Family-Friendly Holiday Events This Weekend!
There’s a ton of fun in the Castle Rock vicinity when it comes to family holiday events! The Nutcracker of Parker is back, as well as the Douglas County Holiday Craft Show. You can even find out exactly what Reindeer Games are about!
TODAY/TONIGHT, December 9
WINTER WELLNESS WALK
Whatever the weather, enjoy the great outdoors with a healthy walk in the reserved part of the Backcountry Wilderness Area. Bring along a cup of coffee and your binoculars, and join a naturalist for a relaxed, guided excursion. This event is FREE, but registration is required. Babies or small toddlers in a hiking carrier are welcome.
Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Register: FREE
KANTOREI CHRISTMAS
Returning for their popular holiday concert, the Kantorei are thrilled to be back performing their unique Christmas program. More than 20 years ago, six friends decided to form a choir capable of singing a broad range of a cappella choral music, and that group evolved into an auditioned ensemble of more than 50 volunteer singers, putting on an inspiring holiday concert!
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $28 – $42
Phone: 720-509-1000
Thursday-Saturday, December 9-11
MASTER IMPRESSIONIST
In his two-year stint at SNL, Dean Edwards gained recognition for his multitude of remarkable celebrity impressions including Denzel Washington, Dave Chappelle, Jay-Z, Mo’Nique, Chris Rock, 50 Cent, and Eddie Murphy. Recently, Edwards showcased his amazing talents in his first comedy special, Netflix’s Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready, Season 2.
He’s appeared in a number of studio and independent films, including Top Five, Spiderman 3, Tony ’n’ Tina’s Wedding, and Write It Black.
Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:15 and 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$28
Phone: 720-274-6800
Thursday-Sunday, December 9-12
RINK AT THE ROCK
Lace up your feet in a pair of skates and then get on the ice and dream of Olympic glory! Or you can just hang out with friends and family, enjoying the music and social atmosphere of the best winter activity there is!
Rink at the Rock, 414 Perry St, Castle Rock
Thurs./Fri., 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8-$10
THE NUTCRACKER OF PARKER
It’s the traditional story and music that you love combined with young talented dancers who are performing the beloved show for the first time! Douglas County’s premier dance school, the Colorado School of Dance, welcomes the entire family to this production of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic. Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and a magical Nutcracker will mesmerize children of all ages, as well as adults, in this fanciful story of Christmas past.
PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26
Phone: 303-805-6800
CONTEMPORARY CINDERELLA
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical version of the classic story of Cinderella is filled with familiar and beloved songs, including In My Own Little Corner, Impossible/It’s Possible and Ten Minutes Ago. The updated playbook offers a contemporary take on the story, interjected with plenty of warmth and humor.
Fine Arts Center at CC, 30 West Dale St., Colorado Springs
Thurs./Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 5:00 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$50
Phone: 719-634-5581
Friday, December 10
REINDEER GAMES
Did you ever wonder—what exactly are reindeer games? Find out at this family-friendly winter festival featuring fun activities in a winter-themed wonderland! You’ll get to meet real live reindeer, enjoy s’mores and hot chocolate, take a sleigh ride, and participate in outdoor games and an obstacle course.
Rumor has it that Santa may even make an appearance!
Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 720-724-2083
HOLIDAY WINE SOIREE
Do you have a favorite wine that you’re sure would win prizes if it was entered in a contest? Bring it to the 7th annual Holiday Wine Soiree and see how it stands up in blind tastings of various wines with prizes for various categories. Best of all, YOU get to taste all the wines entered and help judge! Will your wine win? The only way to find out is to pre-register and then join this festive event! For adults only.
The Grange, 3692 Meadows Blvd., Castle Rock
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10 + a 750 ml bottle of wine
Friday-Sunday, December 10-12
GARDENS’ CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Stroll through groves of dancing Christmas trees, meet some giant snowmen, venture into the holiday light tunnel, and wave at some glowing reindeer. Hudson Gardens’ spectacular display of Christmas lights provides all this and more!
Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$15
Phone: 303-797-8565
Saturday, December 11
STORYTELLERS AND S’MORES
Gather ‘round Santa as he reads some holiday favorites from the giant Storytellers’ Chair in Festival Park! Enjoy roasting marshmallows and making s’mores as the whole family takes part in this old-fashioned community event. Afterwards, you can jump on the Castle Rock trolley for a short ride to enjoy the beautiful lights of Downtown.
Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 720-724-2010
Saturday-Sunday, December 11-12
HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW AND MINI-MARKET
It’s not too late to shop at a holiday craft show for unique and hand-crafted gifts! This mini-market is comprised of almost 100 vendors with one-of-a-kind gifts, decorations, and health supplies. Hourly raffles will be held throughout each day!
Douglas County Events Center, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
Sat., 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Sun., 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
HOLIDAYS THROUGH THE AGES
Chamber music is a beautiful and inspiring way to learn about how holiday music has transformed through the ages: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern. The Chamber Music Society of Greater Denver will perform a program featuring small group arrangements of classic and contemporary Christmas music, as well as the Colorado premiere of Benedetto Marcello’s variations on Hebrew prayers, psalms and Hanukah melodies.
Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch
Sat., 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20
Sunday, December 12
SANTA’S MILK AND COOKIES
Kids ages 1-11 will be thrilled to share some milk and cookies with Santa! There will also be holiday crafts, some light refreshments, and more. If you’d like to get a photo of your child sitting on Santa’s lap, bring your camera. Pre-registration is required.
Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E. Plaza Dr., Parker
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
Register: $15-$18
Phone: 303-805-6300
The Christmas Spirit is Everywhere in Crystal Valley!
From holiday decor and lights, to activities and festivities nearby, it’s easy to enjoy Christmas in the air around the master-planned community of Crystal Valley. Enjoy life in Castle Rock 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 low $400s.
