FREE Festive Christmas Events in Douglas County

It's no doubt that the holiday season extends itself right up to the moment you ring the last doorbell on Halloween night...when you think it couldn't creep up any earlier, you find yourself hearing the distant jingling of bells before the last neighbor kid has said "trick or treat" at your front door!

Whatever your feelings are on when the Christmas season begins (before or after Thanksgiving), Douglas County has the celebrations to get you in the holiday spirit! Celebrate old traditions, or start new ones right in your neighborhood

OUTLETS TREE LIGHTING - Outlets at Castle Rock, CO | Nov. 16

Ain't no party like an Outlets party! The Outlets at Castle Rock make a BIG deal of all holidays, Christmas is no exception! They are lighting their big tree on Saturday, Nov. 16 with a big to-do, happening from 4-7p (short and sweet!). You'll see Santa, live musical acts, fireworks, and the lighting of a 55ft tree with over 8,000 lights and 5,000 ornaments. Oh, and there's plenty of shopping!

STARLIGHTING - Downtown Castle Rock, CO | Nov. 23

Castle Rock's most-attended town event brings out friends, family and neighbors to watch entertainment from local clubs and studios, sing carols, visit with local businesses, and enjoy the sights and sounds of a postcard-worthy downtown. Attendees can enjoy food truck snacks, hot chocolate, beer tents and more. The street festival leads up to the annual lighting of the star atop the Castle Rock, viewable from most of downtown, around 5:30pm. This family-friendly, free event fills the streets of Downtown Castle Rock, CO on Saturday, Nov. 23 starting at 2pm.

FREE CARRIAGE RIDES - Outlets at Castle Rock, CO | Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Dec. 14-15, Dec. 21-22

Hitch a ride with a festive horse-drawn carriage to break up your shopping day at the Outlets! These rides are first come, first service at the East end of 4th Avenue (between the H&M and Polo Ralph Lauren). The "carriage" is more like a wagon (like you see on hayrides), so there's room for many! Happening select weekends, 1-6p.

DOWNTOWN CASTLE ROCK HOLIDAY SHOP & STROLL | Dec. 5

Stroll the shops of Downtown Castle Rock for their very first SHOP & STROLL event! Each participating store will have specials, resfreshments, and festive offerings! Plus restaurants will be open and ready to serve seasonal specials. Grab a punch card as an extra way to win gift cards and prizes! Happening in Downtown Castle Rock, Thurs. Dec. 5, 5p-8p.

HOMETOWN HOLIDAY - Highlands Ranch, CO | Dec. 6

Gather with your friends and neighbors in Highlands Ranch to welcome Santa, get festive holiday pictures, visit with vendors and watch the annual tree lighting! This event kicks off at 3:30pm at Town Center South in Highlands Ranch.

CASTLE PINES TREE LIGHTING & DRONE SHOW - The Ridge at Castle Pines, CO | Dec. 6

Head to The Ridge Golf Course starting at 5pm for a Christmas celebration that includes train rides, carolers, food trucks, Santa and his reindeer, and an annual tree lighting (around 6:45pm), followed by a drone show.

STARLIGHT MARKET - Festival Park in Castle Rock, CO | Dec. 6-7

Head to Festival Park for a merry and bright market filled with festive vendors, holiday music, and seasonal treats. The event starts on Friday afternoon, 3-8pm and lasts through Saturday, 11a-7p.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA - Little Blessings Preschool in Castle Rock, CO | Dec. 7

This FREE Breakfast with Santa event is giving you free pancakes with the big guy! Plus you get to enjoy a cake walk, vendor market and kids activities from 8-10:30a (breakfast is only from 8-9a).

PARKER HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE & MARKET - Downtown Parker, CO | Dec. 7

Get in the spirit with a full day of holiday festivities! The holiday market kicks off at 9am with local merchants, live reindeer and tasty treats. Catch the market action until 2:00pm.

In the midst of the action, you'll see the Christmas Parade, featuring local marching bands and creative floats. The parade steps off at 10:00a and lasts through 11:30a.

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION AT THE MANSION - Highlands Ranch Mansion | Dec. 7

See the Highlands Ranch Mansion adored for the holiday season! Take a tour of the mansion, watch choir performances, take a hay ride, enjoy food trucks, and walk the grounds. This event run 10a-3p.

AUSTRIAN CHRISTMAS - Schweiger Ranch in Lone Tree, CO | Dec. 7

Experience an 1800's Christmas celebration, just like the original homesteading family here. You'll enjoy Austrian & German food, carriage rides, vendors and more! This event is FREE, carriage rides are first come first serve, and the event runs 11a-3p.

REINDEER GAMES - Philip S. Miller Park in Castle Rock, CO | Dec. 7

This fun outdoor afternoon gets you up close to Santa's reindeer, plus train rides, obstacles course, s'mores, and lots of ways to enjoy the Colorado air! Enjoy the outdoor fun from 1-4pm!

FAMILY HOLIDAY MOVIE: ELF - Ecclesia Market in Castle Rock, CO | Dec. 8

Head to Ecclesia for a big-screen showing of "Elf" starring Will Ferrell. Enjoy lunch, drinks, treats, or all the above from one of the many eateries inside Ecclesia Market! And don't spoil it for the kids: a special big, jolly someone will be making an appearance sometime during the movie!

PHOTOS WITH SANTA supporting CALF - Murdoch's in Castle Rock | Dec. 8

Stop by Murdoch's between 1-4p for a festive photo opp! Yes photos are technically free, but donations are encouraged!

STORYTELLERS & S'MORES - Festival Park in Castle Rock, CO | Dec. 14

Get cozy with hot chocolate and s'mores while your favorite winter characters read seasonal stories outloud from the big Storytelling Chair. Happening 5-7pm.

Have something else that should be on this list? Send it over to castlerockfamilies@gmail.com