Denver announces holiday schedule for 92nd Annual Light the Lights celebration

DENVER (KDVR) — The City and County of Denver announced the opening night and holiday schedule for the 92nd Annual Light the Lights celebration.

The grand opening of the celebration takes place on Nov. 27 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., located on Bannock Street in front of Denver's City and County Building.

“We invite our community to come celebrate Denver’s long-honored holiday tradition, Light the Lights,” said Katy Strascina, Executive Director of the City and County of Denver’s Office of Special Events. “It’s a magical experience to see the transformation of our Civic Center Plaza into a winter wonderland, filled with the joy and spirit of the holidays.

There will be plenty of family-friendly entertainment to enjoy. Starting at 4 p.m. the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department and Denver Sheriff's Department will exhibit some of their coolest vehicles for attendees to interact with. They will showcase one of their Teslas, low riders and fire trucks. Guests will also be able to explore these vehicles in the company of a police K-9 unit.

To bring the holiday spirit to the event, the Denver Gay Men's Chorus will perform seasonal numbers throughout the night.

The big celebration begins with a countdown at 5:15 p.m. that ends when the "Illumination Ambassadors," comprised of Colorado sports mascots Rocky, Bernie, Dinger, Rapid Man and Wooly, work together to flip the switch to light up the Civic Center Plaza.

The lights and music were produced by Colorado Holiday Experiences and the production was designed by Madeline and Mercedes Webb who used film, TV and video game projects as inspiration for the display, according to a press release from the city.

For those unable to attend in person, the show will be streamed on the Denver government website and Facebook page.

The light and music display lasts through the end of the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 26, 2025.

Light and music shows take place Tuesday through Sunday at 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. and will last for about eight minutes.

The display remains static outside of those times and will change or be shut off on different days throughout the holiday season. For more information on the schedule of events at the Civic Center Plaza and the effect on the light shows, visit the Denver Office of Special Events website.