Bring the family together with a festive fun run, or send the stir crazy kids out to an adventurous camp this fall break.
Camps
Altitude Ninja Gym Thanksgiving Break Camps
Nov. 22 to 26, 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m.
Your kids will learn the fundamentals of parkour-style movements, including how to fall safely, swing properly, balance and jump with speed and precision, and how to conquer the Warped Wall. Ninjas should wear comfortable, athletic clothing and well-fitting lace-up sneakers. No experience necessary. $50 per three-hour camp, before and after camp options available. Altitude Ninja Gym, Colorado Springs.
Nov. 22 to 24, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Campers stay busy with arts and crafts, swimming, ice skating, and rock climbing as well as large group activities inside and outside depending on the weather. Camp Apex is a licensed day camp program with low staff to camper ratios. Ages 5-12. $45-$60. Register online. Apex Center (ages 5-10), Seacrest Center (ages 7-12); Arvada.
Fall Break Camp: Thinking Games with Grey Havens
Nov. 22 to 24, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Young campers will need critical thinking skills these days full of collaborative games, storytelling, movement, art making, and a scavenger hunt. Sign them up for one or multiple days, each has a different experience. Ages 10-13. $35 each day, scholarships available. Longmont Museum, Longmont.
Nov. 23 to 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pack a lunch and layers in your camper’s bag, then send them off to the zoo for a day of activities and learning. This year’s theme is trees and how they play vital roles for animals and ecosystems. $60.75 member, $65.75 non-member per day. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs.
Things With Wings: School Break Camp
Nov. 22 and 23, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (after care for purchase)
Participants will learn about Colorado’s flying friends. Activities, crafts, and lunch will be held outside, when weather permits. Grades K-5. $65, scholarships available. SPREE HQ, Denver.\
Special Events
Nov. 25, 9 to 11 a.m.
Take the family out for gratitude and movement with this virtual Turkey Trot through YMCA Estes Park. Walkers and strollers, dogs on leashes welcome. Celebrate after the race in the Sweet Memorial Building with refreshments and door prizes. Free. YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park.
Nov. 28, 2:30 p.m.
Percussionists of the Colorado Symphony present this show of skilled noise making on marimba, bass drums, metal trash cans, darabukkas, Burma gongs, tambourines, and more. All ages. $27 adult, $10 youth. Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver.
DYAO presents Suite(ly) Dancing
Nov. 20, 2:30 p.m.
The Denver Young Artists Orchestra presents a collaboration with the Colorado Conservatory of Dance, who will premiere a ballet inspired by the music of Florence Price. $20 adult, free students and children. Pinnacle Charter School, Denver.
Farolito Lighting & Pinecone Ceremony
Nov. 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Usher in the holiday season with an honoring of members of the community who have enlightened others. Feel the warmth and watch as pinecones are tossed into the courtyard fire, sending good thoughts and prayers into the night sky. Sing along to Christmas carols from the 1830s and 1840s with music students from the Colorado School of Mines and other strolling musicians. Enjoy Mexican hot chocolate, hot cider, and traditional biscochitos. The event is outside, dress accordingly. Register online. Free entry. The Fort Restaurant, Morrison.
Nov. 25; 5K Timed, 5k Timed Kids 12 & Under, and Kids Fun Run available, see online for details.
Trot around Denver’s Central Park, or your own neck of the woods, while raising funds for Prader-Willi research. This event includes a T-shirt, goodie bag, and key chain medal. $20-$40. Central Park, Denver.
Turkey Tunes with BenAnna Band
Nov. 24, 10 to 10:40 a.m.
Musical duo Ben and Anna sing silly songs about turkeys. Their upbeat tunes will have the whole family up and moving. Ages 5-12. Register online. Free. Virtual.
Exhibits
Nov. 4 to 27; Tue through Sat, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This exhibit tells the everyday story of the “lifecycle” of clothes, focused on 1880-1910, and today. Clothing began as a basic necessity to individuals who had a very intimate connection to the process of its creation, care and storage. Consider the economic, cultural, and environmental impacts of the massive growth of the fast-fashion clothing industry and learn how, in response, new innovations are leading the way towards a more sustainable clothing lifecycle for future generations. Free. Littleton Museum, Littleton.
GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked the World
Nov. 18 through April 17; Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., open until 9 p.m. Fri
Explore the science, sound, history, and pop culture behind one of the world’s most popular instruments. This exhibition features more than 70 instruments, plus hands-on experiences (get the chance to strum the world’s largest playable guitar). All ages. Included with admission: $18.95-$19.95 adult, $15.95-$16.95 seniors, $13.95-$14.95 ages 3-18, free age 2 and under and members. Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver.
Holiday Festivities
Nov. 18 through Jan 2; Select dates and times, see online for details; timed entry.
Immerse yourself in a massive holiday experience spread across a six-acre landscape. Visit Santa’s Glampsite to share your Christmas wish with the icon himself, drink hot cocoa (or seasonal cocktails for adults) while collecting virtual Merry Badges and enjoying a free audio tour. Snap the perfect holiday photo and remember the experience for years to come. Dress warm for the outdoor event. All ages. $8–$25. Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, Lakewood.
Colorado Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Nov. 27 through Dec. 24; most Thu through Sun; 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. showings. See online for details.
The beloved holiday favorite returns in a dazzling production featuring new sets and costumes created especially for Colorado Ballet. Age 5 and up. $40 and up. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver.
Nov. 27, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. showings
Set in Killarney, Ireland in the late 1920’s, this show demonstrates what it means to celebrate Christmas the “Irish” way, complete with song and dance. All ages. $49 and up. The PACE Center, Parker.
Nov. 16 to 18 preview; Nov. 19 through Dec. 23. Tue through Sat, 7:30 p.m.; Wed, 1 p.m.; Sat and Sun, 2 p.m.. Sensory-friendly performance Nov. 26, 1 p.m.
Embrace your inner elf and laugh along as Buddy the Elf finds his true identity while helping New York City rediscover its Christmas cheer. Age 6 and up. $53 and up, $20 sensory-friendly. Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada.
Nov. 19 through Jan. 1
Step inside the massive and magnificent Mile High Tree immersive art installation to experience a light show set to music. Free. Downtown Denver, 16th and Welton streets.
Nov. 19 through Jan. 1; 5:15 p.m., 6:50 p.m., and 8:25 p.m. on select dates, see online for details.
Set to the sounds of the movie soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the story as they are whisked away on a round-trip journey to the North Pole. The conductor will work his way through the coach and punch golden tickets before hot chocolate and a cookie are served by dancing chefs. Passengers then read along with the children’s book, The Polar Express, and Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and give each guest the first gift of Christmas. $39-$89 adult, $29-$79 youth. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Durango.
