Christmas is Coming!
Christmas and Hanukkah are coming to the Crystal Valley master-planned community in Castle Rock, which is all abuzz with activities and attractions to see and try before the holidays. Sip some seasonal tea, enjoy cookies with Mrs. Claus, take in a play or musical, and look at lights, lights and more lights!
TODAY, Thursday-Saturday, December 15-17
HOLIDAY TEA
Make a memory this holiday season at one of the Cherokee Ranch annual Holiday Tea events, with dates throughout the month of December. The ranch serves up tea with all sorts of cakes and fruit, sandwiches and other sweet treats. These events fill up quickly (lots of dates have already sold out) so make your reservations in advance!
Cherokee Ranch, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
Thurs./Fri., 1:00 p.m.; Sat. 2:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-688-5555
Tickets: $50
Thursday-Sunday, December 15-18
SHREK: THE MUSICAL
Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animated film and book by William Steig, the most famous ogre of all time arrives for the holidays! This hilarious spectacle Shrek: The Musical follows this beloved, unlikely hero and his wisecracking, best friend Donkey, on the journey of a lifetime to rescue a feisty, headstrong princess.
Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Phone: 719-634-5583
Tickets: $20-$50
A GILBERT AND SULLIVAN CHRISTMAS
A Christmas Carol tells the story of the bitter old miser Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation into a gentler, kindlier man after visitations by the ghost of his former business partner and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.
Weaving delightful tunes from Arthur Sullivan seamlessly into Dickens’ classic tale, the result is a musical Christmas Carol that transports audiences to old London and delivers maximum Christmas spirit.
Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Fri./Sat., 7:00 p.m.; Sun. 2:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-805-6800
Tickets: $22-$27
THE NUTCRACKER
Colorado Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker remains the “gold standard” as the largest production of this holiday favorite in Colorado. This larger-than-life holiday tradition continues to be as popular as ever, with nearly all performance events sold out in 2015. Purchase your tickets early for this dreamy production that features lavish costumes, exuberant dancing, whimsical battles, hypnotizing snow flurries, sumptuous sets, majestic live music by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra and a little bit of magic. (PERFORMANCES ARE SELLING OUT!)
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1400 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs./Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.;
Tickets: $30-155
Thursday-Wednesday, December 15-21
ICE SKATING IN CASTLE ROCK
The residents of the master-planned community of Crystal Valley have their own outdoor ice-skating rink this winter, just minutes from their front door! The Rink at the Rock is a great place to strap on a pair of ice skates and glide around the groomed ice!
Rink at the Rock, 414 Perry St., Castle Rock
Admission: $6-$8, plus $3 skate rental (lockers $1.50)
Friday, December 16
COOKIES WITH MRS. CLAUS!
Join Santa’s wife for holiday story time plus cookies and milk in the Food Court at the Outlets mall!
The Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
2:00-3:00 p.m.
FREE
COOKIES AND CARDS
This family event is ideal for children of all ages! Kick off your winter break by listening to a story, crafting a holiday card or two, and decorating (and eating!) a cookie.
Lone Tree Library, Kids Corner, 10055 Library Way, Lone Tree
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-791-7323
Saturday, December 17
HOLIDAY CARRIAGE RIDES
Experience the magic of downtown Parker this holiday season with carriage and wagon rides! Two ride stations will be at O’Brien Park and Douglas County Libraries in Parker. Both are non-stop rides that travel through downtown before returning to the original destinations — approximately 15 to 20 minutes roundtrip.
Carriage and Wagon rides are free, but you need to reserve your tickets on ride day beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Carriage seats sell out the quickest, so opting for wagon rides may increase your chance of being able to reserve tickets.
O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Dr./DC Library, 20105 Mainstreet, Parker
4:30-8:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-805-3253
Saturday, December 17
AUGUSTANA ARTS GOSSAMER WINDS
Gossamer Winds’ repertoire features a classical woodwind quintet playing segments of “Pictures at an Exhibition – The Castle” and a variety of holiday favorites. The event includes a Castle mini-tour, a delectable dinner buffet, and a dessert reception with the artists.
Cherokee Ranch, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
6:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-688-5555
Tickets: $100
CASTLE ROCK WINTER EXPRESS
It’s a traditional story, Castle Rock style. Enjoy a short train ride through Festival Park, which will be transformed into a North Pole celebration with Santa. The event will also include food, vendors and live entertainment. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season with this Season of the Star Event Series favorite.
Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Phone: 720-724-2007
CINE-TALK SERIES: STAR WARS
Join Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver for a private screening of the new film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. After the screening, audience members will hear from current Rocky Mountain Fan Force members, insights only experts can conjure. The popular Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter, signed by members of the original cast, will be on display!
