This is the weekend the holidays start showing up. Castle Rock lights its first big tree on Saturday, the Douglas County libraries fill with about 190 decorated story trees, and Highlands Ranch has a holiday gift fair. If you would rather sit and watch, a youth cast is doing an Elvis musical in Parker all weekend.
What is on Thursday, Nov. 12?
All Shook Up: Young@Part (opening night)
When: Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m.
Where: PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Admission: Paid. Every child needs a ticket.
A youth cast performs a shortened version of the Elvis jukebox musical, where a guitar-playing drifter rolls into a sleepy 1950s town and shakes it up. Two casts alternate shows through Sunday, so there is a performance every day of the weekend.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-11-10
What is happening Friday, Nov. 13?
Time for Three
When: Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
Admission: Paid
Two violins and a double bass, from a Grammy- and Emmy-winning trio that moves between classical, Americana and singer-songwriter music. Our date night pick for the weekend.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-11-10
All Shook Up plays again Friday at 7 p.m. with the second cast (organizer page).
What is on for Saturday, Nov. 14?
Holiday Gift Fair
When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Eastridge Recreation Center, 9568 University Blvd., Highlands Ranch
Admission: Free
HRCA's annual indoor holiday fair, with local makers and handmade gifts in one building. A head start on the list, minus the mall parking lot.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-11-10
Forest of Stories opening weekend
When: Opens Saturday, Nov. 14, and runs through Jan. 3, during library hours.
Where: Douglas County Libraries branches in Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker
Admission: Free
About 190 decorated trees, each themed around a book or story, spread across the branches. Kids can pick up a scavenger hunt form at any Welcome Desk and enter a prize drawing.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-11-10
Family Storytime
When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Where: Smoky Hill Library, 5430 S. Biscay Cir., Centennial
Admission: Registration. Every child and adult registers; drop-ins if space allows.
Picture books, songs and rhymes for young kids and their grown-ups. Sensory support kits are available for kids who need them.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-11-10
Community Arts and Crafts Supply Swap
When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 1 to 3 p.m. You can drop off supplies at the library's Information Desk any day from Monday, Nov. 9.
Where: Bemis Public Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton
Admission: No cost or sign-up listed. See organizer.
Bring the craft supplies you are not using and leave with someone else's. Open to all ages, and good timing if holiday crafting is on the calendar.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-11-10
Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 4 to 7 p.m.
Where: Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
Admission: No admission listed. See organizer.
The Outlets' yearly tree lighting concert and celebration, with live music and a holiday drone show over the night sky. The Outlets' holiday toy drive starts the same day and runs through Dec. 22, so bring a new, unwrapped toy if you want to give. It is outdoors, so dress for the weather and check the organizer page the day of.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-11-10
Ali Stroker
When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. Free pre-show talk on Broadway history, 6:45 to 7:05 p.m.
Where: Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
Admission: Paid
The Tony winner, and the first wheelchair user to perform on Broadway, in a concert of songs and stories.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-11-10
All Shook Up plays Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
What is open Sunday, Nov. 15?
Blue Violin's Retro Rock and Roll Christmas
When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Schoolhouse, 19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker
Admission: Paid. All ages, and every child needs a ticket.
A violinist fronts a rock band and choir through holiday classics mixed with 80s arena rock, with projections on the walls. An early start on holiday music.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-11-10
All Shook Up closes with shows Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Forest of Stories trees are up at the libraries Sunday too, during library hours.
We could not confirm a public event in Sterling Ranch this weekend on an organizer page. If your neighborhood has something on, tell us and we will check it for next week.
Coming up this month
The Castle Rock Starlighting is Saturday, Nov. 21, 2 to 6 p.m. (Town of Castle Rock). The rest of November, through Thanksgiving weekend, is in our November 2026 south Denver events guide.
Make the most of the weekend
Spend Saturday at the gift fair and the tree lighting. We keep the house ready for when you get back. Meet CompanyClean.
About the author. Ronnie Kendrick founded CompanyClean in 2022 in Highlands Ranch, where he lives with his wife and two kids. He built the company around two customers: the families whose homes it cleans and the technicians who do the work. He runs it day to day and sets the standard every visit is held to.
