Things to Do in December

Plan ahead. Buy tickets, sign-up online, or do a little research before attending these events and activities.

Sensitive Santa
When: December 7
Where: Town Center at Aurora | Directions

Experience the heartwarming side of Santa with a special opportunity crafted for families with sensory needs. At designated times, the lights will softly dim, and the music will hush to create a serene and comfortable atmosphere. This thoughtful setting provides you and your loved ones with the perfect backdrop for a magical moment with Santa. Explore Santa's appearances at the Town Center at Aurora's Paws & Claus and the Santa Photo Experience to make cherished memories.

Holiday Tree Lighting
When: December 2
Where: Aurora Municipal Center | Directions

Embark on a festive journey at the Holiday Tree Lighting with the City of Aurora! Be captivated as thousands of lights illuminate the night. Bring the family to revel in holiday-themed activities, indulge in treats, savor live entertainment, and anticipate a special visit from a renowned guest! Make the Holiday Tree Lighting a December must-do, and kick off your month with enchanting celebrations!

Merry Maker's Market
When: December 2
Where: Aurora Central Library | Directions

Experience the festive magic beyond the Holiday Tree Lighting, make your way to the Merry Maker’s Market at Aurora Central Library! As the holidays unfold, dive into the inaugural Merry Maker's Market! It's your ultimate one-stop shop brimming with local and regional vendors. Get a head start on your holiday shopping with a diverse selection of unique finds!

Visit the Village
When: December 13
Where: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds | Directions

Discover the ultimate holiday extravaganza at Visit the Village! Immerse yourself in make-n-take crafts, indulge at the s’mores-making station, sip on wintery beverages, bounce around in the bounce house, enjoy train rides, and so much more! With a plethora of festive activities, Visit the Village is an absolute must for a memorable December!

Paws and Claus
When: December 3 & 10
Where: Southlands | Directions

Bring your furry friends for a magical moment with Santa! This Pet Photos with Santa event is the perfect chance to capture festive memories in a pet-friendly setting. Create unforgettable holiday photos with your beloved pets and Santa himself. Don't miss out on seeing Santa this season by reserving a time to meet him during the Santa Photo Experience in Southlands!

Noon Year's Eve
When: December 31
Where: Southlands | Directions

Ring in the New Year with joy and excitement at Southlands Noon Year’s Eve! Join in cheerful toasts, engaging activities, and fantastic giveaways, ensuring a lively afternoon to kick off your New Year celebrations in style!

The Pond at Town Square
When: Through March 1
Where: Southlands | Directions

The wonderful holiday and winter tradition is back all through the holiday and winter season! The Pond ice rink returns to Town Square! Bid farewell to flip-flops and dust off your ice skates – it's time to revel in the magic of the cold season once again. Enjoy daily ice-skating sessions with your loved ones on The Pond for the winter season! So, lace up those skates, and remember to bundle up with warm gloves and a snug hat for an unforgettable experience on the ice! Tickets are $14 in person and $15.50 online; you can make reservations here!

Camp Christmas
When: December 1 - 28
Where: Stanley Marketplace | Directions

Aurora’s holiday season blossoms into brilliant color as Camp Christmas takes over Stanley Marketplace, inviting families into a festive wonderland of immersive décor, interactive installations, and sparkling surprises around every corner. Designed to delight kids and grown-ups alike, Camp Christmas is a one-of-a-kind journey through dazzling themed rooms, nostalgic displays, and whimsical crafts, all infused with the spirit of the season and running through December 28th. Tune into the podcast below with visionary artist Lonnie Hanzon and producer Charlie Miller for the story behind the magic, and why Camp Christmas has become one of Colorado’s most joyful holiday traditions.

ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"
When: Until January 2
Where: Gaylord Rockies | Directions

ICE! returns to Gaylord Rockies, transforming the resort into an immersive holiday wonderland carved from 2 million pounds of ice, featuring dazzling sculptures and scenes from Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Wander through vibrant displays, race down two-story ice slides, zoom along the Candy Cane Mountain indoor snow tubing hills, and take on the Gumdrop Gliders Ice Puck Challenge. Don’t miss live ice carving demonstrations, photos with Santa, gingerbread decorating, elf training, Mrs. Claus' storytelling, and a visit to a giant gingerbread house. Enjoy themed cocktails, unique shopping at the Yuletide Market, and a festive meal with the Grinch himself. There’s something merry for every member of the family! Reserve your spot here.

