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9Things to do in Colorado this weekend: December 7-9

This weekend Colorado is celebrating the coming winter season with holiday festivals, parades, musical performances, craft shows and Disney on Ice.
Credit: Feld Entertainment

KUSA — Happy December!

Celebrate the season this weekend by experiencing the unique culture, food and geography that makes our state so special. Grab the hot cocoa and check out one of these fun events across Colorado:

Credit: Feld Entertainment

Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream — Denver

Disney on Ice returns to the Centennial State this December weekend. Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream features Disney heroines who look to "spark the courage inside us all." Moana, Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, Belle, Cinderella and more will take to the Pepsi Center ice for eight performances Thursday to Sunday. For tickets, head to AltitudeTickets.com.

Credit: Snowcats Cat Convention

Snowcats Cat Convention — Denver

Cat lovers, rejoice! The ultimate cat lovers convention comes to Denver this December weekend. Some of the biggest stars in the cat industry will be at the convention at the EXDO Events Center including Lil BUB, Baloo The Adventure Cat, Kitten Lady, Moshow the Cat Rapper, Dr. Ruth MacPete the Pet Vet, Dr. Lynn Bahr the Cat Doc and more. The two-day event will have guest speakers, special appearances, cat film festival, cat bar, cat cafe and a cat merch village with more than 50 cat-centric exhibitors from across the world. Stop what you're doing and get your tickets now at SnowCatsConvention.com.

WATCH | Snowcats Cat Convention coming to Denver this weekend

Credit: Getty Images

Festival of Lights Parade & Winter Festival — Brighton

Brighton's 23rd Annual Festival of Lights Parade and Winter Festival are this Saturday. The Winter Festival begins at 10 a.m. in downtown and at 2 p.m. at City Hall. The annual Festival of Lights Parade is set to step off at 5 p.m. The all-ages nighttime parade features more than 75 lighted entries with the theme of "A Hometown Holiday Tradition." The parade will travel south on N. Main St., turn onto Bridge St. to 10th and south to Skeel St.

Credit: City of Longmont

Longmont Lights — Longmont

The City Longmont has a weekend of activities planned for the annual Longmont Lights. Beginning Friday at 5 p.m., Longmont's Roosevelt Park will be home to Santa's Workshop, live reindeer, ice sculpting, hot cocoa, Tiny Town North Pole Village, fire pits, food trucks, live music, train rides, ice skating as well as a hot air balloon glow. A fireworks display is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Longmont Lights continues Saturday with ice skating, Downtown Winter Wonderland activities at the St. Stephen's Plaza in downtown and the Parade of Lights on Main St. at 5 p.m.

Credit: Telluride Fire Festival

Telluride Fire Festival — Telluride

The annual Telluride Fire Festival runs Friday to Sunday. The festival features larger-than-life, interactive fire art, fiery art cars, fire dancers and more. For a full festival schedule, visit TellurideFireFestival.org.

PHOTOS | Telluride Fire Festival

Credit: Town of Parker, Colorado

Christmas Carriage Parade — Parker

The Parker Christmas Carriage Parade returns Saturday in downtown Parker. The parade, which steps off at noon at PACE Center Drive, features dozens of horse-drawn carriages, wagons and stagecoaches from across Colorado. Other festivities are planned including a petting zoo, pony rides and games with Santa's elves at O'Brien Park, live ice sculpting demonstrations at The Schoolhouse, photos with Santa plus children's arts and crafts at Parker's Douglas County Library.

Credit: Getty Images

Louisville Parade of Lights — Louisville

Downtown Louisville is the site of Friday's Parade of Lights and First Friday Art Walk. The festive event features live music from local schools and churches, a living nativity, petting zoo and visits with Santa. The parade will step off at 7 p.m. Main St. will be closed at 5 p.m. for the First Friday Art Walk with choirs, ice skating and more.

