Things to do in December
UPCOMING EVENTS
Plan ahead. Buy tickets, sign-up online, or do a little research before attending these events and activities.
Dalí Alive
When: Dec 1 - 31
Where: The Lume Colorado
THE LUME Colorado is the premiere immersive digital art gallery showcasing the world premiere of DALÍ ALIVE at Stanley Marketplace. Peer into the mind of surrealist master Salvador Dalí and experience his works of art in a whole new way! Tickets for kids start at $19.00. Purchase ticket here.
Zoo Lights - Conservation: Illumination
When: Dec 1-31
When it comes to holiday magic, you can always count on Zoo Lights—where natural wonders take on a whole new light. This year, the newest installations illuminate nature’s brilliant animation with enchanting additions like Aurora Borealis, Savannah Sunset, and Electric Jungle. As you wander through the winter wonderland, keep an eye out for nightly ice-carving demonstrations, cozy fire barrels, and all kinds of festive holiday food and drink! Find tickets.
Sensitive Santa
When: Dec 4
Where: Town Center at Aurora
This is a special time for families with sensory needs. Lights dimmed, music turned off, & families will have allotted time to visit Santa. This year, each child will receive a special gift from Santa as well. Book your reservation here.
Paws and Claus
When: Dec 5
Where: Town Center at Aurora
On Monday, December 5th, bring your furry friends out for their chance for a photo with Santa and meet with other four-legged pals while you're here! We will have an indoor watering station and pet-friendly Christmas cookies. Please bring all pets on leashes for the safety and comfort of other retailers and guests. Walk-up appointments only, no reservations.
Visit the Village
When: Dec 10
Where: Arapahoe County Fair. & Event Center
A holiday-themed family fun day at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center. We welcome all to come by to spend the day strolling through our local vendor village, making crafts, and enjoying various children's activities, food, beverages, and more!
SANTA IN THE HANGAR
When: Dec 17
Where: Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Watch Santa arrive in a helicopter, make fun holiday crafts, talk with Santa, enjoy the holiday photo book, and more!
Things to Do All Month
The following will be open throughout December, making it easy to plan your laid-back adventures in Aurora.
Christmas in Color
Drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds! Drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways, and more. Take your time enjoying this lighting extravaganza!
Cirque: Spirit of Christmas
This ALL NEW Cirque-styled Christmas show at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center features dazzling acrobatics, feats of flexibility, and high-flying stunts. This Broadway-style spectacle centers around Noel, a child dismayed and distressed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Trying to recapture her lost love of the season, she is visited by spirits who bring back the true meaning of the season in energetic, dreamlike chapters.
ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas™
ICE! is back at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center. This signature holiday attraction features your favorite scenes from the beloved movie A Charlie Brown Christmas™, brought to life in magnificent sculptures hand-carved from more than two million pounds of ice.
The Pond Ice Rink
Lace up your skates and visit your favorite place to ice skate all winter long at Southlands Lifestyle Center! Enjoy ice skating on The Pond from Nov. 11th through February 26th. Skating is open to the public daily. Special pricing for Group Events is available. The Pond permits visitors to bring their own skates, but if you’re new to the winter sport, rentals are available. Tickets are $12.
Shopping & Dining
Aurora is home to a variety of shopping and dining locations that make it easy to spend an afternoon in the city. From locally-owned restaurants to big-box stores, explore the best places to shop, dine, or grab a drink.
Stanley Marketplace
This aviation factory turned indoor marketplace is one of Colorado’s largest indoor spaces for dining, shopping, craft beverages, and more. Stanley Marketplace is home to 50+ businesses ranging from the award-winning restaurant Annette to cozy coffee shop Logan House Coffee and everything in between. Enjoy boutique shopping from Sterre and Aktiv, or pour your own pint at the Stanley Beer Hall.
Southlands Lifestyle Center
Discover Aurora’s “Main Street” at Southlands Lifestyle Center. Complete with AMC Movie Theatre, name-brand shopping, and a variety of local and national dining locations – Southlands has a variety of things to do. Grab a drink at Bent Barley Brewing Company and watch the sunset or have a dining experience at the Wine Experience Café.
Town Center at Aurora
Aurora's town center is a bustling hub of activity, with something for everyone. The shops and restaurants offer a variety of options, and the central plaza is perfect for people-watching. The library and museum are also great places to spend an afternoon, and the theater hosts a variety of performances throughout the year. Aurora's town center is the perfect place to spend a day, whether you're looking for some retail therapy or just want to explore everything the town has to offer.
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