Concerts, Comedy, Plays and Parades!
Celebrate the beginnings of a very merry holiday season this weekend with music, comedy, stage plays and more! Learn about star clusters, scavenge with reindeer, and don’t miss Santa making the rounds for photo ops with good little girls and boys!
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, December 7
ASTRONOMY 101
Ages 9 and up are welcomed to join Winston Pendleton, PhD, for an astronomy lecture on the Secrets of Star Clusters, featuring space imagery, and information on recent discoveries and current research. The lecture will include a discussion of the types and importance of star clusters and how they are used to determine the age and evolution of stars. Weather permitting, there will be star cluster observing after the class.
Parker Arts Culture and Events Center (PACE), 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5
Phone: 303-805-6800
Thursday-Sunday, December 7-10
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Back by popular demand! Holidays are about traditions and one local favorite is the Home for the Holidays entertainment event. In this family-friendly holiday spectacular you’ll see dancers, singers, drummers, hear holiday songs, and of course, experience a celebrity appearance from the guy from the North Pole! A completely new show for 2017, Home for the Holidays is sure to delight audiences and generate plenty of holiday spirit. Please note that the 7:00 p.m. performance on Sunday is a Sensory Friendly performance.
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
Thurs. & Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 8:00 p.m., Sat./Sun., 1:30 p.m.;
Tickets: $35-$62
Phone: 720-509-1000
TAYLOR TOMLINSON
At only 23 years old, Taylor Tomlinson commands the stage with the confidence and capability of an expert comedian. Her stage presence is matched by her surprisingly honed and authentic point-of-view, one that emphasizes how wildly normal she can be in a wildly bizarre world. Her self-deprecating charm and conversational wit have made her a favorite at comedy clubs, colleges, and corporate events across the country.
Taylor is currently a series regular on MTV’s Safe Word and was a top-10 finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. She just made her late-night debut on Conan and ABC just announced a development deal where Taylor will star in a semi-autobiographical comedy!
Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:15 & 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $17-$27
Phone: 303-274-6800
ANNIE
Leapin’ Lizards! The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage this holiday season in one of the world’s best-loved musicals. Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and is the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This beloved show features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including It’s a Hard Knock LifeandTomorrow.
Recommended for ages 5 and older (younger children will not be admitted). One quick aside: Sandy, Annie’s four-legged sidekick, will be played by a rescue dog. Sandy was adopted, fortunately, but to learn more about her adoptable friends in need of a new family, visit www.hsppr.org/adopt. And check out the Annie Day Camps for your young aspiring artist/performer.
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$45
Friday, December 8
CLASSICAL HOLIDAY MUSIC
It’s nearly impossible to imagine the holiday season without music! Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa have become joyous family celebrations, inspiring playful songs that delight children and bring nostalgic feelings to parents. But through the centuries, the musical message of Christmas has remained true to the profound story of the Nativity. In this Active Minds program, go back to the Renaissance and then travel through the years in musical excerpts that mix the familiar with the unfamiliar. You’ll visit several countries along the way and discover some of the holiday’s most beautiful and timeless melodies.
Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Free
Phone: 303-791-7323
STORYTIME WITH MRS. CLAUS
Join Mrs. Claus in the food court of the Outlets of Castle Rock for fun holiday stories while munching on cookies and milk.
Outlets of Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
2:00 p.m.
Free
RUN, RUN, RUDOLPH!
New this holiday season, the Run, Run Rudolph scavenger hunt is a self-guided tour around the center to find all nine of Santa’s reindeer – including Rudolph! Participants can pick up a map and reindeer stickers at Customer Service and, after going on the hunt, those who return with the stickers placed over each correct location will receive a special treat from Cinnabon.
Outlets of Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
VISIT WITH SANTA!
Santa has moved into his Castle Rock cottage to listen to the wish lists of all the kiddos looking forward to Christmas. Look up his visiting hours, here.
Outlets of Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS JOY
A Colorado Springs tradition, this concert offers a wide variety of Christmas music for every age and taste. Featuring guest artist Alvy Powell, a 150-voice choir, full orchestra, 17-piece big band, The Pikes Peak Ringers, The Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, plus Celtic music and more!
Pikes Peak Center, 190 Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
2:00 & 4:30 p.m.
Tickets: $14-$24
Phone: 719-520-7649
FAMILY FILM NIGHT: FROZEN
Family Film Night is pleased to present a Frozen Princess Party, with a showing of the heartwarming, classic Frozen immediately following!
