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Christmas Lights in Boulder, CO
The top places to see Christmas lights in Boulder this season are Christmas in Color at Red Rocks (From Nov 20), Holiday Light and Music Show at the City and County Building (Nov 20 – Jan 24) and Christmas in Color at Water World (From Nov 20). We've mapped 6 displays in Boulder and 22 more nearby (11 events, 7 home displays, 5 parades). 20 are free. 9 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 11, 2026
Near Boulder (within 25 miles)
Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Boulder? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Boulder: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Boulder?
Popular picks this season include Christmas in Color at Red Rocks (From Nov 20), Holiday Light and Music Show at the City and County Building (Nov 20 – Jan 24), Christmas in Color at Water World (From Nov 20) and Switch on the Holidays (Nov 22 – Nov 22). In all, 28 displays are mapped in and around Boulder, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Boulder?
Free options include Holiday Light and Music Show at the City and County Building, Boulder Star on Flagstaff Mountain, St. Nick on the Bricks and Pearl Street Mall and Courthouse Holiday Lights. 20 of the 28 displays near Boulder are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Boulder?
Yes. Christmas in Color at Red Rocks (Per vehicle; about $35 in 2025, check site for 2026 pricing) and Christmas in Color at Water World (Per vehicle; about $35 in 2025, check site for 2026 pricing). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.
Are there Christmas lights synced to music in Boulder?
Yes. Christmas in Color at Red Rocks (tune to 87.9 FM), Holiday Light and Music Show at the City and County Building and Christmas in Color at Water World (tune to 87.9 FM). Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.
When do Christmas lights start in Boulder?
The earliest Boulder-area displays turn on Nov 11, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.
Want your house to look like this?
Professional Christmas light installers in Boulder hang, maintain and take down your lights, or install permanent lights you control from your phone. Tell us about your house and get free quotes.
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