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Christmas with kids in Greeley
In Greeley, Christmas lights up after Thanksgiving with a parade that ends at Lincoln Park. Kids sip hot chocolate and see Santa, and old Greeley stories mention gingerbread cookies and warm apple cider too.
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The story of Christmas in Greeley
How Greeley celebrates
Greeley's season opens with the Greeley Lights the Night Parade, created by the Greeley Jaycees in 1998. It rolls through downtown, ends at Lincoln Park, and is usually the first holiday event after Thanksgiving. Families stay for hot chocolate, treats and a visit with Santa. Many people who grew up watching it now bring their own children. In 2021 it was in its 24th year, with more than 50 floats, displays and musical entries traveling 9th Avenue from 15th Street to Lincoln Park, followed by carols, cocoa and cider.
Christmas last year in Greeley
In late 2025 the city's calendar was full of family events. Whoville Holiday, a Festival of Trees morning, ran Saturday, Nov 29, at the Union Colony Civic Center with Seuss-inspired games, a hair salon and cookie decorating. Centennial Village Museum held its village tree lighting on Friday, Dec 5, 4 to 6 p.m., with free cocoa and cookies. Family FunPlex hosted the free Jingle Bell Jam with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Dec 12, and Greeley Ice Haus had Skate With Santa on Dec 20 for $10.
Fun facts about Christmas in Greeley
Greeley's Christmas photos go back a long way. The City Lifestyle history story shows Park Congregational Church decorated in 1939 and snow on 8th Street in 1940. It also features a January 1974 photo of Union Pacific steam engine 8444 in the snow. Old Greeley Christmases included caroling in the streets, small parades, homemade gingerbread cookies and warm apple cider. The Greeley History Museum on 8th Street sits in a building built in 1929 for the Greeley Tribune, and its gift shop sells postcards of the old photos.
Trains and Christmas near Greeley
A 1974 photo from Greeley's holiday history shows Union Pacific steam engine 8444 in the snow. Greeley is also home to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum, with an HO layout, 20,000 miniature trees and kids' play areas. Farther away, the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden has more than 100 historic railcars on 15 acres, and the Moffat Road Railroad Museum in Granby has Colorado's largest permanent Christmas model train display.
- Colorado Model Railroad Museum: A huge realistic HO layout in Greeley with walk-in aisles, a 1919 caboose and kids' play areas.
- Colorado Railroad Museum: A 15-acre railyard in Golden with more than 100 historic railcars, a depot museum and an HO layout.
- Moffat Road Railroad Museum: Home to Colorado's largest permanent Christmas model train display, with a holiday season that runs Nov 27 to Jan 3.
Traditions today
- Greeley Lights the Night Parade: A downtown parade begun by the Greeley Jaycees in 1998 that ends at Lincoln Park.
- Lincoln Park lighting: Carols, hot chocolate, cider and a visit with Santa after the parade.
- Whoville Holiday: A Festival of Trees morning at the Union Colony Civic Center with games and cookie decorating.
- Homesteader's Holiday: A village tree lighting at Centennial Village Museum with free cocoa and cookies.
- Skate With Santa: Skating with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Greeley Ice Haus, with a photo booth and craft.
- Jingle Bell Jam: A free evening with Santa, Mrs. Claus, cocoa and ornament decorating at Family FunPlex.
A fact for kids
In Greeley, a parade begun in 1998 ends with the whole town in a park for hot chocolate and Santa. Old photos show snow on 8th Street in 1940.
Questions about Christmas in Greeley
What is the oldest Christmas tradition in Greeley?
The oldest one we could source is community caroling, small parades and church services, which a local history story describes as part of Greeley's early Christmases. Photos show Park Congregational Church decorated in 1939. The best-known recent tradition, the Greeley Lights the Night Parade, began in 1998, so it is much newer but already a family habit.
When did the Greeley Lights the Night Parade start?
It began in 1998, created by the Greeley Jaycees as a way to give back to the community. The 2021 parade was called its 24th year. It happens shortly after Thanksgiving, often as the first holiday event of the season, and ends at Lincoln Park, where the lights come on.
What is the route of the Greeley Christmas parade?
In 2021 the parade ran on 9th Avenue from 15th Street to Lincoln Park, where the park lighting ceremony followed. Routes can change, so check our Greeley Christmas events guide on this page for this year's map and times. Lincoln Park is where families gather afterward for the lights.
What happens at the Lincoln Park lighting in Greeley?
After the parade, Lincoln Park lights up. In 2021 Santa attended the ceremony, and families sang carols and sipped hot chocolate and apple cider. The Greeley article describes hot chocolate, treats and Santa as the usual finish. Dress warmly, since Greeley evenings in late November can be cold.
How big was the Greeley parade in 2021?
The 2021 parade, on Saturday, Nov 27, at 5:30 p.m., had more than 50 floats, displays and musical entries. Chevron sponsored the parade and FNBO sponsored the park lighting. A Greeley Downtown Development Authority open house ran earlier that day, with merchant hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and gift baskets to win.
Who are the Greeley Jaycees?
