11 minute read
Celebrate the Season
MAKING
COLORADO IS A FANTASTIC PLACE
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to revel in the holiday season, whether you want to experience dazzling light displays and Old World shopping or train rides and yurt dinners.
Here are a dozen ways to make the most of the season throughout the state
MEMORIES
Celebrate the holiday season throughout Colorado with these events
By Danielle Yuthas
Step Inside the Mile High Tree
At 110 feet tall, the Mile High Tree is an immersive art installation in downtown Denver. The dazzling music and lights show runs for 5 minutes every 15 minutes and is fun to experience from inside the tree.
Mile High Tree
16th and Welton streets, downtown Denver Nov. 19-Jan. 1 Free denver.org/ milehighholidays/tree
PHOTO BY NIKKI A. RAE PHOTOGRAPHY/VISIT DENVER
All aboard the train ride and show at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, which recreates the magic of the beloved children’s book, The Polar Express, and leaves every passenger believing in Santa Claus. Tickets include a cabaret-style show with holiday caroling and the "Hot Chocolate" song and dance in the heated Polar Express Pavilion. Then passengers get a ride to the North Pole aboard vintage coaches pulled by a coalfired steam locomotive. The Colorado Railroad Museum is operated by the Colorado Railroad Historical Foundation, which provides education and programming about the history of railroading in Colorado, and is sponsored in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.
Polar Express Train Ride
Nov. 11-Dec. 23 Tickets are $80 per person, ages 2-15; $100 per person, ages 16 and up. Colorado Railroad Museum coloradorailroadmuseum.org/ polar-express
The world’s largest Zamboni-groomed outdoor ice rink is at Evergreen Lake. All ages can skate the lake or play hockey. Reservations are required for individual public skating and private group skating. Onsite skate rentals are available.
Ice Skating
Monday through Friday, 3-7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting. Rates: $8 per hour for individuals; rent the rink for up to 10 people for $40 per hour on Evergreen Lake. Call 720-880-1391 before visiting; weather may affect hours. evergreenrecreation. com/224/Ice-Skatingand-Hockey
PHOTO BY XAVIER FANE/CRESTED BUTTE NORDIC
Trek to a Gourmet Dinner
Snowshoe or cross-country ski along a 1-mile trail from the Peanut Lake Trailhead in Crested Butte to the yurt, where your tour guides will become your servers, offering a five-course dinner prepared by chef Tim Egelhoff, paired with local libations and live music as you warm up and enjoy a leisurely evening. Yurt Dinners
Select dates starting Dec. 22 $155 per person, including snowshoes or ski equipment. Crested Butte Nordic Center cbnordic.org/things-to-do/magic-meadows-yurt/ yurt-dinners
PHOTO BY JONATHAN MELOT
Experience the Holidaze
The spirit of the holiday season is imbued in this Broadway-style musical with a twist of circus and a splash of Vegas, in a family-friendly format. Touring nationwide, the show integrates seasonal favorites and top performers in imaginative, glitzy costumes while putting a new spin on the old favorites.
Cirque Dreams’ Holidaze
Nov. 19-Jan. 2 Tickets start at $29 Bubly Theater at Gaylord Rockies tickets.gaylordrockies.com
Stroll Through the Vignettes of Camp Christmas
The over-the-top immersive holiday display designed by multimedia artist Lonnie Hanzon and presented by DCPA Off-Center is inspired by "gaudy holiday windows" and could not be any more festive and over-the-top. Each scene transports visitors to Christmas in different times and places, and the entire exhibit is a wonderland of selfie stations. You will see animals made of glitter, ornament chandeliers and neon trees in the flashiest sight of the season. Don’t miss the Christmas cocktails at the Santa Bar and the Blucifer tree ornaments in the gift shop.
Camp Christmas
Nov. 18-Jan. 2 Prices TBA Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park 303-893-4100 denvercenter.org/tickets-events/camp-christmas
Shop German-style at Christkindlmarket
Reminiscent of Old World Germany, the longstanding Christkindlmarket is hosted by the German American Chamber of Commerce. The market is filled with artisan merchants, and you can purchase pretzels, pierogis, speck, knodel and blinchikis, as well as German beer, glühwein, schnapps and hot chocolate. Entertainment is also on the schedule and you can meet St. Nikolaus, Krampus and the Christkind herself. Keep an eye on the events calendar to learn more about Canine Christmas, Ugly Sweater Night, ’70s Night and other fun events.
