Thanksgiving Weekend Things to Do Near Southshore!
November 25, 2021
With a myriad of holiday activities, sometimes it feels like there’s just not enough time to fully appreciate the holidays. But this is the perfect weekend to take a deep breath and enjoy with gratitude the beauty that is all around us!
TODAY/TONIGHT, November 25
THANKSGIVING YOGA
Here’s something to give thanks for—a FREE yoga class at Vibe Wellness! This Vinyasa and Yin yoga class with meditation will create mindful awareness as we enter into the holiday season. Vinyasa links breath to movement and may include a combination of sun salutations, standing, balancing, seated, and supine poses. The second half of class is dedicated to slower and longer held postures to initiate relaxation.
Vibe Wellness, 2501 Dallas St. Unit 124, Aurora
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Register: FREE
Phone: 720-583-1427
Thursday-Sunday, November 25-28
BUDDY THE ELF INTERACTIVE SHOW
Aurora’s newest luxury resort, Gaylord Rockies, goes all out for the holidays! Help Buddy the Elf save Christmas in a fanciful, multi-sensory holiday experience. You don’t need to stay at the resort to visit and take part in this imaginative show.
Just like in the movie Elf, you’ll join Mr. Narwhal and friends, work hard to fill your toy quota in the North Pole, help prepare for Santa’s arrival at the department store, and take part in an epic, Central Park snowball fight!
Gaylord Rockies, 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora
10:00 a.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Tickets (timed entry): $19.99 – $31.99
CHERRY CREEK HOLIDAY MARKET
Browse the booths of 30 local artisans in one of the prettiest neighborhoods in the city! The second annual Cherry Creek Holiday Market takes place daily, with a regular schedule of live music from local acts, a full bar program, and a highly-decorated festive atmosphere. This market is a FREE family-friendly place to shop for unique gifts!
Fillmore Plaza, 105 Fillmore St., Denver
Thurs., 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-619-4435
SKATE THE POND
Nothing beats gracefully gliding around a frozen pond on nothing but two skinny pieces of metal! Re-live the joy of ice skating—or try it out for the first time—at The Pond at Southlands.
Grab your friends and family and make a festive holiday event of it!
Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
Thurs., 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Fri., 4:00 – 10:00 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12
Phone: 303-928-7536
Friday, November 26
BLACK FRIDAY BLOCK PARTY
If you’re out shopping this Black Friday, why not make a party of it? Center Court in Aurora features a Block Party, complete with a live DJ, a balloon twister, and gift card giveaways every 15 minutes!
Center Court, 14200 E Alameda Ave., Aurora
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Friday-Saturday, November 26-27
HIPPIEMAN LIVE
The comedian known as Hippieman, John Novosad, will be doing a live recording for his upcoming album, 800-lb. Gorilla, during his stand-up performances at Comedy Works this weekend! If you want to be part of the audience reaction on his new album, check out these shows!
You may have caught Novosad in one of his appearances on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson or on the nationally-syndicated television show, Comedy.TV. He’s also the host of a comedy/variety show called Hippieman’s Plan for America where he presents comedic solutions to problems facing today’s America.
Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
7:30 and 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $22
Phone: 303-595-3637
Friday-Sunday, November 26-28
WINGS MEMBERSHIP AND MUSEUM STORE SALE
To celebrate Black Friday all weekend long, you can receive a 25% discount on a Wings Membership! Being a member of Denver’s two Air & Space Museums comes with plenty of benefits!
Shopping for that hard-to-please person on your list? Try the Wings Over the Rockies Museum Store for unique aviation and space-themed items for all ages. On Museum Store Sunday, everyone receives a 10% discount in the Museum Store!
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
Fri./Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sun., 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $9.95 – $16.95
CAMP CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE
Denver’s newest Christmas adventure, Camp Christmas, is a fantastical wonderland of lights, dazzling decorations, and holiday music, all set in imaginative yuletide scenes. The mostly-outdoors show is staged on six acres of winter landscapes, but this year, there’s also a place to come inside and get warm!
Tickets to see Santa are an additional $10, and he’ll be available this holiday weekend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (last entry at 9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $20-$30 (not including Santa tickets)
A VERY MERRY SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT
For a Christmas program that’s not your typical story, this satirical musical explores the life of the wack-a-doo founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard. When an anonymous company of merry little children gather on a cold winter’s night, they rejoice in telling the story of the magic of Dianetics, the immortal Thetans, and the out-of-this-world story of Prince Xenu. (And somehow they do it with the straightest of faces.)
