As part of Downtown Denver’s Winter in the City program, Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination event will light up Downtown with nearly 600,000 lights from Denver Union Station to the City and County Building on November 25.

November 25 is also opening day for the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park. Located at 16th Street and Arapahoe, the skating rink will officially open at 10:00 a.m. and will be open daily through Valentine’s Day 2012. Skating is free with skate rental just $2, or bring your own pair of skates. Opening day at the Southwest Rink will have free skate rentals and entertainment including the Jingle Singers, and the 34-foot tall Holiday Tree located at the rink will be lit at 5:30 p.m. For more information on hours, entertainment and free skating days, please visit www.SouthwestRink.com.

Your Keys to the City, a public piano art program created by the Downtown Denver Partnership, with support from the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, will return this holiday season with five winter-themed pianos painted by local artists and located along the 16th Street Mall. On November 25, pianists and carolers will entertain visitors from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The pianos will remain outside until December 30 and will be available for the public to play from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week.

The 16th Street Mall will also be a destination point for light viewing. Denver’s historic D & F Tower, on 16th and Arapahoe will once again be adorned with holiday lights. More than 550,000 energy efficient LED lights will turn the 16th Street Mall, California Street and Curtis Streets between 14th and 16th into an enchanting holiday promenade. A giant lit snowflake sculpture tree will be on 16th and Broadway. Two of Downtown Denver’s major retail destinations, Larimer Square and the Denver Pavilions, will also be illuminated with festive décor on this night and will host a number of unique holiday entertainment and special events throughout the holiday season. This season’s display at Larimer Square features nearly 4,000 lights.

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., there will be special events at Denver Union Station presented by Regional Transportation District (RTD) and LoDo District, Inc. including carolers, a hand bell choir, a Children’s Museum craft table, delicious treats provided by LoDo restaurants, a visit from Dinger Claus (the Colorado Rockies Mascot decked out in holiday uniform), model trains and much more! Following a countdown shortly after 6:30 p.m., Denver Union Station will be ablaze with brightly colored floodlights illuminating the historic structure in the heart of Lower Downtown and its eye-catching tree in front. A special viewing of the model railroad will take place after the lighting in the basement of Denver Union Station. LoDo District Inc.’s window design contest, LoDo Aglow will also kick off on the same evening. Local business owners, designers and art students have had the chance to let their imaginations run wild in creating holiday themed window art in Lower Downtown. The entries will be reviewed by a panel of guest judges who will choose the winners based on the originality and presentation of the design. The winners will be announced the week of December 12.

One of the holiday season’s longest running traditions, the 9NEWS Light the Lights event takes place at the City and County Building, when one of the most beautiful and popular holiday lighting displays in the region will once again transform the structure. Performances will entertain the crowd at this event from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., ending with a countdown to the lighting ceremony at approximately 6:45 p.m. This year, the lighting City and County Building display is entirely LED lights and uses an estimated one-third of the energy as did previous years.

Don’t miss the magic of this FREE Downtown Denver event!

WHAT: Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination

WHEN: November 25, beginning with entertainment at 5:30 p.m. at Skyline Park, 6:00 p.m. at Denver Union Station and Civic Center Park. The countdowns begin with Denver Union Station at approximately 6:30 p.m. and ends at 6:45 p.m. at the City and County Building with the final lighting countdown.

WHERE: Downtown Denver

WHO: The Grand Illumination is a collective effort of the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, Downtown Denver Events, Inc., 9NEWS, the LoDo District, Inc. and the Regional Transportation District.