Aspen Weekend Agenda: December 21–23, 2018
Visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Claus is one of many fun and free events offered throughout town during the 12 Days of Aspen.
Image: Courtesy: Aspen Chamber
Friday, December 21
12 Days of Aspen
Downtown Aspen
Look for daily entertainment and activities through December 31, from visits by Santa and stocking decorating at the St. Regis (Dec 22–23) to caroling in the Hotel Jerome lobby (Dec 20–24), a performance by the Aspen Skating Club (Dec 22., 1 p.m., Snowmass Base Village), and fireworks on New Year's Eve. Free, aspenchamber.org
Teddy Bear Story Hour
10:30 a.m., Wheeler/Stallard Museum
This tot-focused event includes storytellers from the Aspen Historical Society and Spellbinders sharing spirited renditions of classic holiday tales. BYOTB (bring your own teddy bear!). $3, aspenhistory.org
Redstone Castle Tours
10:30 a.m., Redstone
Built in 1902 by robber baron, industrialist, and coal magnate John Cleveland Osgood, the castle was originally a hunting retreat and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. On this 90-minute tour of the 42-room estate, experience the social culture of America's 1 percent at the turn of the 20th century. Tours are also offered on Saturday and Sunday. $25 adults/$20 seniors/$10 youth, theredstonecastle.com
Rock Bottom Ranch Winter Farmyard Tour
11 a.m., Rock Bottom Ranch, Basalt
Staff and educators lead explorations of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies' working ranch, including the animal paddocks, hoop houses, and gardens. They will also share the science behind vegetable production and livestock rotational grazing. Tours are appropriate for all ages. $5 per person/$10 per family/free for members, aspennature.org
Learn more about the history of Aspen's slopes at the History Ski Tours on Friday.
History Ski Tour: Aspen Mountain
11 a.m. & 1 p.m., Guest Service Cabin below the Sundeck
Learn about the amazing mining and ski history lying literally beneath your feet as you tour Aspen Mountain with a long-time local historian. Free (lift ticket required), aspenhistory.org
Santa's Village and Carolers
2–4 p.m., Snowmass Mall
Have a one-on-one and pictures with Santa, and listen to your favorite holiday songs as carolers stroll the Mall. Free, gosnowmass.com
Community Holiday Celebration
4:30 p.m., The Temporary, Basalt
The fun begins with Christmas cookies and treats, followed by a showing of Elf at 5:30 p.m. Free, tacaw.org
6 p.m., Basalt Regional Library
Twice-named Magician of the Year, Doc Eason always delights with his sleight of hand. Note that though this is an adult program that children may enjoy, it is not specifically a kids' program. Refreshments will be served, too. $20 for adults/children are free and must be accompanied by an adult, basaltlibrary.org
Scrooge, the ghosts, and Tiny Tim live on in this brand-new musical version of the story that champions the true Christmas spirit. $58 for adults/$38 for children, wheeleroperahouse.com
JD Martin and Jan Garrett will perform at their annual Winter Solstice Concert.
Image: Courtesy Image
Winter Solstice Concert
7 p.m., Aspen Community Church
This 28th annual concert, which also celebrates a new-album release, features original songs (plus carols and candlelighting) by longtime valley musicians and composers Jan Garrett and JD Martin, with Roberta Lewis on harmony vocals. $18 adults, $8 kids for advance tickets/$20 adults, $10 kids at the door, garrett-martin.com
JAS Café: Sweet Lu Olutosin
8 p.m. (optional pre-show dinner at 7 p.m.), The Little Nell
The ever-popular intimate concert series from Jazz Aspen Snowmass kicks off with the lyrical sounds and smooth moves of this top-20 international jazz recording artist. $40 for show/$105 for show and three-course dinner, axs.com
Dillon Francis
10 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
This electronic and dance artist is also a pioneer of Moombahton (the fusion of house music and reggaeton), a platinum-selling DJ and producer, the host and creator of TBS Digital's One Deeper Talks, and actor. $98 GA/$235 reserved, bellyupaspen.com
Saturday, December 22
Aspen Parkrun
8 a.m., Aspen Golf Course (southwest corner near the tennis courts)
Every Saturday, the Aspen Recreation department hosts weekly 5K timed runs. Now at a new location, the Parkrun is on a more user-friendly (read: flatter) course consisting entirely of concrete paths that are cleared of ice and snow throughout the winter. Parkrun is an international movement that encourages communities to sponsor free runs open to all. Free, parkrun.us/aspen
Make: Family Workshop
10 a.m., Aspen Art Museum
Come with your family to explore the galleries and create works of art of your own. Free, aspenartmuseum.org
CrafterDay
10 a.m.–2 p.m., Basalt Regional Library
Drop in for a fun craft project. Free, basaltlibrary.org
Teddy Bear Story Hour
10:30 a.m., Wheeler/Stallard Museum
This tot-focused event includes storytellers from the Aspen Historical Society and Spellbinders sharing spirited renditions of classic holiday tales. BYOTB (bring your own teddy bear!). $3, aspenhistory.org
Inspired by the Aspen Skating Club's Holiday Skate Fest Performance? Following Saturday's show, take to the ice yourself at Snowmass Base Village's new rink.
