Crystal Valley Blog

It’s a great weekend to go back in time and experience the magic of the 16th Century! The entire family will enjoy the Colorado Renaissance Fair, open every weekend through August 22. This weekend will be extra fanciful, with Magical Fantasy themed events. Other events in the Castle Rock area include free outdoor concerts and fitness activities, as well as the Water Lantern Festival in Colorado Springs!

TODAY/TONIGHT, July 8

HAPPY HOUR HIKING
It’s back! The popular event that combines the best of two worlds—hiking in the backcountry followed by happy hour at Living the Dream! The hike is FREE but advanced registration is required. Drinks afterwards are available for purchase.

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
Register: FREE

PIZZA AT THE MUSEUM
Here’s a fun activity for kids from ages 1-10—a pizza party at the Play Street Museum! The kids will enjoy plenty of playtime AND a yummy pizza dinner, served with fruit and juice! Parents are also free to stay for dinner—just make sure to reserve a spot for yourself.

Play Street Museum, 9370 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite A-2, Highlands Ranch
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Reserve: $5 Children, $17 Adult
Phone: 303-357-3024

80S IN THE MEADOWS
Castle Rock’s FREE outdoor music concert series, Music in the Meadows, will be rockin’ with an 80s vibe tonight when Ronnie Raygun and the Big Eighties take the stage! This is Denver’s first 80s tribute band, and they’re still going strong! So make your hair big, wear your sunglasses at night, and dance the night away!

Butterfield Park, 3900 Butterfield Crossing, Castle Rock
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Information: FREE

INVITATION FROM THE SYMPHONY
The Lone Tree Symphony cordially invites all community orchestral musicians who would like to play along with them to Open Play! Just register and visit their website for a copy of the sheet music that will be performed at this collaborative musical event!

Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Register: FREE

IN CASE YOU MISSED HIM LAST WEEK!
Josh Blue is everyone’s favorite comedian—and last weekend’s sold out shows prove it! If you wanted to go but there were no tickets left, you have another chance! He’ll be performing one more show tonight!

Josh Blue first came into the public eye as the winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2006, and since then he’s appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and at the world-renowned JFL comedy festival in Montreal. You may have caught his most recent one-hour comedy special titled Broccoli, where he continues to break down stereotypes of those with disabilities one sarcastic and thought-provoking joke at a time.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25
Phone: 720-274-6800

Thursday – Sunday, July 8-12

LIVE ON STAGE: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
What do you do with a pesky plant that grows huge and starts talking to you—one that also happens to be carnivorous? That’s the dilemma of a meek floral assistant who spends his time swooning over his florist shop co-worker while dealing with a BIG plant problem!

This hit Broadway version of the smash sci-fi musical, Little Shop of Horrors, will delight you with its clever characters and plot, not to mention the sensational score.

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $34
Phone: 303-805-6800

Friday, July 9

FITNESS FRIDAYS ARE BACK
The best way to get into shape is to find a way that’s fun! This week’s FREE outdoor exercise class will introduce you to the challenges of HIIT. No experience is required—this class is available to all ages and levels. Advanced registration is required.

The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Register: FREE
Phone: 303-814-7453

101ST ARMY ROCK BAND
In the years leading up to the pandemic, this high-caliber, high-energy band was everyone’s favorite when they played at the Army-Wide Bandleader’s Conference, the Colorado Military Ball, the Denver People’s Fair, and the Denver Independence Eve Celebration. Now they’re thrilled to be back to entertain you with their high-energy mix of rock and roll from the 70s through the present. The group specializes in horn-driven funk and dance music, and you’ll be on your feet for the entire concert! The event is FREE but registration is required.

Civic Green Park, 9370 Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
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FUNNY COP: VINNIE MONTEZ
Vinnie Montez started out as a cop and tried comedy as a way to deal with the stress. The result is an outrageously funny stand-up comedian who brings his experiences as a cop and his Mexican heritage to the stage. His first comedy special debut was on Dry Bar Comedy, released in 2019, Vinnie Montez: Armed & Hilarious. You’ll love his funny stories about being a police officer!