Christkindlmarket
Nov. 19-Dec. 23 Free admission Civic Center Park christkindlmarketdenver.com
See a Gingerbread Extravaganza
The Broadmoor Hotel is home to one of the top gingerbread displays in the country. What started with a single gingerbread house on view in 1964 grew into life-size displays by 2013 and has since included a gingerbread chapel, train, and even a replica of the Colorado Springs resort. Last year’s display was a replica of the newly redesigned Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The cookie creations are created by the Broadmoor’s in-house pastry chefs. This year’s theme will be a secret until it is unveiled on Nov. 24.
Broadmoor Gingerbread
PHOTO COURTESY OF DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
Blossoms of Light
Nov.19-Jan. 8 $16-$19 for members and $18-$21 for nonmembers. Denver Botanic Gardens botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/ blossoms-light
Be Dazzled by the Lights
Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens started in 1988 and creates new designs and features each year to keep annual visitors intrigued. The volume of LED lights, estimated at more than a half million, are custom strung and interwoven throughout the garden—a feat that takes 13 months to design, plan and execute. Treats and warm drinks are available at the Hive Garden Bistro. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance.
Sip Tea at The Brown Listen to a Live Orchestra while Enjoy a New Take on Watching a Muppet Classic The Nutcracker Afternoon tea has been a favorite elegant tradition for many This modern holiday mashup is true generations, and what better to E.T.A. Hoffman’s original story setting than The Brown Palace written in 1816, set to Tchaikovsky’s Hotel, where they deck the halls classic score, with a vibrant New — as well as the archways, the York City backdrop replacing the tree, the eight-story atrium and traditional 19th century Germany. the chandeliers for the holidays. In lieu of ballerinas, the cast is The pastries, scones and tea composed of all-star hip hop sandwiches are handmade; the dancers, a DJ and a violinist. Devonshire cream is flown in from across the pond. Holiday reservations are typically made a year in advance, but the regular tea is a treat throughout the year as well. Afternoon Tea
Monday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.; prices start at $42 Danielle Yuthas is a Denver native and the vice president of marketing for a franchise brand. Her The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa articles have also appeared in Franchising World Magazine. Yuthas loves Christmas, and when brownpalace.com/dining/restaurants/ she is not hosting holiday parties of her own, you can find her searching for vintage ugly Christmas afternoon-tea sweaters and ornaments for her Barbie-themed tree.
As Kermit the Frog navigates Christmas past, present and future following the original Dickens tale, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra plays the movie soundtrack of A Muppet Christmas Carol. The movie is projected onto the big screen and the songs are amplified in a live concert. The unconventional event draws those who are new to the symphony and delights symphony regulars. Disney’s A Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
Dec. 22-23; tickets start at $15; Boettcher Concert Hall tickets.coloradosymphony.org/6022
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Nov. 19-20 Prices TBA Buell Theater at Denver Performing Arts Complex denvercenter.org/tickets-events/ hip-hop-nutcracker
COLORADO expression
2021
COLORADO expression
2021 Gifting&Giving
There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than giving. It is my hope that our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide provides ideas for sharing your light and love through gifting and giving—gifting friends and family with thoughtful presents and giving to nonprofit organizations who welcome every act of generosity to help those in need. From everyone here at WiesnerMedia and Colorado Expression, we wish you the peace of the season throughout the year. —Elizabeth Hamilton, Group Publisher
Colorado Expression 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Gift Ideas 54–67
A Line Boutique Bartesian Betteridge Broadmoor Canada Goose Central City Opera Cherry Creek North Dan Sharp Luxury Outerwear Denver Art Museum Deviation Distilling Epicurean Catering Ferrari of Denver Garden of the Gods Resort and Club John Atencio Junior League of Denver Lucchese LuxeRox MAX Monarch Casino Resort Gift Card Moore for Life Nathan & Co. Nordstrom Obermeyer Osmia Organics Oster Jewelers Portrait of an Artist: Conversations with Trailblazing Creative Women Restorative Injectables Savory Spice Shaver-Ramsey Sushi-Rama Sugar-WOOF by Sugarwish Table Mountain Farm The Elephant Project The Lark The Nest Nail Spa The Fort Trice Jewelers Urban Egg White Peacock NonProfit Giving Inspiration 76–83 A Precious Child Amp the Cause Central City Opera Clayton Early Learning Colorado Ballet Colorado Pet Pantry Denver Rescue Mission Dumb Friends League Global Down Syndrome Foundation Invest in Kids Jewish Family Service Junior League of Denver Judi’s House National Jewish Health Ronald McDonald House Roundup River Ranch Shining Stars Foundation Tennyson Center for Children Urban Peak Volunteers of America Warren Village We Don’t Waste The Wild Animal Sanctuary
Holiday Happenings
WinterWanderland Light Walk
Explore 16 sparkling blocks with more than a half million lights, and discover eight twinkling displays choreographed to music.
