Things to Do in Pueblo Dec. 2-15: Holiday celebrations, toy drives and a chess tournament
Friday, Dec. 2
A Visit with Santa and Good Tidings of Art at Steel City Art Works
216 S. Union Ave. | 3-6 p.m. for Santa and 5-8 p.m. for the art show | Bring a camera or phone and $20 to get a picture with Santa in front of a Christmas tree. Enjoy holiday art, the "cigar box challenge" and complimentary refreshments.
Chicano/a art exhibit at Colorado State University Pueblo
Fine Arts Gallery 2200 Bonforte Blvd. | 5-8 p.m. | The Altepmeh exhibition, named for a Nahuatl term referencing a social, political and creative order stemming from the ancestors and empowering the community, opens with the art of Juan Espinosa of Pueblo and Arletta Lucero, Sylvia Montero and Tony Ortega of Denver. It is the first student and faculty curated Chicano/a art exhibit since COVID-19 closures in 2020. The show will run through Jan. 26.
ElectriCritters at the Pueblo Zoo
3455 Nuckolls Ave. | 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 11; then daily through Dec. 27 excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day | Help celebrate the 30th anniversary of Southern Colorado's largest holiday light show featuring more than 150 animal-themed light displays. The walk-through event helps raise funds to feed and care for the zoo's 400-plus animals. Special events include an evening designed for guests with sensory sensitivities on Dec. 14 and Santa Sundays from 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. Tickets can be purchased at the gate and cost is $9 for adults, $7 for children, or $7 and $5 for adult and child zoo members, respectively. Children younger than 3 are admitted free. Find out more at pueblozoo.org/electricritters.
A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol at Steel City Theatre Co.
241 S. Santa Fe Ave. | 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 | Local thespians will perform a classic holiday tale with a fairy-tale treatment as famous fairy-tale characters take on the memorable roles of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol." The fun-filled adaptation stays true to the warmth and heart of the classic and is appropriate for all ages. Tickets range from $12 to $15.
Scrooge at Memorial Hall
1 City Hall Place | Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday | The classic Charles Dickens story features the story of Ebenezer Scrooge who receives a visit from the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley, warning Scrooge about the consequences of the suffering he has caused. Cost ranges from $25 to $35.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Crèche Festival at Wesley Methodist Church
85 Stanford Ave. | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday | More than 120 nativity scenes will be on display after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Many of the crèches belonged to church member Jan Warner. Additionally, other church members have lent their beloved crèches for the two-day festival. Admission is free. The tour wraps up at the Fellowship Hall where hot-spiced cider, coffee and Christmas cookies will be served.
Holiday Boutique, Fashion Preview & Lunch at Pueblo Convention Center
320 Central Main St. |9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. holiday boutique | lunch and live auction 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | This fundraiser for Operation School Bell by the Assistance League of Pueblo will feature live music, raffle prizes, a Dillard's fashion show, live auction and lunch. Cost is $65 per person and proceeds provide new school clothes for hundreds of children in Pueblo School Districts 60 and 70.
Pueblo Bikers United Toy Run at South High School
1801 Hollywood Drive | Kickstands up at 11 a.m. | The 45th annual event will end at Praise Assembly parking lot at 2000 Troy Ave. for toy drop-off. Cost is $1 per person, cash only. Toys will be distributed by Pueblo Cooperative Care Center which serves low-income, no-income and homeless individuals and families.
Holiday in Lights Parade in Pueblo West
Parade route starts at Joe Martinez Boulevard and Palmer Lake Drive, proceeds down Joe Martinez and ends at Civic Center Park | 5:30 p.m. | Pueblo West Metro District and Pueblo West Chamber staff will host the event. This year's theme is "Deck the Halls." Following the parade, Civic Center Park will host refreshments, photo taking with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a community tree lighting and fireworks.
Christmas 4 Kids at Classic Q's
1715 S. Prairie Ave. | Doors open at 6 p.m., dance is from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. | The event features three live bands and a DJ. Cost is $10 plus a new toy donation to help children in the Pueblo community.
