Winter is approaching, and if you and your family want to avoid cabin fever (of course you do!), it’s time to start planning some cold-weather fun.

If you’re looking for something to do that’s warm, entertaining, and educational, be sure to add live performances to your list.

Exposing your kids to live performances like concerts, ballet, and theater has more perks for your children’s development than simply being entertaining, including:

  • Building empathy
  • Increasing their engagement with other learning activities
  • Teaching them mindfulness

Not to mention live shows area a great chance for family bonding and creating long-lasting memories together. Who knows, it might even bring out an inner performer in your kids!

To help you save some time, we’ve compiled 6 family-friendly live performances happening all around Colorado this winter that not only the kids will love, but you’ll get a kick out of as well.

Choose one (or all) of the live events below, and rest assured knowing you’re on your way to planning a winter for the books.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Where: Pepsi Center — Denver, CO
When: November 16th
What: “The power of rock combined with the majesty of classical,” Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a full-scale production, to say the least.

The whole family will be captivated by the carefully-crafted light show, mind-blowing sets, and with captivating rock n’ roll covers of Christmas favorites, revamped by world-renowned orchestral and rock musicians.

Even your teens are likely to get a sparkle in their eye, so don’t be surprised if this phenomenal show becomes a family tradition!

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage

Where: Paramount Theatre — Denver, CO
When: December 22nd
What: You read that right: Your favorite Christmas TV tradition is now a live performance!

Watch the lovable characters of Charlie Brown come to life in the live-action musical at the historic Paramount Theatre built in 1929.

The kids are guaranteed to be captivated by the brightly-colored holiday decorations, animated cast, and professionally choreographed songs and performances.

You’ll enjoy kicking back and reveling in the nostalgia with your partner or parents. After all, what better way to remind yourself about the true meaning of the holidays than a reminder of the joy that Christmas brought you as a kid, and the joy that it’s bringing your kids now.

Winter Wonderlights

Where: Centerra — Loveland, CO
When: November 16-January 1st
What: Shake things up and experience a truly magical winter wonderland. Winter Wonderlights in Loveland, CO is a light and music show that features elaborate winter settings lit up with countless beautiful lights.

Follow these twinkling wonders to the stage, where you and your family can watch multiple interactive live performances that will have you dancing along with polar bears or swaying to a string quartet.

Between performances, continue your explorations and stop for some face painting or delicious dinner from a top-notch food truck.

Ella Enchanted

Where: Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities — Arvada, CO
When: October 11-December 29th
What: Adapted from the popular Newberry Honor book by Gail Carson Levine, the Ella Enchanted play transports you and your family to the land of Frelle.

Here, you learn the story of Ella, a girl whose fairy godmother puts a spell on her in order to make her compelled to obey any requests made of her.

As you can imagine, many people with not the best of intentions take advantage of this. Ella goes on a journey to find a balance and discover her true voice with the guidance of mystical fairy creatures.

Goodnight Moon

Where: Denver Performing Arts Center — Denver, CO
When: 10/4-2/16
What: Goodnight Moon has been a go-to bedroom story for 72 years, and it’s now been made into a live performance for you and your family to enjoy.

Recommended for ages 4 and up, your preschoolers and older children are bound to be engrossed in the heartwarming story of Bunny and the typical bedtime that turns into a grand adventure with all the key characters you remember from the book.

Try to sharpen up on the story together before going to the play to create an extra fuzzy feeling.

Magic Treehouse: Showtime with Shakespeare

Where: The Lincoln Center — Ft. Collins, CO
When: February 22nd, 2020
What: The wonder of Shakespeare’s fantasy worlds meets the catchy rhythm of hip hop at Magic Treehouse: Showtime with Shakespeare.

After reading a few Shakespeare plays and falling in love with all the mystical creatures and stories, this theater troupe decide to use their magic treehouse to teleport to Elizabethan England to join Shakespeare himself on an adventure.

The play is based on New York Times best-selling book Stage Fright on a Summer Night by Mary Pope Osborne. And according to critics, the play does it justice, to say the least.

Whether it be light shows, magical treehouses, or polar bears with glow sticks, your winter is bound to become a lot more imaginative after trying out these unique live performances.

But if you’ve got a toddler, you might be thinking: These sound great, but I know my kid. What if they simply can’t sit through a play or full concert?

The key might be to let them expel a bit of energy beforehand. And there’s no better place for that than Mountain Kids »

Mountain Kids/MCDA will be closed for BVSD Spring Break March 25th-31st. All classes resume April 1st.

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