Crystal Valley Blog

For a glimpse of an old-fashioned holiday celebration, you don’t need to look any further than the events that are going on in the Castle Rock area! This weekend there are plenty of Hometown Holiday celebrations happening, as well as tree lightings and classical Christmas concerts. 

TODAY/TONIGHT, December 2

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION
For a celebration that features the lighting of a giant 10-foot-tall Menorah, head over to Festival Park in Castle Rock! Everyone is welcome at this Chanukah celebration that includes entertainment for the kids, arts and crafts, traditional foods like latkes and donuts, as well as Chanukah gifts for the children.

Festival Park, 300 2nd St., Castle Rock 
5:30 p.m.
Register: FREE 

GET ORGANIZED
Create your own bullet journal as a way to get organized in 2022! This hands-on class is for PACE members only—what a great reason to sign up for PACE membership. You’ll learn about a variety of ways you can use your journal to form new habits and keep track of tasks and goals, or to self-reflect and express yourself creatively. The cost of the class includes all materials you’ll need to create your own bullet journal!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25
Phone: 303-805-6800

Thursday-Saturday, December 2-4

FATHER OF THE YEAR
The man who proclaims himself Father of the Year in his 2019 comedy stand-up special is in town to let you know exactly what is involved in achieving that title. Josh Wolf is a comedian, actor and NY Times bestselling author best known for his work as a round table guest and writer on E!’s Chelsea Lately and After Lately. You may have seen him hosting the Discovery Channel’s Shark After Dark and Naked and Afraid.

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 2-5

SKATE THE ROCK!
The Rink at the Rock is open for family skating, get-togethers with friends, and a safe place for teens to hang out.

Enjoy the experience of gliding around the ice like you did when you were a kid—or if you’re new to the sport, you can rent skates and even take some lessons! 

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

CINDERELLA UPDATED
You’ll love this modern update of the classic story of Cinderella—all the magic of the fairy tale about the deserving young woman who achieves her dreams is present in this stage version. Music by Rodgers & Hammerstein includes beloved songs such as In My Own Little Corner, Impossible/It’s Possible and Ten Minutes Ago, while the updated playbook features a contemporary take on the story, with plenty of warmth and humor.

Fine Arts Center at CC, 30 West Dale St., Colorado Springs
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$50
Phone: 719-634-5581

Friday, December 3

HOMETOWN HOLIDAY & WINTER MARKET
For an old-fashioned shopping experience and holiday celebration, head over to Highlands Ranch, where you can become part of a Hometown Holiday! This winter wonderland will be sparkling with or without snow! There will be caroling, musical entertainment, food, shopping for unique gifts, and of course, Santa himself!

Town Center South, 9288 Dorchester St. Highlands Ranch
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-471-8870

TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
The entire family will enjoy this combination Tree Lighting Celebration and Library Storytime in Lone Tree! As you gather around the tree, join the carolers in singing some holiday tunes, warm up with a cup of hot cocoa and some s’mores, and visit with Santa and his reindeer! Throughout the evening, you can slip inside the library where kids can make their own cards and hear a holiday story read aloud.

Lone Tree Arts Center & DCL, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 720-509-1000

Friday-Saturday, December 3-4

STARLIGHT MARKET
This popular holiday shopping market in Castle Rock offers the best in crafts and specialty foods. As you’re browsing the booths of more than 30 vendors, enjoy the festive atmosphere and 30-foot Christmas tree!The Yuletide Carolers will be performing on both days, and entertainment on Saturday also includes local bands On the Rocks and the Denver Dolls!

Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock
Fri., 3:00 - 8:00 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 720-724-2010

Friday-Sunday, December 3-5

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS EXTRAORDINAIRE 
It doesn’t get any more extravagant than this! Hudson Gardens’ annual display of Christmas lights is back and guaranteed to delight the entire family! You’ll stroll through a grove of dancing Christmas trees, see a multi-colored forest inhabited by giant snowmen, enter the holiday light tunnel, and wave at some glowing reindeer.

Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$15
Phone: 303-797-8565

CLASSIC HOLIDAY CONCERT
It’s a double dose of holiday entertainment—the Parker Chorale and the Parker Symphony Orchestra collaborate to treat you to an evening of traditional carols, familiar holiday music, and even a few surprises!

These performances include everything from Christmas and Chanukah favorites to music by the greatest composers—Bach, Mozart and Beethoven—to wonderful holiday medleys composed by the Chorale’s own directors.  

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $24
Phone: 303-805-6800

Saturday, December 4

HOLIDAYS AT THE MANSION
For an old-fashioned and decidedly upscale holiday celebration, you can’t beat the Highlands Ranch Mansion. Even better, this event is FREE! Vendors will be selling holiday gifts and crafts, and you can take a self-guided tour of the Mansion. Kids and adults will enjoy games with prizes. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E. Gateway Dr., Highlands Ranch
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-791-0177

AUSTRIAN CHRISTMAS
Celebrate Christmas the way the 1874 settlers of Schweiger Ranch did in this re-creation of an Austrian Christmas and Christkindl Markt. Everyone in the family will enjoy the authentic Austrian food and music, and kids will have a chance to visit with Santa Claus and his real reindeer. The Christkindl Markt is a great opportunity to shop for unique gifts with a local handcrafted touch. The day culminates with the lighting of the Christmas tree!

Schweiger Ranch, 10822 S. Havana St., Lone Tree
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Register: FREE

HOLIDAY CELLO MUSIC
Slow down the hectic pace of the holidays with an enchanting FREE concert of holiday music, performed by cellist Dylan Tyree. You’ll enjoy classical renditions of favorite Christmas and holiday songs. The event is free, but advance registration is required.

Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Register: FREE

CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS
The holiday concert by the Parker Chorale and Parker Symphony Orchestra also comes in a more digestible package for young kids! This family-friendly event is designed to welcome little ones to the world of arts and culture in a shorter version that’s low-cost and under 60 minutes long. It’s a great way to introduce your kids to the symphony!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $7
Phone: 303-805-6800

Saturday-Sunday, December 4-5

PARKER HOLIDAY ADVENTURES
Kids will love this outdoor holiday adventure in Parker—visiting Candy Cane Lane in Discovery Park, Toyland on Mainstreet, and Santa’s Workshop at O’Brien Park! Take some selfies for the family Christmas card as you meet and greet holiday characters. You can also try to win some prizes with the Elf Around Town Scavenger Hunt! Look for Santa’s real live elves around downtown Parker, and if you see one, take a picture and post it on the Town’s Facebook page! All entries will be entered into a prize drawing!

O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Dr., Parker
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-805-3253

TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS
Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra welcomes guest vocalists Margaret Ozaki Graves and Michael Hoffman to their annual holiday concert. You’ll be inspired by their rendition of The Twelve Gifts of Christmas, The Prayer, and other holiday favorites. The orchestra will also perform The Forest of Wild Thyme Christmas Overture by Coleridge-Taylor and The First Noel by Gould. You can definitely expect a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus!

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $14 – $26

Sunday, December 5

WALK THE WETLANDS
Technically, it’s still autumn and not too late to get out into nature and enjoy a walk with Audubon Master Birders along the South Platte wetland. Bring your binoculars to spot resident birds as well as migrants from the north. You might see one of many species of ducks, hairy and downy woodpeckers, white-crowned and American tree sparrows, white-breasted nuthatches, northern flickers, cedar waxwings, and more.

Audubon Nature Center at Chatfield, 11280 S. Waterton Rd., Littleton
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Register: FREE
Phone: 303-973-9530

Holiday Happenings Near Crystal Valley!

There’s no shortage of things to do near the master-planned community of Crystal Valley! You can get back to nature and still have easy access to all your favorite activities in the Castle Rock area. With beautiful model homes from D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes, Richmond American Homes, and Century Communities, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the low $400s.