Dec. 3-28: The Pikes Peak Region from A-Z explores our history and geography at Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, 215 S. Tejon St. Free admission Tues-Sat 10-5.

Dec. 3&17: Sacred Harp Singing brings communities together to sing four-part hymns and anthems, 6 p.m. at Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 631 N. Tejon St. Free and open to all.

Dec. 5-Jan. 1: The Mountain Illumination Festival – at Cave of the Winds, 100 Cave of the Winds Rd. in Manitou Springs. Open 6-9 p.m. Cars with up to 10 people are $25.

Dec. 5-22: Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” This classic story of tyranny, corruption and betrayal in ancient Rome will be performed at Springs Ensemble Theatre, 1903 E. Cache La Poudre St. For day/times and tickets, call 719-357-3080.

Dec. 5-26: Therapeutic Thursdays Adult Coloring Contests. Unwind from the [holiday] grind with a coloring contest and win beer prizes at Goat Patch Brewing, 2727 N. Cascade Ave. at 6 p.m.

Dec. 5-29: “All I Want for Christmas is More Olio!”. A full-length olio revue will be performed Thurs-Sundays at Butte Theatre, 139 E. Bennett Ave in Cripple Creek. Seniors (62+) $18: 719-689-6402.

Dec. 5-22: “Around the World in 80 Days” by Jules Verne will be performed by UCCS Theatreworks at Dusty Loo Theater, 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy. For tickets call 719- 255-3232.

Dec. 6-21: “Christmas Scheming… or Sittin’ on the Dock of the eBay” Iron Springs Holiday Show takes a fun look at Santa’s workshop with elves Happy, Jingle, Harry Scary and Wanna Delight! Seniors pay $17 (dinner & show $32.50). For Friday or Sat. night tickets call 719-685-5104. Iron Springs Chateau is at 444 Ruxton Ave in Manitou Springs.

Dec. 6-15: “A Christmas Carol, The Musical” will be presented by Peak Performing Arts troupe inside the Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Pkwy 7 p.m. Fri-Sun, 2 p.m. Sat, 1 p.m. Sun. Seniors and Retired Military: $10.

Dec. 6-21: “A Double Wide, Texas Christmas” is a laugh out-loud Southern fried Christmas comedy at Funky Little Theater, 1367 Pecan St. For show times and tickets call 719- 471-4462.

Dec. 6: Bill Frisell and Julian Lage. Two of the greatest guitarists will unite in virtuosic musical dialogue, at Ent Center, 5225 N. Nevada Ave., 7 p.m. For tickets ($28.50+) call 719- 255.3232.

Dec. 6: Benefit Concert & Silent Auction. Raising funds for the women’s healthcare clinic Planned Parenthood will be many community musicians and burlesque acts, 7 p.m. at Zodiac, 230 Pueblo Ave. Tickets are $10 at the door. 719- 632-5059.

Dec. 6: The Hazel Miller Band always makes the audience dance and sing-along and 7 p.m. at the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts in Palmer Lake it will be no different. Do not miss a powerful performance of jazz, R&B, soul and blues! For tickets ($20+) call 719- 481-0475.

Dec. 6: Annual Jigsaw Puzzle Swap – a free puzzling event of donating or swapping jigsaw puzzles and shopping for discounted museum merchandise at the Manitou Springs Heritage Center, 517 Manitou Ave. from 5:30-7 p.m.

Dec. 6: Holiday Gala at Hunter-Wolff Gallery will display and sell works of 40 artists. Stop in for some holiday cheer 5-8 p.m. at 2510 W. Colorado Ave. 719- 520-9494.

Dec. 6: Manitou Community Holiday Market will be selling locally crafted goods accompanied by Handpan Holiday Band, 5-8 p.m. at the Manitou Art Center, 513 Manitou Ave. Admission is free.

Dec. 6: “A Christmas Carol” (1951) starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge is my favorite. Come see it for free at the Manitou Heritage Center, 517 Manitou Ave. Popcorn and movie treats sold.

Dec. 6: Peace On Earth: A Christmas Concert, is a free community concert 7 p.m. and sing-alongs to benefit Tri-Lakes Cares (with a free will offering) at St. Peter Catholic Church, 55 Jefferson St. in Monument.

