9 Issues to do in Denver and Colorado this Dec. 10-12 weekend

COLORADO, USA — It is probably the most fantastic time of yr in Colorado!

This weekend Colorado celebrates the approaching winter season with vacation festivals, parades, musical performances, craft reveals and extra.

Winter and Christmas festivals are deliberate this weekend in Brighton, Longmont, Boulder, Thornton, Berthoud, Vail, Fruita, Denver, Fort Rock, Calhan and extra.

Rejoice the vacation season this weekend by experiencing the distinctive tradition, meals and geography that makes Colorado so particular at one in all these 40 enjoyable and festive occasions. Irrespective of the place you reside in Colorado, there is a magical weekend expertise awaiting you.

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BRIGHTON — Brighton’s 26th annual Competition of Lights Parade is set to step off at 5 p.m. Saturday. The all-ages nighttime parade options greater than 75 lighted entries with the theme of “A Hometown Vacation Custom.” The parade travels south on North Major Street, turns onto Bridge Road to tenth  Avenue to Southern Avenue. The occasion is free and open to the general public.

THORNTON — The three-day Thornton WinterFest begins with Santa’s arrival Friday at 6:30 p.m. on the Carpenter Park fields. Santa and his elves will assist the Mayor and Metropolis Council activate the lights of Santa’s Village. Afterwards can be ice skating, choir performances, meals distributors, a beer backyard and extra. The competition continues Saturday and Sunday with the Ugly Sweater Enjoyable Run, a vacation market, ice skating, vacation live performance from the Thornton Group Band and fireworks set to vacation music at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night time.

LONGMONT — The Metropolis Longmont has a weekend of actions deliberate for its annual Longmont Lights. Starting Friday at 5 p.m. the festivities embody Santa’s workshop, sizzling cocoa, hearth pits, meals vehicles, reside music, ice skating and fireworks show at 7:45 p.m. Longmont Lights continues Saturday with the Parade of Lights on Major Road at 5 p.m.

FRUITA — Fruita’s Hometown Christmas celebration is that this Saturday and consists of the 2021 Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Fruita with the tree lighting instantly following at 6:30 p.m. This yr’s theme is Winter Wonderland. 

CALHAN — Christmas involves southern Colorado early this weekend. The annual Calhan Christmas Parade of Lights arrives Saturday with reside music, floats, distributors, meals, mild shows, classic automobiles and Santa Claus. Admission is free on the El Paso County Fairgrounds.

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GOLDEN — Olde Golden’s Vacation Parade is again for in the future with elves, marching bands, floats, Victorian carolers, vintage vehicles, the Grinch, Buffalo Invoice and Santa. The parade route runs alongside Washington Avenue from tenth Road to thirteenth Road beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

DENVER — Skilled lacrosse is again at Ball Area this weekend! The Colorado Mammoth return to Ball Area in Denver on Saturday, Dec. 11 for his or her first house recreation since early 2020. The Mammoth host the San Diego Offers at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets can be found on-line right here.

The Mammoth are placing the ultimate touches on a Occasion Zone that may be capable to host greater than 300 of the staff’s greatest followers. Featured between sections 108 and 118 of Ball Area, Mammoth followers can be handled to a rotating number of video games and leisure with a rotating band and DJ appearances. The distinctive, standing-room-only space will function a enjoyable mixture of yard video games, drink choices, social alternatives and extra. Occasion Zone standing-room-only tickets are $30 and embody a free draft beer.

RELATED: Colorado Mammoth to debut Occasion Zone this season

BRECKENRIDGE — The 58th annual Ullr Fest runs Thursday to Sunday within the streets of Breckenridge. Snow lovers of all ages will benefit from the annual Ullr Parade down Major Road, curling, ice skating, movie screening and extra. Breckenridge Distillery and the Breckenridge Mountain Rotary will try to interrupt the “unofficial” world file for the most important shot-ski at 4 p.m. Thursday.

RELATED: This Colorado ski city broke the shot ski world file

BERTHOUD — The annual Berthoud Snowfest lighted vacation parade is about to step off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, adopted by a tree lighting and caroling at Fickel Park. The Colorado Snow Sculpting Championship has been postponed resulting from heat climate and an absence of snow. The occasion will transfer to January with ice carving starting Wednesday, Jan. 12.

BOULDER — Boulder’s annual Freezie Fest takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the Pearl Road Mall. The celebration of all issues winter affords free practice rides on the Snowflake Specific, vacation crafts and youngsters’ actions and visits with Santa.

CASTLE ROCK — Fort Rock’s Reindeer Video games is a enjoyable, family-friendly, winter-themed wonderland. The free occasion runs from 3 p.m. to six p.m. Friday on the Millhouse and Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park. There can be reside reindeer, s’mores, sizzling chocolate, sleigh rides, out of doors video games, impediment course, Santa Claus and extra.

