Kick off the holidays in Pueblo this weekend with ElectriCritters, Parade of Lights
Friday, Nov. 24
Holiday Lighting Extravaganza at Riverwalk
61 City Hall Place | 5-9 p.m. | The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo will host its 22nd annual holiday lighting event featuring holiday concerts, pictures with Santa, boat rides, food vendors and fireworks over Lake Elizabeth.
ElectriCritters kicks off at the Pueblo Zoo
3455 Nuckolls Ave. | 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and again Dec.1-3 | Experience more than 150 imaginative light displays on the walk-through animal-themed winter wonderland sponsored by Black Hills Energy. Visitors can warm up with cocoa and a cookie at the Candy Cane Café. Cost is $9 for adults or $7 for children. Tickets are discounted $2 for members and all proceeds go to the care of the zoo's animals at a time when it is most needed. Purchase tickets online at pueblozoo.org/electricritters or at the gate.
Saturday, Nov. 25
Deadline for Holiday Art Show submissions at Blo Back Gallery
131 Spring St. | noon-5 p.m. Saturday and again Monday, Nov. 27 | Cost is $15 per entry. Opening is 6-9 p.m. Dec. 1. Find out more at blobackgallery.com.
Parade of Lights in downtown Pueblo
Along Union starting at Colorado and Abriendo Avenues | 5:30 p.m. | The 33rd annual parade is themed "Winter Holidays Around the World." Festive lights and heartwarming floats will be part of the fun highlighted by the debut of the Pueblo Downtown Express Train with Mr. & Mrs. Claus on board. The Parade Grand Marshall includes members of Pueblo's Sister Cities Commission and Honorary Parade Marshall is Patty Erjavec, president of Pueblo Community College. The Black Hills Energy-sponsored parade will continue from Union onto City Center Drive, along Main Street and north to Sixth Street. The parade wraps up on Sixth Street between Court and Grand. Parking for spectators is available in lots at Victoria and D streets, South Main and D streets near the Riverwalk, or on Third Street between Court and Grand.
Monday, Nov. 27
Free soup and bread at Rocky Mountain SER
330 Lake Ave. | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Enter the dining hall through door 5 in the back parking lot.
Pueblo Stamp Club meeting at Rawlings Library
100 E. Abriendo Ave., Thurston Meeting Room | 1-2:30 p.m. | Topics will include how to use a perforation gauge, grading postage stamps and how to find a stamp’s value. The meeting is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Nov. 29
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pueblo Community College
900 W. Orman Ave. | 4-6 p.m. | The Miracle on Orman Avenue Tree Lighting Ceremony will feature holiday refreshments, pictures with Santa, crafts and live music.
Thursday, Nov. 30
Heart of Pueblo Mental Health Awareness event at Pueblo Community College
900 W. Orman Ave. | 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | The event is a fundraiser for Spark the Change Colorado and will contribute to the Pueblo Mental Wellness Program and services for youth and teens in Pueblo. The event will feature a free lunch, mocktail bar, youth art contest, guest speakers and a video presentation. Online contributions can be made at coloradogives.org/story/Heartofpueblo.
'I'll be Home for Christmas' at Pueblo Memorial Hall
1 City Hall Place | Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 | This Musical Community Productions event features a heartwarming tale of family and hope set in the golden age of radio. Make it a family tradition and create cherished memories. Tickets range from $25-$35 and are available online at pueblomemorialhall.com.
Deadline to register for Pueblo West Holiday Light Parade
Pueblo West Parks and Rec office, 340 E. Hahn's Peak | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Cost to participate in the parade is a new unwrapped toy or toys. Sign up at pueblowestmetro.us. The "Welcome to Whoville" themed parade is set for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Call 719-547-7400 for details.
Deadline to register for Pueblo West 'Light Fight'
Show off your beautifully decorated home to the community. First place winner will receive an award and cash prize. Register free by emailing information to nmadero@pueblowestmetro.us. A map of homes and voting will be available Dec. 2-15 at pueblowestmetro.us.
Friday, Dec. 1
Art Adventure Class at Rawlings Library
100 E. Abriendo Ave. | 1-3 p.m. Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29| The Pueblo Arts Alliance will offer the free art class to children ages 7 to 12. All supplies are provided.
