Driving Tour of Holiday Lights in South Metro Denver

Christmas Holiday Lights in Littleton, Englewood, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, and Lone Tree

Update from December 2023:

Some things have changed since last year. Sadly, many of the trees in downtown Littleton had to be taken out, and Littleton Boulevard is just a shadow of what it used to look like, though the white spruce near Santa Fe is still all lit up.

Hudson Gardens looks like it's doing something different with its lighting, and not as many trees are strung with lights.

This little drive will take you past a few of south Denver's major light displays. You'll start at Southglenn Mall and then head north towards Englewood and the Kloewer residence (5041 S. Elati). Afterward, move south and west through downtown Littleton on Littleton Boulevard. You can end at the free light show at Grace Presbyterian Church on Santa Fe Drive.

Addresses of Places Mentioned Near Downtown Littleton

Remember, you can select and copy these and then either email them to yourself or text them to yourself. When you pull them up on your phone, they should turn into links that you can tap to get directions.

• 6991 S. Vine St., Centennial, CO 80122
• 6636 S. Lafayette, Centennial Colorado 80121
• 6496 S Marion Place, Centennial, 80121
• 7148 S. Grant St., Centennial, CO 80122
• 7152 S Franklin St, Centennial, 80122
• 5895 S Franklin Ct, Greenwood Village, CO 80121
• 1406 E Green Willow Ln, Greenwood Village, CO 80121
• 3 Random Rd. Englewood, CO 80113
• 85 Meade Ln. , Englewood, CO 80113
• 4 Mockingbird Ln. Englewood, CO 80113
• 5041 S. Elati, Englewood, CO 80110
• 2707 Main St., Littleton, CO 80120 (Christmas Tree)
• 6490 S Windermere St, Littleton, CO 80120
• 6604 S Prescott Way, Littleton, CO 80120
• 6872 Prince Circle, Littleton, CO 80120
• 709 W. Easter Pl. Littleton, CO 80120
• 2240 W. Caley Ave. Littleton, CO 80120
• 2492 W. Peakview Ct., Littleton, CO 80120
• 2394 W Costilla Ave, Littleton CO 80120
• 9720 US-85, Littleton, CO (Grace Presbyterian Church)

Addresses for Places in Highlands Ranch & Lone Tree

• 10084 Heatherwood Ct, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 (synchronized show)
• 10221 Fairgate Way, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 (The Gingerbread House)
• 10275 Bentwood Court Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
• 2880 Canyon Crest Ln, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
• 2800 Canyon Crest Lane, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
• 881 Altair Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124 (Nutcracker/Pirate Ship)

Addresses for Homes in HIghlands Ranch and Lone Tree (alternate)

Andy W from NextDoor recommends these houses, which he says are very well done. Some of them overlap with the list above, but some are houses not mentioned earlier. I haven't had a chance to see them all, but you can check out his list here.

3523 E Meadow Creek Pl, Littleton, CO 80126 - Baber House

9971 Cottoncreek Dr, Littleton, CO 80130 - Cottoncreek Manor

9711 Bucknell Way, Littleton, CO 80129 - Freeland House

10221 S Fairgate Way, Littleton, CO 80126- Gingerbread House

2880 Canyon Crest Ln, Littleton, CO 80126 - Severson Christmas Light Show

9973 Blackbird Pl, Littleton, CO 80130 - Star Wars: The Battle for the North Pole

Recommended

Koh Larn, Thailand, Revisited

7664 S Hoyt St, Littleton, CO 80128 - Warren House

10591 Lieter Pl, Lone Tree, CO 80124 - Lights on Lieter

10822 S Havana St, Lone Tree, CO 80124 - Schweiger Ranch Holiday Display

Lights at the Southglenn Mall

6991 S Vine St, Centennial, CO 80122

This shopping area makes a good starting place since it’s easy to find (at the corner of University and Arapahoe) and has quite a few places to grab a bite or a drink before you set off. The center street of this outdoor mall (in front of the theater) has a nice, tasteful display of lighted trees, as well as a fireplace and a skating rink.