Image: Allison Pattillo
Holiday Skate Fest Performance
1 p.m., Snowmass Base Village
After dazzling audiences last week at the Base Village grand opening, members of the Aspen Skating Club perform a holiday show, with a free skate for all following. Free, aspenfigureskatingclub.com
Guided Tour
1 p.m., Aspen Art Museum
Drop in for a spotlight tour of the latest exhibitions led by museum staff. Free, aspenartmuseum.org
Santa's Village and Carolers
2–4 p.m., Base Village
Have a one-on-one and pictures with Santa, and listen to your favorite holiday songs as carolers stroll Base Village. Free, gosnowmass.com
Champagne Shopping at the Deck the Walls Artisanal Market
3–5 p.m., The Launchpad, Carbondale
Receive a complimentary glass of bubbly as you shop the curated offerings of local and regional artists, designers, and hand-makers. Saturday will also feature a pop-up holiday bakery and trunk show. Free, carbondalearts.com
Après Art with Anderson Ranch
3:30–5 p.m., The Collective, Snowmass Base Village
Children of all ages are welcome to create seasonal and whimsical art projects to take home after a day on the slopes. Free, andersonranch.org
Mike Super: Magic & Illusion
4:30 & 7:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House
The only magician to ever win a live competition on primetime US network TV, Super is lightning quick with the sleight of hand. Or is it magic? $40 adults/$20 children, wheeleroperahouse.com
Are you ready to hoof it to the top of Buttermilk on Saturday night? If so, delicious food, stunning views, and a good time awaits.
Image: Courtesy: Aspen Snowmass
Full Moon Dinner
5–8 p.m., Buttermilk
Skin or hike up Tiehack at Buttermilk by the light of the moon to the Cliffhouse restaurant at the summit. Warm up with free hot chocolate (5–6 p.m.) by the outdoor fire pit. À la carte dinner specials and a cash bar will be offered inside all evening. Don't forget your headlamp and extra layers for the ski or hike back down. Free to hike, aspensnowmass.com
Moonlit Trek & Dinner
5:30–9 p.m., Snowmass Cross Country Center
Snowshoe or cross country ski on a 1.2-mile route around the Snowmass Golf Course, stopping at Anderson Ranch Arts Center for hot chocolate and cookies along the way. An optional guided tour with an ACES naturalist begins at 6 p.m. Dinner (starting at 6:30 p.m.), plus live music from Tom Paxton and s'mores, are at the Black Saddle Bar and Grille (reservations required). $25 for adult dinner/$15 for kids 12 and under, $17.50–$22.50 ski or snowshoe rentals, gosnowmass.com
Fire & Ice Release Party
6–8 p.m., Marble Bar, Aspen
Marble Distillery continues its launch of Fire and Ice, two limited-edition vodkas, as a way to give back to the community. Twenty-five percent of proceeds from the sale of these spirits—one pepper flavored, one smooth and straight—will support the Zach Burn Foundation, an organization helping youth burn survivors and their families. The vodka will also be available at local liquor stores ($19.99 per bottle). Free, marbledistilling.com
JAS Café audiences are in a for a treat with Sweet Lu Olutosin.
Image: Courtesy: JAS
Sweet Lu Olutosin
7 p.m. (optional pre-show dinner at 6 p.m.) & 9:15 p.m., The Little Nell
The ever-popular intimate concert series from Jazz Aspen Snowmass kicks off this weekend with the lyrical sounds and smooth moves of this top-20 international jazz recording artist. $40 for show/$105 for show and three-course dinner, axs.com
Thunder River Theatre Company's Diva Cabaret presents Home for the Holidays
7:30 p.m., Thunder River Theater, Carbondale
Directed by Nina Gabianelli, with music direction from David Dyer, this family-friendly wintertime cabaret features the talents of Roaring Fork Valley college-age stars Talitha Jones, Izzi Rojo, Lyon Hamill, and Becca Maniscalchin. $25 per person/$140 for a table of four and a bottle of wine, thunderrivertheatre.com
Library Cinema: Last Detail
7:30pm, Pitkin County Library
Directed by Hal Ashby, this 1973 film, equal parts tragic and humorous, stars Randy Quaid and Jack Nicholson. $10 (includes free popcorn while supplies last), pitcolib.org
Jazzy Christmas with Jeannie Walla & Friends
8 p.m., The Temporary, Basalt
Enjoy an evening of jazz classics with this local favorite singer and her crew. $13 for members/$15 in advance/$20 day of show, tacaw.org
Boom Box
9 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
This psychedelic rock group is touring to promote Western Voodoo, its fifth album. $40 GA/$50 reserved, bellyupaspen.com
Sunday, December 23
Thunder River Theatre Company's Diva Cabaret presents Home for the Holidays
2 p.m., Thunder River Theater, Carbondale
Directed by Nina Gabianelli, with music direction from David Dyer, this family-friendly wintertime cabaret features the talents of Roaring Fork Valley college-age stars Talitha Jones, Izzi Rojo, Lyon Hamill, and Becca Maniscalchi. $25 per person/$140 for a table of four and a bottle of wine, thunderrivertheatre.com
Santa's Village and Carolers
2–4 p.m., Snowmass Mall
Have a one-on-one and pictures with Santa, and listen to your favorite holiday songs as carolers stroll the Mall. Free, gosnowmass.com
Library Cinema: Being There
4 & 7:30pm, Pitkin County Library
Directed by Hal Ashby, this 1979 film stars Peter Sellers as an aging gardener who suddenly finds himself in position to be a potential presidential candidate. $10 (includes free popcorn while supplies last), pitcolib.org
Named one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Funniest People Right Now, Melissa Villaseñor takes the stage at the Wheeler Sunday evening.
Melissa Villaseñor
7:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House
The upcoming Aspen Laugh Festival presents Villaseñor, SNL’s first-ever Latina cast member and a whiz at impressions. $40, wheeleroperahouse.com
Cedric Gervais
10 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
Born in France and based in Miami, this highly-sought-after DJ and EDM producer promises to get the dance floor cookin'. $25 GA/$60 reserved, bellyupaspen.com
