Cheer on the Varsity Big Red Team and the Westernaires Batons team as they make their way down the streets of Downtown Denver in the 9News Parade of Lights. This annual tradition is the perfect way to ring in the holiday season.

This parade route tends to begin at the City & County Building at 14th Avenue & Bannock Street, crosses Colfax Avenue, travels west on 14th Street, turns right on Tremont Place and goes three blocks to 17th Street. The parade travels down 17th Street on Arapahoe Street and turns left, making another left turn on 15th Street and continuing on 15th Street up to Glenarm Place. The parade turns right on Glenarm Place and finishes at 14th Street & Glenarm Place.

The sight of over 40 Longhorn cattle walking through the streets of downtown Denver can only mean one thing…it’s Stock Show time!  The perfect picture opportunity, catch the Varsity Red Team riders as they represent Westernaires in Denver's most unique parade experience.

The National Western Stock Show kick-off parade is a sight to see.  On this one afternoon in January, the streets of downtown Denver are lined with boots, chaps and cowboy hats to celebrate Colorado’s western traditions and the iconic National Western Stock Show. Kids, families, and business people get to step back in time and see a true western cattle drive with horses, cowboys, cowgirls, tractors, marching bands and floats. 

The parade route begins at Denver's Union Station and runs up 17th Street, concluding at 17th & Glenarm.  The parade begins at 12:00PM.  Streets tend to fill up quickly, so we recommend arriving early for optimal parade viewing.