlmarketdenver.com/.

Denver's holiday season will once again be illuminated by the spectacular Mile High Tree's dazzling light and music show presented by XCEL Energy & Xfinity. Everyone's invited to get close and step inside this brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation. The tree features nightly free public light shows choreographed to multi-cultural holiday music and can accommodate up to 140 guests at a time for an immersive viewing experience within the tree.

The Mile High Tree is the largest installation of its kind in North America. You don't want to miss this unique and festive experience.

The Mile High Tree is open every day from 5 to 10 pm and admission is FREE!

Find out more at denver.org/milehighholidays/tree/.

It's another longstanding Denver tradition - for one night only! The 9News Parade of Lights holiday spectacular features more than 40 parade entries including extravagantly illuminated floats, giant helium-filled character balloons, magnificent marching bands, traditional equestrian groups, and vibrant cultural displays. And of course, special appearances by Major Waddles the Penguin and Santa!

The parade takes place on Sat, Dec 7, starting at 6 pm at Denver's City and County Building and winding through downtown.

Come on down to see it in person or watch all the excitement live on 9NEWS. The parade will also be rebroadcast throughout the month of December on Channel 9.

Find more information including the parade route at winterindenver.com/parade.