Magic of Lights Colorado Springs is a dazzling holiday drive-through light experience that takes place at the Pikes Peak International Raceway. This annual event showcases millions of twinkling lights and whimsical displays, creating a truly magical spectacle for visitors of all ages. The main idea of Magic of Lights Colorado Springs is to provide a stunning and immersive holiday experience through the use of vibrant lights and creative displays in the heart of Colorado Springs..
Dates: December
This is an exceedingly rare opportunity to drive across the bridge it has not been open to daily traffic since a large fire partially destroyed the park in 2013. Download a free map for directions to the towns historic headframes towers erected above mine shafts many of which are adorned with giant lighted decorations to celebrate the season.
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Lighting the way to the holidays: A roundup of displays and trains in Colorado
Santa waves as the new Santa Express Train locomotive pulls into the Cañon City Santa Fe Depot this month. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s new holiday-themed locomotive will lead passengers through the canyon to the North Pole throughout the holiday season.
Parker Seibold, The Gazette
Colorado looks good no matter what season you catch her, but the holidays are when she really shines — like Hollywood and Hallmark created the perfect set for a feel-good Christmas flick and transported it to our backyards.
Nathaniel Hibbs, left, sits on a bench and enjoys the snowflake lights over a water feature with his parents Cheryl and Larry Hibbs at Blossoms of Light, Dec. 21, 2021, at Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver.
Timothy Hurst, The Gazette
One of the few upsides of an earlier sunset is more time to enjoy the region’s seasonal man-made spectacles, from professional lights displays that can be savored on foot or from your car (while sipping cocoa), to twinkling adventures where someone else does the driving.
Here’s a roundup of holiday lights events and train trips kicking off this month, for those who want to get a jump on the spirit (and the tickets):
Nov. 18-Jan. 1: Magic of Lights — Drive-thru holiday lights at Pikes Peak International Raceway, 16650 Midway Ranch Rd, Fountain.
More than a mile of lights and dozens of displays, including life-sized dinosaurs, an animated. 32-foot-tall Barbie doll and super-sized Bigfoot Monster Truck, greet cruisers through the seasonally bedazzled raceway south of the Springs. Nightly shows start Friday and run through New Year’s Day.
Nov. 18-Dec. 31: Santa Express Train and Holiday Rides — Royal Gorge Route Railroad, 401 Water St., Cañon City.
A lead engineer and Santa Claus take the helm of the historic railroad’s Santa Express Train, which this year chugs to the North Pole and back in a newly remodeled and overhauled 1969 engine. The railroad’s Holiday Train taps the same spirit, sans Santa, with a round- trip jaunt through the Royal Gorge in decorated railcars.
Nov. 18-Nov. 27, Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-31: Bridge of Lights Christmas Drive-Thru — Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, 4218 Colorado Road 3A, Cañon City.
The Royal Gorge Bridge launches its inaugural lights event starting Friday and running (mostly consistently) through New Year’s Eve. Visitors can check out the lit-up park, then roll on to an illuminated America’s Bridge for breathtaking views of the nighttime gorge and the moonlit Arkansas River almost 1000 feet below.
Nov. 18-Jan. 1: The Polar Express Train Ride — Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Ave., Durango.
From America’s Bridge to America’s Railroad, for a themed ride on a vintage steam train inspired by the holiday classic book and movie. Riders of all ages get an immersive experience, with chef-created hot chocolates, treats and more, as they head to the North Pole to collect Santa and see a light show set to holiday tunes.
Nov. 18-Jan. 7: Blossoms of Light — Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver.
More than 1 million eco-conscious LED lights transform the Gardens’ York Street location into a “twinkling winter wonderland of holiday blooms,” an annual extravaganza that’s been cultivating seasonal spirit in the Mile High City since the ‘80s.
Nov. 25-Jan. 1: Trails of Light — Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton.
Wander a winding path edged with lights on a walking tour through this vast historic property-turned-glimmering garden of delights in the Colorado countryside. The route, just under a mile, twists through the former Hildebrand Ranch to the 1880s homestead and a children’s play area-turned-Christmas village.
Nov. 25-Jan. 1: Luminova Holidays — Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver.
This second-annual light fest at the downtown Denver theme park features millions of bulbs strewn over 200,000 square feet of “immersive outdoor entertainment,” with a 65-foot Christmas tree, 300-foot candy cane tunnel and ornamented rides.
Nov. 26-Jan. 14: Holiday Headframe lights — Various locations, Victor and Cripple Creek
Starting at sundown on the 26th, drivers can take a self-guided tour through the “greatest gold camp in U.S. history” and site of the last great American mining boom in the 1890s. Download a free map for directions to the towns’ historic headframes — towers erected above mine shafts — many of which are adorned with giant lighted decorations to celebrate the season. Displays are lit weekend evenings, Nov. 26-Jan. 14, and nightly Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
From America’s Bridge to America’s Railroad, for a themed ride on a vintage steam train inspired by the holiday classic book and movie. Riders of all ages get an immersive experience, with chef-created hot chocolates, treats and more, as they head to the North Pole to collect Santa and see a light show set to holiday tunes.
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Reviews for "A Festival of Lights: Experiencing Magic of Lights in Colorado Springs"
1. Sarah - 1 star - The Magic of Lights in Colorado Springs was a major disappointment. The advertised "magical winter wonderland" was nothing more than a few string lights hung on some trees and a couple of poorly decorated displays. The lack of variety and creativity was astonishing. It felt like a complete waste of time and money. I would not recommend this event to anyone looking for a truly magical and enchanting holiday experience. Save your money and visit a different light display instead.
2. Mike - 2 stars - The Magic of Lights in Colorado Springs was underwhelming to say the least. The light displays were repetitive and lacked imagination. It felt like they just threw a bunch of lights together without any thought or artistry. The price of admission was also quite steep for what you got. I expected a lot more from an event that marketed itself as a magical experience. Unfortunately, I left feeling disappointed and let down.
3. Jessica - 2 stars - I was really excited to visit the Magic of Lights in Colorado Springs, but it turned out to be a letdown. The displays were not well-maintained and many lights were not working. It detracted from the overall experience and made it feel cheap and poorly organized. Additionally, the staff were not very friendly or helpful. It's a shame because I had high expectations for this event. I would not recommend it to others looking for a quality light display during the holiday season.
4. Mark - 1 star - The Magic of Lights in Colorado Springs was a complete waste of time and money. The displays were lackluster, the light bulbs were dim, and the overall atmosphere was dull. It felt like they put zero effort into creating an enjoyable experience for visitors. I regretted bringing my family here and wished we had chosen a different light display to visit. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one. There are much better options out there.