The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and Fire Department have been “illuminating” the famous, giant star on top of Castle Rock for 85 years and this annual event is the most anticipated holiday landmark in all of Douglas County each November.

Castle Rock Star Lighting

Be there to see the Star high atop the Castle ROCK turn blue!

The Castle Rock “Lighting of the Star” has been a community event shared by residents dating back to 1936. The same spirit of volunteerism, generosity and love of tradition exists today as Castle Rock businesses and residents prepare to celebrate Starlighting downtown on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  The 2021 Castle Rock Starlighting is Saturday, Nov. 20 from 2 PM to 7 PM in Downtown Castle Rock at Historic Wilcox Square.

As one of Castle Rock Chamber’s signature events, this year’s Starlighting celebration will again include: hot chocolate, nonprofit booths, strolling entertainers, live entertainment and of course Santa will be present for photos and visits. Don’t forget to enjoy the Rink at the Rock, an outdoor ice skating rink in downtown Castle Rock as well. Non-profit groups are invited to participate in this well-respected community event to spread the word about their organization.  Click below to register, space is limited.

The Saturday BEFORE Thanksgiving

Hot chocolate, Non-profit booths, Strolling entertainers, Live entertainment, Fireworks and of course Santa!

2021 Castle Rock Starlighting
Saturday, November, 20, 2021
Time: 2 PM to 7 PM
Historic Wilcox Square – Downtown Castle Rock

Join the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce for our annual Starlighting festivities including Hot chocolate/Adult Beverages, Food Trucks, Non-profit booths, Strolling entertainers, and Live entertainment from 2 PM to 6 PM. The Starlighting ceremony will begin at 5:00 pm with the actual lighting of the star approximately at 5:30 PM.

As always, Castle Rock Chamber would like to remind everyone to shop locally and support our community. Now more than and ever our small businesses need our support, not only this holiday season but all year long remember Shop Local First!

If you are unable to attend, consider hosting your own virtual viewing party with your family!  Please Note: 2021 Live Starlighting Streaming Options still need to be confirmed.

The Chamber put together Starlighting Take Home Kits complete with the 2021 Starlighting ornament, Starlighting candles, 2 mugs, hot chocolate and more! Thank you for supporting your community and the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce! (MORE DETAILS COMING SOON)

Don’t forget to enjoy the Rink at the Rock, an outdoor ice skating rink in downtown Castle Rock as well.

• Entertainment Schedule

• Shuttle Rides & Street Closures

• Santa Visits

• Registration Links

• Volunteer

• Friends of Starlighting

Broncos 2021/2022 Football Schedule

BRONCOS PRESEASON 2021/22

Week 1: Broncos at Minnesota Vikings

Week 2: Broncos at Seattle Seahawks

Week 3: Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams

DENVER BRONCOS REGULAR SEASON 2021/22

Week 1: Broncos at New York Giants (Sunday, Sept. 12, 2:25 p.m. MT, FOX)

Week 2: Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m. MT, CBS)

Week 3: Broncos vs. New York Jets (Sunday, Sept. 26, 2:05 p.m. MT, CBS)

Week 4: Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, Oct. 3, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)

Week 5: Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. MT, FOX)

Week 6: Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, Oct. 17, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)

Week 7: Broncos at Cleveland Browns (Thursday, Oct. 21, 6:20 p.m. MT, FOX/NFL Network/Amazon)

Week 8: Broncos vs. Washington Football Team (Sunday, Oct. 31, 2:25 p.m. MT, FOX)

Week 9: Broncos at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. MT, FOX)

Week 10: Broncos vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, Nov. 14, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)

Week 11: BYE WEEK

Week 12: Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, Nov. 28, 2:05 p.m. MT, CBS)

Week 13: Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. MT, CBS)

Week 14: Broncos vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, Dec. 12, 2:05 p.m. MT, FOX)

Week 15: Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, Dec. 19, 2:05 p.m. MT, CBS)

Week 16: Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, Dec. 26, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)

Week 17: Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, Jan. 2, 2:05 p.m. MT, CBS)

Week 18: Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, Jan. 9, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)

Covid 19 Fan Experience at Empower Field at Mile High

Due to the high number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout Colorado as well as the Denver metro area, the stadium is currently closed to the general public. Please check the Upcoming Events page for your event 30 days out from the scheduled date to retrieve info regarding your event.

