AURORA | No need to dread the cold and snow to be able to get out and enjoy holiday happenings over the upcoming weekend. Clear skies and mild late-fall temperatures are on tap, along with a bevy of things to see and do. Here’s a sampling of what’s up:
Rocky Mountain Record Show Pop-Up at Dry Dock
Pop in for this rhythmic pop-up. More than 20 vendors and thousands of records will be at Dry Dock Brewing. Shop and buy vinyl with a beer in hand.
IF YOU GO:
Event: Rocky Mountain Record Show
When: Noon – 5 p.m. Dec. 8
Where: Dry Dock Brewing Company, 15120 E. Hampden Ave.
Price: Free admission
Who’s Holiday
An (adults only) comedy that tells the story of Cindy Lou Who. She’s throwing a Christmas party in her trailer with a tell all. As she recalls the Christmas Eve she first met the Grinch, the audience will learn the twisted turns her life has taken.
IF YOU GO:
Event: Who’s Holiday
When: Dec. 2 – Dec. 31
Where: Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.
Tickets: $24
https://www.vintagetheatre.org/performances/whosholiday
Black Nativity
A joyous holiday musical, is a modern retelling of the traditional account of the Nativity story from an African American perspective. Using gospel music, African beats, dramatic dance and a biblical narrative Black Nativity opened for a limited run of 57 performances at Broadway’s 41 St. Theatre on Dec. 11, 1961. It was written and conceived by one of the legendary leaders of the Harlem Renaissance: Black playwright, poet, novelist, and social activist Langston Hughes.
IF YOU GO:
Event: Black Nativity
When: Dec. 6 – Dec. 29
Where: Vintage Theatre,
1468 Dayton St.
Price: $20 – $38
https://www.vintagetheatre.org/performances/blacknativity
39th Annual Children’s Hospital Colorado Toy Run
The Children’s Hospital Toy Run is back for its 39th year. Motorcycles, Cars and Trucks are all welcome.
8 a.m. Staging begins at Aurora Sports Park (19300 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora)
10 a.m. First wave leaves to Children’s Hospital Colorado
11 a.m. -2 p.m. Free after party at Mile High Harley-Davidson Aurora
All individuals must be pre-registered. Wrist bands must be picked up at any of the participating donation and toy drop locations listed below. Simply show your registration email to get your wrist/handlebar band.
IF YOU GO:
Event: The Children’s Hospital Toy Run
When: 8 a.m. Dec. 8
Where: Aurora Sports Park, 19300 E. Colfax Ave.
Price: A new unwrapped toy
Sensative Santa
A peaceful, sensory-friendly visit with Santa for children with special needs. The Santa Visit will be before the mall opens for children to enjoy a quiet atmosphere, ensuring a calm and comfortable experience. Reserve your photo time with Santa at https://tinyurl.com/TCAsanta.
IF YOU GO:
Event: Sensative Santa
When: 8 -10 a.m. Dec. 8
Where: Town Center At Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
Tickets: $20-$50
Email for Sensative Santa
bookings
kdugger@cherryhillprograms.com
“It’s A Wonderful Life” – A Symphonic Celebration of the Holidays
The Aurora Symphony Orchestra will be putting on a symphonic celebration of the holidays featuring music from favorite holiday films, including “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Home Alone,” “Christmas Vacation” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
IF YOU GO:
Show: “It’s A Wonderful Life” –
A Symphonic Celebration of the Holidays
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 3 p.m. Dec. 8
When: South Middle School 12310 E Parkview Drive.
Tickets: $10-$20 and free for students and children younger than 18. Go to AuroraSymphony.org
Aurora Fox debuts Wild West twist on Dickens’ holiday classic
The Aurora Fox Arts Center is trading Victorian London for the Wild West of the 1880s in its re-imagining of “A Christmas Carol. It’s all about “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Aurora Fox Christmas Show!” The event is comedic adaptation of Charles Dickens’ iconic tale and opens Nov. 30. Directed by Steven J. Burge, the production promises a lively blend of humor, creativity, and heartwarming holiday spirit.
Written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, the show takes a decidedly unconventional approach to the well-loved story. Featuring a cast of five female actors who take on dozens of roles, the play blends fast-paced action with imaginative storytelling. The production aims to offer audiences a new perspective on Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey of redemption, swapping snowy London streets for a dusty Wild West town.