Dec. 6-7 & 11: Orchard House Teas & Tours at Rock Ledge Ranch. Celebrate the holiday season the 1907 Edwardian way at the historic estate, 3105 Gateway Rd. For reservations ($45) at 1 p.m. call 719- 578-6777.

Dec. 6-7: Christmas Creche Exhibit and Live Nativity are free events open to the public at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 8710 Lexington Dr. Donations of non-perishable food items for Care and Share Food Bank accepted. Open Fri. 2-9 p.m., Sat 1-8 p.m.

Dec. 7 & 14: McAllister House Holiday Tea. An Afternoon Cream Tea includes a scone with clotted cream, finger sandwiches, pastry and dessert will be served, followed by a tour of the historic McAllister House, 423 N. Cascae Ave. Make reservations at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. ($35) : 719.635.7925.

Dec. 7: Pine Creek Holiday Market. It’s a European style outdoor shopping event 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with foods, art, body care, jewelry, and more delights accompanied by live music. Afterward, retire to the patio for brunch, hot buttered rum or mulled wine, at the Margarita at Pine Creek, 7350 Pine Creek Rd.

Dec. 7: A Christmas with C.S. Lewis. C.S. Lewis, played by David Payne, gives an informal talk to a group of American writers who are visiting England over Christmas. See Lewis in great form at Vista Grande Baptist Church, 5680 Stetson Hills Blvd. – you will be spellbound. For tickets ($20+) call One Voice Mission 719-591-7481.

Dec. 7: Festival of Lights Family Fun Day. The Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum will be wrapping great activities around the downtown Festival Parade. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the museum once the parade begins and when it’s over, there will be a holiday light show on museum grounds, 215 S. Tejon St.

Dec. 7: TREA’s Christmas Social. Join us at 2:30 p.m. for a social with karaoke, music, finger foods and a white elephant gift exchange at TREA Chapter 1 Hall, 3035B S. Academy Blvd. To attend ($10) call 719-203-6736 or email treach1@msn.com  If you wish to participate in the gift exchange, please bring in a wrapped gift.

Dec. 7: “A Christmas Wish”. America the Beautiful chorus will present its show of your favorite holiday songs and lots of surprises, 2 or 7 p.m. at Sunrise United Methodist Church, 2655 Briargate Blvd. For tickets ($15+) call 719- 357-7667.

Dec. 7: “Trombone Christmas”. Trombonists of all ages will join forces for a powerful sound parade in Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd. from 3-4 p.m. Participants are asked to arrive by 2:30 for set up and photos. Bare Bones Trombone Choir can be contacted by messaging their Facebook page.

Dec. 7: North Pole at Tri-Lakes Arts and Crafts Fair – Admission is free with donation of a non-perishable food item, toy or new/used sporting equipment, 9 to 4 at Grace Best Education Center, 66 Jefferson St. in Monument. Shop the Fair – all proceeds benefit District 38 Schools and Tri-Lakes Care.

Dec. 7: “Woodland Park’s Lighter Side of Christmas”,  The Christmas Parade will begin 6 p.m. followed by a fireworks display in downtown Woodland Park, ending up at Ute Pass Cultural Center, 215 E. Midland Ave. Then come see the comedy National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” starring Chevy Chase. For more details: 719-687-7375.

Dec. 7-8: Tweeds Holiday Home Tour – “Sounds of the Season” is this year’s theme. Tours are held from 10am to 5pm, featuring an array of beautifully decorated homes in the Woodland Park area. For details and tickets ($20+), go to: http://www.wphht.org or call 719-291-0951.

Dec. 8: Julie Bradley & Friends will perform at the Olympian Events Center, 975 S. Union Blvd. From 1 to 4 p.m. there will be a lavish buffet served while you enjoy the music! It costs $10-$15 at the door.

Dec. 8-29: Sunday Bingo. Every Sunday at 5:30 the Colorado Springs Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans hosts Bingo as a fundraiser to help it aid local veterans, at DAV 26 Knob Hill, 6880 Palmer Park. Each Bingo packet is $7. 719- 591-8787.

All December: Claude Monet Exhibit. The Denver Art Museum will be home to a magnificent exhibition of Claude Monet paintings. More than 120 of his masterpieces will be shown at the museum located at 100 W. 14^th Ave Pkwy in downtown Denver. For tickets ($27) go online to: denverartmuseum.org or call 720-913-0130.

