December in Castle Rock!
Crystal Valley, a master-planned community in Castle Rock, is near all kinds of events and happenings this month and every month! Just look at what’s in store this weekend from Breakfast with Santa, to holiday musicals and once-a-year seasonal performances. Plan your weekend, now! (And keep in mind, ongoing events are selling out quickly!)
TODAY/TONIGHT, December 1
HOLIDAY TEA
Make a memory this holiday season at one of the Cherokee Ranch annual Holiday Teas, 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, Sedalia, CO
1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $50
Thursday-Sunday, December 1-4
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
Friday, December 2
POTLUCK DANCE PARTY
It’s a night of food plus ballroom, salsa, swing and tango dancing to DJ-spun music. Bring-to-share refreshments and beverages and learn some new moves!
Adventures in Dance, 1500 W. Littleton Blvd. #207, Littleton
8:00-9:30 p.m.
Phone: 720-276-0562
COST: $5 per person w/drinks and snacks; $10 without
Now through January 8, 2017
MERRY GRINCHMAS!
Come and take a 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
Now through Christmas Eve
SANTA CLAUS PHOTO OPS
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, December 2
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
The folks at The Outlets at Castle Rock are flipping some flapjacks for kids and Santa tomorrow morning. There will be entertainment and plenty of pancakes!
The Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Phone: 303-688-4495
Friday-Sunday, December 2-4
ICE SKATING IN CASTLE ROCK
The residents of the master-planned community of Crystal Valley 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 Wednesday through Sunday!
Rink at the Rock, 414 Perry St., Castle Rock
Open Skate Hours
Admission: $6-$8, plus $3 skate rental (lockers $1.50)
CLASSIC PARKER HOLIDAY
Get into the spirit of the season as the Parker Chorale teams up with the Parker Symphony Orchestra for an evening of traditional carols, familiar holiday songs and a few surprises in this annual musical celebration.
Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 2:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-805-6800
Tickets: $22-$27
Friday, December 2 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
Saturday-Sunday, December 3-4
YOUNG SHERLOCK
Before he was the famous super sleuth, Sherlock Holmes was a student at the Butterworth Academy. When two girls are kidnapped from the school, young John Watson hopes his friend and classmate will be able to solve his first crime. Sherlock sets a trap to snare the criminal, launching his career as the world-famous detective. Catch one of four performances of this weekend KIDSTAGE production.
Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Sat., 1:00 & 3:00 p.m.; Sun. 2:00 & 5:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-805-6800
General Admission Tickets: $7
Sunday, December 4
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 performances 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 QUICKLY!)
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1400 Curtis St., Denver
Sat., 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $30-155
THE NUTCRACKER EXPERIENCE
Presented by the Dual Star Academy of Dance, this traveling performance is fun and informative for all ages. The Nutcracker ballet has enjoyed enormous popularity since the late 1960s and is now performed by countless ballet companies during the holiday season.
The Lone Tree Library, Event Hall, 10055 Library Way, Lone Tree
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Registration
Phone: 303-701-7323
Monday, December 5
ART STOP ON THE GO!
Calling all budding artists! Time to cultivate your inner Picasso with direction from the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art folks who will present a book for kids to enjoy, then lead them in a literature-based art project. Registration required. Ages 6-12.
Castle Pines Library, Event Hall, 360 Village Square Ln., Castle Pines
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-791-7323
Registration
Tuesday, December 6
SOUNDS OF THE SEASON
The Sweet Adelines International Competing Chorus of 140 women singers present their holiday show. With several quartet performances and many favorite Christmas and holiday songs, the chorus members will share personal holiday stories to celebrate the season. You can even do some holiday shopping at the annual silent auction.
Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-805-6800
Tickets: $25
Celebrate the Season in Crystal Valley
Our master-planned community in Castle Rock offers neighborhood activities and amenities and tracks nearby seasonal events. Drop by our sales offices to view new home designs from the Richmond American Homes collections. With both ranch and two-story models, new homes in Crystal Valley are priced from the $300s.
