HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT PLANNER

SPECIAL EVENTS

White Lights Ceremony Celebration — 4:30 p.m. Saturday, "Love Lights a Tree" for the American Cancer Society, The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., 577-5775 or broadmoor.com.

Manitou Springs Holiday Kick-Off — fireworks, hot chocolate and cider, and Santa lighting the town, 5 p.m. Friday, Manitou Springs, free; 685-5089.

Southern Teller County Holiday Headframe Lighting — self-guided driving tour of historic mining structures decorated with ornaments along roadways near Victor and Cripple Creek, Fridays-Sundays through Dec. 21, nightly weather permitting Dec. 24-Jan. 1, free tour maps at Victor Hotel (Fourth and Victor avenues), Victor City Hall on Victor Avenue and Cripple Creek Welcome Center (Fifth and Bennett avenues); victorcolorado.com.

Breakfast with a Ballerina — by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, with costumed dancers and Mrs. Claus, continental breakfast buffet, crafts and story time, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort, 3225 Broadmoor Valley Road, $15-$30; 575-9632.

Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration — with hayrides, storytellers, crafts and Santa visits, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Widefield Community Center, 705 Aspen Drive, free/take a nonperishable item in exchange for chili dinner; 391-3515.

Holiday Tasting at the Fine Arts Center — champagnes, cognacs, ports, single-malt scotch, whiskies, wine and beer and hors d’oeuvres, to benefit the Crawford House, 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., $65/$35 is tax-deductible; 389-0973.

Dec. 4-21: Christmas Madrigal Banquet — 6 p.m. Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 17-19 and 21, Glen Eyrie Castle and Conference Center, 3820 N. 30th St., $99, call for reservations; 1-877-488-8787.

Dec. 4: Holiday Celebration! benefit for nonprofits — entertainment, silent auction, displays, food, 6-9 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., free, take food, toy, clothing and cash donations; 219-5849.

Dec. 5: Lighter Side of Christmas Parade — 6 p.m., downtown Woodland Park, free; 686-1820, ext. 112.

Dec. 5-6: Sounds of the Season Holiday Home Tour — seven decorated homes in Woodland Park, with music and more, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 6, Woodland Park, $15-$17/$5 kids in K-12; 689-4211, 686-0302 or pprmc.org.

Dec. 5: Christmas Marketplace — vendors, food, music, silent auction, activities for kids, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Colorado Springs Christian School, 4855 Mallow Road, free; 268-2128.

Dec. 5: Holiday Extravaganza — by the MOMS club, to benefit Tri-Lakes Cares, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundance Mountain Lodge, 1865 Woodmoor Drive, Monument, $2/free ages 10 and younger, donate clean, gently used jackets and coats; cosnorthmomsclub.com or 510-9814.

Dec. 5 and 12: McAllister House Museum Victorian Tea and Tour — tours, tea and stories and customs of a Victorian Christmas, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12, McAllister House Museum, 423 N. Cascade Ave., $18, call for reservations; 635-7925 or mcallisterhouse.org.

Dec. 5: Colorado Symphonic Guild’s Holiday Gala — 6 p.m., call for location, $100/$60 tax-deductible; 473-7843.

Dec. 5: Scandinavian Christmas Tea Party — with traditional foods and door prizes, 2 p.m., Sons of Norway Viking Hall, 1045 Ford St., $10; 599-3235.

Dec. 5: Holiday Semi-Formal Ball — 7-11 p.m., 7 p.m. free dance lessons, 8 p.m. dance, Manitou Springs Town Hall, 606 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, $10-$15; 598-0885.

Dec. 6: Holiday Bed and Breakfast Tour — featuring nine local inns and the McAllister House Museum, to benefit the Old Colorado City Historical Society, 1-5 p.m., Old Colorado City History Center, 1 S. 24th St., $8-$15; 636-1225.
Dec. 11-Jan. 3: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Winter Wildland — 5:30-8:30 p.m. (last ticket sold at 7:30 p.m.) Dec. 11-13 and nightly Dec. 18-Jan. 3, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, $4.25-$7.25/free kids 2 and younger; 633-9925.

Dec. 11-21: Many Lights of Christmas drive-through - “Half Million Lights” — Dec. 11-13 and 18-21, 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, 5:30-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Springs First Church of the Nazarene, 4120 E. Fountain Blvd., free; 596-5119.

Dec. 12: Manitou Springs’ “Snowflakes and Smiles” Christmas Parade — noon, Manitou Springs, free; 685-5089.

Dec. 12: A Holiday Evening — with jingle-bell wagon rides, old-time music, entertainment, lantern-light tours, blacksmith demonstrations, barn dance and more, 4-8 p.m., Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, off 30th St. across from Garden of the Gods, $6 adults/$4 seniors and those 13-18/$2 kids 12 and younger, call for reservations; 578-6777.

Dec. 12: Canine Christmas Party — with caroling, treats, walks and photos, 10-11 a.m., Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Road, $4-$5, reservations required; 520-6387.

Dec. 12: “Spirits of Christmas in the Museum” — holiday visit with Victorian pioneers of the past, with tours and refreshments, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Cripple Creek District Museum, 500 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, $5, reservations required; 689-3289.

