A Weekend Full of Holiday Shows!
December 6, 2018
Whatever puts you in the holiday spirit, you’re sure to find a performance of it nearby this weekend! A local community production of The Nutcracker and a hilarious take on A Christmas Carol will be performed in Aurora, as well as all the classic Christmas shows at the Denver Center of Performing Arts. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas opens this weekend, the Colorado Symphony puts on two Christmas concerts, and Colorado Ballet’s award-winning production of The Nutcracker continues to play to sold-out houses.
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, December 6
COLORADO BALLET’S NUTCRACKER
The Colorado Ballet’s beloved rendition of the classic holiday ballet, The Nutcracker, always sells out, so make your plans now to include this performance in your holiday season! The 10th Annual Goldstar National Nutcracker Contest awarded Colorado Ballet with the coveted “best loved” Nutcracker award! Treat your family to the magic of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King, and the Sugarplum Fairy—along with Tchaikovsky’s most famous score.
Ellie Caulkins Opera House/DCPA, 1385 Curtis St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$155
Phone: 303-837-8888
Thursday-Sunday, December 6-9
SEE SANTA AT SOUTHLANDS
The number one holiday attraction for the little ones is a chance to sit on Santa’s lap—so why not make their wishes come true while you are crossing off items on your shopping list? At Southlands you can do both! Bring the kids out to meet Santa, pose for a picture, and take part in holiday crafts and activities and complimentary hot chocolate.
Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
Thurs., 11:00 am. – 7:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-627-5000
IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS
There’s nothing like this old-fashioned, cheer-inspiring, snow-loving classic to put you in the holiday mood! The Golden Age of Hollywood musicals in the 1950s had everyone dreaming of a white Christmas and a holiday romance. Capture the magic again in this enchanting stage version.
When a song and dance team (played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in the movie) get snowed in while performing at a Vermont inn at Christmas, they fall for a lovely sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen in the movie) who are performing at the same time. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, this show will warm you to the core!
Buell Theatre/DCPA,1350 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs., 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$115
Phone: 303-571-4401
BOTANIC GARDENS’ BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT
A dazzling display of interactive lights is a family-favorite holiday tradition! Denver Botanic Gardens knows all about beauty, and they put everything they know into their twinkling winter wonderland. Each evening during the holiday season, the Gardens are transformed into a breathtaking extravaganza that will make you feel like you are walking through a fairytale!
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $11-$21
Phone: 720-865-3500
ZOO LIGHTS
The holiday season is one of the best times to visit the Denver Zoo—not only are all the animals in a festive mood, but the entire zoo is lit up with magical lights! Zoo Lights celebrates its 28th year as one of Denver’s most beloved and popular holiday traditions.
Reserve your time and date in advance and customize your experience. A limited number of tickets will be available each night of Zoo Lights for an exclusive Santa and Mrs. Claus VIP preview, available by advance purchase only. Families will be treated to a private 15-minute story time with Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate and s’mores with Santa, as well as front-of-the-line access to a photo opp with Santa!
Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., Denver
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $9-$20
Phone: 720-337-1400
DISNEY ON ICE – DARE TO DREAM!
An ice-skating extravaganza for the entire family, Disney on Ice features your favorite Disney heroines who encourage you to Dare to Dream! Moana makes her ice-skating debut, as she strives to save her island. Anna and Elsa must stop an eternal winter, while Rapunzel and Cinderella make their dreams come true, and Belle helps to uncover Beast’s gentleness. Come out and discover your own inner hero!
Pepsi Center, 1385 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs., 7:00 p.m.; Fri., 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m, 3:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$80
Phone: 866-461-6556
SANTALAND DIARIES
There is nothing funnier than this jaded response to the holiday season, pinpointing with sharp wit exactly what drives everyone crazy about it! David Sedaris recounts with hilarious honesty his stint as a Macy’s elf, and this one-man stage show brings it all to life. Gather a bunch of your most humbug-prone friends and get ready to thoroughly enjoy a different kind of Christmas story!
Jones Theatre, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs./Fri., 7:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$50
Phone: 303-571-4401
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
The heartwarming Christmas classic by Charles Dickens comes to life on stage! Filled with all the good cheer that the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future bring, along with a healthy dose of Tiny Tim’s optimism, this feel-good redemption story will have you rooting for Scrooge. No matter how many times you’ve heard the story, A Christmas Carol is worth seeing again and again!
