Crystal Valley Blog

So many things to do in the backcountry and beyond! Several backcountry events—including hikes, yoga, movies, and even a kids night out—will have the whole family appreciating nature. And local outdoor concert series are making a comeback, as well as community theatre productions—live and in-person!

TODAY/TONIGHT, June 24

WELLNESS WALK
Make an early morning hike in the backcountry a new weekly habit! Join a naturalist guide along with friends and neighbors on a Wellness Walk that will improve your mind and spirit as well as your body. The hike is FREE but advanced registration is required. 

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
7:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Register: FREE

OUTDOOR STORY TIME
Your preschool kids will love this time outdoors, listening to stories just for them! And you’ll love seeing the looks on their faces as they are absorbed in make-believe.

The event is FREE, but everyone attending (including parents) needs to register in advance.

Lone Tree Library Front Lawn, 10055 Library Way, Lone Tree
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Register: FREE
Phone: 303-764-3314

VIRTUAL TRIP TO NATIONAL PARKS
Are you ready to start planning your next road trip? You won’t want to miss this virtual presentation about National Parks and Monuments as you draw up your list of destinations! This FREE Zoom program will take you from the Atlantic to the Pacific, stopping to see sights like dormant volcanoes and ancient lava flows, colorful petrified tree trunks, vast crystalline sand dunes and perfectly preserved petroglyphs. Sign up in advance to get your Zoom link!

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

KIDS NIGHT OUT ON THE FARM
For a backcountry Kids Night Out, you can’t beat this unique offering! Kids ages 7-10 will enjoy an evening on the farm, getting to know the barnyard goats, chickens, and donkey. After tucking the farm animals in for the night, there will be time for a sunset hike to explore the Backcountry Wilderness Area and play games in the woods. Pack a picnic dinner for your kids—there will even be a campfire with s’mores! 

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Register: $28-$32
Phone: 303-471-7076

MUSIC IN THE MEADOWS
Castle Rock’s free outdoor concert series, Music in the Meadows, is back! Tonight’s concert by Titonic will have you up and groovin’! This local favorite Funk/Soul/R&B band with a horn section will be playing hits by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Tower of Power. Great fun for the whole family!

Butterfield Park, 3900 Butterfield Crossing, Castle Rock
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Information: FREE

WALL-E SCREENS OUTDOORS
Pack up a picnic dinner and some blankets, and bring the whole family to enjoy a movie under the stars. Come early to find a good spot on the grass and enjoy music before the movie starts at 8:30. Tonight’s feature is the sad and sweet animated robot movie Wall-E. Register in advance for this event.

Civic Green Park, 9370 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Register: FREE

Thursday-Sunday, June 24-27

TREAT YOURSELF TO SEUSSICAL
This delightful musical based on the characters in your favorite Dr. Seuss books is even sweeter with its young cast. Seussical Jr. follows the challenge of Horton the Elephant to protect the tiny Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers while also taking care of an abandoned egg. Narrated by the irrepressible Cat in the Hat, and full of whimsical songs and costumes, Seussical will be a hit with your family!

The Schoolhouse, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker
Thurs./Fri., 7:00 p.m.; Sat., 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Tickets (Cast A)/(Cast B): $15
Phone: 303-805-6800

TIM DILLON ALL WEEKEND!
The outrageously funny Tim Dillon is in town for four nights of laughter! Dillon has been winning “best of” comedian awards for the past five years at festivals including he Montreal Comedy Festival and Carolines NY Comedy Festival, as well as being featured as one of the top ten comics you need to know by Rolling Stone magazine.

Dillon’s known for his Real NY Tour which takes the audience on a double decker bus through Manhattan. In 2018, he premiered a Comedy Central Half Hour and a Netflix Quarter hour, and he’s also appeared on Fusion’s Chris Gethard Show, Gotham Comedy Live on AXS-TV, Fox’s Red Eye, TruTV’s Comedy Knockout, and more.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 and 9:43 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.; Sun., 5:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35
Phone: 720-274-6800

Friday, June 25

OUTDOOR FITNESS CLASS
For a workout that’s as much fun as it is good for you, don’t miss this FREE Zumba class in the park! No experience is required—this class is available to all ages and levels. Move to invigorating salsa beats as you dance your way to fitness! Advanced registration is required.

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

Phone: 303-814-7453
PARKER WINE WALK
It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to take a leisurely wine walk, but Parker is bringing back this favorite past time! Enjoy wine tasting and a festive summer atmosphere in Old Town Parker, where everything is open again!

Your ticket entitles you to 10 one-ounce tastes, a wine glass to keep, and a wine walk map.

