Centerra spreads holiday cheer with annual Winter Wonderlights & new festivities

Winter means snowflakes and sweet treats. Twinkling lights and lots of spice. Hot cider and stars shining brighter. Whatever winter means to you, we want to make it a bit more special this season. So, put up the mistletoe and break out the sweaters, it’s time to celebrate the holidays around Centerra.

In addition to the annual local favorite Winter Wonderlights happening at Chapungu Sculpture Park, our community has some other special treats in store including a surprise from Santa and even holiday gnomes. Read on to uncover the holiday cheer we have planned to wrap up what has been quite the year!

 

Turn up the lights

Opened in 2007, Chapungu Sculpture Park is a one-of-a-kind outdoor exhibit, displaying 82 monumental stone sculptures from Zimbabwean artisans traversing 26-acres of natural and landscaped gardens. Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, this outdoor cultural experience is a community gift for all ages to gather, explore and experience.

During this very special time of year, we are excited to turn Chapungu into a winter wonderland for all to enjoy! Each night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., visitors can revel in the 80,000-holiday lights with synchronized music, including string lights and festive music during Loveland’s Winter Wonderlights from now until Jan. 1, 2021.

With new health and safety protocols designed to keep families physically distanced from each other while enjoying the musical light show, you can end your year on a bright note with holiday string lights, twinkling bulbs, LED mappable snowflakes, illuminated African stone sculptures and 30-minute music and light shows every night. The light and music show features six total songs and moving lights on the 20-foot tall LED mappable Christmas Tree – the only one of its kind in the state of Colorado!

In addition to nightly lighting attractions, special programming during Winter Wonderlights Live events are planned for select weekends in December, pending Larimer County variance approval. While this is a free event, visitors are encouraged to bring and donate canned food donations to benefit the Food Bank for Larimer County. Visit the Visit Loveland website for more information and know before you go recommendations including proper social distancing and face coverings.

Looking for more festive lights? Take a trip down the Loveland Light Trail — a self-guided tour of the holiday lights across Loveland, ranging from Downtown to the Lagoon. Check out the official Loveland Light Trail Map, which includes all the best spots in town sure to light up your holidays.

 

Skate into the holiday season

Is it even winter without lacing up a pair of skates and hitting a fresh ice rink in the cool crisp air? Of course not! This is why it’s high time to head over to The Promenade Shops at Centerra to continue, or start, that annual tradition of ice skating.

We are excited to announce that the Ice Rink, which is a winter treasure at The Promenade Shops at Centerra, is now open for patrons to enjoy through Jan. 18, 2021. Capacity is limited on the ice rink, so consider making a reservation in advance online.

Northern Colorado’s favorite shopping and dining destination, the shops are easy to reach at the crossroads of I-25 and Highway 34 in Loveland and featuring over 75 specialty shops and restaurants in a breathtaking outdoor setting, The Promenade Shops at Centerra have something for everyone, especially this time of the year. Knock out that holiday shopping and hit the ice for a good skate session to burn off that holiday energy and perhaps a few calories following lunch.

One price will cover admission to the rink for the entire day and include complimentary skates at no additional cost. For children under the age of 12, a ticket is only $8.50, while 13-year-olds and up are $10.50. For those who really want to skate this season, there are even 10-pack passes available for $68 for children and $84 for adults.

What better Christmas gift to give a loved one than the gift of a skate pass to the spectacular Ice Rink at The Promenade Shops at Centerra?

 

Say hi to Santa

Don’t let the pandemic stop you from seeing Santa. This season make sure to swing by the side of Massage Envy, 1657 Rocky Mountain Ave. in The Marketplace at Centerra, to get your photo taken with Santa, or at least a likeness of him. Until the start of the New Year, there will be a Santa mural installation on the side of the building where people can take a photo with “Santa.”

Unfortunately, no sitting on Santa’s lap this year with COVID-19 restrictions, but you can still make sure he gets your Christmas wishes by leaving letters to him in the Santa letter drop box set up at Massage Envy and one at Winter Wonderlights in Chapungu.

 

Gnome scavenger hunt

Take to the streets for the new Gnome scavenger hunt across Loveland! Get ready to find Herbie (Loveland’s holiday gnome) and all of his gnome friends around town.

Herbie and his friends have found homes at various locations throughout the city. To play, you must download EVENTZEE, a free app, to find out where they are, meet each of them and complete each of their challenges.

Simply snap photos of yourself with the gnomes and you will be entered into our contest through the app for a chance to win prizes. There are no losers in this game! All players who complete all of the challenges on the app will win a holiday prize by showing their Challenges Complete badge to the staff at the Loveland Visitor’s Center during business hours (Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).

While this game can be played anytime, it’s intended for and best at dusk or later to take advantage of viewing all of the holiday lights in Loveland. All of the gnomes are outside and accessible anytime, but we do ask that players try to wrap up no later than 10 p.m. to keep everyone safe. The challenges can all be completed in a few hours, or over multiple days. However, they must be completed by Dec. 31.

 

Seasons greetings from Centerra

The holidays may look a little different this season, but that does not mean there is not still fun to be had. You and your loved ones can still enjoy all the trimmings of winter and the holidays while staying safe. Just make sure to follow proper health guidelines and rules and we look forward to seeing you, from a safe distance, at Centerra this season!