Carols and cookies / Villancicos y galletas
5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, The Collective Community Arts Center, 201 N. Public Road, Lafayette. Free
Feliz navidad y merry Christmas! Flex your memory for lyrics and your high school Spanish skills with this bilingual holiday sing-a-long open to carolers of all ages. Warm beverages and sweet treats provided.
Friday Night Weird: Carnage for Christmas
8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, Dairy Arts Center - Boedecker Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $12
Returning to her hometown for the first time since transitioning, true-crime podcaster and amateur detective Lola faces off against an unhinged killer back from the dead in this trans holiday slasher by teenage filmmaker Alice Maio Mackay. “Naughty or nice, they all get …Carnage for Christmas.”
Holiday Caroling
6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, Left Hand Brewing, 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont. Free
Caroling, caroling now we go — Christmas bells are ringing at Left Hand Brewing on Friday. Grab an award-winning cup of cheer and get ready to sing your heart out at this annual tradition celebrating the most wonderful time of the year.
Darknesscon: A Scare Before Christmas
Various times, Friday, Dec. 20-Sunday, Dec. 22, 7000 Church Ranch Blvd., Westminster. $20+
Does the sound of Mariah Carey blaring from the speakers of every store make you want to grab the nearest strand of tinsel and strangle yourself with it? Head to this three-day celebration of all things spooky. Dance, drink and dress up in your darkest costume with fellow fans of horror, anime and cosplay.
Winter Solstice at Wild Bear Nature Center
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, Wild Bear Nature Center, 20 Lakeview Drive, Nederland. $5
Make the shortest day of the year feel longer by packing it with fun, family-friendly activities and learning. Meet some local birds (and their handlers), see the stars in the astronomy room and learn about the science of the solstice.
Winter Solstice Celebration & Astronomy on the Sidewalk
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Downtown Longmont, Main Street. Free
Head to downtown Longmont for a reminder that “the sun rises again even after the longest night, bringing new beginnings and brighter days.” This celebratory stroll features nature-based crafts, a solar scope and telescope to track the Sun, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus, and more activities hosted by local businesses.
Beer & Holiday Brass
5-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Wild Provisions Beer Project, 2209 Central Ave., Boulder. Free
There’s nothing like that big band sound this time of year. Join the Boulder Brassaholics sextet for holiday music, singalongs and a frosty pint at Wild Provisions. Turn those cheeks rosy with a barrel-aged ale and enjoy boisterous brass renditions of seasonal classics.
Holiday Cocktail Making
6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Winner’s Circle, 2251 Ken Pratt Blvd., Suite A, Longmont. $32
Looking to impress at your holiday party? Stop in at Winner’s Circle and pick up some pointers from their master mixologists. Level up your festive libations and enjoy two cocktails while you learn. Class size is limited.
Holiday Circus Showcase
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Boulder Circus Center, 4747 26th St. $28
The season shines a little brighter under the big top. That’s why Frequent Flyers and the Denver Circus Collective are teaming up with the Boulder Circus Center for an evening of gravity-defying performances and holiday cheer. The fun kicks off with a student showcase, followed by professional aerial acrobatics and a community-building social hour.
Last Chance Gift Fest
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. Free
Your friends and loved ones will never suspect that you left your holiday shopping ’til the last minute with gifts from over 150 Colorado vendors. Enjoy free live music and fun activities for the kids while you browse local art, crafts, toys, home decor, food and more at this event billing itself as the state’s biggest holiday craft fair.
Winter Solstice Meditation & Gong Bath
4-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 4800 Baseline Road Suite D206, Boulder. $28
Why wait until the new year for a fresh start? This workshop will help you “connect with your inner flame and call back the light for a new year.” Start with a gentle, Kundalini yoga warmup followed by a special meditation “to reignite your inner light.”
eTown Holiday Open House
4-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, eTown Hall, 1535 Spruce St., Boulder. Free
Looking for a little live music with your holiday cheer? Head to eTown Hall in Boulder for a night of community, refreshments and local acts. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the year with your neighbors and get a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the beloved downtown music venue.
Looking for more Boulder County events? Here you go.