# Christmas parades and tree lightings in Denver, 2026

> We found 13 Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Denver with 2026 dates: two parades and 11 tree lightings and lighting nights, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.

- Last checked: 2026-10-26
- 13 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
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## Christmas parades

- **9NEWS Parade of Lights** at Downtown Denver, Downtown. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Evening. Price: Free to watch. Official page: https://www.downtowndenver.com/parade-of-lights (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Golden Holiday Parade** at Washington Ave., 10th to 13th St., Golden. When: Sat, Dec 12, 2026. Time: 10:30am. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.visitgolden.com/events/holiday-events/olde-golden-holidays/event-calendar/holiday-parades/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Winterfest tree lighting at Orchard Town Center** at Orchard Town Center, Westminster. When: Sat, Nov 14, 2026. Time: 3:30–7:30pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://theorchardtowncenter.com/event/winterfest-2026/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Outlets at Castle Rock Tree Lighting** at Outlets at Castle Rock, Castle Rock. When: Sat, Nov 14, 2026. Time: 4–7pm, with a drone show. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.outletsatcastlerock.com/event/44699-tree-lighting-celebration (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Castle Rock Starlighting** at Downtown Castle Rock, Castle Rock. When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. Time: 2–6pm, star lit at dusk with fireworks. Price: Free. Official page: https://castlerock.org/castle-rock-starlighting/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Boulder Switch on the Holidays** at Pearl Street Mall, 1300 block, Boulder. When: Sun, Nov 22, 2026. Time: Performances from 2pm; courthouse lights at 5pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://boulderdowntown.com/events/light-up-the-holidays (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Candlelight Walk in Downtown Littleton** at Main Street, Downtown Littleton, Littleton. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 5–8pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://visitlittleton.org/events-and-programs/candlelight-walk/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **McGregor Square Holiday Tree Lighting** at McGregor Square, LoDo. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 1–8pm; tree lit at halftime of the 1pm Broncos game. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.mcgregorsquare.com/event/mcgregor-skate-grand-opening-holiday-tree-lighting/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Parker Mayor's Holiday Lighting** at O'Brien Park, Parker. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 5–7pm; lighting at 6pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.parkerco.gov/172/Mayors-Holiday-Lighting (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Golden Candlelight Walk** at Washington Ave., Golden. When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026. Time: About 6:30pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.visitgolden.com/events/holiday-events/olde-golden-holidays/candlelight-walk/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Aurora Holiday Tree Lighting** at Aurora Municipal Center, Aurora. When: Tue, Dec 8, 2026. Time: 5–7pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.auroragov.org/things_to_do/events/holiday_tree_lighting (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Thornton WinterFest tree lighting** at Carpenter Park Fields, Thornton. When: Fri, Dec 11, 2026. Time: 6:30pm (Santa arrives). Price: Free. Official page: https://www.thorntonco.gov/community-culture/festivals-events/thornton-winterfest (checked 2026-10-26)
- **HRCA Hometown Holiday** at Highlands Ranch, Highlands Ranch. When: Sat, Dec 12, 2026. Time: 12–5pm, tree lighting. Price: Free. Official page: https://hrcaonline.org/Events/Details/hometown-holiday (checked 2026-10-26)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Outlets at Castle Rock Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/denver/events/outlets-at-castle-rock-tree-lighting/): next dates Nov 14, 2026
- [9NEWS Parade of Lights](https://littlesweekly.com/denver/events/9news-parade-of-lights-downtown-denver/): next dates Dec 5, 2026
- [Golden Holiday Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/denver/events/golden-holiday-parade-washington-ave/): next dates Dec 12, 2026

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### When is the Christmas parade in Denver in 2026?
9NEWS Parade of Lights: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Evening (Downtown). Golden Holiday Parade: Sat, Dec 12, 2026, 10:30am (Golden).

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Denver?
Winterfest tree lighting at Orchard Town Center at Orchard Town Center: Sat, Nov 14, 2026, 3:30–7:30pm. Outlets at Castle Rock Tree Lighting at Outlets at Castle Rock: Sat, Nov 14, 2026, 4–7pm, with a drone show. Castle Rock Starlighting at Downtown Castle Rock: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 2–6pm, star lit at dusk with fireworks. Boulder Switch on the Holidays at Pearl Street Mall, 1300 block: Sun, Nov 22, 2026, Performances from 2pm; courthouse lights at 5pm.

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Denver free?
All of the ones we list are free to watch: Winterfest tree lighting at Orchard Town Center, Outlets at Castle Rock Tree Lighting, Castle Rock Starlighting and Boulder Switch on the Holidays. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

### Which are best for little kids?
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Winterfest tree lighting at Orchard Town Center, Castle Rock Starlighting and Boulder Switch on the Holidays. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 26, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).