"It's A Wonderful Life" Radio Play
When: December 13
Where: Aurora History Museum | Directions

A heartwarming holiday classic, performed by professional actors playing all the roles and creating live sound effects. A live performance at Aurora History Museum with a script taken from the 1947 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast. Four professional actors portray over 40 colorful characters and attempt to recreate the nostalgia of the era with live music and sound effects in this modern American holiday classic. George Baily discovers what the world would be like if he had never been born.

Aurora Symphony Orchestra Presents: Music from the Nutcracker
When: December 6 and 7
Where: Gateway High School Auditorium | Directions

Join your Aurora Symphony for a symphonic celebration of the holidays featuring music from The Nutcracker, including “Dance of the Flowers,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies,” and “Russian Dance” including other holiday favorites such as Sleigh Ride and a Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long. December 6th & 7th.

A Christmas Carol
When: Until December 21
Where: Aurora Fox Arts Center | Directions

In a festive mood, the ladies of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society mount another assault on the classics with their stage version of “A Christmas Carol.” They enthusiastically portray a dizzy array of characters from the Dickensian favorite (and a few which aren’t), engineer some novel audience participation while bravely contending with an intrusive PA system, and wrap their vocal cords and feet around two original, show-stopping songs.

The Fox will welcome some of the true “grandes dames” of the Colorado theatre community to the stage for this hilarious, nonstop journey into a holiday show gone utterly and madly wrong.

Who's Holiday
When: December 21 - 31
Where: Vintage Theatre | Directions

See Cindy Lou Who, like never before! Perfectly suited for an adult's night out, this hilarious Christmas show tells the story of Cindy Lou, who's throwing a Christmas party in her trailer. Follow along as she retells the story of meeting the Grinch and more wild tales featuring funny twists and turns!

**For mature audiences. Adults only**

Dallas Slankard: Jazz, Jammies & Jingle Bells
When: December 10
Where: Vintage Theatre | Directions

Vintage favorite Dallas Slankard and friends are back with a heartwarming evening of holiday favorites. You're encouraged to come in your jammies, relax with a holiday cocktail, and have a jazzy good time. The season isn't complete without a tune-filled evening with Dallas!!

Santa's Big Red Sack
When: December 4 - 24
Where: The People's Building | Directions

After over twenty years of outrageous holiday fun, Denver’s beloved and irreverent Christmas tradition, Santa’s Big Red Sack, returns for its final season, delivering one last round of sketches, musical mayhem, and wicked holiday cheer that have made it a must-see since 2002. For this farewell, the original cast reunites to bring their sharp wit, wild characters, and signature chaos to the stage, promising belly laughs and a twisted take on all things festive. Don’t miss this final chance to experience the hilarity as Santa’s Big Red Sack goes out with a bang, leaving audiences entertained and forever changed!

The following will be open throughout December, making it easy to plan your adventures in Aurora.

ICE! at the Gaylord Rockies

Visit the frosty wonderland packed with two-story ice slides, walk-through sculptures from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”, and a full slate of festive activities! Starting November 24th, there will be snow tubing, gingerbread decorating, and more. See all the festivities happening here.

Ice Skating at The Pond

It wouldn't be winter without ice skating! Southland's ice skating pond is open until early March, so grab your friends for a fun day gliding on ice! Make sure to make your reservation here.

Shopping in Aurora

Navigate the season of giving with joy and ease! Let our shopping guide and holiday gift guide be your festive compass, ensuring you breeze through your list with time to spare. Explore the best shopping havens at Southlands, the Town Center at Aurora, and Stanley Marketplace – shop till you drop with confidence. Treat yourself to a post-shopping spree with a delectable lunch at one of the many fantastic restaurants on Havana Street! Your holiday season just got a whole lot merrier.

Visit Santa in Aurora

Catch Santa in Aurora before he leaves on his sleigh to get ready to deliver presents! He's making special stops all over the city so the whole family can share a memorable moment with him! Catch him for the ultimate holiday photo experience all over town and discover where you can find Santa in Aurora here!