Christmas Sing-a-long Community Concert at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4720 Surfwood Ave. | 7 p.m. | The event is free and open to the public.
Monday, Dec. 5
Pet photos with Santa at the Pueblo Mall
3429 Dillon Drive | 4-7 p.m. | Get your pet's picture with Santa Claus. Register at whereissanta.com by scrolling down to the tab that says "Pet Night" and selecting a time. The mall will be collecting donations on behalf of The Humane Society of the United States.
United States Air Force Academy Band holiday concert at Memorial Hall
1 City Hall Place | Doors open at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 6 | The Holly and Ivy concert features five performance teams ranging from classical and world chamber music to big band Jazz, high-energy pop andcountry. From classic “sing-along” favorites to exciting new arrangements, the show should appeal to all ages. The event is free and tickets can be picked up at the Pueblo Memorial Hall Box Office.
Thursday, Dec. 8
Festival of Trees at Pueblo Union Depot
132 W. B St. | 5-8 p.m. | The Latino Chamber and United Way of Pueblo County are hosting the festival featuring a silent auction of decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, a hot chocolate bar buffet and pictures with Santa Claus. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at pueblolatinochamber.com.
Pueblo Choral Society holiday concert at Memorial Hall
1 City Hall Place | Doors open at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. | The Old Fashioned Christmas concert features Lyrica Girls Choir of Bella Prima Musica as well as Colorado State University Pueblo Clarinet and Woodwinds Choirs and others. The event is free and tickets can be picked up at the Pueblo Memorial Hall Box Office.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Pueblo Chess Club Winter Open at Rawlings Public Library
100 E. Abriendo Ave. | Registration runs 9-10 a.m. and first game is at 10:15 a.m. | Timed games will be determined by the number of entries. Participants can bring their own chess sets. Prizes of $40, $20 and $15 will be awarded to first- through third-place finishers. Cost is a $10 entry fee.
Holiday Celebration at El Centro del Quinto Sol
609 E. Sixth St. | noon to 2 p.m. | Pueblo Parks and Recreation staff will host the free event featuring holiday games and activities for the whole family. There will be a gift giveaway for the children. Children must be present to receive a gift. Gifts will be given away while supplies last.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
A Christmas Comedy at Family Worship Center
3800 Parker Blvd. | 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 14, 15 and 16 | The production is free and open to the public but reservations are required at group.life/christmas due to limited space. Last year all performances were at capacity. Dessert will be served at intermission.
Thursday, Dec. 15
Christmas Pop-up Event at Pueblo Community College
Welcome Center, 900 W. Orman Ave. | 5-8 p.m. | Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center is sponsoring the event to allow residents to shop local small business booths for holiday gifts. Call 719-549-3245 for details.
Celebrate Christmas Concert at Pueblo Christian Center
1605 S. Pueblo Blvd. | 6 p.m. | Southern Colorado Community Connections is hosting its 12th Annual, “Celebrate Christmas it’s all about a Child” concert event featuring Christmas musical performances by a variety of local artists. The concert is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift that will be donated to children and adolescents being served by the Pueblo County Department of Social Services Child Welfare Division. For details, call Jesse Sena at 719-671-5451.
Fuel & Iron Holiday Family Feast at Pueblo Union Depot
132 W. B St. | 6-8 p.m. | Taste the holiday spirit with Fuel & Iron Food Hall chefs during the inaugural feast featuring sneak previews of Diavolo Pueblo Hot Chicken, Mosh Ramen, Santa Fonda, Solar Roast, Steel Crescent Kitchen and The Cutting Board. Guests will enjoy a three-course dining experience, cash bar and the opportunity to bid on unique gifts and experiences from the chefs. Dishes will include Smoked Salmon Terrine, Duck Confit lettuce wraps and Shepherd's Pie. Cost is $60 per person and tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
Want us to include your event in this calendar? Send details by email, with "Things to Do" in the subject line, to tharmon@chieftain.com. The calendar is available online and is published in the paper on Fridays.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Things to Do in Pueblo Dec. 2-15: 'Tis the season for holiday fun
