Colorado loves its light shows, a la what Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield, Hudson Gardens and the Denver Zoo offer in the colder weather. But Four Mile Historic Park brilliantly (pun intended) came up with a way to capture some of that traffic during warmer weather – in the form of illuminated, giant lantern sculptures. Celebrating its fourth year, Bright Nights is back! We had the fun job of checking it out for In Good Taste Denver readers in advance so here’s what you need to know about the installation. Be sure to check out our been-there-learned-that tips at the end.
WHAT IS BRIGHT NIGHTS AT FOUR MILE HISTORIC PARK?
It’s a lantern festival spread out across the Park’s 12 acres. It comes in partnership with Tianyu Arts and Culture with larger-than-life sculptures that are cool to look when visiting the Park during the day for everything it normally offers. But at night, when the sun goes down and the lights within each sculpture come on, it’s something different all together. It’s magical, whimsical and totally brings out your inner kid (or outer kid if you actually are one).
Explore different, themed areas that take visitors across the globe to see creatures and plant life that can be found under the sea, on land and in the sky. Look for giant mantises (or is it “manti?”), oversized wildflowers, jungle animals, a vicious shark, feisty crab-on-high (my favorite) and spotted fish (wait, maybe they were my favorite). Some of the sculptures move which is great fun. Some are moving all the time and others move just occasionally (hint: an underwater crustation) so take it all in slowly to catch those times and to really immerse in the entire experience.
WHEN IS BRIGHT NIGHTS?
It runs Wednesdays-Sundays, 7-11pm, August 8-November 8, 2026.
WHERE DOES IT HAPPEN?
Bright Nights meanders through the grounds of Four Mile Historic Park, located at 715 S. Forest Street in Denver, in the Glendale area.
HOW CAN YO MAKE THE MOST OF THE BRIGHT NIGHTS EXPERIENCE?
While it’s perfectly enjoyable to just stroll and take in everything you’re seeing, there are several ways to take things up a notch:
* Time and Space Traveler Immersive Experience is a self-guided activity from the artists at Elevate Immersive, that takes visitors around the Park solving riddles and uncovering the secret stories of the lanterns throughout the park. When guests complete the quest, they become part of the story. As a bonus, they are also entered to win a Four Mile Historic Park family membership. You also get an awesome tote bag to hold all your goods. See below for ticket pricing that includes this activity. Both adults and kids can sign up for it.
*Sounds of Light Silent Disco provides headsets you rent with three musical stations to choose from that were specifically curated for what you’ll experience at Bright Nights. We loved doing this activity, especially because you can take them throughout the park as you stroll and change stations at will (as opposed to staying in one area to dance). Quantities of the Silent Disco headphones are limited and you’ll need to leave your driver’s license with them as collateral.
*Low Sensory Bright Nights experience is available, an extension of Four Mile being a Kulture City Sensory Friendly experience. Check out a free Sensory Bag and use noise cancelling headphones, strobe resistant sunglasses and fidget tools. Another option is to visit during the day to see the lanterns without lights.
*Adults-Only Nights are August 28 and September 11. There’ll be DJs, additional sponsor activations and more. Must be age 21+.
*Purchase snack and meal food and drink from Big Belly Brother’s BBQ (their brisket and pulled pork are fab!), Kona Ice of Hampden and The Aguilar Four. Additional alcohol, soft drinks and water are also available to purchase.
*Interactive areas, where us humans can play, swing and ham it up, are stationed throughout the installation so look for them.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND?
Basic admission to Bright Nights is $28 for adults in advance, $30 for walk-up; $21 for youth ages 3-12, $23 for walk-up (adult ticket required); $27 for seniors and military, available only on site; $20 member adults, $15 member youth.
Time and Space Traveler Immersive Experience includes basic admission and is $37 for adults and $30 for youth ages 3-12 (adult ticket required).
Add on a Family Membership for $50 which is a great deal at 50% off.
GOOD TO KNOW
The proceeds from the Bright Nights installation supports Four Mile in its mission to educate a diverse community and preserve the Four Mile House which is the oldest standing structure in Denver as well as their programs. That means you can feel really good about having so much fun.
WHERE CAN I GET TICKETS AND LEARN MORE?
Visit the Four Mile Historic Park website here for information about the Park and the Bright Nights event, and to purchase tickets.
TIPS:
*Bright Nights (and all of Four Mile Park) is on dirt paths so wear appropriate footwear.
* The event happens even if it rains which means the dirt paths can be muddy. Again, wear appropriate footwear that you can tromp around in. During our preview visit, there had been a big downpour before which meant some muddy areas but it also meant puddles that reflected the sculptures, making for really interesting photos.
*While there is a parking lot, it can fill up quickly. Street parking is available but be very mindful of the signs because some areas are “no parking” and you will be ticketed and towed.
*Nice restrooms are available so, yay.
*Plan to take plenty of photos and video – they come out quite well.
*Don’t forget to shop the Museum store!
*Do consider joining Four Mile Historic Park – there’s nothing else quite like it in the state.
-Story and photos by Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor, In Good Taste Denver
