COMMUNITY EVENTS

Dec. 2

farMingtOn’s annual christMas Parade

Bundle up on the first Thursday after Thanksgiving for the annual Christmas Parade beginning at 5:30 p.m. in historic downtown Farmington. See festive bells, lights, floats and performances as parade participants celebrate the theme of this year’s event “Ringing in Christmas.” See Santa Claus and experience the lighting of the Civic Center Christmas tree.

Dec. 3

durangO’s Original nOel nite hOliday cOncert

The music department at Fort Lewis College presents an evening of musical entertainment for guests beginning at 7 p.m. at The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. The performance is free for students with valid College ID, and tickets for residents are available for $10. For more information, go to www. durangoconcerts.com.

Kick off the holiday shopping season with Durango’s Original Noel Nite. Over 80 businesses will offer deals and discounts to show gratitude to the public for supporting local businesses year-round. Many downtown retailers will be open later, until about 9 p.m. For a full list of participating businesses, please visit www. downtowndurango.org/noel-nite.

ignaciO taste Of christMas

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., enjoy the annual Light Up the Town Parade or tune into 93.1 KSUT for the live broadcast. From 6-8 p.m., participate in the fill your bowl fundraiser, browse the outdoor bazaar or take a carriage ride from the ELHI Community Center. Meanwhile, the library will have activities for kids, such as writing letters to Santa and a gingerbread man contest, as well as photos with Santa from 7-8 p.m. For more details, see www.theelhiignacio.org/christmas.

riverglO

The River Reach foundation lights the pathway of the River Walk trails along the Animas River at Berg Park with luminarias for this annual tradition. Enjoy festive music, purchase popcorn and hot chocolate and visit with Santa Claus and The Grinch at the free, family-friendly event from 6-8 p.m.

rudOlPh run & cOMMunity tree lighting

Dress up for the 1-mile fun run and 5K in downtown Mancos sponsored by Colorado Ranch and Home Realty. The race begins at 5 p.m. and donations go to The Mancos Giving Tree to help families in need. After the run, stick around Pioneer Park for the community tree lighting around 6 p.m.

Dec. 3-5

annual zerO Waste hOliday POP-uP

Live Creative Studio presents unique gifts from local, sustainable artists, bakers and businesses. Shop zero-waste, fair trade items for friends and family this season at the Smiley Building 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Featured businesses include WeFill, Cura. Te, Table to Farm Compost, Inner Joy Energy Bars, ROLL, Passion Flower Beauty, MAKA, Osadha Natural Health, Chandler Strange, Bella the Bear, Betty Blue Bird Homemade and more.

festival Of trees

The 18th annual Festival of Trees hosted by the nonprofit Community Connections is a fun and free family tradition. Tour the enchanted forest of decorated trees at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Grange Hall noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 3-5. This year will feature opportunities to participate both online and in-person. More information is available online at www. communityconnectionsco.org.

Dec. 4

dOlOres christMas bazaar

More than 50 vendors from the region, including Telluride, Pagosa Springs, Bayfield, Farmington, Dove Creek, Mancos, Cortez and Dolores, will offer visitors all kinds of arts, crafts, gifts and goodies at the Dolores Community Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dec. 4-5

the treehOuse hOliday bazaar

Shop local for those on your holiday gift-giving list at this magical holiday market hosted by The Community Treehouse. The market is open Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Dec. 5 from 1-5 p.m. The event will feature delicious food and beverages, dozens of local vendors, live music, a silent auction, photo booth and more. Proceeds from vendor fees and the silent auction will benefit the host for community programs.

Dec. 5

hOliday JOy! hO hO hO!

Durango Choral Society hosts a very special seasonal concert in an intimate setting to celebrate the holidays. Soloists and special guests will perform alongside DCS and Durango Women’s Choir. Find more information and purchase tickets online at www.durangochoralsociety.org.

Dec. 10-12

“the nutcracker”

Catch this year’s performance of “The Nutcracker” presented by State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara’s “Nutcracker” featuring Durango’s San Juan Symphony. There are four showtimes scheduled. Tickets cost between $26-$49, and are available online at www.durangoconcerts.com.

Dec. 11

hOliday farMers Market

The Durango Farmers Market hosts its annual Holiday Market from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall at La Plata County Fairgrounds. Regional artisans and vendors bring an assortment of high-quality, handmade items as well as fresh vegetables, meats, cheeses and homemade goods.

sMiley hOliday bazaar

Visit the Smiley Building on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to browse products that make perfect gifts. The Smiley Cafe will also be open to keep guests charged for holiday shopping.

aMerican legiOn tOy & candy giveaWay

Santa and his helpers will hand out 500 toys and holiday candy to local children from noon to 2 p.m. at the Cortez Cultural Center. Live music by Four Corners Community Band. The American Legion Ute Mountain Post 75 hosts this annual event with support from the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association.

christMas at the gallOPing gOOse

Visit with Santa at the Galloping Goose Museum in Dolores. Santa arrives via firetruck at 4 p.m. Gather around the bonfire with hot chocolate and cookies, and enjoy Christmas stories on the train.