Dec. 12 and 19: Breakfast with Santa — 9-10:30 a.m., Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, $7.25-$10.25/free kids 2 and younger, call for reservations; 314-0970.

Dec. 19: Nature Hike with Santa Claus — 1:30-3 p.m., Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain, $3-$4, reservations required; 520-6745.

Dec. 20: Bethlehem Live - The Guided Tour — 15-minute tours, with cookies and hot cocoa, 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m., Stratmoor Hills United Methodist Church, 1705 Cheyenne Meadows Road, free; 576-0005.

Dec. 20: Big Band Sunday Christmas Party — with Bill Emery and the New Century Big Band and vocalist Deborah LaPorta, dinner and White Christmas Gift Exchange, 5-9 p.m. Sunday, Colorado Springs Shrine Club, 6 S. 33rd St., $15/$11 seniors/take nonperishable food donation for $2 discount; 964-7977 or billemerymusic.com.

Dec. 23: Best Christmas Ever — two hours of play time, gifts for kids, warm clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, food boxes, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center, 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd., free; 632-1822 or mysrm.org.

Dec. 24: Christmas For All Free Holiday Meal — with gift giveaways and live music, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St., free; 632-1822.

MUSIC

“The Nutcracker” — by Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the San Diego Ballet and the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $26-$46; pikespeakcenter.com or 520-7469.

Wallin Family Christmas Concert — 7 p.m. Saturday, New Falcon High School, 10255 Lambert Drive, free; 494-1623.

Dec. 4: Handel’s “Messiah” — by Air Force Academy Cadet Chorale and Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Air Force Academy Protestant Cadet Chapel, Cadet Drive, free; 333-4515.

Dec. 4: Colorado College Choir — “Christmas Cantata,” Haydn’s “Mass in Time of War,” 7:30 p.m., Shove Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado College, free; 389-6607.

Dec. 5: America the Beautiful Barbershop — “Home for Christmas,” with the quartet Very Light Opera Company from the Velvet Hills Show Chorus and Vocal Fusion, 2:30 and 7 p.m., Sand Creek High School, 7005 N. Circle, $12-$17/free kids 7 and younger; 260-7782 or ATBchours.com.

Dec. 5: Silver Screen Holiday Concert — with music from the movies and visit from Santa Claus, by the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association, Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble and the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, 7:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $16-$18; 633-3901.

Dec. 6: Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale’s “Tis the Season” — 3 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $8-$18; pikespeakcenter.com or 520-7469.

Dec. 6: Sounds of Christmas Concert — by The Woodland Park Wind Symphony with the Cresson Dance Company of Cripple Creek and the Mountain View Hand Bell Choir, 7 p.m., Ute Pass Cultural Center, 210 E. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, free; 687-2210.

Dec. 6: A Christmas Potpourri — by The First Christian Church Concert Series, 3-4:15 p.m., First Christian Church, 16 E. Platte Ave., free; 633-8888.

Dec. 6: Handel’s “Messiah” — part of Sacred Concert Series, 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., free; 471-4361.

Dec. 6: Festival of Lessons and Carols: “And Every Stone Shall Cry Out” — scripture readings, congregational carols and musical presentations, by Colorado College students and others, 6 p.m., Shove Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado College, free; 389-6607.

Dec. 6-14: “Christmas Classics at the Castle” — by the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, with conductor Thomas Wilson, soprano Judeth Shay Burns and the Children’s Chorale, 7 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and 13-14, 4 p.m. Dec. 13, Glen Eyrie Castle and Conference Center, 3820 N. 30th St., $30; 1-877-488-8787.

Dec. 6: Acoustic Eidolon — presents “An Evening in December,” 3 and 7 p.m., Woodland Park Community Church, 800 Valley View Drive, Woodland Park, $10, includes dessert; 687-9444 or woodland parkcommunitychurch.com.

Dec. 11: Colorado Springs Chorale’s “Deck the Hall” — with Santa and Mrs. Claus visits, 7:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $16-$49; pikespeakcenter.com or 520-7469.

Dec. 12: “Christmas Handbell Concert” — 7-8:30 p.m., Monument Community Presbyterian Church, 238 Third St., Monument, free; 488-3853.

Dec. 12: Soli Deo Gloria Christmas Concert — featuring Handel’s “Messiah,” Christmas carols and poetry, 3-4:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., free, take nonperishable item for donation; 262-0614.

Dec. 13: Christmas Joy — by First Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir, Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, Ballet Emmanuel and the Pikes Peak Ringers hand bell ensemble, 2:30 and 6 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $12-$20; pikespeakcenter.com or 520-7469.

Dec. 13: Vocal Fusion Show Choir Christmas Concert — 3 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 2111 Carlton Ave., free; 590-7237.

Dec. 13: “I Hear the Prophet Callin’” — by Mitchell High School’s choir and full orchestra, Appalachian, folk, Irish and traditional music, including works by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and a Christmas carol singalong, 9 and 11 a.m., Mitchell High School, 1205 Potter Drive, free; 596-0661.

