COS Holiday Season Starts This Week: Ice Rink Opens Thursday, Character Strolls Friday

The COS holiday calendar goes from zero to packed in about 72 hours. Here's what's coming up this week and beyond — with dates, times, locations, and what ages each event works best for.

Holiday Character Stroll — Saturday, November 14, 11 AM to 1 PM

The Holiday Character Stroll is Saturday, November 14, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Acacia Park, 115 E. Platte Ave, downtown Colorado Springs. Free admission and free photos with Santa, the Grinch, Elsa, and Anna. No tickets are required — just show up.

This event tends to draw families with kids in the 2–10 age range. The characters circulate through the park, so there's usually no single long line. Arrive at opening if you want the most interaction time before the crowds build.

Anastasia the Musical — Youth Edition, Opens Thursday

Anastasia the Musical — Youth Edition opens Friday, November 13 at the ENT Center for the Arts at UCCS. Check the ENT Center's website for show times, ticket prices, and remaining dates. The youth edition runs through mid-November. This is a good fit for kids who enjoy musical theater, particularly ages 7 and older.

Bass Pro Shops Santa Story Time — Every Tuesday Through December 22

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's locations host story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus every Tuesday at 5 PM, running from November 10 through December 22. Reservations are required and can be made up to 7 days in advance through the store's events page. This is a low-pressure, seated Santa experience that works well for younger kids who might be overwhelmed by traditional mall Santa setups.

The Nutcracker — November 27 to 29

The Nutcracker runs November 27–29 at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts. The production is presented by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic with the University of Oklahoma School of Dance and the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale. Tickets start at $40.

This is a traditional full-length Nutcracker with a live orchestra, which makes it one of the more immersive holiday performances available locally. It's best suited for kids 5 and older who can sit through a two-act show. The Pikes Peak Center is located at 190 S. Cascade Ave.

What's Next

The Turkey Trot 5K is set for Thanksgiving morning, November 26, at the Briargate Family YMCA, with a Kids Tiny Trot 1K at 9 AM. After that, the holiday season in COS runs through December with more markets, lights events, and performances. Watch for a full December family event calendar in the coming weeks.