Doing Our Part

Empower Field at Mile High has implemented health & sanitation practices following guidelines from the state of Colorado, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NFL & health officials. Stadium staff will also play their part by implementing additional safety measures.

Fun Facts about Mile HIgh Stadium

Empower Field at Mile High is an American football stadium in Denver, Colorado. The stadium is nicknamed Mile High due to the city’s elevation of 5,280 feet. The primary tenant is the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. It opened in 2001 to replace the Broncos’ original home, the old Mile High Stadium. Wikipedia

Address: 1701 Bryant St, Denver, CO 80204 Phone: (720) 258-3000

Description

Former names: Invesco Field (2001–11); Sports Authority Field (2011–18); Broncos Stadium (2018–19) but Natives just call it Mile High.

This is and has always been a free event open to the general public.

All events are subject to change to comply with state and county public health orders. Check back frequently for updates or sign-up to receive event-specific email updates.

January 24 – 30, 2022

Join the fun January 24 – 30, 2022 for the 30th Annual Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships!

Join Art Enthusiasts at the 2022 International Snow Sculpture Championships

Carving  Week:  January 24-28, 2022

Viewing Week: January 28-30, 2022

Where are the sculptures located?
The Snow Sculptures are located in the area around the Riverwalk Center at 150 West Adams Avenue, Breckenridge, CO 80424.  The Warming Hut exhibit and event headquarters are inside the Riverwalk Center.

A Permanent Memento
Be sure to stop by the Thaw Lounge+Music for postcards, pins and for more event information including a look at past sculptures.

Snow carving in Breckenridge began as a local pastime during the town’s winter carnival – Ullr Fest – in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The founders of Breckenridge’s International Snow Sculpture Championships are still involved in the event, which is today attended annually by more than 30,000 people.

History on Display
Discover the process of snow sculpting, information about the teams and lots of interesting trivia. Located in the Thaw Lounge+Music, this exhibit explores the last 25 years of the International Snow Sculpture Championships.

Don’t Forget to Vote for your favorite sculpture

Support your favorite sculpture with the People’s Choice Vote. Throughout sculpting week, simply text the country of your favorite sculpture to vote. Text numbers can be found at each sculpture. More details can be found in the Warming Hut.

The Magic of Ice
Don’t miss the spectacular Ice Village, located at the Riverwalk Center. Each intricate carving is sculpted into a glowing statue. The sculptures represent many of the supporters of the Snow Sculpture Championships.

Are Dogs Allowed?

The International Snow Sculpture Championships is a pet-friendly event, however, please be aware that there will be cannons, light shows, crowds and can get very cold. Please keep pets on a leash and away from the snow sculptures.

Free Daily Parking

Free parking is available on Airport Road with free shuttles running every 15 minutes via the Yellow Route on the Breck Free Ride Bus. The closest bus stop to Event Headquarters is F-Lot, which is serviced by most bus routes. View bus schedule

Free public transportation is available throughout town from 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. View town bus routes

International Snow Sculpture Championships Stay and Ski Lodging Packages

Call the Breckenridge Resort Chamber at 877-864-0868 or visit GoBreck.com for more information on the 2012 International Snow Sculpture Championships and January lodging packages in Breckenridge.

Estes Park is a bit of an insider secret for Coloradan’s, and it’s especially lovely during the winter months with the snow-topped pine trees, herds of statuesque elk roaming the countryside, and the impressive view of the Stanley Hotel when you first approach Estes from Denver. Estes lies 90 minutes northwest of Denver and lies next to the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Estes Park’s snow-covered evergreens and the snow-capped Rocky Mountains provide the perfect location for adventure lovers to enjoy the activities a Colorado winter has to offer from snowshoeing and cross country skiing, to ice climbing, fly fishing, and more!

LONGS PEAK SCOTTISH IRISH HIGHLAND FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2021

For more than four decades, Estes Park has been the backdrop for one of the nation’s largest celebrations of the heritage, the sounds, the tastes, and the arts of the Scottish and Irish cultures. To buy tickets or find more information about this year’s event visit www.scotfest.com.

SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2021

Held annually the weekend after Labor Day, Estes Park’s Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival is the largest gathering of its kind between the Mississippi River and California, and traditionally hosts bands – from the marching kind to the rocking kind and everything in-between – hailing from Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and, of course, the United States.

With jousting knights, dancing girls, hoisting athletes and calling bagpipes, groups and families of all ages will catch the Celtic spirit at this festival – surrounded by the scenic peaks of Estes Park!

One of the weekend highlights is the free hour-long parade on Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park’s main street. Bagpipes, drummers, dancers, clans in tartan, Dogs of the British Isles, brass military bands and precision drill teams give a preview of what can be seen on the festival grounds.

2021 FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES:

Music & Entertainment

Scottish Irish Shopping Markets: Browse a variety of Scottish and Irish vendors in the shopping tents to find highland-inspired jewelry, clothing, kilts, accessories, home décor, and more.

Scottish Athletics: Strong Man Competition. On the Festival field, there will be hammer throws, putting the stone, and caber throwing contests. Come join us and see a mere man toss a 19’7″,  140 lb. caber end over end!

US/International Jousting Championships: Games, Light Armor & Heavy Armor

Dogs Of the British Isles: Dog Agility & Herding, Terrier Races & Dog Exhibit Booths

Looking for tickets?  Purchase here.

During the festival, many Estes Park business feature live Celtic music and whiskey tastings throughout the village! Check out the event calendar for additional events throughout the weekend.

More information and the full event schedule go to the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Festival Website.

ELK FEST

OCTOBER 2-3, 2021

Celebrate Estes Park’s resident elk at this family-friendly festival in Bond Park (170 MacGregor Ave). Enjoy vendors, live music, food, bugling contests, performances and more at this year’s Elk Fest! Check back for more detail.

CATCH THE GLOW PARADE & CELEBRATION

NOVEMBER 26, 2021

Check back for more information on this beloved local event.

ESTES PARK WINTER FESTIVAL

JANUARY 2022

​Celebrate the winter season in Estes Park at the Annual Winter Festival weekend!  Sample a variety of beers, browse retail vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and more at the Estes Park Event Center (1125 Rooftop Way)! Check back for more details and to buy tickets.

At Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom, and we–you and us–stand on the backs of these tiny giants.

Virtual Classes

Aquatics 101 Virtual Class: How To Set Up a Successful Home Aquarium

Coming Soon in 2021!

Makes a great gift!

An ideal opportunity for beginners to the aquarium hobby, join Sara Stevens, Aquatics Manager at Butterfly Pavilion for an engaging and interactive tutorial on how to set up your home to have a successful and thriving tank. In this session, we will cover everything you need to know to get started with the right equipment, aquarium setup, and animal care strategies to allow your aquatic animals to thrive. Learn how to properly cycle your tank, how to pick animals that get along, and so much more. See how Butterfly Pavilion supports its aquaria, and get all of your questions answered with a live Q&A with our experts!

Arachnids Around Us Livestream

Join us for this virtual learning program to explore the arachnids that live around us!

Do you ever see spooky spiders or scary scorpions all around you? Join us for a virtual program as we explore the amazing arachnids that live among us. Figure out what makes an arachnid, unlearn some common misconceptions, and discover why having Arachnids Around Us is not as bad as it sounds!

Please note that registrants will be sent a link to join the class 30 minutes prior to start time. We understand technical difficulties may occur, please contact registrar@butterflies.org with your questions.

Teachers! Looking for exciting programs for your class? Check out our Distance Learning options by visiting www.butterflies.local/virtuallearning!

Buy Online for the Best Price on Admission

Adult $13.00
Child (2-12) $9.00
Senior (65+) $11.00
Child Under 2: Free
Members: Free & Unlimited*Event Day pricing may apply. Closed certain holidays.

The Butterfly Pavilion is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year-round, except for Summer Thursdays (June 27 – August 22) when we’re open until 7 pm (last admission at 6:15 pm)

•     The last entrance is at 4:15 p.m.
•     We are open seven days a week
•     We are closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

*To receive the reduced admission rate, Westminster Residents must present a valid ID with a Westminster, CO address.
**Up to two per adult entry.

