Castle Rock Starlighting
November 21, 2026 | Downtown Castle Rock | 2 – 6 pm
Step into a Norman Rockwell scene at Starlighting, an annual traditional community ceremony that includes lighting the star on top of Castle Rock followed by a fireworks display. Festivities include caroling, dancing, visiting with Santa Claus, kids activities, nonprofit booths, food vendors, hot chocolate, and the iconic chili supper at the Firehouse.
STARLIGHTING EVENT OVERVIEW
Bring your family and friends to downtown Castle Rock for Starlighting! We’ll kick off the holiday season together as the star lights up atop the Rock and fireworks fill the sky.
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Historic Wilcox Square and Festival Park in downtown Castle Rock
Admission: Free!
Purchases: Castle Rock Chamber events are cashless. Please bring a credit or debit card.
When to look up!
The Starlighting Ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. on the Main Stage at 4th & Wilcox. At approximately 5:30 p.m., we’ll light the star atop Castle Rock, followed immediately by fireworks, weather and conditions permitting.
A Castle Rock tradition since 1962
The star first shone atop the Rock in 1936. In 1962, the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce created the Starlighting celebration, bringing neighbors together to watch the star light up and welcome the holiday season.
Today, Castle Rock residents and local businesses carry that tradition forward with the same generosity and volunteer spirit. For many families, gathering to watch the star light up is a cherished part of the holidays. Whether it’s your first Starlighting or you’ve been coming for generations, we’ll see you downtown!
FLIP THE SWITCH & BE PART OF A CASTLE ROCK TRADITION!
Flip the Switch & Be Part of a Castle Rock Tradition
Want to make a lasting impact while creating a special Castle Rock memory? Bid for the exclusive opportunity to Flip the Switch and light the star during the Castle Rock Starlighting!
Online bidding is open through Thursday, November 12.
The Winning Bidder Receives:
- Exclusive opportunity to flip the switch on the Main Stage
- Name or brand recognition from the Main Stage
- Photography to commemorate the moment
- Optional marketing recognition in Castle Rock Chamber communications
Funds raised support Castle Rock Chamber programs that strengthen our community, including Veterans Alliance and Tours for Teachers.
Create a memory. Make an impact. Be part of the tradition.
BID NOW!
STARLIGHTING ACTIVITIES & SCHEDULE
Festival Activities
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90th Annual Chili Supper — The Castle Rock Professional Firefighters will serve beef chili, nachos, hot dogs, drinks, and desserts at Castle Rock Fire Station 151.
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Kids Zone — Head to 4th Street just west of Wilcox for face painting, a petting zoo, games, a Humvee, and more.
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Food, drinks, and holiday booths — Grab a bite from a food truck, warm up with hot chocolate, or enjoy an adult beverage at one of four Chamber beverage tents. Visit local vendors, nonprofits, and sponsors for holiday goodies.
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2:00–4:15 p.m. — Santa Claus visits in Festival Park!
Main Stage at 4th & Wilcox
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2:00–4:45 p.m. — The Biff Gore Band performs live. Watch Biff Gore perform
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5:00 p.m. — The 2026 Starlighting Ceremony begins with FOX31’s Kirk Yuhnke, Great Day Colorado’s Denise Plante, and DCSO’s Deborah Takahara.
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Approximately 5:30 p.m. — The star atop Castle Rock lights up, followed immediately by fireworks, weather and conditions permitting.
“Castle Rock” by Helen Lowrie Marshall
Part of our tradition is to read the “Castle Rock” poem written by resident Helen Lowrie Marshall in 1966:
Long years ago in Bethlehem
A star shone brilliant bright
Above the place where Christ was born
On that first Christmas night
And Wiseman, following its gleam
Came traveling from afar
To see the miracle that lay
Beneath that glorious Star
Tonight we light our Christmas star
In memory of that birth
Proclaiming to the world our wish
For PEACE, good will on Earth
A beacon light whose beams reach out
To lift the hearts of men,
That they may sense the wonder
Of his coming again
That travelers by earth and sky
Who journey through the night
May feel the warmth and peace and cheer
Reflected in its light
For now, as then, the star proclaims
A miracle sublime
The miracle of love reborn
Each blessed Christmastime
And, as the Star of Bethlehem
Declared the Savior’s birth
May this, the Star of Castle Rock,
Shine forth for PEACE on Earth
Special Thanks to our Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors
Santa Sponsor
Coffee Sleeve Sponsor
Stage Sponsors
Kids Zone Sponsors
Transportation Sponsor
Hot Chocolate Sponsors
Candle Sponsors
Mug Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Wreath Sponsors
Participating Sponsors
