As Beloved Blockhead Charlie Brown Says, ‘Good Grief, The Holiday Season Is Here Already’
by Glen Richardson
Winter Takes All: The 1940s-era White Christmas Ball returns to Wings Over the Rockies Dec. 7. The Metropolitan and Hot Tomatoes Jazz Orchestras play.
Ho Ho Ho, ’Tis the Season: The Nutcracker is at the Ellie, ice skating is downtown, and rooftop at Cherry Creek’s Halcyon Hotel. Plus, there’s a host of Hanukkah events including Latkes & Lights at the JCC. Then New Year’s Eve brings fireworks, light displays, plus the Symphony’s annual A Night in Vienna at Boettcher Concert Hall.
The holidays will rock again in Glendale- Cherry Creek, and downtown. ’Tis time for high-spirited merriment, as we prepare for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Here are the Chronicle’s annual picks to fill your December with fun, food, and good fortune to carry you into a bright new year:
Balls
White Christmas Ball, Wings Over the Rockies, Dec. 7, 5:30-11:59 p.m. An evening of 1940s era dancing to the Metropolitan and Hot Tomatoes Jazz Orchestras. Information: 720-924-1945.
Winter Solstice Ball, El Jabel, Dec. 7, 6-11:30 p.m. Live music, DJ play hits, and local cosplayers. Information: elevateimmer sivecolorado.com.
Concerts
Santa Drone Tracker: Denver’s drone-in-the-sky with Santa will light up the sky downtown for 15 minutes from Nov. 22-Dec. 31 beginning at 7 p.m.
White Christmas Symphony, Dec. 5 —Celebrate the season as the multi-platinum Irish sensation Celtic Women entertain with the Symphony at Boettcher, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Take 6 Christmas, Dec. 11-12 — The vocal cats perform an acapella Christmas- jazz, R&B, and pop at Lone Tree Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. Information: 720-509-1000.
Holly Jolly Holiday Concert, Newman Center, Dec. 14, hour performances at 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Seasonal music and singalongs. Information: 303-871-7720.
Chris Daniels & The Kings, Dec. 20 —Daniels entertains with horn-drenched rock and soul in Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall, 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-1725.
Home for Christmas, Dec. 21-22 — Holiday music that will fill you with joy, nostalgia, and warmth at Auraria’s King Center, 2:30 p.m. Information: 303-556-2296.
Dance
Nutcracker Dolls: Colorado Ballet’s 58th season has 26 performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Nov. 30 through Dec. 29.
Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum, a festive dance performance at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dec. 7 through 21. Information: 303-295-1759.
The Nutcracker, Colorado Ballet’s 58th season has 26 performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Nov. 30 through Dec. 29. Information: 720-865-4220.
Dining
Lunch With Santa, a kids’ matinee at Dazzle, with piano styling by Ralph the Elf doing holiday songs-stories Nov. 30, noon. Information: 303-839-5100.
Handy to Home choices for the holidays, restaurants listed within the Glendale- Cherry Creek neighborhood by Open Table:
Del Frisco’s Grille, chophouse at 100 St. Paul St. open Dec. 24, noon-9 p.m.; 25th until 8 p.m.; Dec. 31 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Information: 303-320-8529.
Fontana Sushi, Japanese eatery specializing in sushi and sashimi in Wash Park at 534 E. Alameda Ave. Information: 303-778-8818.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, Japanese yakiniku (grilled barbecue) dining experience at 100 Steele St. Information: 720-826-3214.
Hana Matsuri Sushi in Glendale’s City Set on the corner of Colorado Blvd. and Cherry Creek South Dr. Information: 303-600-8477.
Electrifying Neighborhoods: Neighborhoods get into the holiday season action with decked-out homes, many with LED color-changing lights set to music.
Mehak India’s Aroma, an Indian eatery in the lower level of the Promenade at 250 S. Steele St., Suite 100. Information: 720-638-9350.
