9 Christmas events across Northern Colorado with source links and a route builder.
Planning the 2026 holiday season in Northern Colorado? This directory lists holiday lighting ceremonies, lighted parades, and Christmas light displays across Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Windsor, and Estes Park, with more cities added as organizers announce their dates. Each listing is checked against the organizer, a public event page, or an official source, and includes the date, time, address, and cost. Pick up to nine stops and build a light tour that opens in Google Maps.
Choose up to 9 events using the buttons on their cards. We’ll put your picks in start-time order and open the route in Google Maps from your starting address.
Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary, 3470 Co Rd 7, Erie, CO 80516
Thanksgiving morning 5K and 1K fun run/walk through the sanctuary grounds, followed by the ThanksLIVING feast at 10:15 AM where rescued turkey residents enjoy their own spread.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the sanctuary official event page.
Erie Recreation Center, 450 Powers St, Erie, CO 80516
2-mile and 4-mile run/walk around Old Town Erie on 90% paved trails, starting and finishing at the Erie Recreation Center. The 4-mile option is chip timed; kids 10 and under run free with a registered adult.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the organizer registration page.
Old Town Fort Collins, 147 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
33rd annual 4-mile run/walk in Old Town, plus a free Gobble Gobble kids race at 8:45 AM. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome. Starts at Mountain and College, finishes at Oak Street Plaza.
Date, time, course, and prices confirmed on the organizer RunSignup page.
North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St, Greeley, CO 80631
29th annual Thanksgiving Day 5K on a USATF-certified course, plus a 2K Gobbler Trek fun run. Proceeds support cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the official RunSignup listing.
Doug's Diner, 801 9th St, Greeley, CO
Free traditional Thanksgiving lunch: turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole, stuffing, and a roll or cornbread with a non-alcoholic beverage.
Per the diner manager via local media (Oct 5, 2026), from the diner own Facebook announcement.
Meeker's Colorado Kitchen & Bar, 919 7th St, Greeley, CO 80631
Holiday buffet with slow-roasted herb turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry relish, and pumpkin and pecan pies. Early-bird adult rate $48.95 before Nov 1.
Date, time, and prices confirmed on the restaurant OpenTable page; address confirmed on OpenTable.
Fitness Avenue, 21 S Parish Ave, Johnstown, CO 80534
14th annual Thanksgiving morning 5K plus a 1K kids trot at 7:45 AM. Participants may nominate a Johnstown or Milliken family to receive a grocery gift card from race proceeds.
Date and location confirmed on the organizer RunSignup listing; 5K start per the registration page.
Johnstown Library, 400 S Parish Ave, Johnstown, CO 80534
Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, then older kids head to the Makerspace to create a seasonal pendant.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the library official events page.
Johnstown Library, 400 S Parish Ave, Johnstown, CO 80534
Drop into the Johnstown Makerspace to make a holiday placemat for the Thanksgiving table.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the library official events page.
Johnstown Library, 400 S Parish Ave, Johnstown, CO 80534
Drop into the Johnstown Makerspace to create festive place cards for the holiday feast.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the library official events page.
Altona Middle School, 4600 Clover Basin Dr, Longmont, CO
10K and 2-mile courses with a vendor village after the race. Proceeds benefit community recreation events.
Date, time, and location per the Longmont Times Call and race listings; a Thanksgiving-season race, not Thanksgiving Day.
Banner McKee Medical Center, 2000 N Boise Ave, Loveland, CO 80538
25th annual Thanksgiving morning 5K. Race Village in the medical center parking lot with food trucks, vendor booths, and a photo booth. Proceeds benefit the McKee Wellness Foundation.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the official RunSignup listing.
MeHaffey Park, 3285 W 22nd St, Loveland, CO 80538
2-mile Thanksgiving morning fun run with music and a festive vibe. Two starts (8:00 and 8:30 AM); every participant gets a campfire mug and bib. Proceeds and food donations benefit KidsPak.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the organizer registration page.