This show stars ten of the cutest little kids in Colorado. But it is not intended for cute little kids. So leave yours at home and treat yourself to a night out on the town. While not necessarily inappropriate for children, the writing is geared toward adult humor and adult audiences.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$40
Phone: 303-739-1970
DICKENS’ CHRISTMAS CAROL
When the three ghosts of Christmas visit Ebenezer Scrooge, everyone knows the outcome of this story—there will be a miraculous redemption. But the joy in this production comes from delightful cast’s performance, the uplifting music and songs, and the opulent period costumes and scenery!
DCPA, Marvin & Judi Wolf Theatre, Speer Blvd. &, Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat./Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $40-$90
CINDERELLA ON STAGE
Rogers and Hammerstein’s classic musical has been refashioned and brought up to date! The characters are given greater depth and a more human quality: it is only Cinderella’s innocent faith in a miracle that allows her wish to go to the ball to come true!
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$38
Phone: 303-856-7830
LAST CHANCE TO SEE EDDIE AND DAVE
For a fun take on one of rock-n-roll’s most famous pairs, Eddie and Dave explores the dynamic relationship between Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth. To take the big-hair world of rock music swagger to an entirely new level, the iconic members of Van Halen have been cast with women performers.
Sunday’s performance includes a post-show community meal catered by Baba & Pops and featuring a show-inspired menu and specialty brew created just for the show by Lady Justice Brewing. Join the cast and crew for a post-show celebration!
The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$50
Saturday, November 27
34TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY ART SHOW
You will not be disappointed by the selection and quality of the items on display at the 34th Annual Holiday Exhibition! You’ll find great gifts for the special people in your life—a wide assortment of specialty and reasonably priced handcrafted items, including contemporary paintings, printmaking, functional and sculptural ceramics, and jewelry that will be perfect for you, your family, and friends.
Artists on Santa Fe Gallery, 747 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-573-5903
UGLY SWEATER DANCE PARTY
Who doesn’t love an Ugly Sweater themed party? Put on your worst and head down to this fun neighborhood dance party to celebrate the holidays in “style”! Not only will you be nice and cozy, but you’ll also to get toasty as you enjoy the release of the new Chocolate Covered Banana Stout.
Dry Dock South Dock, 15120 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-400-5606
TRIBUTE TO ETTA JAMES
Renowned vocal artist Crystal Monee Hall joins the Colorado Symphony from New York City, where she has appeared in Broadway roles (Rent and For the Girls), to celebrate one of the most dynamic vocalists of all time—Etta James.
Etta James was a master of multiple musical genres, and the revered vocalist continues to greatly inspire musicians today. Despite personal struggle, she released over two dozen albums throughout her career, receiving over 30 awards including six GRAMMY® Awards.
Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th Street, #15, Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876
Saturday-Sunday, November 27-28
HOLIDAY FESTIVAL ON 16TH ST. MALL
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a trip downtown where the 16th Street Mall is all decked out and hosting everyone’s favorite holiday marketplace! Attractions include a 100-foot LED Mile-High Christmas Tree, the largest electronic tree in North America! There will also be Christmas carolers, live entertainers, and appearances by Santa!
16th Street Mall at Welton and Glenarm, Denver
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
ALL NEW — THE NUTCRACKER!
The holiday tradition continues in an all-new way! Colorado Ballet’s delightful rendition of the story of The Nutcracker has been completely refashioned with brand-new sets and costumes, created especially for Colorado Ballet. Tchaikovsky’s beloved score is performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.
Don’t wait to get your tickets! A sellout every year, this magical tale of Clara, the Nutcracker, and the Mouse King is going to be dreamier than ever.
DCPA, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St., Denver
1:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $40-$175
Sunday, November 28
DRUMS OF THE WORLD
Who can resist an afternoon of nothing but drums? The virtuoso percussionists of the Colorado Symphony will be performing a dynamic concert that’s guaranteed fun for the entire family! You’ll experience marimba, bongos, bass drums, woodblocks, log drums, boo-bams, Chinese cymbals, metal trash cans, darabukkas, talking drums, plastic pipe, acoustic guitar, toy trumpet, tablespoons, Burma gongs, water can, crow call, tambourine, gankogui, and sleigh bells in this rhythmic concert!
Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St., #15, Denver
2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$27
Phone: 303-623-7876
The Arts, Music and More Near Southshore!
Enjoy Life at the Lake in the master-planned community of Southshore—and find culture and entertainment within easy reach! Looking for a new home you can add your signature style to? With beautiful model homes from Toll Brothers, Taylor Morrison, and Richmond American Homes, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.