Crystal Valley Blog

There are plenty of things for the kids and family to do in the Castle Rock vicinity this weekend. From story times (both in nature and online) to hanging out with barnyard animals to sculpting movie characters, the kids will have a blast! And families can enjoy a variety of drive-in movies and concerts—all safely outdoors!

TODAY/TONIGHT, July 16

STORYTIME IN NATURE
Combine storytelling and nature in this great family activity—sign up kids ages 3-6 and attend the event with them to participate and facilitate safe physical distancing. There will also be barnyard animals to meet and an exploration activity in this one-hour program. COVID-19 precautions will be in place with a lower number of attendees and a requirement to wear face masks.

HRCA Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Register: $7-$8
Phone: 303-791-2500

TUNES FOR TRAILS FREE CONCERT
The fun FREE outdoor concert series everyone’s been waiting for! This week, come out to the Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park for a live concert by That Eighties Band. The whole family will love taking a trip back in time to more carefree days and more danceable tunes! Food and drink will be available for purchase. Attendance will be limited and social distancing guidelines will be in place, so come early! Per current health guidelines, face coverings are recommended.

Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE

WILLY WONKA AT THE DRIVE-IN
The original movie based on the classic children’s book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this 1971 classic first brought to life the mysterious Willie Wonka. Bring the entire family to the Pop-Up Drive-In movie theatre to watch Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory!

Cinema Pop-Ups, Brookfield Park Meadows, 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree
9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25/vehicle

Thursday-Friday, July 16-17

VIRTUAL STORYTIME
If you still feel safer staying home, your pre-K kids can tune in for a favorite story and related activities, brought to you online by the Douglas County Libraries. Help your kids get a head start on the skills they need to be ready to read. Kids will do the same five simple activities this series has always emphasized—reading, talking, writing, singing and playing—only online!

Douglas County Libraries Online
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. via Zoom
Cost: FREE

Thursday-Saturday, July 16-18

HANG OUT WITH GOATS
Meet the amazing Backcountry Wilderness Area animals “in person” when you register your group of up to six people for this fun and unique outing. You’ll get to hang out with all the goats (Burt, Lola, Fred, Ginger, and Big Mama) as well as the chickens. There’s also a good chance that Thor the donkey might meander over.

Register at least ONE adult per group of up to 6 people. This program is limited to two registrations up to 12 total people per session. A variety of sessions are offered through the summer; visit the website to see all dates.

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Register: $20 for up to 6 people

Friday, July 17

FAMILY FITNESS FRIDAYS
Workout in the safest place there is—the great outdoors! Castle Rock’s Fitness Division has brought back its popular Family Fitness Series at the Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park.

You’ll get acquainted with all the new exercise formats like Tabata, Dance & Sculpt, HIIT, and more. Each week a new exercise format will be featured. Classes are FREE and open to all fitness levels and age groups—bring the entire family! Pre-registration is required to ensure capacity allows for social distancing.

Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Registration: FREE

SCULPT A MOVIE CHARACTER
This fun hands-on art workshop for kids ages 5-12 gives them the instruction and materials they need to create miniatures of their favorite movie characters. They will draw, sculpt, and paint characters like Princess Poppy from Trolls, Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon, and many more!

Kidcreate Studio Parker, 19539 Hess Rd., Unit 103, Parker
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Register: $40

SINATRA TRIBUTE SHOW
Start spreading the news…the best Sinatra Sensation, Derek Evilsizor, is back with his truly uncanny impersonation of a young Frank Sinatra in this dazzling show.

Dress to the nines and bring your own Rat Pack to this Vegas-inspired show inside Cherokee Castle. Hearty appetizers will be served to each table, and there will be a cash bar for drinks.

Cherokee Ranch and Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia 
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $75
Phone: 303-688-5555

BAD CANDY LIVE SHOW
PACE Center’s Drive-In Event this week features the best acoustic cover band in the area! Bad Candy is three guitar players and a drummer, great harmonies, and a smoking repertoire of classic rock, bluegrass, country, blues, and R&B covers. They play songs from the Eagles, Beatles, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, and more. Best of all, you can watch them sing right outside your car, with the sound coming through your FM radio!