DENVER — Cherry Creek North is celebrating the magic of the vacation season with Winter Wanderland, a set of free out of doors occasions for all to take pleasure in. Cherry Creek North additionally has practically 1,000,000 twinkling lights wrapping greater than 600 timber. This Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday Night time Lights may have festive leisure that includes hearth performances, stilt walkers, acrobats, jugglers and extra.

VAIL — Powabunga is again at Ford Park in Vail from Thursday to Sunday for 4 epic days and nights of reside music and mountain actions. Powabunga’s 2021 lineup consists of Rüfüs Du Sol, Elderbrook, Bob Moses, Chanel Tres, Classic Tradition, LP Giobbi, Taches, Channel Tres, N2N, Julia Sandstrom, Gavlak, Chris Cauldron, Golden, Housewife, Max Baum, and Haasy. Go to Powabunga.com for updates, to buy tickets and to see the complete 2021 lineup.

DENVER — The Colorado Symphony will carry out its annual Christmas live performance for 3 performances this weekend at Boettcher Live performance Corridor. The family-friendly live performance options conventional Christmas carols, your favourite new winter tunes and a few new surprises. There can even be a efficiency of ‘Twas the Night time Earlier than Christmas, narrated reside by Denver vocalist Devin DeSantis. Performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be found at ColoradoSymphony.org.

DENVER — Carried out by the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Granny Dances to a Vacation Drum has been a Colorado multicultural celebration for 30 years. The manufacturing, which blends dance, reside music, spoken phrase and seasonal celebrations and customs from world wide, is a vacation custom you will always remember. The 2021 manufacturing opens Saturday, Dec. 11 and runs by way of Sunday, Dec. 19 on the Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre. Tickets for Granny Dances to a Vacation Drum are offered at CleoParkerDance.org.

PHOTOS: Granny Dances to a Vacation Drum

DENVER — The Colorado Conservatory of Dance opens its annual manufacturing of The Nutcracker this Friday, Dec. 10. A Denver custom since 1993, the manufacturing from college students and group members additionally options world-class worldwide visitor artists. The Nutcracker can be carried out Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the next weekend on the Performing Arts Advanced at Pinnacle Constitution College. Tickets are on sale at CCDance.org.

LAKEWOOD — Ballet Ariel’s manufacturing of The Nutcracker returns to the Lakewood Cultural Heart starting Saturday, Dec. 11. That includes Tchaikovsky’s well-known rating and dancers from Ballet Ariel’s skilled firm and faculty, The Nutcracker follows Clara and the Prince’s journey of toy troopers, dancing snowflakes and Sugar Plum fairies. Ballet Ariel will maintain six matinee performances and two night performances by way of Thursday, Dec. 23. Tickets can be found at Lakewood.org/Tickets, at 303-987-7845 or the Lakewood Cultural Heart field workplace.

PARKER — The Nutcracker of Parker is a Douglas County vacation custom. Offered by Parker Arts and the Colorado College of Dance, this seventeenth annual, family-friendly manufacturing of Tchaikovsky’s vacation traditional opens Thursday, Dec. 9 and can play the PACE Heart by way of Saturday, Dec. 18. For tickets, head to ParkerArts.com.

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DENVER — Coloradans are invited to immerse themselves in a festive expertise like no different at “Dickens: A Household Vacation Expertise.” The one-night solely, choose-your-own-adventure vacation occasion will happen on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 4 to eight p.m. at 4 Mile Historic Park. 

The exercise choices embody two theatrical performances of the famed “A Christmas Carol” narrative (the Christmas story can be performed out alongside the trail by way of the park), an exploration by way of a vacation market, ice skating, interacting with Christmas carolers, story time with Charles Dickens, a go to from Santa and extra. The indulgences proceed for company of all ages with a sizzling cocoa bar, meals vehicles and full bar with vacation cocktails. Tickets can be found for buy on-line on Eventbrite.

LOVELAND — The final LIVE! Celebration this season at Loveland’s Winter Wonderlights is that this Saturday, Dec. 11. The lights and musical mild present runs each night time 5 to 9 p.m. by way of Jan. 2, 2022, however for these households who wish to come out to see Santa, get giveaways and watch reside performers, this Saturday is the night time to return.

This yr, Winter Wonderlights has added 20,000 further lights, bringing its show to 100,000 vacation string lights, twinkling bulbs, LED mappable snowflakes and coronary heart arches, illuminated African stone sculptures and a brand new 23-foot LED mappable Christmas tree.