Credit: Thinkstock

Holiday Chocolate Festival — Colorado Springs

The 10th Annual Holiday Chocolate Festival arrives Saturday in Colorado Springs. Admission tickets are just $5 and gets attendees access to over 100,000 sq. ft. of chocolate samples, live music, holiday craft stations, visits with Santa and family fun. The Holiday Chocolate Festival opens Saturday at 11 a.m. at Colorado Springs Event Center.

Credit: City of Thornton

Thornton WinterFest — Thornton

The three-day Thornton WinterFest begins with Santa's arrival Friday at 6:30 p.m. Santa and his elves will help the Mayor and City Council turn on the lights of Santa's Village. Afterwards will be ice skating, ice carving, choir performances, food vendors, a beer garden and more. The festival continues Saturday and Sunday with the Thornton WinterFest 5K, holiday concert from the Thornton Community Band and fireworks set to holiday music.

Credit: Getty Images

Cherry Creek's Winter Fest — Denver

Cherry Creek North will celebrate the holiday season Saturday with the 3rd Annual Winter Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cherry Creek North businesses and the Fillmore Plaza host a free and festive celebration with ice carving, fire pits with outdoor seating, yuletide carolers, face painting, complimentary refreshments and giveaways.

Credit: Getty Images

Freezie Fest — Boulder

Boulder's first annual Freezie Fest takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the Pearl Street Mall. The celebration of all things winter offers free face painting, train rides on the Snowflake Express, a free photo booth, performances by holiday carolers and The Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band, plus holiday crafts and kids' activities. Santa Claus will also make an appearance!

Credit: Getty Images

Noel Northglenn — Northglenn

Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves for an evening of fun when Santa comes to Northglenn on Friday to turn on the city's lights. The Noel Northglenn lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. Outside, get cozy listening to carolers and eating s’mores by a fire as you wait to take a carriage ride around the civic center. Inside the Northglenn Recreation Center, kids will have a ball with indoor snowball fights, face painting, WOW bubble rides and watching holiday cartoons. Kids can win a holiday book at Rudolph’s Reading Raffle. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.

Credit: Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas — Denver

The holiday season has arrived with opening of the timeless musical White Christmas at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts' Buell Theatre. Telling the story of song-and-dance team Wallace and Davis staging a show at a Vermont inn, and falling for a sister act in the process, White Christmas is full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written. The Irving Berlin musical opened Wednesday and will play through Saturday, Dec. 15. For tickets, head to DenverCenter.org.

WATCH | Bear Creek H.S. choir group performs 'White Christmas'

Credit: Fathom Events

TCM Presents White Christmas — Across Colorado

The original 1954 classic White Christmas returns to theaters across Colorado this weekend. Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, the movie musical follows a pair of entertainment acts who trek to Vermont for a white Christmas. The Irving Berlin film, considered to be one of the best Christmas movies ever made, will return to movie theaters for two days as part of TCM's Big Screen Classics. White Christmas plays Sunday and Wednesday. For theater locations and tickets, enter your zip code at FathamEvents.com.

CHRISTMAS MOVIE VOTE | The annual 9NEWS Christmas Flick Fight

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Christmas Joy — Colorado Springs

A Colorado Springs holiday tradition turns Sunday to the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts. The First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs will hold two performances of Christmas Joy. The show features the 150-voice First Presbyterian choir, guest artist Alvy Powell, a full orchestra, 17-piece Big Band, The Pikes Peak Ringers, The Colorado Springs Children's Chorale, Celtic Mountain Band, Celtic Steps Dancers and more. Tickets can be found at PikesPeakCenter.com.

Credit: Thinkstock

Colorado Symphony's A Classical Christmas — Denver

The Colorado Symphony debuts A Classical Christmas this weekend at Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. A Classical Christmas blends traditional and classical holiday arrangements of music from Handel arranged by Mozart, Holst, Barber, Berlioz and more. Directed by Brett Mitchell and featuring guest vocalists Anna Christy and Andrew Garland, A Classical Christmas will be performed Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ColoradoSymphony.org is the place for show tickets.