The Butterfly Pavilion is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Denver off Hwy 36 at 104th Avenue. Map 

The Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W. 104th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80020

Butterflies at Chatfield Farms

Encounter native butterflies flying through a lush and colorful garden setting in a one-of-a-kind butterfly house at Chatfield Farms.

May 29 – Sept. 6
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily, included with admission

Chatfield Farms Location

8500 W Deer Creek Canyon RoadLittleton, CO 80128 Map

720-865-3500

This seasonal habitat is home to hundreds of native butterflies such as swallowtails, monarchs, mourning cloaks and painted ladies. It is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The plants in this house are used as a nectar source for butterfly food and designed to create a whimsical atmosphere for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Learn what types of plants you can add to your garden to attract butterflies and other pollinators.

Butterflies at Chatfield Farms is a joint venture between Butterfly Pavilion and Denver Botanic Gardens.

Butterflies at Chatfield Farms Gallery

Salvador Dalí: Gardens of the Mind

Experience the rarely seen fanciful color lithographs on loan from The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, FL.April 10 – Aug. 22, 2021

York Street Location

1007 York StreetDenver, CO 80206 Map 720-865-3500

Freyer – Newman Center

Mixing flora with the artist’s signature motifs two series of prints, FlorDalí and Surrealist Flowers, underscore Dalí’s ongoing infatuation with his native landscape of Catalonia and the intriguing images of his Surrealist works. The images of fruits and flowers unsettle what we think we know about reality by juxtaposing seemingly incongruent elements. The exhibition of nearly 40 works is organized by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and The Dalí Museum.

Gallery admission included with York Street general admission tickets.
Gallery Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily

Get Tickets and Member Reservations

Evenings al Fresco

Savor the golden hours at the Gardens with socially distanced performances on select Mondays and Wednesdays this summer.Select Mondays/Wednesdays, June – Aug., 4:30-8:30 p.m.

York Street Location

1007 York StreetDenver, CO 80206 Map

720-865-3500

Awash in the golden light of the evening, this collaborative series enhances the beauty of the Gardens with musical performances, providing respite and renewal in nature. Unlike a traditional concert setting, visitors strolling through the Gardens encounter small, socially distanced ensembles or musicians performing works designed to underscore and bring delight to their evening visit.

Denver Botanic Gardens is proud to partner with Swallow Hill Music to produce this series. 

Dates to be announced. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, May 20.

Last entry 7:30 p.m. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance; tickets are limited in each 30-minute time slot.

Music throughout the Gardens 5:30-8:30 p.m.

$30 Non-member
$20 Member
Free for children 2 and under (no ticket required)

DALE CHIHULY EXHIBIT

As the Chihuly exhibition comes to a close at Denver Botanic Gardens (on view through November 30), we are pleased to announce – through the generosity of private donors including Robert and Judi Newman and the RC Kemper Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee – a Chihuly work of art will be added to the Gardens’ permanent collection. The new work, part of the Tower series, will be installed in the Ellipse garden and called “Colorado.” It will be comprised of approximately 700 hand-blown glass elements and stand over 11 feet tall.

Brian Vogt, Denver Botanic Gardens CEO says, “We will never forget this extraordinary year and the outpouring of enthusiasm for the combination of Chihulyand the Gardens. Now, we will have the opportunity to relive this unique and dynamic fusion long into the future.”

I am so pleased that a significant work of art will be added to Denver BotanicGardens’ permanent collection,” says artist Dale Chihuly. “It is such a beautiful garden and such a great city – my thanks to Brian Vogt for helping make the exhibition such a success and to the donors for their generosity and the honor of this permanent installation.”

Dale Chihuly

Donors share enthusiasm for the gift. Robert and Judi Newman say, “We are thrilled and honored to provide the lead gift for the legacy piece which will commemorate theGardens’ monumental and stunning Chihuly exhibition. Dale Chihuly’s work easily transforms any space and engages viewers in unique ways that merge science and art. We love it!”

