If you live in the Castle Rock master-planned community of Crystal Valley, there are more than a few Thanksgiving weekend things to do. You can take your pick of events where you can run, eat, watch or shop! Plus, a few miles north and south of Castle Rock, the options multiply!

TODAY/TONIGHT, Thanksgiving, November 24

TURKEY TROT AT THE FAIRGROUNDS
Burn some calories before the big meal at the 12th Annual Turkey ROCK Trot. Event coordinators expect the largest turnout ever with the new route that starts and ends at the DC Events Center. You’ll head through downtown Castle Rock with entertainment along the course from local bands and cheer teams giving you the motivation to ROCK the race!

Runners will be competing for prizes and cash giveaways, and the event Expo features over 24 vendors, face painting, a bounce house and other activities for the kids.

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Dr., Castle Rock
Opens: 8:00 a.m.; Race Starts: 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Phone: 303-907-5410
Cost: $45 on Race Day

MOONLIGHT MADNESS
The Outlets of Castle Rock are five minutes west of Crystal Valley, and stores there have once-a-year discounts and valuable giveaways this weekend! Deep discounts and valuable giveaways are accompanied by live entertainment, roving musicians, caricature artists, balloon sculptors, jugglers, photo booths, DJs and an LED dance floor! Enter to win Colorado stay-cations, a Tommy Hilfiger shopping spree and a freebie from Aqua Spas. On Friday morning there’s even a free pancake breakfast and the first 50 people to arrive will receive a free lift ticket to Loveland Ski Resort!

The Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
Doors open at 8:00 p.m.
Individual Store Hours May Vary

Thanksgiving Weekend 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

Thursday-Sunday, November 24-27

BABETTE’S KNOCKOUT OPERA
Local opera star Judeth Shay Comstock teams up with the outrageous Babette and funny man Jim Jackson for 10 action-packed rounds of operatic comedy. Virtuoso Dan Brink provides music on the baby grand piano and keeps things in order with a referee’s bell.

Millibo Art Theatre, 1626 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Phone: 719-465-6321
 Tickets: $18

Friday, November 25

THE DOWNTOWN DENVER GRAND ILLUMINATION
As part of its Winter in the City program, downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination event will light up the streets from Union Station to the City and County Building at Civic Center Park. At around 6:30 p.m., the City and County Building will be ablaze with brightly colored floodlights illuminating the historic structure in the heart of Lower Downtown and its lighted tree in front.

Denver Union Station to Civic Center Park, Denver
6:00 p.m.

Friday, November 25-Sunday, November 27

THE NUTCRACKER
The Oklahoma City Ballet joins the Colorado Springs Philharmonic at the Pikes Peak Center for Tchaikovsky’s holiday tradition with four performances over Thanksgiving weekend.

Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade St., Colorado Springs,
Fri./Sat., 7:00 p.m., Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
 Tickets: Start at $21

Friday, November 25-December 24

SANTA CLAUS IS IN TOWN!
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
Times Vary

Friday, November 25 through January 1

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

ICE SKATING IN CASTLE ROCK
How lucky are the residents of the master planned community of Crystal Valley that they have their own outdoor ice skating rink, 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
Holiday Hours
Admission: $6-$8, plus $3 skate rental (lockers $1.50)

Saturday, November 26,

SMALL BUSINESS HOLIDAY FAIR
Stop by the annual Small Business Holiday Fair and Artisan Show this weekend at the Fairgrounds, also minutes from Crystal Valley. The organizers have arranged a family-friendly event featuring a silent auction, free pictures with Santa, the work of local artisans, handmade crafters, small businesses and more! Be among the first 250 people and get a free swag bag full of goodies from vendors and local companies!

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Dr., Castle Rock
COST: Adults $3, Kids under 12, Free

BLUES IT UP
The Bluzinators have a unique blend of styles, including Jump Blues, Big Band Swing, and traditional blues that conjure up images of a 1940‘s Nightclub. We call it Swing Blues. They mix it up with tunes by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Tommy Castro, Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, Elvis and, of course, the Blues Brothers.
The Bluzinators’ four-piece horn section, rock solid rhythm section and versatile vocalists bring the swing-blues genre to life.

Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-805-6800
 TICKETS: $22-$27

Sunday, November 27

HANDBELL CONCERT
Ring in the Christmas season with the Pikes Peak Ringers, an auditioned community handbell choir in Colorado Springs, and their Christmas concert, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

The Pikes Peak Ringers group has been recognized as one of the premier handbell ensembles in North America and during the concert will perform many well-known carols of the season.

First Baptist Church, 317 E. Kiowa, Colorado Springs
3:00 p.m.

A Crystal Valley Thanksgiving
It’s a weekend to remember with so many things to do (and be thankful for!) in our master planned community in Castle Rock. If you’re out and about (except for Thanksgiving Day!) drop by and let us show you the new home models and plans by Richmond American Homes in Crystal Valley. Both ranch and two-story models are priced from the $300s.