Crystal Valley Blog

It’s one of the most memorable weekends in Castle Rock—since 1936, the Saturday before Thanksgiving has been the day when the entire community celebrates the Lighting of the Star! This year is no exception, though to have smaller groups gather for the celebration, there will be three viewing locations. You can also stream the event live from your home!

TODAY/TONIGHT – Thursday, November 19

VIRTUAL DISCUSSION ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY
If you’re looking to hone your photography skills or just learn more about how professional photographers take such gorgeous pictures, check out this FREE virtual discussion with photographer Steve Sorensen.

This interactive Zoom session will give you a chance to see the virtual gallery of the Photo Show that was on the walls for the last few months at the Lone Tree Arts Center. 

Lone Tree Arts Center Online
1:30 p.m.
Register: FREE

VIRTUAL WINE TASTING
Start tasting and learning about the best wines to pair with holiday meals in this FREE virtual wine tasting: Wines for the Holidays! Don’t forget to pick up the wines that will be sampled from the shopping list. Share some social time online and get in the holiday spirit!

HRCA on Zoom
6:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-471-8898

Thursday – Sunday, November 19-22

FORMAL HOLIDAY TEA
Treat yourself and the family to a very special holiday event—a Holiday Tea in a castle that has decked its halls! This is an occasion to dress up and eat fancy finger foods, including scones with clotted cream and jam. The gathering will be held in the Grand Hall, followed by a tour of the castle.

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
1:30 p.m. 
Tickets: $58
Phone: 303-688-5555

MILE-HIGH HOLIDAY MART ONLINE
Open now through December 31, the Junior League of Denver’s popular Holiday Mart is virtual this year. Everyone loves this market because of the great quality of the products they’ve curated, and all of that same care has gone into making your online shopping experience just as special.

This event also benefits the JLD, with proceeds supporting their efforts to empower women to become civic leaders, as well as community efforts around early childhood literacy. Local businesses are featured in this market!

JLD Online
Information: FREE

Friday, November 20

CREATE THANKSGIVING DINNERWARE
What a great craft idea for the whole family—create customized dinnerware and serving dishes for your Thanksgiving and holiday tables! This FREE online craft workshop will show you how to use dishwasher-safe Mod Podge® to decoupage your dinnerware. Don’t forget to shop for the supplies before the class so you can work along with the facilitators during the online workshop!

Michael’s Online
11:00 a.m.
Register: FREE

Friday-Sunday, November 20-22

PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Seems like everyone is ready to get a head start on the holiday season this year—if you want to get your child’s photo with Santa taken early to include with Christmas cards, head out to Park Meadows for a package of professional pictures. Reservations are required and your child may need to be social distanced from Santa and/or wear a mask based on current state regulations.

Park Meadows Shopping Center, 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree
Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Register: Packages starting at $39.99
Phone: 303-792-2533

Saturday, November 21

WWII RECORDS AND RESEARCH
This very special online class of genealogical research focuses on those from the “Greatest Generation.” You’ll learn how to research WWII records to find more information about family members who served during WWII. If you have heard family stories about past generations and want to honor their legacy, this is a great opportunity to do so!

Castle Rock Colorado Genealogical Society Online
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Register: FREE

STAR LIGHTING CELEBRATION
Castle Rock has been celebrating the Lighting of the Star event for over 80 years! Although 2020 will look different, this is one tradition that will carry on and bring joy even in these difficult times. Instead of the festival downtown, there will be three viewing locations and live streaming—as well as plans for a fireworks display!

The outdoor viewing locations will allow for smaller groups to gather and spread out, with hot chocolate/adult beverage booths, food trucks, non-profit booths, and live entertainment at each location! Capacity will be limited and registration is required. If you can’t attend one of the live celebrations, you can still participate in the festivities online at home—complete with a Starlighting Take Home Kit, including the 2020 Starlighting ornament, Starlighting candles, two mugs, and hot chocolate mix!  

Castle Rock Adventist Hospital or Douglas County Fairgrounds or Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater, Castle Rock
2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Register: FREE to $25

Sunday, November 22

FINAL FARMERS MARKET
Hard to believe there is still a Farmers’ Market open—and just in time to get the best produce and homemade goodies for Thanksgiving! Bring plenty of shopping bags, your mask, and be sure to bundle up to browse the booths of local vendors, crafters and farmers!

Town Center South, 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS WITH SANTA
These beautiful portraits of your child with Santa include the sitting fee, one edited image, and unlimited downloads of that image. While children will not be able to sit on Santa’s lap due to the pandemic, the composition of the photo will be artfully arranged. This is also a benefit for the Cherry Creek Valley Rotary Club of Parker! Masks are required and temperatures will be taken before entering the activity.

Parker Petit + Co, 19555 Mainstreet A, Parker
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Register: $20
Phone: 720-296-6191

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER SHOW
While everyone is getting ready for turkey dinner, try something different with an authentic Italian dinner—and Murder Mystery Show! The catered meal is the backdrop to an old-time Mafia murder case, which you will help crack. Find and decode the clues to solve the murder of the late Guido Pataducé!

The Studio at Mainstreet, 19604 Mainstreet, Parker
6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30

Star Lighting and More, Near Crystal Valley!

The Star Lighting ceremony is a sure sign the holidays are coming to town! And even in 2020, there’s no shortage of things to do near the master-planned community of Crystal Valley! You can get back to nature on miles of trails and paths, or head inside to live stream events. 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.