‘Tis the Season to Walk ‘n’ Watch!
December 10, 2020
This year, there are two new ways to participate in as many holiday events as you possibly can: Walk and Watch! It seems like every stretch of city sidewalk in Denver has put up fantastic light displays that you can walk through while staying in the fresh air and social distancing! There are parade floats, performances, and lots of music to keep you entertained! When you’re cold, you can head home and watch one of a dazzling selection of online holiday streaming events—from CU’s classical music holiday concert to Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum!
TODAY/TONIGHT, December 10
ART AND MUSIC FOR THE HOLIDAYS
For some community holiday spirit, the Town Center of Aurora is bringing festive music and holiday art to their downstairs courtyard every Thursday afternoon! Check out this lovely and lively group of local artists and musicians.
Town Center, Lower Level by Macys, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Thursday-Friday, December 10-11
LAST CHANCE FOR A WREATH!
Take a look at all of the beautiful wreaths in Aurora Museum’s 21st Annual Festival of Wreaths, then place a bid on your favorite for a chance to win it! But you’d better hurry—this silent auction ends Friday. If you win, you’ll be contacted and you can pick up your wreath at the museum. Even if you don’t buy a wreath, you can still vote on your favorite wreath to help determine the Wreath of the Year!
Aurora History Museum Online
Bidding ends 2:00 p.m., Fri., Dec. 11
Information: FREE
Thursday-Saturday, December 10-12
MILE HIGH TREE LIGHT SHOW
There’s nothing else like the newest holiday display of lights and music—it’s the largest of its kind in North America! When you’re out enjoying the lights of the 16th Street Mall, make sure you stop by the Mile High Tree to be dazzled by the energetic mix of lights and holiday music!
16th Street Mall at Welton Street, Denver
5:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Information: FREE
Thursday-Sunday, December 10-13
PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Getting a photo with Santa is a bit different this year, but you can still stop by his workshop in the Center Court of Aurora’s Town Center and get a memorable photo package. Reservations are highly encouraged for all guests to help minimize wait times.
If you’d rather have your child visit Santa virtually, that’s an option, too! Their online Santa experience has a number of options – including a selfie with Santa!
Town Center, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Starting at $9.99 (online experience; $39.99 – $49.99 (in-person photo packages)
DOWNTOWN CHRISTKINDL
Nothing is as festive as an old-fashioned German Christmas Market when you want to get in the holiday spirit! This authentic cultural festival features handmade artisan gifts and imported European products, live entertainment—including bands, choirs, and dancing—and of course mulled wine and delicious brats!
Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
TAKE A SPIN ON THE ICE
There’s nothing like ice skating at the Pond, so head over to Southlands for your own breath of fresh air. Reserve your tickets in advance so you won’t be disappointed when you arrive ready to glide!
The Pond at 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: 303-627-5000
WINTER WANDERLAND LIGHT WALK
Another outstanding display of lights and music to wander through this holiday season, Cherry Creek North offers sixteen blocks of festive and interactive light art installations! You can “ooh” and “ahh” as you stroll through the outdoor holiday market—and get a little shopping done at the same time! The eight twinkling displays choreographed to holiday music are sure to get you in the spirit of the season.
Cherry Creek North, 2401 E. 2nd Ave., Denver
Information: FREE
ONGOING PARADE OF LIGHTS
Didn’t catch the Parade of Lights at Thanksgiving? That’s okay—it’s still going on! This year, all of the floats are set up downtown for an ongoing parade that you stroll past! Take a walk through the holiday lights of downtown Denver from The Pavilions to Union Station, and you’ll have a chance to experience the magic of the parade!
16th Street Mall between Union Station and Denver Pavilions, Denver
Information: FREE
GRANNY DANCES ONLINE
This popular Denver family tradition returns online, giving you the chance to enjoy the festive celebration from the safety of your home! Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum is an incredible blend of dance, music, and spoken word, featuring Cleo Parker Robinson as Shakti, Chloe Abel as Cantadora, Cedric Hall as the Griot, and Margarita Taylor as Granny.
