With Thanksgiving in the rear view and plenty of holiday happenings ahead, you’ll find more things for you and your family to do in and around Aurora – north, south, east and west! Check out the plays, spectacles, performances and artisan/craft markets — this weekend and next!
Thursday-Sunday, November 27-December 7
SKATE-O-RAMA AT THE POND!
The Pond at Southlands, that amazing ice rink in the Town Square, right across from the movie theater, is OPEN! Head over with family and friends this month for a fun morning, afternoon or evening of skating on the ice. Admission includes the cost of skate rentals
Southlands Mall Town Square, Aurora
Mon.-Fri., 4:00-9:00 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Admission: $15.50
BE DAZZLED BY ZOO LIGHTS
No one can resist the magic of the Denver Zoo lit up at night—the animals are staying up late to help celebrate! There’s a brand-new crop of colorful installations, as well as your old favorites, including nightly ice-carving demonstrations.
Denver Zoo, 2900 E 23rd Ave., Denver
Thurs./Sun., 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat.; 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10 – $15
Thursday-Sunday, November 27-December 7
GAYLORD ROCKIES RESORT
Experience So Much Christmas at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora. The dazzling light displays, tempting treats, workshops for kids and holiday shows create dozens of exciting activities for the whole family. ICE!Features beloved scenes from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! brought to life through colorful and colossal ice sculptures. Explore the two million pounds of iced, more than three million dazzling lights and more fun than one afternoon or evening can contain!
Candy Cane Mountain Indoor Snow Tubing & Gumdrop Gliders Ice Puck Challenge – Guests can enjoy high-speed fun on an indoor snow tubing hill made with real snow and unlimited runs throughout the day. Join the ice puck challenge to slide colorful pucks across real ice, aiming for the highest score while navigating challenging obstacles.
Festival of Trees – This holiday fundraiser features 200 beautifully decorated trees available for auction, with proceeds benefiting Lantern (formerly Bright by Text) and its mission to ensure every child has access to trusted early childhood resources.
Gingerbread Decorating Corner, Build-a-Bear workshop, Elf Training Academy and the Yuletide Street Market in Mistletoe Village are just a sample of the things to do and see at So Much Christmas!
Gaylord Rockies Resort, 2700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora
Various Time Slots for ICE!
Tickets: Starts at $32 for ICE!
Info: 720-452-6900
Friday-Sunday, November 28-December 21
A TWISTED KIND OF CHRISTMAS CAROL
In a festive mood, the ladies of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society mount another assault on the classics with their stage version of “A Christmas Carol.” They enthusiastically portray a dizzy array of characters from the Dickensian favorite (and a few which aren’t), engineer some novel audience participation while bravely contending with an intrusive PA system, and — a real Farndale first — wrap their vocal cords and feet around two original, show-stopping songs. The Fox will welcome some of the true “grandes dames” of the Colorado theatre community to the stage for this hilarious, nonstop journey into a holiday show gone utterly and madly wrong. Recommended for all ages.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $17-$42
Friday-Sunday, November 28-30
CHRISTKINDL MARKET
Experience an Old World Christmas at the annual Denver Christkindlmarket. It’s downtown’s favorite free holiday celebration, back for another month of festivities and holiday crafts. Christmas markets are a longstanding tradition in Germany and throughout Europe, dating back to the 14th century. Communities come together to enjoy the season with Christmas carols, hot spiced wine called Gluehwein, handmade decorations, and old-fashioned carousels. Attend Denver’s homage to this unique German culture where children can enjoy the Kinder Wunderland, with its variety of age-appropriate games and a s’more-making center. This is a must-see and must-taste holiday event!
