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Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens Denver

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Can’t get enough  holidays in your Rocky Mountain winter wonderland? Light up your Colorado festivities with a visit to Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens Denver!

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So many lights on your walk in and around Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens. Photo: Diana Rowe

This post may contain affiliate links.  If you click through and buy something, TravelingInHeels may earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks to Elitch Gardens for hosting my visit for the purposes of a review; opinions expressed are my own.

Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens Denver

Kick-off the holiday season during the second annual Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens Denver.

The theme park is known for its summer fun with 54 rides and attractions, but from Thanksgiving weekend through the New Year, the park transforms into a winter wonderland with lights, more lights, and more holiday cheer. And of course, some of your favorite rides are also running.

Ready to add another fun things to do in Denver in the winter?

Read more: Review of Gaylord Rockies Denver Christmas

So Many Lights! Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens

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In the lobby of Elitch Gardens, Santa, his sleigh and Rudolph apparently had a mishap during Luminova Holidays. Photo: Diana Rowe

Thousands of lights offer a festive walk through through Denver’s popular theme park during its transformation into Luminova Holidays.

Enter through the ticket gate for a lobby decorated with festive Christmas themed decor, from festively lit Christmas trees and an upended Santa and Rudolph near his sleigh. Perhaps the lights threw off Rudolph’s radar?

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Elitch Gardens’ hand-carved carousel has been an iconic part of its history, a staple since its arrival in 1928, a hand-carved carousel, even more impressive with Luminova Holiday lights. Photo: Diana Rowe

Once outside the lobby, the iconic carousel is decorated with more than its usual amount of lights — a hint of what is to come once you walk toward the Ferris wheel.

Turn left at the carousel and there’s many family photo opportunities just waiting for you to discover beginning with your walk down (what I call) shopping alley toward the Ferris wheel..

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Literally the twinkling lights will lead the way while you experience Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens. Photo: Diana Rowe

Larger Than Life Displays and Lights

Take a stroll through the park and let the lights guide.  I’m talking over 200,000 square feet of larger-than-life displays, illuminated frames, a 65-foot tree, supersize twinkling snowmen, 300-foot candy cane tunnels, and so much more.

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Just a small snapshot of Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens. Photo: Diana Rowe

Above is a collage, just a small snap-shot, of all the lights ready to dazzle your winter wonderland and place you smack-dab in the holiday spirit.

Ride the Rides

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The best seat in the house is riding the ferris wheel during Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens. Photo: Diana Rowe

After all, Elitch Gardens is known for its rides and attractions, and during Luminova Holidays, many of their rides are also open. Elitch Gardens plans to operate an array of rides including:

  • Carousel
  • Big Wheel
  • Turn of the Century
  • Troika
  • Dragon Wing
  • Meow Wolf’s Kaliedoscape
  • Tea Cups
  • Rockin’ Tug
  • Blazin’ Buckaroo
  • Sunflower Swings
  • KidSpin
  • Jumping Jack
  • Mike’s Bikes
Extra Charge Attractions
  • Sling Shot
  • XLR8R
NOTE: Some rides are temperature and weather-dependent.  And also, please note that most rides have height and size restrictions, all listed on this FAQ.

TIP:  See a bird’s eye view of the lights from high above on the Ferris Wheel.

What You Need to Know About Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens Denver:

  • Open from November 25, 2022 through January 1, 2023
  • Hours: 5:00-10:00 PM
  • More questions answered here.