This Weekend’s Christmas and Holiday Events!
December 2, 2021
This weekend you can sing along with the Lion King, or revisit the classic A Christmas Carol. Or croon with the Satin Dolls in a White Christmas holiday spectacle, visit the 16th Street Holiday Market downtown, or watch the Nutcracker reimagined! And if you bought tickets for the smash Broadway show Lion King that was cancelled, your previous tickets will be honored and there are still some available for purchase!
TODAY/TONIGHT, December 2
WHO’S HOLIDAY?
Remember Cindy Lou Who from Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas? Ever wonder what happened to her? Who’s Holiday is a wildly funny and heartfelt comedy FOR ADULTS that reconnects with Cindy Lou years later, as she’s throwing a Christmas party in her trailer. When she recalls the Christmas Eve she first met the Grinch, we find out about the twisted (and hilarious) turns her life has taken. Please note: this show is not appropriate for children due to language and sexual references.
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25
Phone: 303-856-7830
Thursday-Friday, December 2-3
ILLUMINATE AURORA
Help light up the community as Aurora prepares to celebrate the Holiday Tree Lighting on Monday, December 6. Pick up your own FREE luminary set at one of the local parks in town and set it out on your lawn! No registration is required.
Thurs., Pheasant Run Park, 14971 E. Radcliff Dr., Aurora
Fri., Golden Eagle Park, 23611 E. Plymouth Dr., Aurora
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Information: FREE
Thursday-Saturday, December 2-4
AUSSIE COMEDIAN
Monty Franklin hails from Australia and regularly opens for Rob Schneider and Joe Rogan. He has appeared in Netflix’s Real Rob, now entering its third season, and has had roles on Fox’s New Girl, Hulu’s Becoming Bond and Hollywood Darlings. Franklin is currently set to star in his first feature film that he co-wrote with Rob Schneider and John Cleese. The Great Emu War will begin filming in Australia in 2022 and also stars Schneider, Cleese, Rhys Darby and Jim Jefferies.
Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Thurs., 8:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $18 – $28
Phone: 303-595-3637
Thursday-Sunday, December 2-5
CAMP CHRISTMAS
Here’s a new Christmas tradition that adults will enjoy as much as kids! The magical light displays and dazzling decorations will mesmerize you, while kids will love the activities—as well as a chance to see Santa! Santa tickets are an additional $10 and must be reserved in advance, so plan ahead!
Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood
Thurs., 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat./Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$30 (not including Santa tickets)
THE LION KING
Be there for the most magnificent event the Serengeti has ever seen—the introduction of a young prince to all of the animal kingdom! Ever since its first production in the 1990s, this stunning collection of artistic puppets, the inspiring musical score, and the epic story of the making of a king has delighted audiences around the world. Whether you’ve seen The Lion King before or this is your first opportunity, you will not want to miss this breathtaking production!
Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs./Sat., 2:00 p.m.; Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$120
Phone: 720-865-4220
THE POND AT SOUTHLANDS
Skating is the best winter exercise there is! Burn off those Thanksgiving pounds and have a ton of fun doing it! The whole family will love skating at The Pond at Southlands, and you can even rent some skates or take lessons if you’re new to the sport.
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
TONGUE-IN-CHEEK CHRISTMAS
Tired of sentimental holiday shows? Then this is the theatre event for you! While it stars ten adorable and straight-faced children, A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant is not your typical holiday story. Rather, this musical satirizes the outrageousness of the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard. While kids comprise the cast, this show is not intended for kids. The story is geared toward adult humor and adult audiences.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$40
Phone: 303-739-1970
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
For a traditional Christmas production, Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge always delivers! This opulent production includes authentic period costumes and set design, with a cast that brings joy to the spirit of the season.
