The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals.
What the Dickens!?
If the storylines of A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker are getting a little stale for you, this improv-driven holiday play is the antidote. A rotating cast of actors will portray familiar characters (including ghosts!) in a Dickens-inspired tale—but the plot will vary night to night as improvisation leads the players in hilarious and unexpected directions. Through Dec. 27; Friday–Saturday 8 p.m.; $12–$15
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Acrobats suspended in the air. Hula-hooping dancers. Skateboarding clowns. This is not your average holiday show. This traveling troupe will treat Coloradans to a world-class acrobatic show, all set to holiday music and with exciting festive flourishes. Dec. 23; 7:30 p.m.; starting at $73
Art Students League of Denver Celebration Days
What to do when the house is full of out-of-town guests, and you’ve already exhausted all the gingerbread-house-decorating contests and backyard pigskin games you had planned? Take the crew to this budget-friendly artistic workshop. Eight Art Students League of Denver instructors will lead attendees through drop-in-style activities, such as watercolor painting, ceramics, book arts, and printmaking for the highly affordable price of $10. ASLD will host another event on Dec. 31. Dec. 24; 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; $10
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar Feast of the Seven Fishes
Feast of the Seven Fishes always sounds like a good idea—until you have several varieties of seafood in your kitchen and a bunch of hungry dinner guests anxiously awaiting. We suggest booking a table at this Christmas Eve dinner, where Jax’s staff will serve a five-course meal including fritto misto with shrimp, squid, and anchovy-stuffed olives and branzino with polenta, marsala mushrooms, and crispy shallot gremolata. Dec. 24; reservation times vary; $85 per person
Urban Farmer: A Special Christmas Fare
If even cooking up Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls is liable to set off your kitchen fire alarm, head to this Christmas morning brunch—or dinner!—at LoDo’s Urban Farmer. At brunch, your fam can dine on a decadent meal of lobster omelets, cinnamon-apple French toast, and a raw bar with shrimp, crab claws, and oysters; at dinner, expect short rib gnocchi, roasted prime rib, and horseradish creamed spinach. Both are cooked by experts—meaning the only thing ringing on Christmas Day will be silver bells. Dec. 24–25; times vary; $45–$95
Candy Cane Course
Earn an extra helping of cookies and milk at this Christmas-themed fun run. Santa hat-clad runners can opt for a 5K or 12K loop around Westfield Village Park in Westminster. At the end, make sure to pick up your thematic swag and a sweet treat. Dec. 27; 9 a.m.; $26–$52
