All The Way Through Till Christmas!
December 23, 2021
The big day has finally arrived, and if you’re wondering what’s open and what’s not on Christmas Day, there are definitely some things to do this weekend in the Denver and Aurora area. Several holiday productions are closing on Sunday, so it’s not too late to get tickets for that show you’ve been meaning to see!
TODAY/TONIGHT, December 23
FINAL DAY OF CHRISTKINDL
You can still fit in an Old-World Christmas on the eve of Christmas Eve! The fabulous Christkindl Market is so much more than shopping, although you can certainly find some great last-minute gifts at the artisan booths lining the park. Live music performances include polka music, holiday hymns, rock music, and more!There are also many different kinds of homemade delicacies that you can enjoy there or purchase to bring home. Treat the family with a festive celebration leading right into the holidays!
Civic Center Park, Speer Blvd. and Broadway, Denver
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
HOLIDAY PAINT AND SIP
If you need a break from all the shopping, cooking, and holiday planning, grab some friends and meet up at Aurora’s Town Center for the Holiday Paint and Sip!
Art supplies will be provided for you to create a masterpiece, and wine will be served to those 21+.
Center Court at Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Register: FREE
A MUPPET CHRISTMAS MOVIE
For a classic Christmas movie from your childhood that’s great fun to share with your kids, you can’t beat the Muppets acting out the story of Scrooge and the three ghosts of Christmas. Even more special, the Colorado Symphony will be playing the soundtrack LIVE as the movie screens! This version of A Muppet Christmas Carol is sure to become your family’s favorite holiday show!
Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th Street, #15, Denver
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876
Thursday-Friday, December 23-24
HOLIDAY GIFT-WRAP STATION
Get a little help with your holiday gift-wrapping this year while you shop for those last minute presents! Check off all the items on your list at the Town Center at Aurora, then stop by the gift-wrap station on the lower level in front of A1 Boxing. They’ll wrap them up as pretty as can be—for FREE! Times vary and tips are appreciated.
A1 Boxing at Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
All Day
Information: FREE
VISIONS OF SUGARPLUMS
Children and adults alike will be enchanted by Colorado Ballet’s brand-new version of the traditional holiday favorite. This year’s Nutcracker still features Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and of course, the Sugarplum Fairy, all dancing to a live performance of Tchaikovsky’s beloved score—and with all-new costumes and sets!
DCPA, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs., 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.; Fri., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $40-$175
MISTLETOE SHOPPING POP-UP
If you missed out on all of the handmade Christmas boutiques earlier in the season, don’t despair! The Mistletoe Pop-up shopping experience at the People’s Building is filled with a variety of multicultural indie makers and creators, displaying their unique wares!
Best of all, it’s so close to the neighborhood!
The Peoples Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
5:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 720-819-6680
Thursday-Sunday, December 23-26
WINTER WANDERLAND
While most everything is closed on Christmas Day, if you’re in the mood to get out of the house and walk off some of those holiday calories, check out the Winter Wanderland lighting display in the nearby Cherry Creek North neighborhood.
You can stroll for 16 blocks admiring dazzling holiday decorations and more than a half million twinkling lights wrapping over 600 trees from trunk to tip. Be on the lookout for eight musical trees elaborately decorated with long hanging strands of lights in motion!
Cherry Creek North and Fillmore Plaza, E. 2nd Ave. and Fillmore St., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-394-2904
OPEN ON CHRISTMAS
Another activity you can take part in on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is the nostalgic holiday attraction at Four Mile Historical Park. December Delights has extended hours on most of the days over the long weekend, and is open in the evening on Christmas Day.
The entire family will enjoy the festive art installations, crafting for the kids, cool outdoor video games, delicious snacks, and a scavenger hunt! For an additional $5, you can even ice skate on an outdoor pond.
Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Denver
Thurs./Fri., 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sat., 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10 – $16
CAMP CHRISTMAS CONTINUES
Now that Christmas has arrived, maybe you can finally find some time to do all the activities on your wish list—the new outdoor holiday Christmas attraction, Camp Christmas, continues through January 2! Note: this event is closed on Christmas Day.
Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood
Thurs./Fri., 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sun., 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$30
LESSONS OF SCROOGE
Charles Dickens got it right over a hundred years ago when he gave us the story of A Christmas Carol—the lessons Scrooge learns and the the real meaning of Christmas are still true today! This gorgeous production of the classic play features authentic period costumes and opulent sets. Dark on Christmas Day, and Sunday is the final performance.
DCPA, Marvin & Judi Wolf Theatre, Speer Blvd. &, Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sun., 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$110
CHRISTMAS ROM-COM
The story sounds like it could be your favorite rom-com movie, but The 12 Dates of Christmas is a delightful stage production about one woman’s worst Christmas ever: she sees her fiancee kissing another woman during the televised Thanksgiving Day parade.
As the one year anniversary of her break-up—and Christmas—draw near, she finds new hope through the innocence of a child. Dark on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and Sunday is the final performance.
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$34
Phone: 303-856-7830
Monday, December 27
KWANZAA KRAFTS
A special edition of KidX Club® Holiday Krafts features Kwanzaa! This series of events is designed to introduce kids to different holidays and traditions during this time of year. Bring the kids by to discover what Kwanzaa is all about, check out books you can borrow from the Aurora Public Library, and have fun creating some crafts!
Center Court at Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Home for the Holidays at Southshore!
Away from it all, but close to everything, the lakeside community of Southshore is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays! If you’re new to Life at the Lake, drive around and check out the beautiful model homes from Taylor Morrison, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers. Available in ranch and two-story designs, Southshore homes are priced between the upper $400s to the $700s.