Trio Of Hotel Restaurants: Hotel Restaurants open for the holidays include Local Jones in the Halcyon Hotel on Columbine St.; Narrative in The Jacquard on Milwaukee St.; plus Toro Latin Kitchen, in Hotel Clio on Clayton Lane.
Kona Grill adjacent to the front entrance of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center on East 1st Ave. Information: 720-974-1300.
SOL Mexican Cocina at 200 Columbine St. Unit 110 in Cherry Creek North serves coastal Baja cuisine. Information: 303-953-2208.
Hanukkah
Latkes & Lights, Jewish Community Center’s family gala has latke competition, games, plus live music Dec. 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information: 303-399-2660.
Hanukkah Family Festival at Temple Emanuel on Grape St. with latkes, dreidel playing, plus crafts Dec. 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: 303-388-4013.
Denver’s North Pole: Cherry Creek’s “Winter Wanderland” has free outdoor events including a Holiday Market with dozens of vendors on Fillmore Plaza, Nov. 21-Dec. 24.
Chabad of Cherry Creek Celebration, in Cherry Creek North’s Grant Plaza. Treats, crafts, Menorah lighting Dec. 29, 2:30 to 5 p.m. Information: 303-744-9699.
Holiday Lights
Blossoms of Light, holiday light displays at Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street, Nov. 20 through Jan. 12, 4:30 -9 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
Zoo Lights, at the Denver Zoo, Nov. 23-Jan. 5, 5-10 p.m. An 80-acre wonderland with over a million lights. Information: 720-337-1644.
Mile High Drone Show, 40 nights, 400 drones light up the sky downtown for 15 minutes Nov. 22-Dec. 31, beginning at 7 p.m. Information: 303-892-1112.
Ice Skating
Halcyon On Ice, Halcyon Hotel’s rooftop lounge, Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, noon to 9 p.m. Music, drinks, dining, and ice skating. Information: 720-772-5000.
McGregor Skate, an outdoor plaza at McGregor Square adjacent to Coors Field (1901 Wazee), Nov. 29-Jan. 26. Information: 303-313-6090.
Markets
Cherry Creek Holiday Market, dozens of vendors on Fillmore Plaza (2nd Ave. & Fillmore) with drinks, Nov. 21-Dec. 24. Information: 303-394-2904.
Christkindlmarket, German Holiday Market with artisan gifts, treats, plus German biers in Civic Center Park, Nov. 22-Dec. 23. Information: christkindlmarketden ver.com.
Mistletoe Market, Nov. 25-Dec. 17 – New this year in the Dairy Block (1800 Wazee) with vendors, carolers, and holiday music. Information: 303-30
Home Time: Of the holidays and home Charlie Brown says, “Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home.”
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New Year’s Eve
Concerts
Greensky Bluegrass, Dec. 30-31 — Bluegrass jam band plays the Mission Ballroom, 8 p.m. on the 30th, 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Information: 720-577-6884.
A Night in Vienna, Dec. 31 — Colorado
Symphony plays polkas, waltzes, and marches in Boettcher Concert Hall, 6:30 p.m. to midnight. Information: 720-865-4220.
Dazzle’s New Year’s Eve Gala, Dec. 31 —The Jacob Larson Band — a funk and soul ensemble — rings in 2025 beginning at 10 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
Parties
Decadence, Colorado Convention Center, Dec. 30-31 — Electronic music performances on two stages, 6:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Information: 303-228-3000.
Sheraton Cocktails, Dec. 31 — Casino games, DJs, live band, toasts & confetti at the Sheraton Denver, downtown, 8 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Information: 303-893-3333.
Gatsby’s Gala, Dec. 31 — The Ritz-Carlton on Curtis St. hosts Roaring ’20s event with live band, DJs, and dancing, 8 p.m.-midnight. Information: 303-312-3800.
Denver Black Tie Party, Dec. 31 — Park Ave. West’s Asterisk has bands, DJs, plus casino games with midnight balloon drop. Information: 720-808-1114.