The Gates of Pueblo opening at Rawlings Library
100 E. Abriendo Ave. | 4 p.m. | The reception for “The Gates of Pueblo” kicks off a show featuring the watercolor paintings of Joseph Cawlfield, highlighting 15 distinctive gates in Pueblo.
Red Mirror art exhibit opens at CSU Pueblo
2200 Bonforte Blvd., Fine Arts Gallery in the Capozzolo Center for the Arts | 5-7 p.m. | The Red Mirror exhibit features the work of Gregg Deal, of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, whose contemporary work explores the dismantling of Indigenous stereotypes, myths and notions. The exhibit is part of Colorado State University Pueblo's Chicano/a, Hispanic and Indigenous exhibit series. The show will run through Feb. 15.
'Rejoice in Art' at Steel City Art Works
216 S. Union Ave. | 5-8 p.m. | The First Friday Art Walk event will feature a free opening reception with local artists, holiday-themed boutique tables, a book signing with "A Breath of Fresh God" author Charissa Fryberger and complimentary refreshments. The exhibit will run throughout the month.
Holiday Art Show at Blo Back Gallery
131 Spring St. | 6-9 p.m. | Celebrate the holiday season and First Friday Art Walk at the gallery. Saxophonist, JC Sax, will be serenading participants with jazz standard Christmas music. Locally made art will be available for holiday shoppers.
Saturday, Dec. 2
Candy and Bake Sale at SonRise Church
421 E. Spaulding, Pueblo West | 8 a.m.-noon | The event will feature homemade candies and baked goods, as well as gently used Christmas decorations and silent auction items.
Holiday Gift Boutique at Pueblo Convention Center
320 Central Main St. | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Hand-picked artists and crafters will be showcasing their unique creations for holiday shoppers. The event is free and open to the public.
Zumbathon at El Centro del Quinto Sol
609 E. Sixth St. | 10 a.m.-noon | Donate a new toy and get two hours of free Zumba. El Centro also is accepting new toy donations for its Toy Drive until Friday, Dec. 8, for the children's holiday celebration. Toys can be dropped off at El Centro between 3-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday or noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Toys also will be accepted at the Pueblo Parks and Rec administration office, 800 Goodnight Ave., between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
Holiday with Heroes at Rawlings Library
100 E. Abriendo Ave., Fourth Floor | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | The free event will feature pictures with Santa, crafts, face painting and cookie decorating with local heroes. The event is open to the public.
Holiday Fashion Preview and Lunch at Pueblo Convention Center
320 Central Main St. | noon | The Assistance League of Pueblo 35th annual holiday event will feature a gourmet lunch and a fashion preview from Dillard's staff. Cost is $75 per person and funds benefit Operation School Bell. Call 719-251-6217 for tickets.
Holiday in Lights Parade in Pueblo West
Along Joe Martinez Boulevard and ending in Civic Center Park | 5:30 p.m. | The "Welcome to Whoville" themed parade will help raise funds for the metro district Christmas basket giveaway. The event will include a visit from Santa, cookies and cocoa, and the lighting of the community Christmas tree.
Monday, Dec. 4
Air Force Academy Band Holly & Ivy concert at Pueblo Memorial Hall
1 City Hall Place | Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 | The free holiday concert will bring seasonal songs to Pueblo. Tickets can be picked up at the Pueblo Memorial Hall box office.
Thursday, Dec. 7
World Ballet Masterclass
This will feature an exclusive chance to meet the ballerinas of the World Ballet Nutcracker troupe and learn from them. The class is free and open to all ages and experience levels. Participants must register to find out the time and location. Register online at worldballetseries.com/masterclass.
World Ballet Nutcracker performance at Pueblo Memorial Hall
1 City Hall Place | Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. | The Nutcracker showcases a diverse cast of 50 professional ballet dancers who come together to breathe new life into this classic holiday tradition. Tickets range from $28-$85 and are available online at pueblomemorialhall.com or at the Pueblo Memorial Hall box office.
Want us to include your event in this calendar? Send details by email, with "Things to Do" in the subject line, to tharmon@chieftain.com. The calendar is available online and in print every Friday.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo Zoo's ElectriCritters, Parade of Lights are weekend activities