The Kemper family has a long history with the Gardens and Dale Chihuly. Mariner Kemper, Chairman and CEO, UMB Financial Corporation says, “It was only natural for us to help bring a permanent Chihuly artwork to the Gardens. Giving back to the community and supporting the arts has always been a focus for our family and we hope the citizens of Denver enjoy the piece for years to come.”

Chihuly used a red, orange and yellow color pallet as it reminded him of the beautiful skies and sunsets he has enjoyed during his visits to Denver. He drew inspiration for this new work from one of his most challenging outdoor installations, Icicle Creek Chandelier, a permanent outdoor installation he did in 1996 at Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth, Washington. Installed on a granite rock, the chandelier is a permanent reminder of how a work of art can be framed in nature and find harmony within in it. Like Icicle Creek Chandelier, “Colorado” will be designed to sustain similar outdoor weather conditions.

ABOUT DALE CHIHULY

Born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly was introduced to glass while studying interior design at the University of Washington. After graduating in 1965, Chihuly enrolled in the first glass program in the country, at the University of Wisconsin. He continued studies at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he later established the glass program and taught for more than a decade.

In 1968, after receiving a Fulbright Fellowship, he went to work at the Venini glass factory in Venice, Italy. There he observed the team approach to blowing glass, which is critical to the way he works today. In 1971, Chihuly cofounded Pilchuck Glass School in Washington. With this international glass center, Chihuly has led the avant-garde in the development of glass as a fine art.

His work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide. He has been the recipient of many awards, including 12 honorary doctorates and two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Photo credits: Dale Chihuly, Blue and Purple Boat (detail), 2006. New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx, New York.Dale Chihuly, Saffron Tower, 2006, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, 2008. Dale Chihuly, Red Reeds, 2008, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2010. Dale Chihuly, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida, 2006

Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock

Celebrating 31 years of Visual Inspiration

Castle Rock, conveniently located between Denver and Colorado Springs off Interstate 25, is beloved by locals and visitors alike, all of whom flock to the area to experience its numerous cultural events, outdoor attractions, and one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. From the Town’s namesake; Rock Park, to the historic downtown, to the many unique and family-owned restaurants, there is something for every history, theater, art, and food buff.

The weekend after Labor Day, the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce hosts a juried fine arts show with artists from across the country. Historic downtown Castle Rock provides the perfect canvas for the Annual Colorado Artfest, which has become a summertime tradition for residents and art enthusiasts alike.

This two day event is held in downtown Castle Rock at Festival Park. Delight in the artistic impressions of more than 90 Artists from across the country. Continual live main stage entertainment, featuring popular musicians, will provide a complimentary backdrop to this year’s program.  Admission is free to this 2-day event. Patrons, pre-register to be entered into a drawing to win prizes! 

September 11 & 12, 2021
Sat (9-6pm) Sun (10-5pm)

Location: Perry Street (between 3rd/South) & Festival Park
Castle Rock, CO 80104

Join the fun the weekend after Labor Day, the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce hosts a juried fine arts show with artists from across the country. Castle Rock provides the perfect canvas for the 31st Annual Colorado Artfest, which has become a summertime tradition for residents and art enthusiasts alike.  Enjoy continual live main stage entertainment featuring popular musicians, interactive exhibits for the kids, savor fabulous food/beverages and so much more!  View more details below.

This esteemed community art festival continues to highlight the talents of more than 170 exhibitors displaying a wide range of works from life-size sculptures, to photography and jewelry. There’s a multitude of opportunities to appreciate – and purchase – art during this weekend of visual inspiration. Enjoy continual live main stage entertainment, featuring popular musicians, that provide a complimentary backdrop to this year’s program along with strolling entertainers, the Artfest Store; and a silent auction. To tantalize your taste buds, there will be food and beverage vendors aplenty as well as an Imagination Zone for children. There is something for everyone at the Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock.

DCCF is committed to providing leadership and responsible stewardship of philanthropic resources to enhance the quality of life in Douglas County, Colorado. DCCF is a catalyst to connect donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen the County through philanthropy. DCCF does this by providing quality services to donors and innovative leadership on community issues.

More information can be found at www.dccf.org