DCPA, Marvin & Judi Wolf Theatre, Speer Blvd. &, Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 6:30 p.m.; Sat. 12:00 and 5:00 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$85
Friday-Saturday, December 3-4
WHITE CHRISTMAS BALL
If you want to go all out celebrating the holidays this year, you just can’t beat the fancy White Christmas Ball! This period gala takes you back to the glamour of the 1940s and 50s, when Bing Crosby crooned White Christmas and the Andrews Sisters harmonized all of your favorite holiday tunes. Take plenty of pictures with backdrops including 1940s and 50s vehicles, movie set lights and props, sleighs, Christmas trees, and a canopy of lights!
Dress up in your most festive vintage fashion and take part in the heartwarming nostalgia of yesteryear. Dance cheek-to-cheek as big-band acts and vintage touring bands perform, including Jukebox Saturday Night, The Satin Dollz, Dandy Wellington, The Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra, Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles, and Bianca and the Flyboys with the Denver Dolls!
Hyatt Regency Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th St., Denver
4:00 – 11:30 p.m.
Tickets: $109-$260
Phone: 720-924-1945
Friday-Sunday, December 3-5
WINTER TALES FOR KIDS
Children will love seeing their favorite classic holiday books come to life with this interactive theatre experience. Kids will first take part in an activity, followed by four short plays, each based on a story. Afterwards, books will be available for purchase to bring the excitement of the season home.
Factory Five Five, 10255 E. 25th Ave., Suite A5, Aurora
Fri., 6:00 p.m.; Sat., 10:00 a.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8 – $12
COLORADO SYMPHONY PLAYS ELGAR’S ENIGMA
Fans of the lesser-known composer Edward Elgar will know his Enigma Variations wistfully portray the emotional journey of his relationships with friends, family, and acquaintances through tenderness, bluster, and melancholy. It’s a treat to have this work featured by the Colorado Symphony. Also on the program are Tubin’s Concerto for Double Bass and the well-known Overture from William Tell by Rossini.
Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th Street, #15, Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876
THE 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS
For a sweet and funny modern-day holiday story, The 12 Dates of Christmas has all the right ingredients. The plot revolves around a poignant inciting incident—Mary sees her fiancée kiss another woman at the televised Thanksgiving Day Parade—and catapults her into a nightmare year of dating. Redemption comes the following Christmas, when the innocence of a child brings Mary a new outlook on life and love.
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$34
Phone: 303-856-7830
CINDERELLA THE MUSICAL
This update of the classic story of Cinderella has all of the magic of the fairy tale on which it’s based: the lovable young woman who achieves her dreams shines in this stage version. The music by Rodgers & Hammerstein includes beloved songs such as In My Own Little Corner, Impossible/It’s Possible and Ten Minutes Ago, while the updated playbook features a contemporary humorous take on the story.
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$38
Phone: 303-856-7830
Saturday-Sunday, December 4-5
16TH STREET HOLIDAY MARKET
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas—at least when you head downtown to the 16th Street Mall! The Mile High City’s favorite holiday market is in full swing, complete with Christmas carolers, live entertainers, the 100-foot LED Christmas tree, and of course, appearances by Santa Claus!
16th Street Mall at Welton and Glenarm, Denver
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
THE NUTCRACKER REIMAGINED
Brand-new sets and costumes created especially for Colorado Ballet bring a new aesthetic to the holiday tradition! It’s the familiar and beloved story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, who battle the Mouse King and then journey to the magical world of the Sugar Plum Fairy and an international array of characters. Tchaikovsky’s beloved score is performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.
DCPA, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St., Denver
Sat./Sun., 1:00 p.m.; Sun., 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $40-$175
ZOO LIGHTS
It’s truly a time to celebrate the traditions of the past together with a look to the future—and what better place to do that than at the Denver Zoo? Zoo Lights has been a favorite holiday tradition for years, and with the crop of NEW installations, you’ll enjoy your old favorites while appreciating new ways to light up the night! With two million LED lights sparkling over 80 acres and delights around every corner, Zoo Lights is Denver’s wildest holiday gathering.
Denver Zoo, 2900 E. 23rd Ave., Denver
Sat., 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.; Sun., 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$25
Phone: 720-337-1400
Plenty to Do Near Southshore!
Away from it all, but close to everything, the lakeside community of Southshore offers access to plenty of things to do every weekend! 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.