The holiday season is right around the corner. After turkey day, it is time to deck those halls. The city is getting decked out, too. From a pumpkin pie run to securing a place on the holiday lights bus, Denver wants to get you on track for a great holiday season.
Christmas Lights of Denver by Bus
It isn’t too early to start making your reservations for your holiday fun – and the Christmas Lights of Denver by Bus event fills up fast. This event takes place on Dec. 15, but the deadline to register for 2023 is just after Thanksgiving. You have until Nov. 29 to register for your seat on the bus, which is part of History Colorado’s Tours and Treks series. The tour bus will highlight the city’s festive lights and attendees will learn how Denver was once the “Christmas Capital of the United States.” Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at 5 p.m., with the tour departing at 6 p.m. Cost is $85 for nonmembers and $75 for members. Register at historycolorado.org/tours-and-treks.
ReelAbilities Film Festival
The ReelAbilities Film Festival promotes awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Now in its third annual year in Denver, the festival includes 13 films and shorts and a variety of other goings-on, such as live caricature drawing by artists with Access Gallery. There are also receptions and panel discussions. The festival takes place Nov. 17-19 at the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. The ReelAbilities Film Festival Denver is accessible to all in the following ways: the theater is wheelchair accessible, all spoken content will offer ASL interpretation, many films will have open captions and audio descriptions, and tickets are available at a sliding scale cost for those who need it.
For a complete list of films and to purchase tickets, visit jccdenver.org/reelabilities.
Pumpkin Pie 5K
It’s time to get on those running shoes because the Pumpkin Pie 5K takes place on Nov. 18 in City Park. Registration costs $36 in advance and $40 race day. This is an all-ages event, and cost for youth age 17 and younger is discounted by $5. Race goodies include a race logo shirt, a finishers medal, a party-like atmosphere on course and a finish line expo with food tables. Learn more or register at coloradorunnerevents.com/Pumpkin/.
Toy drive for the Denver Santa Claus Shop
Wheelhouse Gifts, 1525 S. Pearl St. in Denver, is serving as a drop off location for toy donations to benefit the Denver Santa Claus Shop.
Toys should be new and unwrapped, for newborns to age 11. Toy donations will be accepted between Nov. 28-Dec. 7. For more information, call Wheelhouse Gifts at 720-248-8477.
The Denver Santa Claus Shop is a local volunteer-run nonprofit that has been benefiting children in the city and county of Denver through its toy drive and distribution for more than nine decades.
To learn more about the Denver Santa Claus Shop, visit denversantaclausshop.org or its Facebook page.
Young Voices of Colorado concert: “Believe!”
Singers with the Young Voices of Colorado will be performing its winter concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. The concert, which will be based on the song “Believe” from “The Polar Express,” will include traditional seasonal favorites as well as a new medley by the organization’s composer in residence. The Young Voices of Colorado is a nonprofit that provides choral music education to youth. It has about 130 singers who range in age from kindergarten through 12th grade. All seven of the choirs will be performing in the “Believe!” concert. Tickets can be purchased through the Newman Center here. To learn more about Young Voices of Colorado, visit youngvoices.org.
Latkes and Lights
The public is invited to the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center’s (JCC Denver) second annual Latkes and Lights, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3. This event celebrates Hanukkah, and features themed games, a photo booth, voting for your favorite menorah, gifts for purchase, live music, and, of course, the anticipated Latke Competition. Restaurants and home cooks will be in separate categories, and attendees will have the opportunity to sample them. Cost is on a sliding scale, ranging from $10-$18 for individuals and from $40-$72 for a family four pack. To purchase tickets, visit jccdenver.org/portfolio-items/latkes-and-lights/.
“Letters of Suresh”
Denver’s Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma St., is presenting “Letters of Suresh” by playwright Rajiv Joseph from Nov. 11-Dec. 9. Joseph centers on the Asian and Asian-American experience and this play tells a story through “a series of letters between strangers, friends, daughters and lovers – many with little in common but a hunger for human connection,” states the description on Curious Theatre Company’s website. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit curioustheatre.org.