Regal Continental Stadium, 3635 S. Monaco Pkwy., Denver
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-360-5360
Tickets: Non-members $20 / Members $15
Sunday, December 18
CELTIC SUNDAY
Join us at the fireplace for the music of acclaimed Celtic fingerstyle guitarist Jerry Barlow. His repertoire is a synthesis of his own Celtic inspired compositions and the traditional music of the British Isles.
Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
1:00-3:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS WITH COLCANNON
Enjoy Colorado’s most renowned and robust Irish Band playing traditional and organic Celtic music that will have your toes tapping and hands clapping. With a lavish buffet dinner, dessert reception and Castle tours under the glow of Holiday decor, Cherokee Castle couldn’t be more welcoming.
Cherokee Ranch, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
6:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-688-5555
Tickets: $80
VERONIKA STRING QUARTET
The award-winning classical quartet continues its impressive residency at the Fine Arts Center. Four concerts over the course of the season feature some of the finest performers in the Pikes Peak region.
Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs
2:00 p.m.
COST: $20
Tuesday, December 20
A KANTOREI CHRISTMAS
Kantorei, or singers, formed in 1997 when six friends decided to form a choir and sing a broad range of a cappella choral music. Now in its 20th full season of performing, the group has expanded into an auditioned ensemble.
Join Kantorei for a special performance of holiday favorites, including a sing-along with selections submitted by YOU! Send your favorite Christmas carol to KANTOREI@KANTOREI.ORG for consideration.
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
7:30 p.m.
Phone: 720-509-1000
Tickets: $45
CLARA’S DREAM
A twist on the traditional, Clara’s Dream is an all-student danced performance takeoff on The Nutcracker. All the dancers, from tiny 3-year-olds up to 10-year-olds, will be taking the stage and performing a rendition of the classic holiday favorite.
Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-805-6800
Tickets: $12.50-$14.50
Now through Christmas Eve
PICTURES WITH SANTA CLAUS
Santa will be at The Outlets of Castle Rock from now until Christmas Eve! Close enough to Crystal Valley to pop over with the littles and their wish lists for a photo op with jolly old St. Nick.
The Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
Now through January 1
TRAIL OF LIGHTS
This annual, rustic holiday lights extravaganza includes past favorites as well as new lighting elements. This year enjoy a longer trail with more lights, Farmer Brown and animal light sculptures at the Green Farm Barn, the Magical Enchanted Forest, grand insect light sculptures at the Lavender Garden, and Craft Nights. Plus, you still can enjoy the illuminated antique and model tractors, synchronized music in children’s play area, warming hut and fire pit, holiday light-up sticks and HoloSpex glasses, and hot drinks and tasty treats.
Botanic Gardens/Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd.,
Littleton
5:30-9:00 p.m.
720-865-4336
Tickets: $2-$11
BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT
Embrace the holiday season at Blossoms of Light. With over one million colorful lights draped in elegant designs highlighting the Gardens’ winter beauty, enjoy sparkling passages, new displays and romantic kissing spots under the mistletoe, all made more beautiful through HoloSpex glasses. Warm drinks and tasty treats will also be available.
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
5:30-9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$13
Now through January 8, 2017
MERRY GRINCHMAS!
Come and look at this salute to the cartoon’s 50th anniversary in one of the most significant collections of original hand-drawn Grinch animation cells and related artworks in America, on loan from private collectors. Don’t miss this nostalgic look at the origins of the family favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas, produced by Cat in the Hat Productions and MGM Studios. This short film brought Theodore Geisel’s (Dr. Seuss!) beloved book to life and is now widely regarded as a holiday classic. (You can rent it this holiday season from Netflix and Amazon!)
Fine Arts Center Museum, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Admission: $15, Children under 12, free
Phone: 719-634-5583
Now Through April 2, 2017
STAR WARS™ COSTUMES EXHIBIT!
If you’re a Star Wars™ fan, take a unique journey into the Star Wars™ universe as characters are brought to life through a dramatic presentation of more than 60 original costumes. Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume will closely examine the process of costume designing the iconic outfits featured in all seven films of the Star Wars™ series.
Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Avenue Pkwy, Denver
Tours begin every 15 minutes
TICKETS: Non-Members $5-$28
A Crystal Valley Christmas
Bundle up and get your holiday on, and while you’re out and about, drop by the master-planned community of Crystal Valley in Castle Rock! The new homes by Richmond American Homes are available in ranch and two-story models and are priced from the $300s.