Dec. 8: Messiah Concert. Handel’s great work from 1741 will be performed at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave. at 3 p.m. Tickets ($15) are available at fumc-cs.org or by calling 719-884-2504.

Dec. 8: The Sounds of Christmas, presented by Woodland Park Wind Symphony includes a 6 p.m. reception, their symphonic concert, and performance by Mountain Eire Irish Dancers, at Ute Pass Cultural Center, 215 E. Midland Ave. in Woodland Park.

Dec. 8: “Festival of Lessons and Carols” is a candlelight service of readings, carols and music by Colorado Chamber Chorus, at Shove Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Ave on the CC campus. It is free and open to the public.

Dec. 9-10: “Holly & Ivy”. The US Air Force Academy Band will be giving a free concert at the Pikes Peak Center at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office, 190 S. Cascade (limit 4 per person).

Dec. 10-11: “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is a Holiday Concert by Senior Choral of the Rockies, Tues. at 1:30 p.m. and Wed. at 6:30 p.m. at Colorado Springs Senior Center, 1514 N. Hancock Ave. Admission is free.

Dec. 11: Full Moon Photography Workshop. Photographer Mike Pach will guide a photo shoot at the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, 29950 Paint Mine Rd., Calhan, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. To pre-register ($20) call 719-520-6387.

Dec. 12: Great Russian Nutcracker performed at 7 p.m. by world-class Moscow Ballet in over 200 costumes, stunning sets, towering puppets and soaring birds at Pueblo Memorial Hall Theatre, 1 City Hall Place, Pueblo. For tickets ($29+) call 719-542-1100.

Dec. 12-Jan 12: “The Sound of Music” An absolute classic by Rodgers & Hammerstein will be performed at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale. Tickets ($20+) 719-634-5583.

Dec. 13: Flying W Wranglers Christmas Show perform classic country, western swing and gospel music at Stargazers Theatre, 10 S. Parkside Dr., at 7 p.m. For tickets ($15+) call 719-476-2200.

Dec. 13: Cookie Tin Decorating & Recipe Exchange. It’s cookie season! Register for this 3 p.m. free event at Rockrimmon Library, 832 Village Center Dr.: 719-593-8000

Dec. 13: “The Changing American Political Landscape”. UCCS Professor Sarah Hagedorn will speak over lunch at Briarhurst Manor, 404 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs at 11:30 a.m. Call 719-574-1449 for menu and reservations ($27).

Dec. 13-14, 20-22, 24+28: Classic Broadmoor Dinner & Holiday Show. Grammy Award-winning artist Debby Boone will headline along with great musicians, holiday songs, and a culinary feast! Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner is served at 7. For reservations ($100) call (855) 634-7711.

Dec. 13-14: “Wintersong: A Celebration of the Season”  combines music, Medieval to modern, and spoken word in the candlelit Shove Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Ave on the CC campus. 7:30 p.m. Free to the public.

Dec. 13-14: “A Midwinter Mitzvah”. The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus pay tribute to many Jewish composers who wrote Christmas songs, Fri-Sat at 7:30 p.m., Sat at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 20 E. St. Vrain. Tickets: $20.

Dec. 14: Cars and Coffee is a gathering of cars and car enthusiasts 8-11 a.m. at Concours Cars, 2414 W. Cucharras St. Most cars are older-than-1990 but all are welcome. For info: 719-473-6288.

Dec. 14: Hanukkah – The Festival of Lights! It’s a free concert of Hanukkah and Klezmer music, 7 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 1523 E. Monument St. Following the concert, join the Temple Shalom congregation for an Oneg Shebbat (refreshments) hosted by Temple members. All faiths are welcome. Visitors are not required to wear yarmulkes.

Dec. 14: Palmer High School Craft Fair & Auction. Finish up holiday shopping at our craft fair and at the same time, help support the Palmer Band Program. A full food stand, bake sale and gift wrapping is also offered. Admission is free 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Palmer HS Gym, 325 N. Wahsatch.

Dec. 14: 4^th Annual Yule Ball presented by Pikes Peak Library District. Calling all Harry Potter fans to put on your wizarding best and join us for an afternoon of fun, crafts, trivia and dancing to DJ music at Coronado High School, 1590 W. Fillmore St., 2-4 p.m.

