December’s here and with it comes all the excitement of Christmas and Santa and parades. In Colorado Springs, there are many events to help celebrate the holiday, and many are family-friendly!
On Saturday, Dec. 3 is the Festival of Lights Parade. The parade will start at 5:50PM in downtown Colorado Springs at the corner of Tejon and St Vrain Street, and will proceed south on Tejon to Vermijo Avenue. Get there early for the best seating, and dress warmly as the parade may last a couple of hours. The Festival of Lights Parade has chosen the Empty Stocking Fund as its charity. You can help by going to http://fillanemptystocking.org and making your donation; or bring a dollar to the parade and give it to the collection elves. Every dollar you give will be doubled.
Another Christmas tradition, the 6th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6 starting at 5:30PM.
Widefield Community Center, 705 Aspen Dr. Colorado Springs, CO
Price: Free
Phone: (719) 391-3515
Bring the entire family for a fun-filled night that includes hayrides, caroling, kids’ crafts, holiday shopping, and more. Non-perishable food item donations will be collected throughout the celebration to help local families in need for the holidays.
Take a break from your shopping to hear classics, favorites, a sing-along, and excerpts from Handel’s Messiah.
A Christmas Symphony will be held on Dec. 17 at 8PM and Dec. 18 at 2:30PM
Pikes Peak Center
190 S. Cascade Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 520-7469
On Dec. 17 is a free Christmas Concert. Ballet Emmanuel, a professional Christian Ballet Company based out of Colorado Springs will be performing their original production of “The Gift” with shows on Dec. 16 at 7PM and Dec. 17 at 2PM and 6PM.
CIVA Charter High School, 4635 Northpark Dr. Colorado Springs, CO
Price: Free
Phone: (719) 433-8820
The Colorado Youth Ballet will be performing The Nutcracker, with two performances on Tuesday, Dec. 20th, at 4 PM and 7 PM. Unlike most productions, which run two-plus hours, this performance will run 70 minutes and includes theatrical innovations not often found in the ballet. Tickets are $15-28 and are available at all Front Range King Soopers, or by phone.
Pikes Peak Center
190 N. Cascade Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO
(719) 520-7469
For a complete list of events in Colorado Springs, please go to www.coloradosprings.com and search for Christmas events.