Burge describes the show as a comedic breath of fresh air for holiday theatergoers. “Forget the kid with the BB gun, the green fuzzy guy, or even Will Ferrell,” he said, referencing other holiday staples. “This version has three ghosts, a chain-rattling dead guy, and a whole lot of laughter.”
With its innovative staging and unexpected twists, the production maintains the timeless themes of Dickens’ original work while injecting fresh holiday humor and wit.
IF YOU GO:
Show: Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Aurora Fox Christmas Show!
When: Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. curtain. Sundays 2 p.m. curtain and a Dec. 9 industry night. Opens Nov. 30 and runs through Dec. 22
Where: Aurora Fox Arts Center, Mainstage, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets and details: $17-$42 available at AuroraFox.org
Curious Theatre presents ‘Confederates’
Dominique Morisseau’s work returns to the Curious stage this fall with Confederates, a powerful exploration of race, power, and history. Known for previous hits like Skeleton Crew and Detroit ‘67, Curious is no stranger to Morisseau’s masterclass of weaving together personal, historical, and social narratives, and this show is considered her most ambitious yet.
The play explores institutional racism through the dual lenses of Sara, an enslaved rebel turned Union spy, and Sandra, a tenured professor in a modern-day private university. The regional premiere leaps through time to trace the stories of these two Black American women.
IF YOU GO:
Tickets: $28-$55
When: Thursdays through
Sundays, through Dec. 8 at 7:30pm. Curtains vary.
Where: Curious Theatre
Company, 1080 Acoma St
Details and sales:
curioustheatre.org
Christmas In Color Drive-thru Animated Light Show
A dazzling drive-through holiday light show synchronized to festive music straight through your car radio. Cruise past giant candy canes, towering snowmen, glowing arched pathways and more as millions of lights illuminate your route. Enjoy the season’s magic at your own pace.
IF YOU GO:
Through- Dec. 29
Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave.
$44-$58
25th Annual Festival of Wreaths
The Aurora Museum Foundation presents its Annual Festival of Wreaths, a fundraiser showcasing community-crafted wreaths at the Aurora History Museum. Starting Nov. 5, wreaths will be on display, with visitors encouraged to vote and bid, either in-person or online via Bidding Owl. This year’s festival coincides with The Grand Celebration on Nov. 16, marking the museum’s 45th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of Trolley Trailer #610, featuring both silent and live auctions to support museum exhibits and educational programs. Community members are invited to participate by decorating and donating wreaths for the event.
IF YOU GO :
Festival of Wreaths
Through- Dec. 6
Aurora History Museum,
15051 E. Alameda Parkway
Free
Family-friendly
auroragov.org/things_to_do/
aurora_history_museum
The Pond Ice Rink
Southlands’ popular ice rink, The Pond, reopens on Nov. 8, kicking off the holiday and winter season. Advance tickets for skating sessions will be available soon. Group rates are also offered; contact (303) 928-7536 for details and reservations or email southlands@icerinkevents.com.
IF YOU GO :
The Pond is open
Southlands, 6155 S. Main St.
$14
Family-friendly
shopsouthlands.com/
Cirque: Frost
Young Jack discovers his destiny as the legendary winter spirit, Jack Frost. Through a 50-minute show of high-flying stunts and breathtaking feats, witness the heartwarming tale of a dreamer who brings enchantment and wonder to the world.
IF YOU GO:
Show: Cirque: Frost
When: Dec. 2 – Jan. 1
Where: Gaylord Rockies
Resort & Convention Center,
6700 Gaylord Rockies Blvd.
Tickets: $45 and children three and under are free. Children must be with an adult.
https://christmasatgaylordrockies.marriott.com
ICE! Featuring the Polar Express
The holiday attraction features scenes from the movie “The Polar Express”, brought to life in ice sculptures hand-carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice. All part of Christmas at Gaylord Rockies.
IF YOU GO:
Event: ICE! Featuring the
Polar Express
When: Dec. 2 – Jan. 1
Where: Gaylord Rockies Resort, 6700 Gaylord Rockies Blvd.
Tickets: $17 – $35
The date for the Aurora Tree Lighting & Merry Makers is incorrect. It happened on Tuesday, Dec. 3rd.
Thanks, Aimee. Bad miss. The event list is corrected.