PHOTOS: Winter Wonderlights

RELATED: Winter Wonderlights returns to Loveland

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electrical Safari affords 60 mild sculptures illuminating the zoo’s 50 acres. Together with the warming fires all through the zoo, the astounding shows will fill you with heat and vacation spirit as you gaze out on the glowing lights of Colorado Springs. Electrical Safari is open most nights from Friday, Dec. 10 by way of Jan. 1. Reserve your passes at CMZoo.org.

PHOTOS: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electrical Safari 

DENVER —  The Denver Zoo will mild greater than two million lights for its thirty first annual Zoo Lights celebration. Zoo Lights will span 80 acres and with new installations and choices in addition to returning favorites together with nightly ice-carving demonstrations. Zoo Lights runs by way of Sunday, Jan. 2 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Denver Zoo officers stated Zoo Lights tickets promote out every year. The zoo encourages of us to e book tickets on-line prematurely to safe a spot.

PHOTOS: Zoo Lights on the Denver Zoo

PUEBLO — ElectriCritters can be delighting children of all ages for a twenty eighth yr on the Pueblo Zoo. The 2021 occasion continues by way of Sunday, Dec. 26. The Pueblo Zoo custom options 150 magical mild creations, sizzling cocoa, tasty treats and vacation buying plus free photographs with Santa Claus on Dec. 19, Dec. 20 and Dec. 21. Go to PuebloZoo.org for tickets.

CASCADE — There are simply two weekends left to expertise Santa’s Workshop on the most festive time of yr. Colorado’s North Pole can be open most days by way of Thursday, Dec. 24 earlier than Santa should depart to ship presents to the youngsters of the world. Santa’s Workshop, an out of doors park exterior of Colorado Springs, affords rides, reside reveals, reward retailers, Santa’s home and extra. Tickets might be discovered at NorthPoleColorado.com.

DENVER — Denver Broncos soccer is again within the Mile Excessive Metropolis! The Broncos (6-6) host the Detroit Lions (1-10-1) at 2:05 p.m. Sunday at Empower Subject at Mile Excessive. Led by head coach Vic Fangio and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the Broncos want a victory on Sunday to maintain their playoff hopes alive. Though the sport is offered out, there are a lot of tickets accessible for resale at Ticketmaster.com.

RELATED: Broncos ship out playoff ticket notices to season-ticket holders

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche play not one, however two video games at house in downtown Denver this weekend. The Avs face off with the Detroit Purple Wings this Friday at 7 p.m. and the Florida Panthers at 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for each video games are offered by way of Ticketmaster.com.

LOVELAND — The Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, are again at house this weekend at Loveland’s Budweiser Occasions Heart. The Eagles are set to host the Bakersfield Condors at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Snag your tickets at ColoradoEagles.com.

BLACK HAWK — The 18th annual Gilpin County Group Heart’s Winter Arts Competition takes place Saturday and Sunday in Black Hawk. The competition options an arts and crafts honest, photographs with Santa, balloon artists, children’ crafts, face portray and extra.

DENVER — Begin tackling your Christmas buying record at this weekend’s sixteenth Road Mall Vacation Competition. The buying occasion takes place in downtown Denver for one ultimate weekend on Saturday, Dec. 11. {The marketplace} options one of-a-kind seasonal objects, handcrafted items, vacation reward concepts, specialty meals, house décor and distinctive vacation presents.

BOULDER — The seventeenth annual Boulder Vacation Present Competition is Boulder’s greatest vacation buying occasion. With an array of presents which can be regionally made, the competition additionally options at free live performance beginning at midday with Kenny Lee Younger. The occasion runs Sunday, Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to five p.m. on the Boulder YMCA with greater than 100 distributors.

DENVER — Sponsored by the Denver Milk Market, the four-day Massive HoliGay Bazaar pop-up occasion options an eclectic mixture of artists, creators, clothiers, jewelers, writers, musicians and extra. The primary Bazaar is about for Saturday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to five p.m. Take pleasure in customized drink menus, reside leisure, music, pleasure and cheer.

LONGMONT — Nonetheless working to test off folks out of your vacation buying record? Over 30 distributors can be promoting distinctive craft objects at this weekend’s Handcrafted Vacation Market on the Boulder County Fairgrounds. The annual market opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

VAIL — The Kris Kringle Market takes place Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the streets of Vail. The market is the proper place to discover a distinctive vacation reward or memento, akin to handmade toys, Christmas ornaments and decorations, cookies, chocolate treats, roasted nuts and extra.

RELATED: Go to these vacation markets to search out distinctive presents this Christmas

DENVER — The twenty first annual Denver Christkindl Market is open every day by way of Thursday, Dec. 23 on the Greek Amphitheater in Civic Heart Park. The Denver Christkindlmarket recreates the enjoyment of strolling a European village sq. through the holidays.

