Although COVID-19 has put a dent in everyone's December plans, the City of Loveland is still going to celebrate the holiday season.

The City is hosting a variety of safe and fun holiday experiences this year, from the annual Winter Wonderlights to a new scavenger hunt.

Here are the local holiday events you won't want to miss:

The Hunt for the Loveland Holiday Gnomes (now - Dec. 31)

Similar to October's Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, residents will be able to scour the city for Herbie and his gnome friends.

"People are looking for safe, free, fun things to do," said Cindy Mackin, Visitors Services Manager for the City, in our "Tuned In to NoCo" interview. "The thought was...let's kind of hide some gnomes along the way all over the city and give people a winter version of this [the Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt]."

In order to participate, download the free EVENTZEE app and submit photos of your gnome adventures for the chance to win fun holiday prizes.

Loveland Light Trail 

If you're looking for a way to enjoy the holiday lights and social distance, the Loveland Light Trail is for you. The free, self-guided trail allows you to explore light displays all around the city.

"East to west, [there's] a ton of different, great light displays that [people] can see and do it on their own time and their own schedule," said Mackin. "Take a drive, get out, see all the kind of different light displays."

You can find a map for the trail here. 

Winter Wonderlights (now - Jan. 1)

Winter Wonderlights is back again this year in the Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra, with just a few tweaks due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"We've had to kind of pivot and do things a little bit differently," said Mackin. "The light show goes regardless every single night from 5 to 9 p.m. We're trying to do things as safely as possible."

Keep an eye out for social distancing North Pole-themed markers when you head to the show. The event is free, but the public is encouraged to bring canned food to the show that will go to the Food Bank for Larimer County.

Santa Mural at the Marketplace at Centerra (now - Dec. 25)

Stop by the side of Massage Envy in the Marketplace at Centerra to see a 26-foot-long Santa mural. While Santa will be social distancing in the North Pole this year, children can still send him their letters.

"Our Santa letter drop box will be noticeably on the side of the mural located at the Marketplace. Kiddos are encouraged to drop letters and drawings into the drop box until December 25," said Celeste Smith, Senior Marketing Director for Centerra. " We will be sharing those letters and drawings with Santa directly."

Find the mural and the drop box at 1657 Rocky Mountain Avenue in Loveland.

The Ice Rink at The Promenade Shops at Centerra (now - Jan. 18)

Lace up your skates and bring the family over to The Promenade Shops at Centerra for an ice skating adventure. Single day and season passes are available here. 

"The ice rink is following all the latest guidelines, so our patrons are expected to wear a mask. We do have some limitations of sizes on the rink as well," said Tiffany Villavicencio, General Manager for The Promenade Shops at Centerra. "But other than that, it's pretty much the same fun skating experience that you've come to love out of the ice rink."

While you're at The Promenade, don't forget to check out the giant Christmas tree and a few of Santa's sleighs.

Downtown Christmas Tree, Holiday Lights & 25 Days of Christmas Promotion

As always, the City is displaying their Christmas tree in front of The Rialto Theater, along with their gorgeous downtown lights.

On top of the lights, the City is also hosting a 25 Days of Christmas Downtown promotion to support local business.

"We are really focusing on our small businesses this season. Downtown is really compiled out of small business owners, restaurants, and shops," said Abby Powell, Events Director for the Loveland Downtown District. "Each of the 25 business participating [in the promotion] are offering a different offer...through the 25th of December."

You can find out how to support local businesses and win these offers here. 


Learn more about Loveland's holiday events by listening to the full "Tuned In to NoCo" interview with Cindy Mackin, Celeste Smith, Tiffany Villavincencio, and Abby Powell below.

 

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