Guided by the Three Angels of the Rainbow, Granny visits Africa, the Americas, Mexico, Asia, and the Caribbean to celebrate the joy of Holiday Times! From the African Harvest to Kwanzaa, from the Chinese New Year to Junkanoo, this is a joyful celebration of both diversity and oneness!
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Online
Tickets: $25-$75 per household
CLASSICAL MUSIC HOLIDAY PROGRAM
For a more traditional take on holiday music, enjoy this virtual classical music concert straight from the halls of CU’s College of Music in Boulder! The decades-old Holiday Festival brings together faculty and students to perform seasonal favorites and other classic selections recorded throughout the fall.
One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that you can enjoy entertainment streamed to your home that you probably wouldn’t have attended in real life. This classical concert features both orchestra and vocals with holiday favorites from The Twelve Days of Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and Winter Wonderland to Vivaldi’s Winter movement of The Four Seasons to the deeply moving Christmas hymn, O Holy Night.
CU College of Music Online
Tickets: $20-$40
VIRTUAL CAMP CHRISTMAS
Journey to the magical land of Camp Christmas, with popular destinations like Sweetsville and Fairy Forest, in this imaginative digital holiday experience! You can also participate in in curated handcrafted holiday activities at home with the interactive online guidance of the Camp Christmas experts. Choose the digital platform or have physical materials mailed to your home—or choose both!
DCPA Online
Register: Starting at $10
STANLEY’S GIVING WALL
Just like the name suggests, the Giving Wall Gift Drive at Stanley Marketplace is a place to bring people together. Take a gift tag with the name of a needy person or family, and give back a gift to brighten their holidays.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
Information: Suggested gift purchase $25
Friday, December 11
OUTDOOR CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
Part of the Parade of Lights’ ongoing display is the Christmas Story float in Skyline Park. To make it even more special, the float comes to life with a variety of scheduled cultural performances! This mini-show aboard the float includes a concert by Blue Gospel Scripts, an enchanting performance by Ballet Folklorico Baile Caliente, and a sizzling concert by Julio Perez!
Skyline Park, 16th and Arapahoe St., Denver
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Friday-Saturday, December 11-12
SANTA’S BIG RED SACK ONLINE
Make sure the kids are in another room when you tune into this hilarious live-streaming event by Mile High City comedy troupe! You’ll see some of the sketches of “the holiday show you shouldn’t take your kids to” and hear stories from the past fourteen years of performing the show. You can even interact with the actors by using the live chat feature!
Rattlebrain Productions and People’s Building Online
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Saturday, December 12
CHRISTMAS STORY FLOAT
Another diverse, delightful mini-concert aboard the Christmas Story float, this time featuring performances by Mercy Music, Michael Bateman Dance, and the RCCG Dayspring Band!
Skyline Park, 16th and Arapahoe St., Denver
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
LIVE VIRTUAL JAGGED CONCERT
The highly-acclaimed Jagged Little Pill is back on Broadway! Maybe you got a glimpse of their electrifying performance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—if you want to see more, tune in to this LIVE-streaming reunion concert! The Broadway cast of the Tony Award®-nominated musical will perform selections from the show, streaming straight into your living room.
In the spirit of the vital #SaveOurStages movement that has risen during the Covid-19 pandemic, this concert event directly supports our nation’s most vulnerable venues experiencing catastrophic revenue loss during this time of suspension for live arts. Ticket proceeds support future programming for the DCPA!
DCPA Online and #SaveOurStages
6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $33
Phone: 303-893-4100
SOUTHSHORE CHRISTMAS PARADE
This Saturday, don’t miss the Santa Parade that starts at the Lakehouse at 4:30 p.m. – with horses, and Kris Kringle, plus Charles Dickens Carolers! Here’s the parade route – should be a memory in the making!
The Southshore Lakehouse, 27151 E. Lakeview Dr., Aurora
Map and Info
Winter Activities Near Southshore area!
Whether holiday-themed, or winter-centric, there’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Southshore! Enjoy Life at the Lake with plenty of cultural and entertainment activities in the surrounding area! Check out the beautiful model homes from Richmond American Homes, Toll Brothers, and Taylor Morrison, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.