The Stage Theatre, Speer Blvd. &, Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs., 6:30 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$100
Phone: 303-571-4401
Friday, December 7
KIDS NIGHT OUT WITH THE GRINCH
Kids Night Out gets in the Christmas spirit with a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! You know the story about a grumpy green hermit who hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville!
Treat the kids to a fun evening with dinner, arts and crafts, and games in addition to the movie. You can relax knowing they are safe at the YMCA Southshore’s Lakehouse. This event is open to potty-trained children through the age of 12! Registration is required.
The Lakehouse, YMCA Southshore, 27151 E. Lakeview Dr., Aurora
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Cost: $15-$17
Phone: 720-870-2221
Friday-Saturday, December 7-8
A CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS
Make the Colorado Symphony’s A Classical Christmas your newest holiday tradition! With an unforgettable program, featuring Holst’s Christmas Day, Berlioz’s The Shepherds’ Farewell, Handel’s Hallelujah from Messiah, and a medley of classics including I Saw Three Ships, O Holy Night, We Three Kings, and breathtaking conclusion with Gloria, you will be uplifted by this musical masterpiece!
Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876
Friday-Sunday, December 7-9
AURORA’S OWN NUTCRACKER PRODUCTION
You don’t need to go far to enjoy this favorite Christmas tradition! The Aurora Symphony and Aurora Dance Arts come together to put on an enthralling performance the entire family will love! Join Clara on her magical journey—the beautiful dancing, stunning scenery, and colorful costumes will have you dreaming of sugarplums long after the curtain closes!
Whether this is your first time watching this holiday classic or you have been captivated by the magic of The Nutcracker many times before, this performance by talented members of your local community is certain to put you in the holiday spirit!
Aurora Central High School, Newark St. and 10th Ave., Aurora
Fri., 7:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$16
Phone: 303-873-6622
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – THE RADIO SHOW
In a clever twist on the classic Dickens story, this version imagines an old-time radio show that is about to do a live broadcast of A Christmas Carol. But a blizzard prevents the actors from getting to the station on time, so a resourceful sound-effects person has to take on the show by himself. The result is a creative, hilarious adaptation of the beloved Christmas classic, sure to warm your heart and keep you laughing!
Vintage Theatre Productions, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $32
Phone: 303-856-7830
Saturday, December 8
A MYSTICAL, MAGICAL HANUKKAH
For an innovative take on Hanukkah, the Cirque de HEA promises a magical evening of music and wonder! Starting with a Happy Hour Havdalah and interactive Hanukkah music event, the evening continues with circus-style entertainment and the lighting of the Hanukkah candles. Enjoy a delicious dinner complete with Latke bar, and enjoy the company of the entire community, young and old! Don’t miss the Greatest Show on Hanukkah!
Hebrew Educational Alliance, 3600 S. Ivanhoe St., Denver
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Saturday-Sunday, December 8-9
JACKALOPE HOLIDAY INDIE ARTISAN FAIR
Forget about the long lines at the mall or hours spent on the Internet buying merchandise you can get anywhere—the Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair offers unique handmade gifts for sale by more than 150 artisans!
This FREE family-friendly fair gives you a chance to browse handcrafted merchandise in fashion and accessory design, home decor, housewares, art and photography, body products, food, and more. You can even become a maker yourself in DIY-hosted workshops and grab a bite to eat from a local food artisan. To make the day even merrier, have a drink at the full bar where all the donations benefit the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies.
McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 323-989-2278
Sunday, December 9
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH TEN TENORS
The Ten Tenors are Australia’s rock stars of the opera, and they join the Colorado Symphony in a special holiday performance of traditional and contemporary seasonal favorites. The unique program includes soaring versions of Joy to the World, White Christmas, Amazing Grace, Winter Wonderland, Feliz Navidad, and more. Home for the Holidays is the perfect way to celebrate the spirit of the season!
Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$104
Phone: 303-623-7876
Life at the Lake, in Southshore!
Ideally located in Aurora close to shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation options all year round, the master-planned community of Southshore offers lots of things to do nearby! Tour one of the beautiful models from Richmond American Homes, Century Communities and Toll Brothers, in ranch and two-story designs. You’ll find the lakeside home of your dreams, priced between the upper $300s and the $700s.