COS Holiday Events for Families: Ice Rink Opens Today, Nutcracker, Electric Safari, and More

The holiday season in Colorado Springs is officially underway. The Acacia Park ice rink opened its doors this morning — and it's the first of several family events coming to COS over the next six weeks.

If you're trying to plan holiday activities before the Thanksgiving break kicks everything into full chaos, here's what's on the calendar for families through the end of the year.

November 27–29: The Nutcracker at Pikes Peak Center

The Nutcracker Ballet comes to the Pikes Peak Center for Performing Arts November 27 through 29. This is one of the longest-running holiday traditions in COS and a genuinely good first-ballet experience for kids — the story is accessible, the production is visually dramatic, and the music is familiar enough that kids aren't lost within minutes.

Tickets go fast once Thanksgiving break starts and families are looking for things to do. If you're planning to go, now is the time to check availability at the Pikes Peak Center box office.

November 27: Christmas in Magic Town Opens at the Michael Garman Museum

Christmas in Magic Town at the Michael Garman Museum opens November 27 — the same weekend as the Nutcracker. Magic Town is a one-of-a-kind installation: an intricately detailed miniature cityscape built over decades by Colorado Springs artist Michael Garman. The holiday version is worth the visit if your family hasn't been before, and it's genuinely impressive for kids who've never seen it.

The Michael Garman Museum is located in Old Colorado City. Check their website for current hours and admission pricing.

December: Electric Safari at Bancroft Park (Free)

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Electric Safari at Bancroft Park is the best free holiday event on the COS calendar this year. The event runs multiple weekends in December:

• December 4–6
• December 9–13
• December 16–23

Electric Safari is free to attend — no Cheyenne Mountain Zoo admission required. It's an outdoor light experience at Bancroft Park featuring large-scale animal-themed light installations. It's accessible for all ages and genuinely fun for families who've seen the zoo's holiday events before — this is a different format in a different location.

This Weekend (November 15): Stroller Safari and Going Batty

If you're looking for something this Sunday, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is hosting its Stroller Safari: Nocturnal November program for young children and parents — a guided wildlife experience designed for the stroller set. At 1:00 PM, Garden of the Gods hosts Going Batty, a family program exploring bat biology and conservation at one of COS's most iconic outdoor locations.

What's Next

This calendar will keep filling. School holiday concerts, D11 and D20 performances, and community events typically add to the lineup through December. Keep an eye on the VisitCOS events calendar for the full picture as the season develops.

The ice rink is open today — if the weather holds this weekend, it's a good bet for a Sunday outing that doesn't require advance tickets or early planning.