Crystal Valley Blog

The Nutcracker never ventures too far away from Christmas, and neither do Christmas carols or Rudolph and his reindeer games! Don’t miss the season’s best from holiday teas, and stunning light displays to stage events and Santa visits sure to captivate and entertain this weekend in Castle Rock!

Thursday-Saturday, December 14-16

HEATH HYCHE LIVE!
Heath Hyche uses stand-up comedy, quick-change costumes, original music, a variety of characters, sound effects and clever props to take his audiences on a knee-slapping journey through his vivid imagination. Heath’s TV credits include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing and two seasons on Blue Collar TV. Heath also appeared in the films Man on the Moon and Will Ferrell’s Talladega Nights.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:15 & 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $17-$27
Phone: 303-274-6800

Thursday-Sunday, December 14-17

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Home for the Holidays continues its family-friendly holiday spectacular with dancers, singers, drummers, holiday songs, and of course, a cameo appearance by Santa! This perennially popular show is new for 2017, and sure to entertain audiences of all ages.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
Thurs. & Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 8:00 p.m., Sat./Sun., 1:30 p.m.;
Tickets: $35-$62
Phone: 720-509-1000

Friday-Wednesday, December 15-20

A HUDSON CHRISTMAS
A Hudson Christmas is another exciting holiday light show in the Denver metro area, with thousands of twinkling lights in majestic trees, plus visits with Santa and memory-making snapshot ops for the whole family. Stroll along a festively-decorated outdoor walking path as you sip hot chocolate and experience dazzling displays of color and sound. Mark your calendars now for this magical Littleton tradition!

Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $6-$9
Phone: 303-797-8565

ELECTRIC SAFARI
Celebrate holiday lights and the season of cheer during Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electric Safari with 85 light sculptures on over 50 acres! Warming fires throughout the Zoo offer a reprieve from the chill, as do select indoor animal exhibits that are open during the event. And while there, check out the entire city’s lights and watch all of Colorado Springs sparkle during your visit!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd., Colorado Springs
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $6.75-$9.75

Friday, December 15

REINDEER GAMES
Join the town of Castle Rock and its special guest Santa for the 2017 Reindeer Games and Winter Express! It’s holiday fun for the whole family with kid-friendly activities in a winter-themed wonderland complete with live reindeer! Santa (parents bring your cameras!) will be on hand, and there’ll be cookies, hot chocolate, sleigh rides, outdoor games and an obstacle course. The Winter Express train (station at the Millhouse) will take passengers on a one-mile ride along paved trails in Philip S. Miller Park. Please dress warmly and bring your holiday spirit for this popular event!

The Millhouse, 1381 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Free
Phone: 720-724-2083

STORYTIME WITH MRS. CLAUS
Join Mrs. Claus in the food court of the Outlets of Castle Rock for cookies and milk as she reads holiday stories to her young audience.

Outlets of Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
2:00 p.m.
Free

RUN, RUN, RUDOLPH!
The Run, Run Rudolph scavenger hunt is a self-guided tour around the Outlet stores to find all nine of Santa’s reindeer – including Rudolph! Scavengers can pick up a map and reindeer stickers at Customer Service and return with the stickers placed over each correct location to receive a special treat from Cinnabon.

Outlets of Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

VISIT WITH SANTA!
Santa is waiting for you in his Castle Rock cottage to hear from all the good little girls and boys looking forward to Christmas. Check his visiting hours here.

Outlets of Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 16

FREE CARRIAGE RIDES
Enjoy free holiday carriage rides in downtown Castle Rock with your friends and family as you tour the holiday lights, grab a bite to eat and shop local merchants. Rides begin and end in Festival Park near the holiday tree and are sponsored by Crystal Valley! Each carriage seats six people at a time, and you might check the Shop Local event page to see deals and gift ideas at downtown businesses during December!

Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Free

Sunday, December 17

CALLING TRUE HOCKEY FANS!
If you thrill to see teams chase a vulcanized rubber puck around the ice and whack it into an opponent’s net, you’ll love watching the Colorado College Tigers take on Arizona State this weekend!

Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., Colorado Springs
2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $9-$35

Tuesday, December 19

HOLIDAY TEA
Make the holidays truly special with a traditional tea at Cherokee Ranch and Castle featuring seasonal beverages, festive food and sweet treats for family and friends.

Cherokee Ranch and Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
12:45 p.m.
Tickets: $50
Phone: 303-688-5555

KANTOREI CHRISTMAS
Kantorei returns to the Arts Center after its sold-out holiday concert in 2016. Kantorei formed in 1997 with six friends who decided to form a choir capable of singing a broad range of a cappella choral music. Now in its 21st full season of performing, the group has expanded into an auditioned ensemble of more than 50 volunteer singers. From a mesmerizing rendition of Silent Night to the jubilant Sleigh Ride, Kantorei celebrates the season with a special performance of holiday favorites.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $33-$40

Wednesday, December 20

STEAM FEST
We can solve human challenges with an interdisciplinary approach by looking at nature’s adaptations which have developed throughout earth’s history. How does nature solve survival challenges? STEAM FEST will look to plants and animals for inspiration about blending science, technology, engineering, art and math to create exciting sustainable solutions to various human difficulties. View the complete Family Fun Days Guide here.

CU South Denver, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Cost: $10-$12
Phone: 303-315-9444

COLORADO NUTCRACKER YOUTH BALLET
Young Clara, an orphan, receives a magical Nutcracker doll and when she falls asleep, dreams of other-worldly mysteries, enchantment and beauty. In the midst of a battle with an army of mice, her brave Nutcracker leaps magnificently and defends her against the giant mouse king! Clara is transported through a crystalline winter Wonderland into the fantasy land of sweets, welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court of sweet delicacies. She awakes not knowing if the dream was real – but it doesn’t really matter – it’s the best Christmas ever!

Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$46

CELTIC CHRISTMAS
One of the most successful ensembles in the history of Celtic music, Cherish The Ladies has shared timeless Irish traditions with audiences for over 30 years. In their Celtic Christmas program, these ladies put their unique stamp on classic carols such as O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night, in arrangements that highlight the group’s unique Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies, and spectacular step-dancing. Hailed by The Washington Post as an “astonishing array of virtuosity,” Cherish The Ladies has released three critically acclaimed holiday albums, On Christmas Night, A Star In The East, and 2015’s Christmas In Ireland.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $33-$40
Phone: 720-509-1000

HOLIDAY LIGHTS MAP
Keep checking back to the Holiday Lights Map in the Denver Post to find and build a route for your holiday lights drive. Houses are regularly being added near Crystal Valley, and if you have a display you’re proud to show off, submit your picture here!

Crystal Valley Happenings

Don’t miss the holiday happenings near the master-planned community of Crystal Valley that only happen once a year! Check out the new models by Kauffman Homes and Richmond American Homes, and the special year-end, move-in-ready extras from D.R. Horton! The new home designs for ranch and two-story models in Crystal Valley are priced from the high $300s.