Self Guided Holiday Lights Tour of Downtown Denver
Self Guided Holiday Lights Tour of Downtown Denver
As we all know Covid-19 cases continue to soar around the city and our normal holiday traditions have definitely been put on hold. However, there is one new outdoor tradition you can safely experience this year - A self guided holiday lights tour of Downtown Denver.
Did you know that Denver is frequently cited as the birthplace of the colored holiday lights?
As the story goes, it was Christmas eve of 1914 and David Dwight Sturgeon, the founder of Sturgeon electric had a eureka moment. Sturgeon's 10 year son lay in his upstairs bedroom too sick to move. As the doctor departed their home, he advised the family that this could be “your son’s last night on Earth.” Sturgeon, saddened and desperately wanting to brighten his son's holiday, took some ordinary light bulbs and dipped them in red and green paint. He then strung the lights on electric lines over an evergreen tree outside of his son's window. The effect delighted not only his son, but also the entire city of Denver. People came by horse-drawn carriages from miles away to see the brilliant, glowing tree. The next year neighbors decorated their trees and a new holiday tradition was born. By the late 1920s, Denver had become known as the “Christmas Capital of the World!”
Tour Details
Time~1.5-2 hours if you visit all these locations.
Distance~ 1.5 Miles walking
What to bring - Bundle up! Wear a mask, coat, hat, gloves. Bring a camera and a sense of adventure.
Locations to Visit
Christkindl Market/City and County Building
16th street mall- Mile high tree at 16th and Welton, Daniels and Fisher clock tower
Larimer Square
Union Station
Dairy Block
Recommended Route
Stop #1 Christkindl Market and the City and County Building
Address: 101 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Website: christkindlmarketdenver.com
This year the Christkindle market has moved to Civic Center Park to allow for more space and social distancing. Grab a drink, some snacks, and get a little holiday shopping in before experiencing the lights at the City and County Building. The light show typically begins at 6pm.
The annual decorating of Civic Center Park has been a Denver tradition since 1919!
The beautiful light displays of Civic Center Park was started by one man named John Malpiede, Denver’s only city electrician in 1919. He decided to replace the lights at Civic Center Park with colored globes of red and green for the holidays. The next year, he added an illuminated Christmas tree in front of the State Capitol.
Each year, he added a few more garlands and an additional light bulb or two. In 1926, he was able to persuade Mayor Ben Stapleton to let him decorate the exterior of City Hall. Next he persuaded the city officials to give him $400, which he carefully spent on additional wiring and colored bulbs to string across the front of the building.
By the time Malpiede retired in 1956, his project had blossomed into a glittering extravaganza involving as many as 25,000 bulbs, 17 miles of electrical wiring, and tons of evergreen boughs decorating Denver's City and County Building.
Make your way over to 16th and Welton Street to experience the Mile High Tree. This is the 2nd year the city has put on this amazing light display. It’s the tallest digital tree in North America as well as the tallest art installation in the history of Denver. The tree is110 feet tall and 39 feet in diameter. It is 10 feet higher than the tallest Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in history! This year there are social distancing measures in place as guests walk through the installation.
16th Street Mall/ Daniels and Fisher Clock Tower
Walk down the mall toward the Daniels and Fisher Clocktower at 16th and Arapahoe Street and enjoy all the dazzling lights among the trees. In addition, look for the stationary Parade of Lights float displays. This year the Parade of Lights was cancelled, however they placed many of their spectacular floats along the mall for everyone to enjoy during the holiday season. You can download the 9news parade of lights app to find the exact locations of all 8 floats.
Night Lights is now a permanent art installation that is projected on the Daniels and Fisher Clocktower. This dazzling year-round installation is projected on the Arapahoe Street side of the Daniels & Fisher Tower. The best viewing location is near the Rock Bottom Brewery. Night Lights Denver will include rotating content, designed by artists and the community, featuring a wide range of art.
Stop #3- Larimer Square
Denver’s oldest and most historic block comes to life during the holiday season. Due to COVID-19 the block is currently all pedestrian walking. Grab a hot chocolate or warm drink and stroll around as you explore this stunning location.
Stop #4- Union Station
Union Station is one of my personal favorites during the holidays. Be sure to go inside the “Living Room of Denver” and snap some photos of the beautiful Christmas Tree.
Stop #5 - The Dairy Block
Explore Denver’s coolest alley! From interactive art displays, to painted murals, to beautiful holiday lights; there’s something for everyone in the Dairy Block. This alley is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!
Try to find the hidden mistletoe hanging in the block!
Did you know the tradition of hanging mistletoe in the house goes back to the times of the ancient Druids. It is supposed to possess mystical powers which bring good luck to the household and wards off evil spirits. It was also used as a sign of love and friendship in Norse mythology and that's where the custom of kissing under Mistletoe comes from. The name mistletoe originates from two Anglo Saxon words 'Mistel' (which means dung) and 'tan' (which means) twig or stick! So you could translate Mistletoe as 'poo on a stick'!!! Not exactly romantic is it!
From everyone here at Denver Local Tours,
We wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season!