Denver Botanic Gardens light up winter nights

Winter may mean quiet and still gardens for most, but winter just means a different look at the Denver Botanic Gardens, at both the York Street and Chatfield locations. And it’s not too late to catch the annual displays of electrical magic at the gardens.


Blossoms of Light

Frightful weather or not, it’s worth being outdoors even on cold nights to wander amid more than 1 million lights of different colors and sizes light up the plants, trees and even sculptures. And even though there are so many lights, more than a third of this year’s display are energy efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

This year, teams sculpted ice at the beginning of Blossoms of Light, using chain saws, scrapers and blowtorches to construct glistening creations, including a snowman and castle.

Blossoms of Light runs 5:30-10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 3 at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., Denver.


Trail of Lights

Another million or so more lights adorn the features of the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, and nearly half of those are LED lights.

Trail of Lights is longer this year than in years past, with children’s play area and the restored 1880s homestead that features Colorado country Christmas decorations.

Trail of Lights runs Wednesday through Sunday evenings through Jan. 3 at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton (south of C-470 on Wadsworth Boulevard).


Take your pick

Both locations offer plenty of lights, and all-important spots to get some hot drinks. HoloSpex glasses, which transform the lights into shimmering 3-D shapes, are available for just $1. There’s also plenty of free parking.

The lights costs $9 for adults; $7 for students and seniors; and $6 for kids, ages 4-12. Children 3 and younger are free.

For more information, visit the Denver Botanic Gardens Web site here.