They also have a Santa inside that you can visit and lots of other special events and services, such as Clydesdale carriage rides, carolers, and even Santa photos with your pet. Check their website for dates and times.

If you want to grab a bite or get a hot drink before you go out, there are several restaurants. You can also get sushi, pizza, soup, stir-fry, salad bars, and all kinds of drinks at Whole Foods Market.

Lights on House at 6636 S. Lafayette

As you head west on Arapahoe Road, the cool white lights that decorate the trees and the roofline will catch your eye off to the right. It's Stricker's Winter Wonderland! Make a right on Lafayette, and you will see a tree and yard decked out with all manner of things—including a whole section devoted to Dr. Seuss' Whoville.

Make sure you take a look at the windows to catch a glimpse of the Grinch lurking about. If you get out of the car and walk around to see the display, you can also hear the Christmas music that’s piped from the porch.

If you have time, wend your way through the neighborhood for a bit. While the other houses aren’t as elaborate, there are still some feats of engineering (how did they get those red lights so high on that tree?) to admire. This neighborhood seems to have more decorating spirit than most of the ones I’ve seen in Littleton.

Lights at 6496 S Marion Place, Centennial, 80121

If you keep heading north on Lafayette, you will come to Marion Place and another house bedecked with all manner of inflatables and lights. Here you will find a towering Santa, a whole congregation of snowmen, and even some snow dogs. Be sure to travel along the east side of the house to see Santa peeking out of a setting I've never seen before. It seems sometimes even Santa needs to "take care of business."

Synchronized Lights and Music on 7148 South Grant Street 80122

This display has 35,000 lights which are synchronized to music transmitted on the radio at 98.1 FM on your dial. Thanks to Caleb Schallenmuller who pointed out his display to me. It’s quite the sight.

The lights are bright, with bold colors, and the music is definitely on the energetic side of the spectrum. My little phone camera doesn’t do justice to the depth of the color, but you can see that he has quite a few features to work with for his synchronized lights: roof lines, stars, trees, and arches.

The photo doesn’t show it, but there is also a big triangular tree shape to the right with various strands that light up. He gets quite a bit of variety and quite a bit of the flashing “wow factor” from this display. I’ve included a brief video excerpt that will give you an idea of the mood of the display. Again, you really have to see it in person to get the full effect of the bright lights.

Lights at 7152 S Franklin St, Centennial, 80122

The modest-sized house is absolutely covered with lights, with a few trees and such for emphasis. If you like more traditional Christmas music, this is the place for you. They've chosen a nice selection of standards with instrumental and vocal selections (in contrast to the shows which are heavy on rock.) It's charming, and I especially like the addition of the brighter twinkle lights. It gives the whole thing quite a bit of character.

Lights at 5895 S Franklin Ct

This house has gone with a color palette of white and red. It’s not pictured here, but look for the giant tree in the backyard, wrapped with those two colors.

Lights at 1406 E Green Willow Ln

This house is notable for the large evergreen trees on either side, all wrapped in stunning blue lights.

Lights at 3 Random Rd. Englewood, CO 80113

This house is nicely decorated, though most of the decorations are behind iron gates, and a little harder to see than others.

Lights at 85 Meade Ln., Englewood, CO 80113

This house on Meade Lane wins the prize for unique and classy decoration of trees. The lights are arranged in a regular crisscross pattern that reminds me a little bit of plaid, with large lighted ornaments punctuating the design.

Lights at 4 Mockingbird Ln. Englewood, CO 80113

This elaborately- decorated house at 4 Mockingbird Ln. features nicely-wrapped green trees.

The Kloewer's, 5041 S. Elati, Englewood, CO 80110

This home, two blocks west of Broadway and one block north of Belleview, has a postage-stamp yard, but the Kloewers manage to pack just about every inch of it with lights, figurines, and all manner of Christmas décor.

