Families with kids can ooooh and aaahh over holiday lights, but so can older adults!
Magic is in the air these days as one drives down Littleton’s Main Street or heads out to the Trail of Lights at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, or drives north to see “Zoo Lights” at the Denver Zoo or “Blossoms of Light” at Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street. Or simply drive through the neighborhoods that outdo themselves. I thank all these sources this year in particular!
Englewood Arts Presents
The delightful Saturday afternoon concert series has resumed in Hampden Hall, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Englewood Arts Presents “Silver Ainomae and Friends” at 2 p.m. on Dec. 18. Tickets: adults/$30; seniors (60+) $25; students under 18/$10. Purchase at door a half-hour prior to the concert or online at englewoodarts.org or 303-806-8196.
Lone Tree Arts Center
“Home for the Holidays” runs Dec. 16-23 at the Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. Tickets cost $28-$42. 720-509-1000, LoneTreeArtsCenter.org. Also: limited availability for the “Doo Wop Project Christmas” on Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Masks required.
Performance Now
“Nunsense” is scheduled by Highlands Ranch-based Performance Now Theatre Company from Jan. 7-23 at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood. Fridays 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m. 303-987-7845. Great Christmas gift idea, as are any theater or concert tickets here, at littleton Town Hall, at the Aurora Fox, Vintage Theatre, Denver Center for Performing Arts … See lakewood.showare.com.
Camp Christmas
Installation artist Lonnie Hanzon has moved his unique “Camp Christmas” outside to Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood. Look for Pun Trees on the grounds, as well as sweet and savory snacks, hundreds of lights, Santa at times (check schedule-at times he’ll speak Spanish). Tickets: Adult $15; Youth 5-15, $10; 0-4 free. DenverCenter.org/CampChristmas, 303-893-4100.
Stories on Stage
“Making Merry” is the annual holiday event, playing Dec. 19 at the King Center, 855 Lawrence Way, Denver. In January “High School Confidential,” in collaboration with Buntport Theater, will play at Su Teatro Theater, 721 Santa Fe Drive, Denver on Jan 21. Single Tickets $22. 303-494-0523, storiesonstage.org. Gift idea here!
Own an Original
The 56th “Own an Original” exhibit continues at the Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton, through December. While you can’t take an item home until the exhibit is over, this is another spot to shop for gifts of art for a home or apartment … Closed Mondays. Admission free.
New Year’s Eve
The Littleton Symphony Orchestra, littletonsymphony.org, and the Colorado Symphony, coloradosymphony.org, both offer New Year’s Eve Concerts this year, with the theme of “A Night in Vienna.” Another gift idea!
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, public events frequently are canceled or rescheduled. Check with organizers before you go.