Associated Veterans Club, 305 N Cleveland Ave, Loveland, CO
Free Thanksgiving meal for anyone in the Loveland community, served since 2000. Dine in, pick up a meal, or request home delivery.
Date, location, and free meal confirmed on the organizer official site; 2026 serving hours not published.
Pelican Lakes Golf Course, 1600 Pelican Lakes Point, Windsor, CO 80550
5K walk or run through Water Valley, starting and ending at the Pelican Lakes golf course parking lot. Stroller and dog friendly; light breakfast snacks, coffee, and a free beer in the banquet room. Proceeds benefit Athletes in Tandem.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the organizer RunSignup listing.
Downtown Berthoud, Mountain Ave, Berthoud, CO
All-day festival throughout Berthoud with Santa photos, holiday carolers, ice skating, and festive markets, ending downtown with the Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Presented by SouthState Bank.
Date and details confirmed on the Berthoud Main Street official page.
Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park, CO
Santa photos, craft kits, and horse-drawn carriage rides with the official lighting at 5:30 PM.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the Visit Estes Park official events calendar.
Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park, CO
Lighted holiday parade with 40+ illuminated entries drawing up to 30,000 spectators.
Date, time, and route confirmed on the Estes Park Events official page.
Old Town Square, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Annual ceremony kicking off the holiday season in Old Town Square. Live music 5:30–7:00 PM with a short ceremony at 6:30 PM before the lights turn on. More than 65,000 LED bulbs across 334 downtown trees stay lit through February.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the City of Fort Collins official event page.
The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave, Fort Collins, CO
Annual Garden of Lights display, Dec 12-28 nightly except Dec 24-25, timed entry 5-8 PM. Members get 20% off admission.
Dates, hours, and admission confirmed on the City of Fort Collins Gardens page. Note: the Gardens Fall 2026 newsletter lists Dec 11-23 and Dec 26-27; the city page shows Dec 12-28.
Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave, Greeley, CO
Indoor festival of decorated trees. Public hours: Sat Nov 21 (1–6 PM), Sun Nov 22 (1–5 PM), Fri Nov 27 (4–8 PM), Sat Nov 28 (5–8 PM), Sun Nov 29 (1–5 PM), Fri Dec 4 (4–8 PM), Sat Dec 5 (1–5 PM).
Dates, hours, and admission confirmed on the City of Greeley official Festival of Trees page.
Lincoln Park, 9th St, Greeley, CO 80631
The Light Up Lincoln tree lighting kicks off the first Saturday (Nov 28); WinterFest continues Saturdays through Dec 12 with Holiday Lane displays, carriage rides, makers workshops, and a Santa mailbox.
Dates and location confirmed on the Downtown Greeley official WinterFest page; event time not published.
Downtown Longmont parade route, Longmont, CO
Lighted holiday parade through downtown Longmont. Floats are required to carry a minimum of 4,000 lights.
Date, time, and details confirmed on the City of Longmont official page.
Callahan House, 312 Terry St, Longmont, CO 80501
Santa visit at the historic Callahan House. Space is limited; registration required and opens in November 2026.
Date, time, and location confirmed on the City of Longmont official events page; registration details to come.
4th Street, Downtown Loveland, CO
Tree lighting ceremony at 7:30 PM on the main stage along the newly completed 4th Street. Includes a stationary parade of floats, live reindeer, holiday market, carriage rides, and Santa.
Date, time, and details confirmed on the Loveland Downtown District official page.
Bass Pro Shops, 5945 Bass Pro Drive, Loveland, CO 80538
Santa arrives at Bass Pro Shops with a tree lighting, seasonal treats, games, and a free mini reindeer plush for kids while supplies last. Come early.
Nov 7 arrival confirmed by the Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland program (chain-wide, Nov 7 at 5 PM) and the Loveland store employee’s own post; Loveland store page confirms the Santa’s Wonderland program.