Tivoli Quad @ Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer St., Denver
Mon.-Thurs., 1:00-9:00 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, November 29-30
THE NUTCRACKER
The Nutcracker returns to the stage for Colorado Ballet’s 65th season to delight audiences of all ages. This timeless tradition and audience favorite captures the festive spirit of the season, replete with mischievous dancing mice, sweet Sugar Plums, a symphony of swirling snowflakes, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Performance Duration: This performance runs 1 hour and 45 minutes including one intermission. (The DCPA is about 31 miles north and west of the new home community of Overland Ranch.)
DCPA, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St., Denver
1:00 & 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $100-$210
Next Week: Tuesday, December 2
MERRY MAKERS MARKET
The Aurora public library is hosting a Merry Makers Market on Tuesday featuring a variety of regional and local vendors in conjunction with the Holiday Tree Lighting that will take place right after, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Aurora Municipal Center ,15151 E. Alameda Parkway.
Aurora Public Library, 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Free
Wednesday, December 3
HOLIDAY HISTORIES
Visit Four Mile Historic Park all month long to explore the wonder of holidays from around the world with artifacts on loan from the Mizel Museum. Dive deeper into the parallels between Jewish immigration and expansion in Denver and the history of the Four Mile House through panels and works brought to Four Mile by the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society and the University of Denver. Share your own traditions in the interactive Tradition Test Kitchen, where families can read together, share their favorite recipes, and create crafts inspired by the works in the exhibition. Free with general admission.
Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Denver
Thurs./Sun., 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $6-$8
Thursday-Saturday, December 4-6
SANTA’S BIG RED SACK
After more than two decades of holiday mischief, Denver’s most irreverent Christmas tradition is wrapping up its final season! Santa’s Big Red Sack is back for one last sleigh ride, stuffed with sketches, musical mayhem, and the kind of twisted holiday cheer that’s made it a must-see since 2002. Enjoy this twisted, hilarious, and wrapped in tinsel performance that will make your belly shake like a bowl full of jelly, your heart will dance, and you’ll never hear “The 12 Days of Christmas” the same way again.
It may be cold outside, baby, but for one final year, Santa’s Big Red Sack is hotter than ever. Don’t miss your last chance to see the Sack unleashed!
The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $28.10-$38.10
Saturday December 6
WINTER FRENZY HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW
Join 1500 other Aurora shoppers for a festive celebration at the Winter Frenzy Holiday and Craft Show. Enjoy a unique assortment of traditional and unexpected artistic, creative, handmade crafts in a setting that provides festive fun for all ages. Plus, meet Santa himself for photos and a special pre-Christmas experience. Don’t miss out on the magic—come celebrate the season with more than 180 exhibitors!
Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Free
FOX FLIX: SCROOGED
The Aurora Fox Theater presents movies every Saturday and coming up is this modern take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life. But after firing a staff member (Bobcat Goldthwait) on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past. See Bill Murray in one of his best early (1988) PG-13 films.
Aurora Fox Theater, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
2:00 p.m.
Admission: $5
PARADE OF LIGHTS
The 9News Parade of Lights, featuring more than 40 units of lit spectacles, including extravagantly illuminated floats, giant helium-filled character balloons, magnificent marching bands, traditional equestrian units and vibrant cultural displays happens Saturday night. And, of course, a special appearance by Major Waddles the Penguin and Santa are part of the holiday spirited celebration. The parade begins at 14th and Bannock streets (about 30 miles north of Overland Ranch) where you can purchase grandstand seating in front of the City and County Building. See the two-mile route, here.
Parade of Lights, 14th and Bannock St., Denver
6:00 p.m.
OVERLAND RANCH: SPRING 2026
It won’t be long before the homes in Overland Ranch will be visible from the intersection of Monaghan and County Line Rds., in Aurora. Conveniently located five minutes south and east of Southlands Mall, this new home community will feature traditional, prairie, modern farmhouse and craftsman style homes. More than 900 ranch and two-story houses will comprise four neighborhoods, by four of Colorado’s best builders: Century Communities, Pulte, Richmond American and Toll Brothers. Join our interest list, today!
