The historic downtown area of Parker is a step back in time to a kinder gentler world during the holiday season with scenes like this that remind you of Little House on the Prairie, Mayberry, Stars Hollow, and Walton’s Mountain. We are OK with that.
Holiday Events for friends and family in Douglas County
There are so many things to do this holiday season in the area, it’s hard to keep track. Hopefully, this list of “things to do” for this weekend will help you to create your new simpler Christmas holiday traditions. This year many residents are working to reduce the “getting” and increase the giving, not of things necessarily, but your time, attention, and care to those in your life that really matter the most. Let’s step back to smell the holly instead of rushing from store to store buying things instead of memories.
2024 Holiday Events from the Town of Parker
Hometown Holiday Experience
‘Tis the season to celebrate the holidays! Join us as we kick off this festive season during Thanksgiving weekend. We have so much fun planned Friday, Nov. 29 at the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting and Saturday, Nov. 30 at our Hometown Holiday Kick-off. There will be plenty of opportunities for kids and adults alike to show their holiday spirit right here in Parker. Learn more about these wonderful community activities below, or visit our Community Events webpage.
Mayor’s Holiday Lighting
Friday, Nov. 29 | 5:30 to 7 p.m. | O’Brien Park
Join the Town of Parker and Presenting Sponsor Audi Parker for an enchanted evening in O’Brien Park. Gather around the park and join the Mayor and the Parker Chorale as they kick off the event with a Silent Night Sing-along! Following Silent Night, the Mayor and Town Council will count down to the Town Tree and Grand Park Lighting. After the lights have been lit, enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season with walk-around entertainment, ice sculptures, food vendors, and stage performances from Parker-area high school choirs.
Hometown Holidays Kick-Off Saturday
Nov. 30 | Downtown Parker
Usher in the holidays with fun activities and accents to downtown Parker. Enjoy learning about reindeer, sponsor booths and activities with Buddy the Elf and his friends Elsa and Olaf in O’Brien Park on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Come listen to carolers as they sing your favorite holiday songs around the park. Make sure to bring your kids to ride the Parker Express Train going around O’Brien Park. Then, grab a selfie or a family picture by the Town Tree and view the beautiful park lights. Complete your visit with a leisurely stroll along Mainstreet to Discovery Park, enjoying fun holiday music and décor attractions along the way!
Downtown Holiday Activities
Saturdays/Sundays | Nov. 30 to Dec. 15 | Downtown Parker
Downtown Parker comes alive during the holiday season! Visit Gingerbread Lane at the Schoolhouse, Polar Bear Ice Land at Discovery Park and Santa’s Workshop at O’Brien Park for a fun family selfie—it might even be a great addition to your holiday cards! The Town has also invited our holiday walk-around characters from Thanksgiving weekend to stick around on Saturdays and Sundays (from noon to 4 p.m.) through Dec. 15.
Where in Downtown Parker is Buddy the Elf?
Saturdays/Sundays | Nov. 30 to Dec. 15 | Downtown Parker
On Saturdays and Sundays leading up to Christmas, the Town invites you and your family to find one of Santa’s real-life elves around downtown Parker. If you see Buddy the Elf, take a photo of him and post it on the Town’s Facebook page (@TownofParkerCO), sharing where you found him. All submissions will be entered into a prize drawing!
Holidays Home Decorating Contest
Enter Dec. 2 to 13
‘Tis the season to spread some holiday cheer! The community is invited to celebrate by decorating your front porches, yards, patios or balconies. Unleash your creativity, bring some seasonal joy to your friends and neighbors, and compete to be named one of the best decorated homes in Parker! The Town will produce a virtual map with the locations of all of our registered homes, so you can plan a walk or drive around the community to see the lights and sights.
Swim with Santa
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down…the waterslide! It’s a Santa-sized pool party with holiday music, festive giveaways, and plenty of splashin’ photo ops with jolly old St. Nick in the Activity Pool.
Date: Sat., Dec. 14, 2024
Time: 5 or 6 p.m.
Location: Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E. Lincoln Dr.
Ages: 15 years and younger
Cost: $26 per Parker resident, $28 per non-resident.
*Space is limited. Walk-up registrations will be taken on a space-available basis and will cost an additional $5 per participant.
All participants will get the opportunity to not only swim with Santa, but to take a unique photo with Santa in or around the pool! Giveaways will be available to take home. Children of all swimming abilities are welcome. Each child 5 and under and non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the water.
All participants will get the opportunity to not only swim with Santa, but to take a unique photo with Santa in or around the pool! Giveaways will be available to take home. Children of all swimming abilities are welcome. Each child 5 and under and non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the water.
HOLIDAY EVENTS 2024
Below you will find a few things that are quite inexpensive and that you can enjoy with your loved ones this year. We will update the links when we have more information.
- Turkey Day 5K Fun Run / Walk
- Castle Rock Starlighting
- Mayor’s Tree Lighting at O’Brien Park
- Parker’s Hometown Christmas Parade
- Community Messiah Performances (you can join the 100 voice choir)
- The Annual Nutcracker of Parker November (Click to purchase tickets)
- Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Church Services (will update when information is available) Please check the church websites listed.
