Crystal Valley Blog

The long Thanksgiving weekend begins early Thursday morning, with your choice of Turkey Trot 5K races in either Castle Rock or Parker. Then after dinner, you can head out for the 24+ hour Midnight Madness at Outlets at Castle Rock, where an entire night of entertainment, shopping, and food awaits! Over the weekend, take part in any number of holiday kick-off celebrations!

THANKSGIVING DAY, November 28

TURKEY ROCK TROT
Before you indulge in the big turkey feast, start Thanksgiving Day with the Turkey Rock Trot! This annual 5K Run/Walk is perfect whether you are a serious runner or leisurely walker, and since it’s family-friendly, it may just become a new holiday tradition!

After the race, enjoy a festive after-party with a Health Expo, a free food item from Filppin’ Flapjacks, free face-painting, balloon twisting, and bounce house for the kids, and one free beer for those 21 and over! Additional beer, mimosas, and bloody Marys will be available for purchase.

Douglas County Events Center, 500 Fairgrounds Dr., Castle Rock
7:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Registration: $20-$40

5K FUN RUN
A more lay-back Turkey Day fun run, this scaled-down version of a 5K race in Parker isn’t timed, but all participants will receive a giveaway and a chance to win prizes. Strollers are welcome, but for safety reasons, please leave dogs, bikes, and scooters at home.

Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E. Lincoln Ave., Parker,
8:00 a.m.
Registration: $10-$25; Family discounts available
Phone: 303-805-6313

Thursday-Friday, November 28-29

MOONLIGHT MADNESS
To-do list for Thanksgiving: (1) dinner (2) get a head start on Black Friday deals. Enjoy your turkey dinner with your family, then head out to the Outlets at Castle Rock for some amazing deals—all night long! With over 100 world-class brands together in one location, the Moonlight Madness sale promises a fun, all-night shopping experience for the whole family.

In addition to the biggest shopping deals of the year, you’ll enjoy live entertainment including stilt walkers, jugglers, and balloon artists, an LED dance floor, giveaways in the Food Court, and FREE pancakes from 6:00 – 9:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Then the  madness will continue through Friday evening!

Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
8:00 p.m., Thurs. – 9:00 p.m., Fri.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 303-688-4495

Friday, November 29

PARKER’S TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
For an old-fashioned, small-town holiday event, you can’t beat the annual tree lighting party in Parker! This is an evening of fun for the entire family, with something for everyone to smile about. The Mayor himself will kick off the event, with the Parker Chorale leading a sing-along of Silent Night. Then once the Town Tree and O’Brien Park are all lit up in sparkling white elegance, the fun begins!

Stroll through the park where holiday ice sculptures glisten in the lights! The kids will be delighted to mingle with holiday characters who will share a story or some sort of activity—you may even spot the Elf in a Tree! And, of course, Santa and Mrs. Clause will be there. The Gazebo will come to life with the sounds of carols sung by the Parker Chorale, and Colorado School of Dance performers will showcase one of their dances!

O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Dr., Parker
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 303-805-3253

Friday-Saturday, November 29-30

SORCERER PETER SAMELSON 
Not your average flashy magician, Peter Samelson is more of “a soft-spoken conceptualist of sorcery” (The New York Times). He excels as an illusionist, an entertainer, and a philosopher, inspiring you to ponder and imagine. His magic is mysterious but accessible, and the theatrical elements add emotion rather than detracting from the magic. 

Samelson is the thinking-person’s illusionist who provides pieces that carry ideas as well as entertainment and who is committed to illusion as an art. Treat yourself to this mesmerizing experience!

Theatre of Dreams, 735 Park St., Castle Rock
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$30
Phone: 303-660-6799

Friday-Sunday, November 29 – December 1

ROCKIN’ AROUND THE RINK
Work off some of those Thanksgiving dinner calories by taking a fun and healthy spin around the Rink at the Rock! Ice skating is great exercise—and so much more fun than a spin class! Bring your friends or family and enjoy some great quality time together as well!

The White Pavilion, 414 Perry St., Castle Rock
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $6-$8
Phone: 303-814-8142

SANTA AT THE HANGAR
Here’s a way to keep the entire family happy this holiday season—little ones will be thrilled to sit on Santa’s lap and enjoy hot cocoa, food and activities. You can even get a photo with Santa for an additional cost. Meanwhile, older kids and adults will love roaming around the fascinating displays at the Exploration of Flight, where they can try out experiential simulators and learn all about the future of space flight!

Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood
Fri., 1:00 – 8:00 p.m.; Sat., 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25 per family
Phone: 303-360-5360

THE NUTCRACKER WITH OKLAHOMA CITY BALLET
This beloved holiday favorite will delight children and adults alike! Oklahoma City Ballet and Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale pair up to deliver a memorable performance, as delicious as sugarplums dancing in your head!

The big Christmas bash at Clara’s family home culminates in the presentation of a most unique gift—a wooden nutcracker for Clara. When the party ends, the magic has only begun—the doll becomes a Nutcracker Prince to fight off the Rat King and his army, then he takes Clara on a magical journey to meet the Sugarplum Fairy and be entertained by an international cast of dancing dolls!

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs

Fri./Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $23
Phone: 719-960-4725

FINAL WEEKEND – TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS
Based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things is the story of a woman who becomes an anonymous online advice columnist—and how the unpaid job changes her life.

The play was adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and takes place in the home of the advice columnist. The letters she receives come to life in the form of the letter-writers appearing before her and sharing their deepest hurts and struggles. While the play is full of beauty and hope, there is also mature content and potentially disturbing themes, so it is not recommended for anyone under the age of 18.

Fine Arts Center at CC, 30 West Dale St., Colorado Springs
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$20
Phone: 719-634-5581

Saturday, November 30

THE KING OF POP RESURRECTED
To Michael Jackson fans, the King of Pop will never really be gone but will just take on new forms. One of the most renowned is USA’s #1 Michael Jackson Tribute™—The King of Pop Resurrected. This lavish and entertaining Las Vegas-style show has all the special effects, costumes, lights, and video sequences you would expect in a show dedicated to this bigger-than-life performer. The family-friendly tribute concert features the most-requested Michael Jackson impersonator, Sonny G., with all the dance moves and stage presence of the original.

The Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38-$55
Phone: 303-841-4500

Saturday – Sunday, November 30 – December 1

SWING INTO CHRISTMAS WITH THE BEVERLY BELLES
One of the most popular Christmas musical-revue shows returns, with a fresh and funny approach to the holidays! Featuring the swing music of the 1930s and 40s, along with  your favorite holiday tunes, the Belles deliver fun dance numbers that will have you swaying along! 

Guiding you through the evening is comic Heath Hyche, who will have you in stitches! Hyche and the Belles are both Disney Cruise Line family favorite acts. The Belles have also opened for A-List celebrities Meghan Trainor, Katharine McPhee, and Seth MacFarlane, as well as headlining in Vegas!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $34-$39
Phone: 303-841-4500

Sunday, December 1

DECK THE DOOR
Make your very own holiday wreath in this special workshop that will teach you the art of  wreath-making by hand. Come with friends or make some new ones as you get in the holiday spirit—and go home with a gorgeous door decoration. You’ll learn tips and techniques for arranging a variety of greens to create a wonderful holiday wreath.

Besides instruction in a small group setting, you’ll be provided with an abundance of plant material and dried accents to create a beautiful wreath that you can hang on your own door or give as a hostess gift for the holidays. Sign-up to reserve your spot!

Curate: A Local Mercantile, 8242 S. University Blvd., Centennial
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Registration: $50

A COWBOY CHRISTMAS
Ever heard a Christmas yodel? You owe it to yourself and your family to witness this rare treat! America’s favorite cowboys, Riders In the Sky, are back with a western-style holiday show that’s an authentic take on old-time radio.

Get ready for the most four-part-harmonizing, decked-out-bunkhouse, sequin-yuletide-outfitted show you’ve ever seen! These wacky cowboy singers sprinkle their show with plenty of cowboy humor and a splash of holiday spice. Featuring original songs like Riding Home On Christmas Eve, and Deck The Bunkhouse Walls, the performance will close with a singalong to holiday classics such as I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and more!

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $39-$55
Phone: 720-509-1000

Crystal Valley Celebrates Thanksgiving!

There’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Crystal Valleyin Castle Rock– during the holiday season.  Enjoy the  relaxed lifestyle of Castle Rock and surrounding area where cultural and entertainment activities abound! 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 $300s.