The Greeley Jaycees are a leadership training and civic organization for young people. They created the Greeley Lights the Night Parade in 1998 as a way to give back to the community. Some families who watched the parade as children now bring their own children to see it.
What did Christmas in old Greeley look like?
People caroled in the streets, shared meals with local flavors and traded homemade treats like gingerbread cookies and warm apple cider. Small parades marked the season, churches held candlelight services, and the town square was decorated with lights and a large tree. Photos from 1939 and 1940 show a decorated church and a snowy 8th Street.
What is Whoville Holiday in Greeley?
Whoville Holiday is a Festival of Trees morning at the Union Colony Civic Center. The Saturday, Nov 29, version ran 9 to 11:30 a.m. with Seuss-inspired games, a hair salon, a photo spot and cookie decorating. The City of Greeley and the Greeley Philharmonic Guild present it, and proceeds benefit the Guild. Tickets were $20 per person.
What is Homesteader's Holiday at Centennial Village Museum?
It is a village tree lighting at Centennial Village Museum, 1475 A St. The 2025 event ran Friday, Dec 5, from 4 to 6 p.m., with free cocoa and cookies and a chance to tour the decorated village after dark. Admission was a canned food donation for Weld Food Bank, or $4 per person ages 3 and up.
Does Santa skate in Greeley?
Yes. Skate With Santa at Greeley Ice Haus, 900 8th Ave, is a tradition on the city's calendar. The December listing included Santa and Mrs. Claus, a photo booth and a holiday craft for $10, skate rental included. Check our Greeley Christmas events guide on this page for this year's date.
What is Jingle Bell Jam in Greeley?
Jingle Bell Jam is a free evening at Family FunPlex, 1501 65th Ave, with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa and ornament decorating. The Friday, Dec 12, event ran 5 to 8 p.m. It is a short, indoor evening out, which can suit families with younger children. Check the current listing for this year's date and details.
Where is the Greeley History Museum?
The Greeley History Museum is at 714 8th St, in a building built in 1929 for the Greeley Tribune. The museum's gift shop is a good place to look for keepsakes of Greeley's past. Its gift shop sells postcards of old Greeley photos, including Christmas scenes, so kids can see how the town looked years ago.
How can I explain Greeley's old Christmas photos to kids?
Point out the details: churches decorated in 1939, deep snow on 8th Street in 1940, a steam engine in the snow in 1974. Ask kids what is different from today and what looks the same. The history museum's postcards make a fun scavenger hunt.
What treats do Greeley families enjoy at Christmas?
Hot chocolate is the classic after the parade at Lincoln Park, along with apple cider and treats. Older Greeley traditions mention gingerbread cookies and warm apple cider traded among neighbors. Cookie decorating and free cocoa and cookies also appear at recent events like Whoville Holiday and Homesteader's Holiday.
Is the Greeley parade a good fit for toddlers?
It can be, with planning. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. in late November, so it is dark and cold, and it ended with hot chocolate and Santa at Lincoln Park. Bring blankets, snacks and ear protection, and pick a spot near the end of the route so you can warm up quickly.
Where can Greeley kids see Christmas trees up close?
Recent options include the Festival of Trees at Whoville Holiday, the village tree lighting at Centennial Village Museum and the park lighting at Lincoln Park. Dates change each year, so see our Greeley Christmas events guide on this page for this season's list. Each place offers a different look, from museum village to city park.
When does Greeley's holiday season begin?
It begins shortly after Thanksgiving, often with the Greeley Lights the Night Parade. In 2021 the parade and grand lighting ceremony were on Saturday, Nov 27, starting at 5:30 p.m., and the city called it the official holiday kick-off. Late 2025 listings also put Whoville Holiday on Nov 29. See our Greeley Christmas events guide on this page for this year's dates.
What is the Greeley Philharmonic Guild?
It is the group that presents Whoville Holiday with the City of Greeley, and it receives the event's proceeds. The morning included Seuss-inspired games, a hair salon, a photo spot and cookie decorating, and tickets were $20 per person in the listing. Check the current year's details before you go.
What Christmas train activities are near Greeley?
The Colorado Model Railroad Museum in Greeley is the closest, with a large HO layout, 20,000 miniature trees and kids' play areas. Farther away, the Moffat Road Railroad Museum in Granby has Colorado's largest permanent Christmas model train display, with a holiday season from Nov 27 to Jan 3. Check hours before you go.
Is there a bigger railroad museum near Greeley?
Yes. The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden has a 15-acre railyard with more than 100 historic railcars, a restoration roundhouse, a depot museum and an HO layout. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, with rides on scheduled days. It is a longer drive from Greeley, so plan a full outing.
Sources
- Greeley Lights the Night Parade, City Lifestyle
- Parade of Lights and Park Lighting Ceremony to Kick Off the Holiday Season in Greeley, North Forty News
- Looking to Greeley's holiday past, City Lifestyle
- Homesteader's Holiday: Christmas Tree Lighting at Centennial Village Museum, City of Greeley
- Whoville Holiday, City of Greeley
- Jingle Bell Jam, City of Greeley
- Skate With Santa, City of Greeley
- Rally Takes the Train museum guide, Rally Takes the Train