Sights and Sounds of the Holidays!
December 19, 2019
Denver and Aurora are filled with the sounds of the holidays—traditional concerts, a carousel calliope, and lots of laughter at holiday comedy shows! Whether you are in the mood for holiday favorites like Handel’s Messiah or just want to treat the kids to a break from shopping at the downtown Holiday Carousel, your ears are sure to be filled with the joyful sounds of the holidays!
TODAY/TONIGHT, December 19
THE RAJDULARI HOLIDAY CONCERT
A wonderfully inclusive holiday concert that carries the universal messages of love and hope! The acclaimed vocalist Rajdulari’s buoyant voice is filled with a clear and honest joyfulness. You will be uplifted by her musical messages of confidence, empowerment, love, and hope. Her gratifying gift of song will be a memorable addition to your holiday festivities.
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20
Phone: 303-856-7830
Thursday-Sunday, December 19-22
YOU CAN STILL CATCH SANTA AT SOUTHLANDS
Last-minute shopping? You can also grab a last-minute Santa photo, if you haven’t had the chance to do that yet! Stop by at the North Pole at Southlands, where you’ll get a free 5×7 Santa photo with the purchase of $200 or more at any participating Southlands store!
Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE to visit, various photo packages available
Phone: 303-627-5000
BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT AT THE GARDENS
There are no holiday lights more magical than the ones that glow in Denver’s Botanic Gardens! This annual lights extravaganza transforms the Gardens into a twinkling winter wonderland, with fresh and exciting new features including a 360-degree immersive light experience.
As an annual holiday tradition, this year’s display will be brighter and more expansive than ever before. Bring the whole family to enjoy this festive celebration of the season!
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
Thurs., 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Fri., 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$21
Phone: 720-865-3500
THE NUTCRACKER BALLET
Treat yourself to the magical holiday classic, filled with visions of sugarplums and Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score! The artistry of the ballet, the whimsey of the story, the visual magic of the set and costumes—whatever your favorite part of The Nutcracker happens to be, you won’t be disappointed!
A visually stunning Christmas party in an 1800s manor introduces us to Clara, a little girl who has received a magnificent present—a nutcracker doll. When the clock strikes midnight, the doll turns into a Nutcracker Prince, who takes Clara on a magical journey to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy!
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs./Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $40-$160
Phone: 303-893-4100
DON’T MISS DICKENS WITH A TWIST
For grown-ups only, this hilarious and raucous spoof of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will present the familiar story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Ghosts of Christmas in a whole new way!
Second City alums have transformed the classic into a wildly funny spoof that’s outrageous and bawdy—so make it a date night or come with a group of friends and lighten up your holidays!
Aurora Arts Fox Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$37
Phone: 303-739-1970
SANTA’S BIG RED SACK
More hilarious holiday humor in a non-stop sketch comedy, complete with music and technology, and glittering with lights! Santa’s Big Red Sack is filled with irreverent wit and unforgettable characters. You will be filled with the joy of the season! Best of all, it’s right here in the neighborhood!
The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $29.50
Friday-Saturday, December 20-21
THE NUTCRACKER CIRCUS
A whole new way to experience Clara’s magical journey with the Nutcracker Prince to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy! Instead of ballet dancers, The Nutcracker Circus features acrobats, jugglers, aerialists, and characters, bringing this holiday classic to life in an innovative way. Still set to the music of Tchaikovsky, your family will enjoy experiencing this holiday classic with a circus twist.
The Newman Center for Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver
Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 12:30 and 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $38.50
Phone: 720-402-2044
HANDEL’S MESSIAH – LIVE AT THE SYMPHONY!
Make this holiday musical classic a tradition for your family with this rich new performance by the Colorado Symphony, together with a Chamber Chorus of the Colorado Symphony Chorus!
What’s new about this performance? For those who love Handel’s famous score, the music and words remain unchanged. However, a Chamber Chorus—in addition to the soloists and full Chorus—will move around the concert hall throughout the performance to provide new acoustic dimensions to the music.
Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876
Friday-Sunday, December 20-22
DENVER PAVILIONS’ HOLIDAY CAROUSEL
Kids—and kids at heart—adore riding on the beloved horses of the carousel! Treat your family to this magical Christmas tradition in downtown Denver! Whether out for an afternoon of shopping or dinner and a show, take the time to stop by the Denver Pavilions’ Holiday Carousel!
Don’t miss a free performance by the Blue Knights Brass Ensemble in front of the carousel at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday! The Food Bank of the Rockies has once again been chosen as Denver Pavilions’ designated charity partner for the attraction. Partial proceeds from rides will be donated to this vital charity within the community that helps fight food insecurity in the area.
Denver Pavilions, 16th and Glenarm, Denver
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3, or FREE with voucher from participating business
Phone: 303-260-6000
Saturday, December 21
FACE VOCAL BAND HOLIDAY SHOW
This award-winning a cappella band from Boulder always presents an energetic show featuring a repertoire of rock and pop music. But when Face takes on the holidays, it’s a special treat, as you hear all your favorite seasonal tunes in perfect harmony! Be captivated by their infectious energy and flawless sound, or sing along to the holiday songs you love!
Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Pl., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20 – $45
Phone: 303-623-0106
Sunday, December 22
SEE SANTA AT THE SPACE MUSEUM
For someone who flies all over the world in one night, the Air and Space Museum is the perfect place for him to visit! Bring the kids to see Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Kids Area—last chance before Christmas!
Wings Over the Rockies, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free with Admission to Museum
Phone: 303-360-5360
HOLIDAY BRASS CONCERT
The clear sound of a trumpet triumphs over a cold winter’s day like nothing else! Don’t miss the sounds of Colorado Symphony’s brass band as they ring in the sounds of the holidays with a special concert.
You’ll enjoy seasonal favorites, traditional carols, contemporary holiday hits, and more. Whether it comes from the vitality of the Renaissance, the glory of the Baroque, or the nostalgic jubilation in the music of Hollywood’s most popular Christmas movies, Holiday Brass will end your 2019 on a high note.
Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$99
Phone: 303-623-7876
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE
Everyone loves the story of Charlie Brown’s sad little Christmas tree, and Linus’s endearing rendition of the Christmas story—with his trusty blanket wrapped around his head like a shepherd’s headpiece. Relive the story you remember from your childhood when it’s presented live on stage!
Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Pl., Denver
2:30 and 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $29.95 – $49.95
Phone: 303-623-0106
Counting Down to Christmas in Southshore!
The sensational seasonal things to do are minutes away from the master-planned community of Southshore! Living here means the tranquility of lakeside living is yours, with easy access to your favorite urban activities. Stop by and see for yourself how great Life at the Lake can be! With beautiful model homes from Toll Brothers, Century Communities, and Richmond American Homes, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.