Bass Pro Shops, 5945 Bass Pro Drive, Loveland, CO 80538
Free photos with Santa Nov 8 through Dec 24, with a free 4x6 studio-quality photo and a shareable video greeting. Reservations open Nov 1; additional photo packages available for purchase.
Season dates and free photo confirmed by the Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland program; reservations via basspro.com/santa.
Boardwalk Park, 100 N 5th St, Windsor, CO
Santa arrives by train at 4:00 PM, followed by the mayor speech and tree lighting at 4:15 PM at the Train Depot. Parade at 6:30 PM.
Date, time, and location per the Town of Windsor official page; the page does not state the year explicitly, but Dec 5, 2026 is a Saturday.
The Stanley Hotel, 333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Masquerade ball with Soul Penny Circus vaudeville sideshow, DJ Blondtoast, tarot readings, photo booth, and a complimentary midnight champagne toast. Special overnight room rates available.
Dec 31, 2026 date and details confirmed on the hotel’s own event page; 2026 cover charge not yet published.
Aggie Theatre, 204 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
French house and disco dance party inspired by Daft Punk and Justice, with a midnight countdown.
Dec 31, 2026 date confirmed on the venue’s official calendar; 2026 ticket prices not yet published.
Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC), 1801 Riverside Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525
43rd annual New Year’s Eve 5K. Glow sticks, finisher mementos, age-group awards, and hot cocoa. Kids, strollers, dogs, and walkers welcome. Packet pickup 4:30–5:45 PM, awards 7:15 PM.
Dec 31, 2026 date confirmed on the organizer’s RunSignup listing; $35 is the race-day registration rate.
Social Fort Collins, 1 Old Town Square #7, Fort Collins, CO 80524
No cover, no tickets, no reservations. Walk-in NYE party with food by in-house Wok With Us.
Dec 31, 2026 date and no-cover policy confirmed on the venue’s own site.
Emporium Sports Bar, Fort Collins, CO
NYE hours posted on the venue’s own events calendar; special NYE details not announced.
Dec 31 hours confirmed on the venue’s calendar; no NYE-specific details published yet.
Colorado Youth Outdoors, 4927 E County Rd 36, Fort Collins, CO
Drive-thru holiday light show open through New Year’s Eve, including Dec 31 (nightly Dec 18–31). Tickets on sale Nov 1. Fundraiser for Colorado Youth Outdoors.
NYE-night operation confirmed on the organizer’s current events page; 2026 nightly hours not listed.
Longmont Public Library, 355 Emery St, Longmont, CO 80501
Traditions, games, and activities from around the world with a noon countdown. Aimed at K–5th graders; drop-in.
Dec 31, 2026 date confirmed on the City of Longmont official events calendar (event description copy still references 2026).
Blue Arena at The Ranch Events Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, CO 80538
Saddle bronc, bareback, and bull riding plus freestyle bull fighting and mutton bustin’. Presented by Pedersen Toyota. Family-friendly.
Date and details confirmed in the Ranch’s Oct 5, 2026 news release. Tickets on sale Oct 16; 2026 prices not yet published. The Ranch’s current listings show 5280 Arena Circle; older releases show 5290.
A holiday lighting ceremony is a community event where a town lights its public holiday displays for the season, usually with a countdown, live music, and activities. Most Northern Colorado ceremonies are free and happen between early November and mid December.
Most lighting ceremonies in Northern Colorado are free to attend. A few ticketed attractions like drive-thru light shows charge per vehicle. Each listing above shows the cost when the organizer publishes one.
Use the “Submit a light display” button at the top of the page. Events are added after the date, time, and location are confirmed through the organizer, a public event page, or an official source.
Yes. Times and locations can change, so check the organizer link on the listing before you leave. Listings marked “Confirm before going” have details that could not be fully verified.
Yes. Pick up to 9 stops using the buttons on their cards and the route builder will put them in start-time order and open the tour in Google Maps from your starting address.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve, with a tab for each season. Halloween lives on our sister site, NoCo Trunk or Treats, linked below.