Downtown Parker, Mainstreet & Pikes Peak Dr., Parker
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20 – $25
CULTURE ON THE GREEN
The popular cultural series that brings professional performances to Highlands Ranch is back! You’ll enjoy FREE entertainment in beautiful Civic Green Park, where you can pack a picnic and hang out with friends and family as you enjoy the show.

This week’s performance is by the Michael Friedman Band, a favorite of music lovers from across the state. Playing a unique blend of R&B, funk, and jazz, they are also talented songwriters and perform their own material! Admission is FREE, but you must pre-register.

Civic Green Park, 9370 Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Register: FREE

Friday-Saturday, June 25-26

DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHTS
Castle Rock is continuing the popular drive-in movie nights from the darker days of the pandemic—this is one of those silver linings everyone’s talking about! On the last weekend of every month, a Friday night and Saturday night movie will be screened. Food will be available for purchase from local food trucks.

This weekend, Friday’s movie is the G-rated Cars, Disney’s animated classic that’s great fun for the whole family. On Saturday, the movie is Talladega Nights, Will Ferrell’s hilarious portrayal of race-car driver Ricky Bobby. The movies are FREE but advanced registration is required.

Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
8:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Registration: FREE

Phone: 720-724-2010
MOVIES IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
Another fun way to see a drive-in movie is to combine it with a trip to the backcountry! Arrive early and enjoy a walk around the wilderness area before the movie begins at 8:30. Friday’s flick is the animated tale of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, and Saturday night’s movie is the live-action Jungle Book. Bring your own snacks or treat yourself to some of the yummy bites from one of the food trucks on site. Make sure you register in advance!

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
Gates open 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $25/car
Phone: 303-471-7076

Friday-Sunday, June 25-27

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS LIVE
You can see the Broadway version of the smash sci-fi musical, Little Shop of Horrors, live and in-person in Parker! The wacky and wonderfully devious story of a carnivorous plant that takes over the life of a meek floral assistant is filled with humor and a fantastic score. Now that you are able to go to the theatre and see live productions, don’t miss out! Everyone else will want to see them, too!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $34
Phone: 303-805-6800

Saturday, June 26

BACKCOUNTRY YOGA 
For an invigorating twist on your yoga practice—or a great introduction to yoga if you’re a newbie—head out to the backcountry! All you need to bring is your mat and some water and then meet up at Backcountry Base Camp where the group will take a short hike to find an ideal yoga spot. The one-hour session is taught by an HRCA fitness instructor and is designed for both new and seasoned yoga lovers alike. Make sure to register in advance! 

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Register: $12-$15
Phone: 303-471-7076

AUDUBON BIRD WALK
Take a walk with an Audubon Master Birder from the Front Range Birding Company to get an inside look at the life of birds! You’ll learn birding techniques, identification tips, and much more! Whether you are new to birding or an experienced birder, there is always something exciting to see through your binoculars! Register early since participation is limited.

Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
8:00 a.m.
Register: $12
Phone: 303-797-8565

GOAT PICNIC HIKE
This activity is a favorite of “kids” of all ages! Pack a picnic lunch for your family and head out to the backcountry where you’ll enjoy the company of the resident goats at the Backcountry Wilderness Area. After lunch, the group will take a short hike to explore the flora and fauna of the area.

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Register: $7-$10

Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27

PLEIN AIR PAINTING SHOW
The craft of Plein Air painting puts artists out in the natural landscape to create their works in the open air. This weekend, a special exhibit will display the work of 25 artists from around the country who have spent the past week on beautiful Douglas County conserved lands that cannot be viewed by the public on a regular basis. 

At the art show, you’ll have the rare opportunity to view these landscapes as the painters captured them and even have a chance to purchase and take home any painting that has captured your heart!

White Pavilion, 414 Perry St., Castle Rock
Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-688-8025

Sunday, June 27

YOGA IN THE PARK
Another opportunity for outdoor yoga closer to home! This relaxing open-air session is open to yoga practicers of all levels, and it’s FREE! Treat yourself to the joys of yoga out in nature.

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

FESTIVAL FARMERS’ MARKET
It’s beginning to look like summer at the Farmers’ Market! Fresh produce from five local farms and fruits from the Western Slope are rolling in, as well as locally-raised meats, farm-fresh eggs, fresh-baked goodies, and all kinds of artisan-made products. Bring the family to help choose ingredients for dinner!

Festival Park, 300 2nd St., Castle Rock
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

Fitness, Parks, Trails and More, in Crystal Valley!

Enjoy life in Castle Rock within minutes from the master-planned community of Crystal Valley – where nature is around every corner of the neighborhood! Looking for a new home you can add your signature style to? Check out the beautiful model homes from Kauffman Homes, Richmond American Homes, D.R. Horton, and Century Communities, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the $300s.