Dec. 14: A Calhan Country Christmas. Gates open 5 p.m., with free admission to the El Paso County Fair Events Center, 366- 10^th St., Calhan. Events include live reindeer visits, vendor booths, hay rides, a live nativity scene, astronomy telescopes, strolling carolers, live music featuring Solid Ground and the Christmas Parade of Lights. BULL RIDING starts 8 p.m. at the Indoor Owens Livestock Arena (cost $12). Hooves, horns and hats will be flying!

Dec. 14: FRPC Holiday Family Event with Santa. The Front Range Power Connectors will hold an event to promote Christmas Unlimited and help collect toys for area children from families in need. There will be free lunch and giveaways, all sorts of activities and booths at Dr. Lester Williams Fire Museum, 375 Printers Pkwy. Free admission 12-3 p.m.

Dec. 14: Colorado College Tiger Hockey vs their big rivals, the Denver Pioneers, 7 p.m. at Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd. General Admission is $18. Sieve!

Dec. 15: Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along accompanied by strings, organ, and harpsichord, 7 p.m. at First Christian Church, 16 E. Platte Ave. A free will offering will be taken. You are encouraged to bring your own score, but some are available at the door.

Dec. 15: Pueblo Municipal Band Free Concert. They’ve played every year since 1913 and now will bring its 65 musicians to the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo, for a free holiday concert at 2 p.m.

Dec. 15: The Nutcracker. The ultimate holiday ballet classic will be performed by the primo Bolshoi Ballet and it can be seen on the big screen, set to Tchaikovsky’s score 1 p.m. at Regal Interquest, Cinemark Carefree or Tinseltown theaters.

Dec. 17: Irish Christmas in America. Irish music, song and dance in a performance rich in history, humor and boundless energy, 6 p.m. at Stargazers Theatre, 10 S. Parkside Dr. General admission $25. Tickets: 719-476-2200.

Dec. 18: Ugly Sweater Party & Live Music from Grass It Up, 7 p.m. at Front Range Barbeque, 2330 W. Colorado Ave in Old Colorado City. Come join in, order great food, enjoy drink specials and have some holiday fun! No cover charge.

Dec. 18: A Celtic Family Christmas. Award-winning fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy will intermingle familiar Christmas songs and classic Celtic melodies, at Ent Center, 7 p.m., 5225 N. Nevada Ave. For tickets ($28.50+) call 719-255-3232.

Dec. 21: Coffee with a Cop – No speeches or agenda, just a chance to meet with the friendly officers of El Paso County Sheriff’s office to talk about community matters or personal safety concerns, 9 a.m. at the Starbucks, 5070 N. Nevada Ave.

Dec. 21: End of Year Holiday Space Bash. Don your ugliest geeky science sweater, see NORAD track Santa, 3D printing workshop, virtual reality lab, and Mars rover races, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Space Foundation Discovery Center, 4425 Arrowswest Dr.  $5 Recommended donation. Military families are free. 719- 576-8000.

Dec. 22-30: Hanukkah Sameach or Happy Hanukkah!  

Dec. 25: Merry Christmas!

Dec. 28: “Holiday Inn” starting Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, will be shown free at Rockrimmon Library, 832 Village Center Dr. at 1 p.m.

Dec. 31: Roarin’ 20’s New Year’s Eve Gala. From 8 p.m. until 1 a.m., step back in time, dress to the hilt in 1920’s garb, dance to Front Range Big Band music, and enjoy 1920’s hors d’oeuvres and candies at the Colorado Springs Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St. In this era of prohibition, there will be a boot-legged cash bar in the private speakeasy with passwords! To purchase tickets ($65) call (210) 254-5662.

Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Celebration At the Ute Pass Cultural Center in Woodland Park will boast dancing, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and party favors, 7:30pm-12:30am. To purchase tickets ($50) call 719-687-5284.

Dec. 31: Noche De Gala – Latin New Year’s Eve Dance Party. The celebrated DJ Brasil will keep the dance floor packed with salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia and dance party music, at the DoubleTree Hilton, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., starting 8:30 p.m. Food stations will feature tostones, Cuban pork sliders, empanadas, chorizo, street tacos and decadent desserts! For tickets ($55+) call 719-310-9290.

Dec. 31: AdAmAn Fireworks at Almost Midnight. Well, at 11:55 p.m. the courageous group of mountaineers, who each year make a two-day climb up the icy slopes of Pikes Peak then will present a glorious fireworks show to ring in the new year! Free to watch!