PACE Center Parking Lot, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 per vehicle
Phone: 303-805-6800

HARRY POTTER AT THE DRIVE-IN
In case you don’t know the story—this is where it all began! Harry Potter was a boy who lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle’s house until he discovered he’s actually a wizard, and he gets to go to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Bring the family to the Drive-In to find out the rest of the story!

Cinema Pop-Ups, Brookfield Park Meadows, 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree
9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25/vehicle

Saturday, July 18

CASTLE ROCK WINE-FEST
It’s that time of the summer—spending a magical day in the park, strolling through booths of more than two dozen wineries and over 180 varietals of the finest Colorado wine. The Castle Rock WineFest is the area’s premiere wine tasting and education event.

In addition to the tastings, there will be live music and unique artisan vendors on site. Activities including an exciting Grape Stomp may work up an appetite, so there will be food trucks on hand, too! Don’t love wine? Visit the Beer Garden where you can purchase a cold craft beer local to Castle Rock! Adults only—no kids or pets.

Butterfield Park, 3952 Butterfield Crossing Dr., Castle Rock
2:00-8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $39-$59

THE GOONIES AT THE DRIVE-IN
This memorable kids’ summer film from the 1980s will delight your kids and give you a dose of nostalgia.

The Goonies is about an adorable gang of misfit kids who undertake an adventure that involves a pirate treasure map, secret caves, and saving their neighborhood.

Cinema Pop-Ups, Brookfield Park Meadows, 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree
9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25/vehicle

Sunday, July 19

FARMER’S MARKET IN THE PARK
Head over to Castle Rock’s Farmer’s Market, where you can peruse and purchase the best in local fresh produce and homemade goodies! Local venders and small businesses will be offering their goods at a safer “social distance.” You can even shop from your home, call in your order, and pick it up the day of the market.

Festival Park, 300 2nd St., Castle Rock
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE

GOSSAMER WOODWIND BRUNCH
It’s a glorious musical morning at Cherokee Castle! Be one of a smaller audience of only 65 people in the Great Hall when Lone Tree Symphony’s Gossamer Winds performs their delightful concert. A sweet and savory brunch is part of this tasteful morning, and you also get to tour the magnificent castle.

Ages 6 and over are welcome for this cultural event. 

Cherokee Ranch and Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
8:45 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Tickets: $60
Phone: 303-688-5555

YOGA IN THE PARK
Whether you are a yoga master or just beginning, there’s nothing like practicing outdoors! Being outside deepens the yoga experience in many ways and helps you to focus awareness, breathe deeply, and practice stillness. 

You can join Inner Connections Yoga every Sunday morning at the Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park to find deeper meaning in your yoga workout. Pre-registration is required to limit the number of attendees and social distancing will be followed. Adults ages 18+ only.

Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Register: FREE 

LADIES BREW RUN
This one’s for you, ladies! As part of Women’s Health Month, the Rocky Mountain Brew Runs brings you this 5K race in order to empower and celebrate the strong, independent women in our community.

The run takes place along the Mary Carter Greenway Trail, and afterwards you can enjoy a Breckenridge brew, RMBR swag, a car sticker, and giveaways! Sign up for a specific wave—slots are available every half hour until capacity is reached.

Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Ln., Littleton
12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Register: $35-$40

HAPPY FEET AT THE DRIVE-IN
In the process of growing up, every young penguin finds his or her personal song—except for Mumble, who follows his own path. In addition to discovering that he’s a dancer, not a singer, he also goes on the hero’s journey to help to save the world. One of the best movies you can see at the drive-in! 

Cinema Pop-Ups, Brookfield Park Meadows, 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree
9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25/vehicle

No Shortage of Things to Do Near Crystal Valley!

There’s no shortage of things to do near the master-planned community of Crystal Valley! You can get back to nature and still have easy access to all your favorite activities in the Castle Rock area. With beautiful model homes from D.R. Horton, Century Communities, Kauffman Homes, and Richmond American Homes, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the $300s.