’Tis the season for reveling in opportunities to fill ourselves up with as much holiday spirit as we can. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts has several ways to do that, including  Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical and A Christmas Carol. Here’s a roundup of other family-friendly productions, musical events, light shows and more from around the metro area to add to your holiday calendar.

MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE

Celtic Woman: White Christmas Symphony Tour, Dec. 5, welcomes the multi-platinum Irish singers as they perform popular Yuletide songs with the Colorado Symphony.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum. Photo by Jerry Metellus

Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum, Dec. 7-22, is the 33^rd annual production by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, celebrating the meaning and diversity of holiday traditions around the world.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas in Concert, Nov 29-30, combines viewing the Jim Carrey version of the movie with a live performance of the score by the Colorado Symphony.

Santa’s Circus, Nov. 30, brings Christmas-themed acrobatics blending theater, dance and gymnastics with illusions and comedy, all set in a Christmas wonderland.

Sensory Inclusive Holiday, Dec. 10, is a holiday-themed cabaret with live music by a Colorado Symphony string quartet and heartwarming stories and monologues performed by Phamaly Theatre. Sound and light levels are kept lower and over-stimulating noises and visuals are minimized to ensure that audience members with autism spectrum, sensitivity issues or developmental disabilities are comfortable.

Ballet Ariel, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

The Doo Wop Project Christmas, Dec. 1-2, features classic Christmas tunes doo-wopified by a group of Broadway performers who sing and dance, giving familiar songs new flare.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Nov. 22-24 and Dec. 28-29, a production of Ballet Ariel, uses original choreography to tell the wintery tale based on the book by C.S. Lewis, set in the 1940s, with a White Witch, Father Christmas, kind-hearted lion and four siblings.

The Nutcracker, Nov. 30-Dec. 29, presented by the Colorado Ballet, returns with dancing mice, Sugar Plums and swirling snowflakes along with grand sets and costumes.

The Nutcracker by Parker Arts and Denver Ballet Theatre, Dec. 12-17, starts with a festive Christmas party for family and friends and follows Clara and her magical nutcracker doll on a fantastical journey to the Land of Sweets.  

Denver Ballet Theatre, The Nutcracker

LIGHT DISPLAYS

9NEWS Parade of Lights, Dec. 7, features lights on the move with illuminated floats, giant, helium-filled character balloons, marching bands and an appearance from Santa.

Blossoms of Light, Nov. 20-Jan. 12, has a mile-long path that meanders through immersive light displays that highlight the trees and plants of the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Grand Illumination , Nov. 29, at Denver Union Station, kicks off the holiday season with a performance by the Denver Dolls, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the lighting of the 40-foot-tall outdoor Christmas tree with more than 7,000 lights that will be aglow throughout the season.

Light the Lights, late November-January, illuminates the City and County Building with two eight-minute choreographed light and music holiday shows each night before going into a static light display the rest of the evening.

Grand Illumination, Denver Union Station

Luminova Holidays, Nov. 29-Dec. 31, illuminates sections of Elitch Gardens, including displays to walk through plus themed drinks and snacks and rides on specific attractions.

Winter Wanderland in Cherry Creek North, Nov. 16-Dec. 24, decorates more than 600 trees with lights around the neighborhood. Throughout the season, there are special events like a holiday market, a Chanukah celebration, and Giving Machines that offer chances to make a positive impact.

The Mile High Tree, running mid-November into January, is a seven-story, 110-foot-tall piece of immersive holiday art with 60,000 LED lights that put on a show choreographed to multicultural holiday music. Step inside to be immersed or enjoy the view from around the outside.

Cherry Creek North, Winter Wanderland

Trail of Lights, Nov. 29-Jan. 1, turns the historic, pastoral setting of Chatfield Farms into a meandering winter wonderland.

Zoo Lights, Nov. 22-Jan. 5, covers more than 80 acres in one million lights throughout the Zoo in this 30+ year tradition.

HOLIDAY MARKETS

Cherry Creek Holiday Market, Nov. 21-Dec. 24, is the 5^th annual opportunity to shop from more than 40 local makers, designers and creators, accented by live music performances.

Denver Christkindl Market, Nov. 22-Dec. 23, is an authentic German-style holiday market with local and European craft and food vendors plus entertainers to see, in Civic Center Park, where the Mile High Tree and Civic Center building lights can also be enjoyed.

McGregor Square

ICE SKATING

Downtown Denver Rink, opening late November-Valentine’s Day, provides free ice skating in the heart of the city at the base of the D & F Tower. Bring skates or rent them and a “skatewalker” for assistance.

McGregor Skate, Nov 29-Jan. 26, lets people skate in the center of the bustling McGregor Square plaza surrounded by restaurants including a food court. An outside bar will be available serving hot chocolate and more.