Denver’s Regional Transportation District is modifying transit schedules on Saturday as thousands expect to travel downtown for the Parade of Lights.

9NEWS’ 51st annual Parade of Lights celebration begins at 6 p.m.

RTD officials warned travelers of bus and train schedule changes between 3 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., according to a news release.

In previous years, tens of thousands of people have traveled downtown for the parade. Denver’s holiday parade features more than 40 illuminated floats, helium-filled character balloons, marching bands, equestrian units and a special appearance by Santa Claus.

Denver’s holiday parade, dating back to 1975, has grown into the largest and most-watched parade in the Rocky Mountain region, according to The Denver Gazette’s news partner 9NEWS.

The parade begins at 14th Avenue and Bannock Street. It travels through downtown Denver along Tremont, 17th, Arapahoe, 15th, and Glenarm streets. 

RTD officials listed planned service changes in accordance to the parade route.

Bus routes 0, 10, 15, and 19 are modified to provide service between 13th Avenue/Lincoln and Union Station:

• Routes affected: 0, 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 15L, 16, 19, 20, 28, 38, 43, 44, 48, 52
• 16th Street FreeRide will be suspended from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Bus detours are expected to last 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Transit officials said normal service will resume as crowds clear.

As for train schedules, RTD plans to temporarily suspend its “holiday train,” which operates between the Interstate 25/Broadway and the 30th/Downing Stations. The services mirrors the suspended L Line route, which is temporarily closed due to downtown light rail reconstruction.

RTD train service changes for Parade of Lights:

• The D Line is temporarily serving Denver Union Station through Jan. 3  
• H Line customers traveling downtown will need to transfer to and from the E Line at Southmoor Station following a fatal fuel tanker crash at Yale Station on Thanksgiving, prompting limited E line schedules to and from Union Station.
• The Holiday Train will pause between 3 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Route 43 buses will detour to accommodate the parade route.

“Customers using routes affected by the events should allow extra time for delays and detours,” transit officials said.

RTD riders can check the transit agencies website for in-time bus and rail schedules.

Denver Gazette news partner, 9NEWS, contributed to this report.