As part of Downtown Denver’s Winter in the City program, Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination starts at 6:00 p.m. with thousands of sparkling lights and entertainment from Denver Union Station to the City & County Building across from Civic Center Park, including Skyline Park, the D&F Tower, 14^th Street and all along the 16th Street Mall.

November 23 is also opening day for theSouthwest Rink at Skyline Park. Located at 16^th Street and Arapahoe, the skating rink will officially open at 10:00 a.m. and will be open daily through Valentine’s Day 2013. 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 throughout the weekend. For more information on hours, entertainment and free skating days, please visitwww.SouthwestRink.com.

Your Keys to the City, a public piano art program created by the Downtown Denver Partnership, will return this holiday season with five winter-themed pianos painted by local artists and located along the 16^th Street Mall. The pianos will remain outside until December 28 and will be available for the public to play from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.

The 16^th Street Mall will also be a destination point for light viewing. Denver’s historic D & F Tower, on 16^th and Arapahoe will once again be adorned with holiday lights. More than 550,000 energy efficient LED lights will turn the 16^th Street Mall, California Street and Curtis Streets between 14^th and 16^th into an enchanting holiday promenade.

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 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) 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. 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 17th.

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. The lighting of the 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!

WHEN: November 23, Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination starts at 6:00 p.m. with thousands of sparkling lights and entertainment from Denver Union Station to the City & County Building across from Civic Center Park, including Skyline Park, the D&F Tower, 14^th Street and all along the 16th Street Mall.

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.