You can see the lights from your car as you drive past, but you're going to want to get the kids and bundle out so that you can walk around and get the full effect. The brightly lit outline of a train, which adorns his driveway fence, is the highlight of this display.

Right across the street is another display that is not as elaborate, but still has quite a bit to see.

Lights on Littleton Boulevard

Once you have finished taking in the previous displays, go back to Belleview and turn south on Windermere. It will intersect with Littleton Boulevard, and you will head west As you travel west on Littleton Boulevard (which changes its name to Main Street), you will come to a bridge festooned with lights, the entrance into the display of downtown Littleton. Craft shops and trendy restaurants line either side of the street.

When you reach the end of the fourth block, the street curves to the left, and as you come out towards Santa Fe Dr., you'll see the grand finale: a large spruce tree lit from top to bottom with brightly colored lights. The shops in this little area also make it a point to add to the display with lights outlining roof lines and gables.

Lights on Home on Caley Ave

As you travel past the lights on Littleton Boulevard, move over to the left lane so that you can turn left when you get to Santa Fe, to Church Ave. and then Prince Street. If you like the Peanuts (R) gang, turn left onto Caley Avenue. After two blocks, look off to your left to see the house at 2240 W. Caley Ave. There are several little scenes of Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and the whole gang.

Often, these little dioramas go up late, even as late as the 20th of December, so check back later if you don't see them. Also, they don't seem to be set on a timer, which means that they go on and off whenever the homeowner gets to them. Still, it's worth taking a little two-block detour if the Peanuts characters warm your heart.

Lights on Windermere Street

As you travel down Caley, go about six blocks, then make a turn south on Windermere street. You'll see decorated houses all along the way.

Luminaria on Windermere Street

If you continue on Windermere, cross Ridge Road and keep going until Windermere ends in a cul-de-sac, you will see a neighborhood that sets out blocks and blocks of luminaria.

These decorations are simple in concept: a votive candle is placed in a a paper bag that has a layer of coarse sand in the bottom for stability. The effect is cheerful, soothing, and charming.

I talked with a woman who lived in the neighborhood, and she said that the luminaria are set out only on Christmas eve. It's a tradition that has endured for over 20 years.

Our family found it best to park the car and walk around the neighborhood. If you try to drive in your car, you'll find that the car's lights wash out the subtle light of the luminaria, ruining the effect.

Block and blocks of luminaria highlight the curved streets in this neighborhood, off Windermere and south of Ridge Road.

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Lights at 6604 South Prescott Way

This place is on Ridge Road and has three brightly-colored wrapped trees.

Lights on 6872 Prince Circle

The decorations here are all brightly-colored outlines. You'll see a train set and other figures.

Lights at 2394 W Costilla Ave

Back on Prince Street headed south, keep your eye out for a rather large display on the left. You'll see a lighted Santa on a motorcycle, and the fence posts along Prince Street have been turned into red candles with lighted circles for flames.

This house has a nice, integrated look which uses just a few colors and makes for a cheery and tasteful display.

Houses at 706–746 W. Easter Pl, Littleton, CO 80120

Just east of Elati Strett on W Easter Place, you can find several lighted houses in a row. I often wish that more blocks could be this way, an extended line of Christmas cheer. I've included several photos from the same street below.

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2492 W Peakview Ct Littleton, CO 80120

If you are travelling on Prince Street, turn west onto Peakview Court, and you will be in an area known as Prince Street Estates. Quite of few of the folks here have their homes festively decorated.

Free Light Show at Grace Presbyterian Church, 9720 US-85, Littleton, CO

This church has put together a free 20-minute light show in the yard next to the church building. People pull in to their parking lot and park to watch the show, kind of like being at a drive-in movie. You tune your radio to hear the music.

They have a couple of tall triangles to serve as trees and three smaller trees with “mouths” that sing some of the songs. It’s not terribly big, but they use their lights to good effect. They have songs for both kids and grown-ups.