Your Loveland Holiday Guide: 8 Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Thanksgiving may not be here yet, but it's time to get ready for the most wonderful time of the year.

The City of Loveland is here to help you celebrate. They're hosting a variety of family-friendly events that will keep your holiday spirits high all season long.

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Here are eight local holiday events that you don't want to miss:

Winter Wonderlights (now — Jan. 2)

Winter Wonderlights has returned to Chapungu Sculpture Park for the holiday season. Don't miss live performances in the park on November 20, December 4, and December 11.

"We kicked off the holidays a little bit early just to get people excited about that," said Cindy Mackin, Visitor Services Coordinator for the City of Loveland, in our "Tuned In to NoCo" interview. "The light show itself has over 100,000 lights."

The show is free to attend, but guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Food Bank for Larimer County (you can also help out the Food Bank through Townsquare Cares: Feeding NoCo).

Downtown Festival of Lights (Nov. 19)

Head to Downtown Loveland on Friday (Nov. 19) for the Downtown Festival of Lights. Attendees can enjoy live music, a tree lighting ceremony, a holiday market, and more.

"This year, we're adding some lighting, for the first time, to the Fountain Plaza area," said Sean Hawkins, Executive Director of the Loveland Downtown District. "It just creates a really great walking environment."

After the festival, the lights will stay up in Loveland past Valentine's Day.

Light the Lagoon (Nov. 19)

The Downtown Festival of Lights isn't the only lighting event happening on Friday. Visit the Civic Center Foote Lagoon for Light the Lagoon, sponsored by the Winter Holiday Council, which features a StoryWalk from the Loveland Public Library.

"What makes this display really unique is there are local Loveland artists that create different and new holiday displays for the public to enjoy every year," said Justine Bruno, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Loveland. "It makes for a really great scenic tour."

Learn more about the event here.

The Hunt for the Loveland Holiday Gnomes (Nov. 20 — Jan. 22)

Search Loveland for Herbie and his gnome buddies for the chance to see the City's lights and win prizes. Each participant will win a free Chick-fil-A breakfast entrée and be entered to win larger prizes like the Ultimate Loveland Escape.

Players can register for the scavenger hunt on the EVENTZEE app using the code GNOMES2021. The hunt also coincides with the Loveland Light Trail.

Meet Santa at The Promenade Shops at Centerra, On the Border, Chapungu Sculpture Park (Nov. 27 — Dec. 24)

You'll have numerous opportunities to meet Santa this year: Photos with Santa (Nov. 27-Dec. 19, Dec. 23, Dec. 24) at The Promenade Shops at Centerra, Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18) at On the Border, Santa's Workshop (Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18) at Chapungu Sculpture Park, and Skate with Santa (Dec. 9, Dec. 16) at The Ice Rink at The Promenade Shops at Centerra.

"We have so much happening in Loveland," said Celeste Smith, Senior Marketing Director for The Promenade Shops at Centerra. "In addition to all these great holiday events, we just want to remind everybody to shop local, purchase local gift cards, and support all of the great Loveland retail and dining establishments...all around our great city."

Learn more about which events require tickets here.

Harrington's Haaliday Walk (Dec. 10-12, 17-19, 21-23)

The Harrington Arts Alliance is hosting the Haaliday Walk at The Promenade Shops at Centerra. Guests can enjoy an immersive experience featuring scenes from classic Christmas films, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Elf, and A Christmas Story.

To avoid waiting in a long line, reserve your tickets ahead of time here.

Christmas Walk in the Woods (Dec. 11 — Jan. 2)

Creepy Walk in the Woods is turning into Christmas Walk in the Woods for the holiday season. Stroll through the Savage Woods to see fantastic holiday lights displays.

The walk will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Once tickets go on sale, you can purchase yours here.

4th Street Flannel Fest — Holiday Edition (Jan. 22)

Sweetheart City Racing is bringing the 4th Street Flannel Fest Pub Crawl to Downtown Loveland in January. Sport a flannel and enjoy Bare Bone Vodka cocktails while supporting local bars and restaurants.

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to benefit KidsPak. Register for the event here.

These aren't the only holiday events going on in Loveland. Learn more by listening to the full "Tuned In to NoCo" interview with Cindy Mackin, Justine Bruno, Celeste Smith, and Sean Hawkins below.