Credit: Governor's Residence Preservation Fund

Governor’s Residence Holiday Tours — Denver

Holiday tours of the Colorado Governor's Residence will be offered from Thursday to Sunday by the Governor's Residence Preservation Fund, American Society of Interior Designers and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles. The free tours, which begin at the Eighth Ave. gate, are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and last from 20 to 45 minutes. Over 10,000 guests visit "Colorado's Home" during the holiday season, mostly to visit the beautiful holiday decorations.

Credit: Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker — Denver

The acclaimed Moscow Ballet will perform its Great Russian Nutcracker production this weekend at Denver's Paramount Theatre. The holiday classic combines the highest caliber ballet with Russian theatrical traditions. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker can be found at AltitudeTickets.com.

Credit: Fort Collins Lincoln Center for the Performing and Visual Arts

Canyon Concert Ballet's The Nutcracker — Fort Collins

Canyon Concert Ballet holds their 37 annual production of the timeless classic The Nutcracker ballet in Fort Collins beginning Friday. The iconic Tchaikovsky score will be performed by the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra at the five performances through Sunday at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets, head to LCTix.com.

Credit: Getty Images

Colorado Conservatory of Dance's The Nutcracker — Denver

The Colorado Conservatory of Dance opens its annual production of The Nutcracker this Saturday. The production from students and community members also features world-class international guest artists. The Nutcracker will be performed Saturday, Sunday and the following weekend at the Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School. Tickets are on sale at CCDance.org.

Credit: KUSA

The Nutcracker — Aurora

Aurora Dance and Aurora Symphony will hold three performances of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Ballet this weekend. The magical journey of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier to the Snow Kingdom will be an unforgettable experience with nearly one hundred young dancers on stage. The Nutcracker plays at Aurora Central High School Friday to Sunday.

Credit: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — Colorado Springs

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Electric Safari opens this weekend with 85 light sculptures illuminating the zoo's 50 acres. Along with the warming fires throughout the zoo, the astounding displays will fill you with warmth and holiday spirit as you gaze out at the sparkling lights of Colorado Springs. Electric Safari is open this Friday through Sunday and select nights through January 1. Reserve your passes at CMZoo.org.

PHOTOS | Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Electric Safari

Credit: Denver Zoo

Zoo Lights — Denver

Zoo Lights is for a 28th season at the Denver Zoo. The beloved Colorado tradition features more than two million lights over the zoo's 70 acres. Zoo Lights will be lit through January 6. Most evenings sell out in advance and tickets will not be available at the door. Reserve your tickets at DenverZoo.org.

PHOTOS | Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo

Credit: Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site

1846 Holiday Celebration at Bent’s Fort — La Junta

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site will celebrate the holidays in 1840's fashion this weekend. The holiday celebration begins Friday night with candlelight tours of the fort. Festivities will continue Saturday with toy-making in the carpenter's shop, a piñata break, wagon rides across the prairie, a taffy pull, black powder demonstration and a Yule log hunt.

Credit: Colorado Symphony

Ten Tenors: Home for the Holidays — Denver

Australia's stars of the opera, the Ten Tenors, will perform with the Colorado Symphony this Sunday night at Boettcher Concert Hall. Conductor Christopher Dragon will lead festive renditions of holiday favorites “Joy to the World,” “White Christmas,“ “Amazing Grace,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Feliz Navidad,” and more. Tickets for Ten Tenors: Home for the Holidays are sold at ColoradoSymphony.org.

Credit: Getty Images

Tree Lighting Ceremony — Fort Carson

Fort Carson will celebrated the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The ceremony, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center, will include free kids' activities, a winter gear and apparel sale, free Santa photos and the 4th Infantry Division band’s brass quartet who will play holiday tunes alongside carolers.