Friends to the market can savor the season whereas having fun with genuine Glühwein (mulled spiced wine) and European drinks whereas searching for distinctive artisan presents and vacation treats offered by native Coloradoan, European, and worldwide retailers in picket huts. Day by day leisure can even happen on the Greek Amphitheater Stage together with German polka music, German conventional dancers, vacation hymns in a number of languages, accordion and blue grass music, highschool bands and extra.

RELATED: Christkindl Market returns to downtown Denver

LONE TREE — Lone Tree Brewing Firm kicks off its tenth anniversary with a Beers & Cheers Comedy Present this weekend. The 21-and-older present begins at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $10 on-line.

FOUNTAIN — The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Area holds its twelfth annual Jingle Bell 5K and Children’ Reindeer Romp this Saturday. Runners (and walkers) ought to come to Fountain Creek Regional Park with reindeer antlers, ugly sweaters, Santa fits, bells, bows and cheer as a result of Santa Claus himself can be readily available. Registration and donation data is accessible on-line.

GRAND JUNCTION — Grand Junction Parks and Recreation and Kiwanis have teamed up for this weekend’s Santa Trigger Run. The 5K run/stroll takes place Saturday at 10:15 a.m. at Las Colonias Park Amphitheater. A 1K for the need get underway at 10 a.m. Santa Clause 5K registration might be accomplished on-line.

DENVER — Colorado’s largest manufacturing of A Christmas Carol has reopened this vacation season on the Denver Performing Arts Advanced. Based mostly on Charles Dickens’ traditional novel, the Denver musical adaptation traces curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge’s triumphant in a single day journey to redemption.

A Christmas Carol was final carried out by the Denver Heart for the Performing Arts (DCPA) Theatre Firm in 2018. The manufacturing was paused in 2019 for theater renovations and was canceled as a result of pandemic in 2020.

A Christmas Carol will play the newly-renovated Wolf Theatre on the Denver Performing Arts Advanced by way of Saturday, Dec. 26. Tickets are on sale now at DenverCenter.org beginning at $30.

RELATED: ‘A Christmas Carol’ returns after 3-year absence

DENVER — The Mile Excessive Tree, a seven-story tall, 39-foot diameter conical construction will as soon as once more function dynamic mild reveals choreographed to multi-cultural vacation music on the tallest pixel LED expertise tree within the nation. The enormous tree will seem for a second-straight yr on the sixteenth Road Mall at Welton Road. The Mile Excessive Tree can be lit up nightly by way of Saturday, Jan. 1 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entry to see the tree is free and open to the general public.

RELATED: America’s tallest digital tree returning to Denver

DENVER — Denver Botanic Gardens’ Blossoms of Gentle has been the Backyard’s signature occasion for over three many years. The vacation custom transforms the York Road gardens into a vacation wonderland. The family-friendly occasion is brighter and greater than ever earlier than with 1000’s of ever-changing shows of sunshine and coloration. Blossoms of Gentle runs by way of Jan 8. Get your ticket reservations early at BotanicGardens.org.

LAKEWOOD — Friends can journey by way of Denver Heart for the Performing Arts’ greatest vacation expertise ever at Camp Christmas. New this yr, the expertise can be an out of doors/indoor extravaganza at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, that includes artist Lonnie Hanzon’s fantastical wonderland of lights, dazzling decorations, music and memorabilia in varied yuletide scenes throughout a six-acre panorama. Camp Christmas runs by way of Sunday, Jan. 2. Get your tickets at DenverCenter.org.

A number of films battled for the post-Thanksgiving weekend field workplace crown. “Encanto,” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and “Home of Gucci” will proceed to gobble up the field workplace bucks the second weekend of December, however they face new competitors as Steven Spielberg’s long-awaited “West Aspect Story” and Adam McKay’s star-powered Netflix film “Do not Look Up” arrive in theaters this weekend.

Later this month, “Spider-Man: No Approach Dwelling,” “The Matrix Resurrections” and “The King’s Man” promise a giant vacation season on the cinema.

• West Aspect Story
• Do not Look Up

1. Encanto — $13.1 million
2. Ghostbusters: Afterlife — $10.4 million
3. Home of Gucci — $7.0 million
4. Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers — $4.3 million
5. Eternals — $4.1 million

RELATED: ‘Encanto’ wins field workplace for 2nd straight weekend

> Would you wish to see your favourite Colorado competition, honest, expo, live performance, drama, musical, ballet, run or occasion listed in 9Things? Ship it to alexander.kirk@9news.com.

RELATED: All the things it is advisable to know concerning the holidays in Colorado

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