Dec. 12

christMas in the Past

Animas Museum hosts an open house with an emphasis on holiday tradition from 1-3 p.m. featuring the Joy Cabin and Peterson House. For more details, visit www.animasmuseum.org.

Dec. 17

2021 christMas Jubilee

The annual Christmas Jubilee returns, hosted by Bar D Wranglers 7:30-9:30 p.m. at The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Enjoy traditional holiday and Western music, cowboy poetry, tall tales and comedy. This show welcomes guests of all ages and cost of tickets varies from $17 to $35. See more information online and get tickets at www.durangoconcerts.com.

Dec. 21

a Winter’s night With devOtchka

Enjoy a concert by Denver-based indie band DeVotchKa beginning at 7:30 p.m. at The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. The group will perform original and holiday classics with an open dance floor. Tickets cost between $15 and $40. For more information, see www.durangoconcerts.com.

a christMas carOl

Experience this Charles Dickens classic come to life on stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Farmington Civic Center. Admission is $18 for adults and $12 for children, military members and seniors. To purchase tickets, please visit www.fmtn.org/489/ Civic-Center-Shows-and-Events.

tOrchlight Parade

Visit Purgatory Resort to ring in the New Year with an annual tradition beginning at 6 p.m. at the base area of the ski resort. Ski patrollers and instructors glide down the mountainside in the torchlight parade, followed by a fireworks display.

LIVE CREATIVE STUDIO'S

Holiday Pop-Up

Dec3-510-6 # 12 Smiley Bldg

18th Annual

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ONLINE AUCTION Trees21.GiveSmart.com MAIN STREET CORTEZ Nov 22 - Dec 5

THANK YOU SPONSORS! Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad ~ The Wells Group & The Durango Team 1st Southwest Bank ~ La Plata Electric Association ~ Farmer's Insurance ~ Durango Land & Homes Legacy Properties West LLC International Realty ~ Richard Siegele Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory ~ And More!

SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2021 d 21

uniOn sOcial hOuse hOliday Market

The Union Social House hosts a winter market that features around 30 local artists and makers on Saturdays and Sundays from now to Dec. 19. Each weekend has a different lineup of artisans offering handmade crafts and products that make great gifts during the holiday season.

artisans Market

Durango Arts Center offers opportunities to shop high-quality art from local makers in-person at the gallery or online. See more information at www. durangoarts.org.

shOP lOcal dOlOres

Get Christmas deals and participate in an activity that rewards residents for shopping locally. Participating Dolores businesses will have a game board for customers to stamp at their locations, no purchase necessary. Once a shopper has 10 stamps, they are eligible for the prize drawing of $100, $75 and $50 cash, plus gift cards and other prizes donated by local businesses.

gingerbread Man decOratiOn cOntest

Pick up a gingerbread man from Ignacio Community

Library. Take it home to decorate, then bring it back to the library by Dec. 12. The library will display the creations for the public to vote on winners by age groups. For more information, reach out to the library at (970) 563-9287.

hOliday gingerbread hOuse cOMPetitiOn

Residents can register for the annual holiday gingerbread house competition hosted by Animas Chocolate Company. Pick up the form at the shop by Nov. 24. Decorate a gingerbread house, then drop them off at the cafe from 2-5 p.m. Dec. 2. The crafts will be displayed through Dec. 31 for public viewing and voting. First place winners in each division will receive a $100 cash prize. Proceeds from the contest will benefit Durango Friends of the Arts.

hOliday shOW featuring rObert rivera

Sorrel Sky Gallery hosts a month-long event featuring fine art by Robert Rivera. Browse handcrafted bowls, masks, rattles, figures, ornaments and more. Stop by the gallery during the month of December to view artwork and kick off the shopping season.

the Musical cOMedy Murders Of 1940

Merely Players presents an exciting performance filled with mayhem and secrets based on John Bishop’s play. The plot involves an ominous blizzard that cuts off the possibility of escape from a mansion where the creators of a new musical have assembled in the winter of 1940. Shows will take place at 7 p.m. on Jan. 14-15 and Jan. 20-22, or catch a matinee on Jan. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m.

santa letters

Stop by the Ignacio Community Library and pick up a letter template. Put your name and mailing address on the letter so Santa Claus can write back. Santa’s mailbox will be set up at the library book drop. The library courier will send them to the North Pole.

Durango Coffee Company will be participating in Shop Local on December 3rd from 3:00-8:00. There will be an array of items from various local artists. Come grab a warm beverage while you support local art.

730 MAIN AVENUE | DURANGO | COLORADO 730MAIN@DURANGOCOFFEE.COM | 970-385-0276

CREATE HOUSES

67 LOCAL ARTISANS • 35 VARIETIES OF LOOSE LEAF TEA CONCERTS • HIGH TEA PARTIES • FUN ART PARTIES & WORKSHOPS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND PRIVATE CLASSES Join us for our Holiday Soiree’ November 27th to Christmas Eve Create’s First Friday and Noel Nite are on December 3rd We have great Gift Giving Workshops check out our events calendar at: www.CreateArtandTea.com or call Caprice at 970-764-4104