Crystal Valley Blog

The festive Christmas Carriage Parade brings holiday spirit to Parker this weekend, with a new event in Festival Park for kids. The North Pole Pass gives kids access to a holiday adventure including ice skating, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, and of course, a chance to visit with Santa! Throughout the rest of the Castle Rock area, a number of concerts featuring seasonal music will have you singing along to your favorite Yuletide tunes. 

TODAY/TONIGHT, December 12

HOLIDAY CHAMBER MUSIC
It’s an elegant affair! The classical music series in the Highlands Ranch Mansion takes on a festive flavor with a holiday concert that’s sure to put you in the spirit of the season. Feel free to dress to the nines for this string quartet program that features holiday favorites. Enjoy an open house with a self-guided tour of the Mansion and a cocktail party with light appetizers.

Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E Gateway Dr., Highlands Ranch
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$30
Phone: 303-791-2500

A KANTOREI CHRISTMAS
You will be filled with Christmas spirit when you hear the stunning sounds of Denver’s top a cappella choir performing their program of holiday classics, including a delightful Appalachian suite by Malcolm Dalglish for choir and hammered dulcimer. 

This year’s performance marks the 10-year anniversary of the release of the group’s popular holiday album. Kantorei was formed 23 years ago, when six friends decided to create a choir capable of singing a broad range of a cappella music, and has grown into a group of more than 50 talented singers.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $28-$42
Phone: 720-509-1000

Thursday-Sunday, December 12-15

THE NUTCRACKER OF PARKER
Parker’s own dance school presents their version of the family holiday classic, performed to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. Join Clara on her magical journey with the Nutcracker Prince to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and a bunch of dancing toys. With costumes and set design as enchanting as the holidays themselves, The Nutcracker is sure to delight the entire family!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26-$32
Phone: 303-841-4500

THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE ON STAGE!
What a holiday treat! The beloved musical tells the story of a singing nun and the family who falls in love with her. This Rodgers and Hammerstein musical has been a family favorite for 60 years, and there’s nothing like seeing it live. 

The inspiring and dramatic true story takes place in Austria during the rise of Nazism, when an aspiring nun leaves her abbey to become the governess for the seven children of widowed Captain von Trapp. This is a wonderful production for families with school-age children, as well as teenagers and adults.

Fine Arts Center at CC, 30 West Dale St., Colorado Springs
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$50
Phone: 719-634-5581

Friday, December 13

CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES
Highlands Ranch classic matinee screening is a festive one this month! The original Miracle on 34th Street with Natalie Wood will be screened at the usual afternoon time slot. An assortment of classic candies and a signature cocktail will be available for purchase.

An additional holiday movie for all ages will screen in the evening: the hilarious Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. Ticket price includes movie and popcorn. Cocktails, beer, wine and candy available for purchase—you must be 21+ with ID for alcohol purchases.

Southridge Rec Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch
2:00 (Miracle on 34th Street) and 6:30 p.m. (Christmas Vacation)
Tickets: $5-$7 per show
Phone: 303-791-2500

REINDEER GAMES IN CASTLE ROCK!
Fun for the entire family—a winter wonderland including live reindeer, a visit from Santa, s’mores, and sleigh rides! Kid-friendly events include outdoor games and an obstacle course. Then everyone can enjoy a ride on the Winter Express train, starting at the Amphitheater entrance and winding along paved trails in Philip S. Miller Park. Dress warmly and bring your holiday spirit!

Philip S. Miller Park, The Millhouse, 1381 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 720-724-2083

MURDER MYSTERY HOLIDAY DINNER THEATRE
Combining two of the most entertaining themes—the holidays and a murder mystery—this dinner theatre event will make a great present for someone special, as well as you! 

The Most Wonderful Crime Of The Year is the story of a holiday comedy show that spirals out of control into—a murder! It will be up to the audience to unravel this whodunit mystery. Enjoy a delicious dinner while you compile clues, bribe fellow guests for information, and solve the crime before this comedy act becomes a tragedy!

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia 
7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $85
Phone: 303-688-5555

Friday-Sunday, December 13-15

SEUSSICAL JR.
The wonderful world of Dr. Seuss comes alive in this funny and magical musical performed by kids, for kids! The Cat in the Hat is your guide to this mash-up of all your favorite Dr. Seuss stories—you’ll see Horton the Elephant, a couple of fancy birds, the Whos from Whoville, and many other characters. You may even catch a glimpse of the Grinch—it is almost Christmas, after all! 

The Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker
Fri./Sat., 6:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Phone: 303-841-4500

Saturday, December 14

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Better than milk and cookies—this is a delicious French Toast breakfast with Santa! Enjoy a breakfast buffet with the Jolly Old Elf himself. Santa will listen to every child’s wishlist, and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to help make holiday crafts. Bring your own camera to capture a photo with Santa.

Eastridge Rec Center, 9568 University Blvd., Highlands Ranch
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Tickets: $11-$15
Phone: 303-791-2500

NORTH POLE PASS
This new holiday event in Parker coincides with the annual Carriage Parade—it’s an array of festive activities for kids ages 2-10 in Discovery Park. Kids can visit a petting zoo, ice skate, learn secrets of the North Pole from one of Santa’s elves, make some holiday crafts, take a milk-and-cookies break, and of course, visit with Santa!

At noon the Carriage Parade will make its way through Downtown Parker, and the sight of all those decorated horses and carriages will add to the holiday spirit!

Discovery Park, 20115 Mainstreet, Parker
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$23

HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
If you have a chocolate-lover in the family, there simply isn’t a better present than a visit to the Holiday Chocolate Festival in Colorado Springs! With over 100,000 chocolate samples, this delectable event is mouth-watering!  

In addition to the chocolate, there will be all-day entertainment, as well of fun activities for the kids like holiday crafts, face-painting, bounce houses, and a visit with Santa and his elves. Kids 12 and under are admitted for FREE! 

Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$50; Kids 12 and under are FREE
Phone: 303-347-8252

CHRISTMAS CARRIAGE PARADE
For a special old-fashioned Christmas, you can’t beat a horse-drawn carriage parade! The town of Parker invites you to experience the Christmas Carriage Parade, an annual downtown Parker tradition.

That holiday feeling  is in the air with this all-equestrian parade, made up of dozens of horse-drawn carriages, wagons, surreys and stagecoaches from across Colorado, all dressed up for the occasion.
Downtown Parker
12:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-805-3253

Sunday, December 15

CHRISTMAS JOY CONCERT
Come hear 150 voices singing the joys of Christmas! The First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs presents a wide variety of Christmas music for every age and taste. Musicians include the First Presbyterian choir, guest artist Alvy Powell, a full orchestra, a 17-piece Big Band, The Pikes Peak Ringers, Forté Handbell Quartet, The Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, and more!

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
2:00 and 4:30 p.m.
Tickets: $17-$27
Phone: 719-960-4725

Two Weeks to Christmas in Crystal Valley!

Castle Rock is a magical town, especially as Christmas approaches – and so close to the master-planned community of Crystal Valley! The area offers access to plenty of things to do every weekend, so get a gander at the model homes from Century Communities, D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes, and Richmond American Homes, and find out why our community is among the top five fastest-growing in the state with new homes priced from the $300s!