Credit: Olde Golden Christmas Parade

Holiday Parade — Golden

Downtown Golden loves the holidays so much that they celebrate with three parades each December. Holiday parades take place this Saturday and the following Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The parade down Washington Avenue, from 11th to 13th Streets through historic downtown Golden, will feature floats, clowns, festive holiday characters and Santa Claus. After the parade will be hayrides and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Credit: Sound of the Rockies

Sound of the Rockies' Snowbound! — Denver

The award-winning barbershop chorus Sound of the Rockies will present a show of holiday music this weekend at the Gates Concert Hall at the Robert & Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to the internationally 4th-ranked a cappella chorus Sound of the Rockies, the show will feature a performance by the current Acappellooza champions, Collide Vocals. Three performances of Snowbound! are scheduled over Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available online.

Credit: Stan Obert for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum — Denver

Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum, performed by the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, has been a Colorado multicultural celebration for 27 years. The production, which blends dance, live music, spoken word and seasonal celebrations and customs from around the world, is a holiday tradition you'll never forget. The 2018 production, featuring Cleo Parker Robinson, Chloe-Grant Abel, Cedric Dewayne Hall and Margarita Taylor, runs through Sunday, Dec. 16 at the Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre. Tickets for Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum are sold at CleoParkerDance.org.

PHOTOS | Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum

Credit: Arthritis Foundation

Jingle Bell Run — Denver

Sunday's Denver Jingle Bell Run is a festive race that aims to raise funds for The Arthritis Foundation. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their best seasonal outfits with family, friends and co-workers to run or walk while spreading smiles and good cheer. The Jingle Bell Run begins at 10 a.m. Sunday at Denver's Washington Park. Registration can be completed at Events.Arthritis.org.

Credit: YMCA of Pikes Peak

YMCA Jingle Bell 5K — Fountain

The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region holds its 10th Annual Jingle Bell 5K and Kids' Reindeer Romp this Saturday. Runners (and walkers) should come with reindeer antlers, ugly sweaters, santa suits, bells, bows and cheer because Santa Claus himself will be on hand. Proceeds from Saturday's events benefit the Welte Teen Center in Fountain. Registration and donation information is available online.

Credit: Thinkstock by Getty

Pueblo Santa Run 5K — Pueblo

The annual Pueblo Santa Run 5K is back! The 5K and Kids Fun Run will be held at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk at 9 a.m. Saturday. Proceeds from the event go to Coats 4 Kids. Registration for the Santa Run 5K can be completed online.

Credit: U.S. Air Force Academy Band

U.S. Air Force Academy Concert Band's Holly & Ivy — Across Colorado

The United States Air Force Academy Band is touring Colorado with Holly & Ivy: A Holiday Sernade. The band will be performing new and classic holiday music at venues across the state through next Tuesday. The concerts are free, but tickets are required for entry. The USAFA Concert Band will stop in Pueblo on Thursday, Aurora on Saturday, Longmont on Sunday, Greeley on Monday and Federal Heights Tuesday. Reserve your tickets at Music.AF.mil.

Credit: Gilpin County Parks & Recreation

Winter Arts Festival — Black Hawk

The 16th Annual Gilpin County Community Center's Winter Arts Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday in Black Hawk. The festival features selfies and sweets with Santa, dance performances, balloon artists, choir performances, storytelling, cookie decorating, kids' crafts, face painting and more.

Credit: Jurassic Tour

Jurassic Tour — Westminster

Dinosaurs are invading Westminster City Center this Saturday and Sunday! The Jurassic Tour features moving, breathing and walking dinosaurs including the T-Rex, Spinosaurus and 50 more. The massive display of realistic giant dinosaurs also includes dinosaur babies, which kids can pet and interact with. There will also be a fossil dig where young paleontologists can dig for ancient bones plus bounce houses, face painting and more. Tickets are available online at JurassicTour.com.

