Here are our top 5 things to do this weekend in and around Colorado Springs. Get out and have some fun with the family!
1. Bob Telmosse Christmas Giveaway: The Bob Telmosse Christmas giveaway is celebrating the 32nd anniversary of supporting the community of Colorado Springs during the holidays. We are a 501c non-profit that distributes 100% of all donations in one day until all supplies are gone. There are no paid board members, just people helping people. Last year over 4,000 people participated in the one day event. There are no questions asked only that the child be present to pick out their own gifts. Participant gets the opportunity to pick out a coat/hat/gloves until supplies are gone. Each family has a volunteer that hosts them through the event starting with every child choosing their own stuffed animal and book. Each child then chooses their own new age appropriate toy. We ask that toy donations be at least a $25 value. The children then are able to pick out a gift for their caregiver that wrapped by a volunteer for the child to give back to their parent/caregiver. The family is then off to foods to receive a frozen turkey, 5lb bag of potatoes, box of stuffing, can veg, and bread/desserts donated by Care & Share. The highlight of the day is the bike raffle where children get the opportunity to win a bike with over 600 given away last year. All this happens on Saturday, December 20th at the Freedom Financial Services Expo Center starting at 9:00 am until all supplies are gone. We need coat drives, book drives, toy drives, and bike drives to make sure that this years event will be successful. Volunteers are needed to start donation drives, business allowing drop box locations, and volunteering for the event set-up, day of the event, and clean up are all in need. Go to our website for updates and volunteer opportunities. We can not make this happen with without YOU. For more info visit: http://www.santa-bob.org/
2. Horse Drawn Wagon Rides at Fountain Creek Nature Center: Enjoy the sounds of Suffolk draft horses clip-clopping down the Regional Trail with jingle bells and seasonal songs. $5/person, pre-paid reservations required. Limit 20 people per ride. Weather permitting. December 13th and 20th, 11:30, 12:00, and 12:30
3. Come See Santa and the Dinos: Santa Claus will be coming to the DRC from 11am-3pm. We have our craft table available for the children to make an ornament for our Christmas tree as well as on for themselves. So come and see Santa and help us decorate our Christmas tree! Included with cost of museum admission.
Price: $7.50 – $11.50
$7.50 5-12 year olds, $11.50 adults, 4 & under free.
4. Unsilent Night in Old Colorado City: Join your neighbors for a short, free, musical promenade around Old Colorado City at 5:30PM on December 20th. Unsilent Night is a 4-track holiday caroling party where each and every participant simultaneously plays one of the four tracks on their own “boombox” creating an ever-changing holiday soundscape. Unsilent Night has been performed every winter for the past 22 years in over 50 cities. Last year we had a blast with a few dozen participants, but this year, we’re hoping to have more than 100 boomboxes! Get more information, download the free music/tracks and/or the free App and get further instructions at http://coloradosprings.unsilentnight.com/ then bring your boombox to Bancroft Park in OCC at 5:30PM on Dec 20th.
5. Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens: It may seem strange to visit the Denver Botanic Gardens at night, but with the addition of colorful lights at both the gardens and farm, it is a dazzling way to celebrate the holiday season. Blossoms of Light at the main Botanic Gardens features a tunnel of twinkling lights, a brand new path and a fire pit at the Hive Garden Bistro. Colorful lights turn the Japanese Garden, South African Plaza, Cottonwood Border, Shady Lane and other gardens into magical winter landscapes. Strolling carolers perform on select evenings. You can also buy roasted nuts, sweet treats and hot beverages. Trail of Lights at the Chatfield location offers a more rustic, but just as amazing experience. The 1880s Hildebrand Ranch homestead is decorated in a vintage Colorado Christmas theme. The barn and antique tractors are also illuminated, along with the children’s play area and tree house that are synchronized to holiday music. There’s a warming hut, free hayrides and live entertainment on select evenings. You can also buy treats and hot drinks. Trail of Lights is open Thanksgiving weekend (November 28 to 30), then both locations are open Friday, December 5 to Thursday, January 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This includes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Tickets for non-peak days (November 28-30 at Chatfield and December 5 to 13, both locations) is $10/adults, $8/senior (65+), student or military, $7/child (ages 3-12). Denver Botanic Gardens members get a $2 per ticket discount. Peak admission from December 14 to January 1 is $12/adults, $10/senior, student, military and $9/child. Entry is free for children age 2 and younger.