Dec. 14-15: Air Force Academy’s “Holly and Ivy” — 7 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., free, tickets required, available at the box office; pike speakcenter.com or 520-7469.

Dec. 18-20: Colorado Springs Philharmonic — presents “Christmas Classics” with conductor Thomas Wilson, the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale and the Gospel Music Workshop Chorus, 8 p.m. Dec. 18 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.; pikespeakcenter.com or 520-7469.

Dec. 19: Brulé and Airo — 7:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $30-$35; pikespeakcenter.com or 520-7469.

Dec. 19: Acoustic Eidolon — 7:30 p.m., Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts, 304 Colorado 105, Palmer Lake, $12-$18; 481-0475 or trilakesarts.org.

Dec. 19: “Summit by Candlelight” — with the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Center Auditorium, Mount St. Francis, 7665 Assisi Heights, $8-$10; 633-3562.

THEATER

“A Christmas Survival Guide” — by Fine Arts Center Theatre Company, opens Friday, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays and Saturday, through Dec. 23, Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., $26-$35; csfineartscenter.org or 634-5583.

“A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol” — by Thin Air Theatre Company, opens today, 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 1 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Dec. 31, $7.75-$12.75; http://butteoperahouse.com or 689-3247.

Iron Springs Chateau Dinner Theater Holiday Extravaganza Revue — with singalong intermission, 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show, opens today, runs Fridays-Saturdays and other days per reservation through Dec. 23, Iron Springs Chateau, 444 Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs, $9.50-$29.50/show only $9.50-$15.50; 685-5104 or 685-5572.

“The Puppet Maker: A Story of Christmas” — by Simpich Showcase Theatre, 7 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and Dec. 22, 24 and 29, runs through Dec. 30, Simpich Showcase, 2413 W. Colorado Ave., $8-$12/tickets include admission to the Simpich Museum; simpich.com or 465-2492.

Dec. 5-20: “A Guffaw Christmas Carol” — by Kids First at the Manitou Art Theater, 11 a.m. Dec. 5, 12 and 19, 3 p.m. Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18, Manitou Art Theater, 1367 Pecan St., $10; 685-4729 or themat.org.

Dec. 5: “Christmas Love Stories” — short musical plays by Pikes Peak Regional Family Theatre, to benefit the Sally Bush Community Center Building Fund, 1-3 p.m., brunch at noon, 10585 Ute Pass Ave., Green Mountain Falls, $5-$6, reservations required for brunch; 684-9427.

Dec. 10-12: “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” — by Village Seven Presbyterian Church, 7 p.m. Dec. 10-11, 2 p.m.

Dec. 12, Village Seven Presbyterian Church, 4050 Nonchalant Circle South, $5-$10; 574-6700, ext. 45; v7pc.org.

Dec. 10-13: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!” — by the Castle Rock Players, 7 p.m. Dec. 10-11, 2 and 7 p.m.

Dec. 12, 2 p.m. Dec. 13, with Santa visit at 1 p.m. Dec. 12-13, Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts, 304 Colorado 105, Palmer Lake, $9-$11; 1-303-814-7740, crplayers .org or 481-0475.

Dec. 11: Deck the Halls With Improv — by Improv Colorado, 8 p.m., Venue 515, Business of Art Center, 515 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, $8; 651-9637.

Dec. 13: “A Nutcracker Sweet” — by Springs City Ballet, to benefit the Marian House, 5 p.m., Doherty High School, 4515 Barnes Road, free, donation of food or clothing; 494-0715.

Dec. 13: “Go Light Your World: A Holiday Dance Performance” — by The Pikes Peak Performance Company and Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, to benefit the Andrea Rizzo Foundation, 2 p.m., Wasson High School, 2115 Afton Way, $10; 328-0694.

Dec. 18: “2000 Decembers Ago” — by Ballet Emmanuel, professional Christian ballet company, dancing, singing, Christmas treats, 7 p.m., free; 433-8820.

Dec. 19-21: “A Nutcracker Ballet and Holiday Tea” — by Colorado’s Classical Youth Ballet, David Sckolnik and Lawrence Jackson, ballet and refreshments with tea, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 19-20, 7 p.m. Dec. 21, Rampart High School Theater, 8250 Lexington Drive, $17-$21; 272-7078 or coclassicalyouthballet.com.

ART

Holiday Miniature Show -- by Cottonwood Center for the Arts' studio artists, students and members, Friday through Jan. 14, opening reception 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday

Holiday Open House and Jewelry Sale — 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Creations Unlimited, 618 N. Nevada Ave., free; 313-8171.

Dec. 4: Bemis Holiday Art Sale — by the faculty of Bemis School of Art, with artist demonstrations, 4-8 p.m. Dec. 4, 9 a.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. Dec. 6, Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Place, free; 389-1337.

Dec. 4-23: Eco-Art Market — holiday gift market, opening reception 5-8 p.m. Dec. 4, Smokebrush Gallery, 218 W. Colorado Ave., free; smokebrush.org or 444-1012.

Dec. 12: Commonwheel Artists — 102 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1008. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Holiday Market, works by more than 50 Colorado artists. Open house, with hot apple cider, live music and cookies, Dec. 12.