When: Thursday, Nov. 18–Friday, Dec. 31 Where: Throughout Cherry Creek North
domino effect*
Experience the magic of the holiday season with this interactive light art installation featuring 120 oversized musical dominos bursting with light and dancing with color.
When: Thursday, Nov. 18–Friday, Dec. 31 Where: Gart Plaza (3rd and Milwaukee)
Saturday Night Lights
Your family tradition starts here. Stroll beneath 600 illuminated trees, and enjoy free festive treats and entertainment from 5pm to 7pm.
When: Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 Where: Throughout Cherry Creek North
Cherry Creek Holiday Market
Produced by Fetch Discover unique gifts from 30 local artisans, and enjoy festive live music while you shop.
When: Thursday, Nov. 18–Thursday, Dec. 23 Where: Fillmore Plaza (between 1st and 2nd)
Small Business Weekend
We’re big on small business. Support your favorite local shops all weekend long, and find great deals and giveaways.
When: Friday, Nov. 26–Sunday, Nov. 28 Where: Participating Cherry Creek North Businesses
*An original work by Ingrid Ingrid Production: Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, Montreal, Canada
CherryCreekNorth.com/Holidays
@cherrycreeknorth /cherrycreeknorth
Give the Giftof
FOR THE SHOW-GOER
The Broadmoor Holiday Show Get ready to dine, sing along and enjoy the holiday season at one of The Broadmoor’s Holiday Shows. With the Classic Broadmoor Holiday Package, you can make a night of it with your family or bring your team and make this evening your company holiday party! Either way, this show is not to be missed with headliner Sheena Easton. Show dates: December 17, 18, 19, 24, and 26, 2021.
FOR THE FESTIVE
The Winter Spectacular Package When you want to stay close to home but light up your holiday in an exciting new way, The Broadmoor offers the perfect “staycation.” Enjoy the spirit of the season with special room packages that include your whole family in festive activities. You might just find your new holiday tradition!
FOR THE ADVENTURER
An Invigorating Wilderness Retreat Does anyone in your family love the outdoors or want to experience Colorado’s beauty? From fly fishing to relaxing in rustic luxury Broadmoor style, our Wilderness Experiences make a great gift. Choose from one of our three luxury, all-inclusive properties: Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Camp, Cloud Camp or The Ranch at Emerald Valley, voted 2019 Most Luxurious Ranch by AAA Colorado.
FOR THE FORMAL PARTYER
The Broadmoor New Year’s Eve Gala
Want to close out 2021 in style? Then gift yourself an unforgettable night at The New Year’s Eve Gala.
Elegant and exquisite, it’s an evening of dancing and a tastefully designed menu. Ring in 2022 with champagne and a balloon drop while the band brings everyone to their feet.
FOR THE FREE SPIRIT
The Broadmoor New Year’s Eve Bash
Let your hair down at the more casual Bash, a festive New Year’s Eve celebration held in The Broadmoor’s International Center. Get your groove on with energetic dance music by a DJ, along with a cash bar throughout the event. Welcome in the New Year with a champagne toast at midnight.
Give the gift of choice this holiday! A Broadmoor Gift Card is the gift that keeps on giving. In addition to purchases at any of our fine retail shops and galleries, The Broadmoor Gift Card can be used toward lodging, spa services and much more!