Princesses and princes from across the land are invited to attend! The party will feature music, activities and a photo opportunity with a live princess! Hot chocolate is included and the CU South Café will be open and serving beef stew, chicken nuggets and a popcorn and drink snack pack. There’s also a bar for attendees over 21 years of age. The museum is open for attendees until the start of the film. Don’t let this chance at a magical evening pass you by!
CU South Denver, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker
3:30 p.m. (film at 5:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $13 (meals/snacks extra)
Phone: 303-315-9444
DECK THE HALLS
The Colorado Springs Chorale proudly announces its 31st annual Deck the Hall concert at Pikes Peak with the Summit Ensemble and Pikes Peak Singers of the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale. KCME and Jazz 93.5 FM radio personality Jana Lee Ross will read an excerpt from the beloved classic The Wind in the Willows with large projections of illustrations by local artist/illustrator Michael Hague. The plan is a choral extravaganza that is fun and uplifting for all ages with beloved carols and Christmas classics plus musical selections from favorite Christmas stories, and the Grinch himself.
Pikes Peak Center, 190 Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$50
Phone: 719-520-7649
WILSON PHILLIPS LIVE!
Wilson Phillips burst onto the scene in the early 90’s, bringing their power-pop and soft-rock covers to the mainstream. Scions of Brian Wilson (of The Beach Boys) and John and Michelle Phillips (of The Mamas and the Papas), the women of this vocal group combine their eclectic musical heritage with their own twist on 90s pop music and classic Christmas tunes. Wilson Phillips are bringing a Christmas show unlike anything PACE has seen before!
Parker Arts Culture and Events Center (PACE), 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:30 p.m.
: $64-$69
Phone: 303-805-6800
Friday-Sunday, December 8-10
HOME AND HOLIDAY SHOW
The leader in home shows is coming to Castle Rock! Just in time for the holidays this show will get you in the holiday (and shopping) spirit! Featuring the latest in crafts, design trends, holiday décor, innovative home-based electronics and more. Browse products and services from local and national vendors for your home, family living and holiday fun for the whole family, with live demonstrations, food samples, and plenty to see, choose and buy!
The Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
Fri., 12:00-6:00 p.m.; Sat., 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 9
CHRISTMAS CARRIAGE PARADE
The town of Parker and Colorado Driving Society invite you to experience the Christmas Carriage Parade, an annual downtown Parker tradition. Come and enjoy that holiday feeling in this all-equestrian parade with dozens of horse-drawn carriages, wagons, surreys and stagecoaches from across Colorado, all dressed up for the holidays. With a different theme each year, the parade continues to grow and is a staple event for Parker. With a holiday farmer’s market, a petting zoo and pony rides, ice sculpting and time and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus ($5 — cash only — after the parade from 1 to 3 p.m.)
Downtown Parker, Main Street, Parker
Activities, 10:30 a.m.; Parade, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-841-0353
STORYTELLERS AND S’MORES
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season with an evening around a campfire, listening to stories, and making s’mores with all sorts of kid-friendly fare, hot chocolate and more. Bring a lawn chair, or blanket and make sure to dress for the weather! Storytellers include Buddy the Elf, characters from the Disney movie Frozen, members from the Fire and Police Department, and Santa will wrap up the event with ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
The town trolley will run between Festival Park and the upper parking lot at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, with more parking information here.
Festival Park, 300 2nd St., Castle Rock
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 10
CHRISTMAS IN GREAT BRITAIN
The Castle Rock Orchestra, now in its 11th season, will present Christmas in Great Britain, featuring music from British composers. A holiday delight that will leave you dead chuffed!
First United Methodist Church, 1200 South St., Castle Rock
3:00-4:30 p.m.
Admission: $5
Tuesday-Wednesday, December 12-13
GENTLEMEN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
Getting away with murder can be so much fun… and there’s no better proof than the knock-‘em-dead hit show that’s earned unanimous raves and won the 2014 Tony Award® for Best Musical—A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder! The musical tells the story of Monty, an heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by—you guessed it—eliminating the eight relatives who stand in his way. All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress, his fiancée and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance… and be done in time for tea. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder includes adult themes and mature content and is suitable for ages 13 and older.
Pikes Peak Center, 190 Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38-$88
Phone: 719-520-7649
Christmas is Coming to Crystal Valley
Christmas is coming to the master-planned community of Crystal Valley where homeowners are preparing for the most festive holiday celebration of the year! Stroll through the quaint storefronts of downtown Castle Rock and then stop in to check out new homes by D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes and Richmond American Homes — priced from the high $300s.