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $24
Phone: 720-274-6800

Friday-Saturday, July 9-10

MOVIE IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
Head out to the backcountry for a big dose of nature AND enjoy a family movie at the same time! This weekend’s screenings include Friday night’s Trolls World Tour, and Saturday night’s screening of The Empire Strikes Back. Bring your own snacks or enjoy tasty bites from one of the food trucks on site. Don’t forget to register in advance! 

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
Gates open 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $25/car
Phone: 303-471-7076

Friday – Sunday, July 9-11

ON STAGE: CAROUSEL
The nostalgia, the costumes, the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel comes alive in a wonderful open-air setting! This one-of-a-kind family entertainment event is  presented by Central City Opera so you know the production will be spectacular! Treat your family to an American classic about life in a small town a century ago.

Hudson Gardens & Events Center, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
Fri., 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $45-$75 

Saturday, July 10

BACKCOUNTRY YOGA
A great way to incorporate more nature into your life—Backcountry Yoga! Not only will you appreciate the enhanced quality of bringing fresh air and the presence of trees into your practice, but you’ll also enjoy a short hike from Base Camp to the perfect outdoor yoga spot!

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Register: $12 – $15

WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL
Named the #1 Best Cultural Event by USA Today, the Water Lantern Festival is being held in cities throughout the country—including Colorado Springs! This magical event featuring floating lanterns is all about connections. 

The evening includes food, games, activities, vendors, music and the beauty of thousands of lanterns adorned with letters of love, hope, and dreams reflected upon the water. You’ll get to launch your unique lantern and watch it drift out onto the water as it joins other lanterns carrying messages of hope.

Prospect Lake, 280 S. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs
5:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $45 – $55

CENTRAL CITY OPERA’S RIGOLETTO
A little Italian opera by Verdi is a great way to spend an evening in an open-air performance not far from home! Rigoletto is a court jester in conflict with the devilish Duke over the fate of his beautiful daughter. It’s a light-hearted introduction to opera, and since it’s presented by Central City Opera, you know the production will be first-class!

Hudson Gardens & Events Center, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $45 – $75
Phone: 303-292-6700

PARMALEE IN CASTLE ROCK
One of the hottest up-and-coming Country bands, Parmalee has been on a meteoric rise since being nominated for ACM’s New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year in 2016. This platinum-selling band of brothers is one of only four groups since 2001 to earn three consecutive Top 10 singles from a debut Country album, including their #1 hit, Carolina.

The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $45-$65

COMIC TO WATCH
Both Esquire Magazine and Variety named Adam Cayton-Holland one of their “Comics to Watch.” He co-created, wrote and starred in Those Who Can’t, which aired for three seasons on truTV. He’s a member of The Grawlix, which hosts a podcast, The Grawlix Saves the World, and he has recorded four comedy albums, including his most recent,  Semblance of Normalcy. His first book, Tragedy Plus Time, is available everywhere.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
7:15 and 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $24
Phone: 720-274-6800

STEVIE WONDER TRIBUTE ON THE TERRACE
This Stevie Wonder tribute concert is delivered by a band with a vast range of experience in a wide range of music genres: rhythm and blues, smooth jazz, funk, pop, rock, hip hop and gospel. Pg.6ix is known as a “people-pleasing band” for their high energy and ability to cater to the ear of audience. Head out for this latest installment of Tunes on the Terrace, Lone Tree’s FREE summer music concert series!

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $40 – $45
Phone: 720-509-1000

Saturday-Sunday, July 10-11

COLORADO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 
Hear ye, hear ye! It’s Magical Fantasy Weekend at the 44th Colorado Renaissance Festival! Yes, the Renaissance Festival is back every weekend through August 22, with a marvelous mix of entertainment in the style of the 16th Century!

With a focus on all things mythical and magical this weekend, you can visit with a live mermaid, play with a unicorn, or be blessed by one of the fantastical inhabitants of the realm. Enjoy comedy, music, dancing, circus performers, wild animals, jousting knights on horseback, and all the other wonders of the Renaissance Festival!

Renaissance Festival Grounds, 650 W. Perry Park Ave., Larkspur
10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $11 – $27
Phone: 303-688-6010

Sunday, July 11

YOGA IN THE PARK
There’s nothing like taking your yoga practice outdoors! You’ll be amazed how much more in tune with your body you become when you are also in tune with nature. This FREE class is open to all levels and abilities, but advance registration is required.

The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Register: FREE

Fun for Families All Around 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 $400s.