Drive-thru Christmas lights open Saturday at Water World, with Red Rocks and Centennial to follow

Warm up the minivan, grab the hot cocoa and leave the snow boots at home. Christmas in Color, the drive-thru holiday light show where you never leave your car, is back in the Denver area this weekend. This year it has three locations.

First up is Water World in Federal Heights, which opens Saturday, Nov. 14, for its ninth season. The water park trades lazy rivers for light tunnels, so you can float through millions of twinkling lights from your front seat. Every display is synced to holiday music that plays through your car radio. Tickets are sold per vehicle, about $35 for the whole car, so pack in the grandparents and the kids.

Two more shows open later in the season. Red Rocks starts Nov. 27, and this year it has double the lights, new projections and an all-new playlist. Use Entrance 2, and get ready to see the most famous amphitheater in the world from a whole new angle. The newest location is in Centennial at Colorado Karting Circuit, and it opens Nov. 20. That gives south metro families a show close to home.

The show also gives back. Christmas in Color has donated 800 tickets to Vet Tix for veterans and their families. Schools can earn $5 for every ticket bought with their fundraiser code. Saturday is a big night for holiday lights across the metro, with tree lightings in Castle Rock and Westminster too, so turn up the Santa playlist and make it a festive weekend.