Credit: Boulder Opera Company

Little Red Riding Hood — Boulder

The Boulder Opera will present a classic fairytale this weekend that is perfect for the whole family. The production of Little Red Riding Hood is sung in English and features a small orchestra telling the tale of Little Red on her way to Grandma's house when she encounters the Wolf. Boulder Opera's Little Red Riding Hood plays at The Nomad Playhouse Friday through Sunday. For tickets, head to BoulderOperaCompany.com.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Colorado College Hockey vs. Vermont — Colorado Springs

The Colorado College Men's Hockey team hosts Vermont for two games this weekend at the Broadmoor World Arena. The puck drops between the Tigers and Catamounts at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday. AXS.com is the place for CC Tigers tickets.

Credit: Nicholas Monaghan/Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles vs. San Diego Gulls — Loveland

The Colorado Eagles, the new AHL affiliate of the Avalanche, continue their homestand in Loveland with a pair of games against the San Diego Gulls. The Eagles take to the ice at 7:07 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Budweiser Events Center. The first 3,000 fans to Saturday's game will receive the Colorado Eagles 2019 Wall Calendar. Tickets are available at the arena box office or ColoradoEagles.com.

Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Colorado Men's Basketball vs. Illinois-Chicago — Boulder

Tad Boyle's Colorado Buffaloes continue their non-conference schedule when they host the University of Illinois at Chicago Flames. The Buffs and Flames tip off at 4 p.m. Saturday at the CU Events Center. For tickets, head to CUBuffs.com.

Credit: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Sports

Toyota U.S. Grand Prix — Copper Mountain

The best free ski and snowboard athletes in the world are at Copper Mountain for the U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe competitions. Chloe Kim, Arielle Gold, David Wise and many more are scheduled to compete at this weekend's events. Training has been underway this week and competitions will be held Friday and Saturday. Toyota U.S. Grand Prix events, which will be broadcast on 9NEWS, are free to attend and include a vendor village and live music.

Credit: Alex Kirk, KUSA

Free Day at Denver Museum of Nature & Science — Denver

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, which began modestly in a Breckenridge cabin, has grown into a prestigious institution known for its famous wildlife dioramas, its work in archeology, anthropology and paleontology — as well as human physiology, health, mechanics, astronomy and more. Today a mere 2% of the 1.5 million artifacts and specimens are on display. The museum, located at Denver's City Park, will hold its final free day of 2018 this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.

Credit: Jackalope Arts

Jackalope's Indie Artisan Fair — Denver

This weekend's Jackalope event is a weekend shopping destination with over 150 local artisans and crafters selling items in fashion, jewelry, ceramics, paper goods, home decor, housewares, art, photography and more. The free event opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the McNichols Building at Denver's Civic Center Park.

Credit: Getty Images

Palmer High School Craft Fair — Colorado Springs

Still working on your Christmas shopping list? The Palmer High School Craft Fair will offer multiple local crafters, artisans and vendors selling unique handmade art, decor, food and more. The show opens at 9 a.m. in downtown Colorado Springs.

Credit: Thinkstock

Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue's Holiday Bazaar — Denver

Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue and Jagged Mountain Brewery are partnering for their annual holiday bazaar. Local artisans and small businesses will be on hand offering unique holiday goodies from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Broncos vs. 49ers game will be on at Jagged Mountain Brewery and $1 of pint sales will go to the animal shelter and a prize will be awarded to the person with the best Broncos spirit.

Credit: Getty Images

Handcrafted Holiday Market — Boulder

Still working to check off people from your holiday shopping list? Over 40 vendors will be selling unique craft items at this weekend's Handcrafted Holiday Market at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. The second annual market opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Do you know of a cool, fun Colorado festival, fair, expo, concert or event you think we ought to mention in this week's 9Things or in the future? Send it to alexander.kirk@9news.com!

Have a magical weekend!

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