There are many wonderful Christmas traditions in Northern Colorado. Some are older. Some are new. These are my 5 favorite:

5. Nightlights

Inside the NightLights Tree
Todd Harding, TSM
loading...

NightLights has become a Christmas tradition in Fort Collins. The 2017 annual NightLights tree lighting ceremony is Friday, December 1st from 6-7pm at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins. (531 S. College Ave.) This free event includes: Lighting of the 50' tree with over 30,000 blue lights, Live music from Wendy Woo beginning at 5:30, free warm soup from Z Catering, Hot cocoa, cookies, music from CSU's Mainstreet Acapella and Emma Marie, pictures with Santa and his sleigh and children can enter to win a 33lb Chocolate Santa from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Give a Nightlight here!

4. Winter Wonderlights

Winter Wonderlights
Courtesy of City of Loveland
loading...

Loveland's newest signature holiday event is Winter Wonderlights at Chapungu Park at Centerra. It's not quite a tradition yet, but it will be soon. Visitors will enjoy lights choreographed to music every night from 5-9 p.m. with special programming such as local school groups, dance studios, choirs and more performing on the weekends. The magical nightly light show runs from November 18 to January 7, 2018. While the event is free, attendees are asked to bring a canned food donation to benefit the Food Bank for Larimer County.

3. Windsor Wonderland

Windsor Wonderland
Shelby Taylor-Thorn, TSM
loading...

Windsor Wonderland 2017 is Saturday, December 2 from noon-5 p.m. in Downtown Windsor at 5th and Ash Street and Boardwalk Park. Great Western Railway will bring Santa from the North Pole by train, arriving at noon at the intersection of 5th Street and Ash Street. After his arrival, Santa will be available for professional pictures, free of charge, at his tent at Boardwalk Park. Activities include hay rides, live holiday performances at the Market Pavilion, kids activities, free hot chocolate and s’mores, and more.

2. Greeley Lights the Night Parade

2016 Greeley Lights the Night Parade
Jenny Harding, For TSM
loading...

The Annual Greeley Lights The Night Parade is Saturday, November 25 at 5:30 pm in Downtown Greeley. It runs north on 9th Avenue from 15th Street to 7th Street. After the parade, stay at Lincoln Park for the lighting ceremony, tasty holiday goodies, and visits with Santa! Some entries include horses, bands, dance teams, and classic cars and every entry is lighted.

1. Garden of Lights at the Gardens on Spring Creek

Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins
Jenny Harding, For TSM
loading...

The 2017 Garden of Lights runs December 1- January 7, from 5 to 9 p.m.at the Gardens on Spring Creek. The Gardens are at 2145 Centre Ave. in Fort Collins. They are open to the public every evening including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day. I believe it is the best Christmas tradition in Northern Colorado.

More From K99