Shop till you drop, dance the night away or bask in the glow of Christmas lights. Families can snap a photo with Santa, browse festive markets, craft art, hear live music or take part in fun runs and gift exchanges. And yes, you can even wear pajamas to a special “Polar Express” showing at the Sunflower Theatre, in support of the School Community Youth Collaborative.
Events across Montezuma County offer something for just about everyone during the first two weeks of December and beyond.
Here’s your guide to some of what’s happening:
In an event sponsored by the LOR Foundation, the Flyaways will host a classic rock dance Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Montezuma County Annex in Cortez. Admission is $25 per couple or $15 for singles. Cash or credit is accepted at the door, refreshments are provided and no alcohol is allowed. The five-person band recently played at the Dolores Harvest Festival and car show and will headline a New Year’s Eve bash at the American Legion.
If you’d rather belt out your favorite holiday tunes, ZU Gallery in Cortez is hosting a community sing-along Friday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. Doors open to the public at 6 p.m. following a private piano recital. The event is free, and families are invited to join in with Helen West at the piano for an evening of caroling and classic Christmas tunes.
A full slate of events are planned this Saturday across Cortez, Dolores and Mancos. One of the region’s biggest spectacles, the annual Cortez Parade of Lights, begins at 6 p.m. on Main and Maple streets.
Santa will make his usual fashionable entrance by helicopter at the west end of Main Street before the parade starts. The show typically includes 60 to 80 floats and features cash prizes in categories, such as nonprofit, commercial, best band and other. Entries are judged on music, lights, creativity, theme and workmanship. This year’s theme is “The Blessings of a Community.”
The route will run west to east, starting near Notah Dineh Trading Co. and ending at Harrison Street by City Market.
Before the parade, Kiwanis Club of Mesa Verde will host a breakfast and meet-and-greet with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Cortez Elks Lodge. More Santa photo opportunities follow:
- ZU Gallery, 1–3 p.m., with the first 100 guests earning a free 5x7 print. The event includes professional photography by ZU Gallery, hot chocolate and candy canes.
- Cortez Cultural Center, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., photos with Mr. And Mrs. Claus by Dave Partida, hot chocolate and music by the Four Corners Community Band.
Both photo events are free.
The School Community Youth Collaborative is hosting a special pajama-themed showing of The Polar Express at the Sunflower Theatre Saturday, Dec. 13. The fundraiser for the youth collaborative is hosted in partnership with the LOR Foundation. Showtimes are at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and tickets cost $10. Attendees can take home a Polar Express book and bell, and those who pre-purchase tickets will be entered into a drawing to win four Durango Train tickets. Ticket sale updates will be posted on SCYC’s social media pages and at sunflowertheatre.org.
Local holiday markets are also in full swing.
At the Dolores River Brewery, regional artists will showcase their work Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with live music, snacks and vendors including Scott’s House of Dyes, Kricket, Veronica’s Wreaths, Abby Fox, Jeanne Cain and many others.
The Dolores Community Center will host the 33rd Annual Christmas Bazaar, featuring more than 50 vendors selling crafts, gifts, candies and food. Because of high interest, the bazaar has expanded to two days – Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6–7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – with different vendors each day. Santa is expected to stop by around noon Saturday. The center is located off Fourth Street near the Dolores Food Market on Riverside Avenue.
In Cortez, the Catholic Daughters will hold their Christmas Bazaar Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Church Hall. Santa arrives at 11 a.m. The event features crafts, wreaths, gift baskets, table decorations, a raffle drawing, continental breakfast, Mona Makes cinnamon rolls and tacos for lunch.
Mancos has many holiday activities lined up as well.
Free Children’s Christmas Shop, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Summit Lake Community Church will host a free gift-picking experience where kids can choose presents for family members and wrap them at no cost. This is located at 36501 Highway 184. The event includes hot apple cider, hot chocolate, cookies and coffee.
Winter Lights at New Masters Village, Dec. 13, 4-8:30 p.m.
A free community celebration featuring live music by the band Cottonwood, mulled wine, a sculpture lighting path, horse and goat drawing activities, an artisan market, baked goods and brick-oven pizza. The address is 10451 Road 39.
Rudolph Fun Run, this Friday
The annual 1-mile fun run and 5K returns to downtown Mancos. Sign-ups begin at 4:45 p.m. in front of Colorado Ranch & Home Realty at 145 Grand Avenue, and the race starts at 5 p.m. Participants are encouraged to dress festively, bring a headlamp and donate canned goods for the Mancos Giving Tree. Afterward, runners can warm up by the fire and greet Santa as he arrives on a fire truck.
If you would like your event to be added to the list, please email awatson@the-journal.com
