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CARRIAGE RIDES, ROASTED CHESTNUTS, HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND VISITS WITH SANTA are but a few of the treats awaiting local families in the coming weeks. From low-key school fairs to manic crowds at the malls, you’ll find a fit to your liking as south Denver prepares for the holidays.

Though the weather vacillates from fall to winter on a day-to-day basis, forward-thinking folk are honing their household budgets in hopes of freeing up sufficient funding to make the season merry for family and friends, and hopefully, others less fortunate as well.

Whether you’re in search of the perfect embellishment for home decor, sporting goods, musical instruments, books, jewelry, electronics, clothing, toys or any other wish list request, we guarantee you will find what you’re looking for within blocks of your doorstep. Buy local!

Cherry Creek Shopping Center welcomes the holidays as the center court Ice Palace Experience returns for its annual run through Christmas Eve. A magical snow and light show will dazzle visitors to the soaring 30-foot-high Ice Palace dome, with the surrounding arches and snow globes featuring the prehistoric herd from the soon to be released family film, Ice Age: Continental Drift. Santa Claus will also be on hand through Christmas Eve during regular shopping center hours, to hear kids’ holiday wishes and pose for the requisite holiday shot for the family collection.

A Sign Language Santa will be in residence Thur., Dec. 6, 9a.m.-2p.m. to continue the tradition of providing deaf and hard-of-hearing children with a special time of their own. This year participating children will be able to see and “hear” a preview of Ice Age: Continental Drift through on-screen signing interpretation via new picture-in-picture technology.

Lest the family critters feel left out, Santa Claws & Paws will welcome all creatures great and small for a photo shoot with Mr. Claus, Sun., Dec. 9, 7-10p.m. Cherry Creek has teamed up with the Colorado Avalanche for a special visit from Bernie, their impressive St. Bernard mascot.

Cherry Creek traditionally has a variety of holiday entertainment throughout the season; we’ll keep you posted as details emerge. Visit shopcherrycreek.com or call 303-388-3900 for information.

Northward across 1st Ave., the 16- block retail paradise of Cherry Creek North beckons you to meander the hundreds of shops lining the streets from University Blvd. to Steele St., 1st Ave. to 3rd Ave.

Marketing director Kristi Omedahl told The Profile the district will be festooned in “updated and enhanced lighting,” with a variety of special activities hosted by stores throughout the eclectic and inviting retail area. For details, call 303-394-2904 or visit cherrycreeknorth.com.

If you like to do your shopping in places with roots that run more deeply into the American soil than any other, mark your calendar now for the 23rd annual Christmas Bazaar, sponsored by the Christian Indian Center, 501 S. Pearl St., Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

The event will run Fri., 10a.m.-6p.m., and Sat., 9a.m.-5:30p.m. You’ll find a wide variety of arts and crafts items for sale, silver and turquoise jewelry and more. To keep your energy level high, there will be traditional mutton stew, frybread, Indian tacos and baked goods. Roast mutton will be featured on Saturday only.

For more information, call 303-733-3693 or visit denvercic.org.

Check out the happenings on modern-day Antique Row, and “Bring Home A Little Present From The Past” when the Antique Row Merchants Association hosts their Holiday Festival along the 1100-1800 blocks of S. Broadway, Fri.-Sat., Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Stores all along Denver’s grandest boulevard will be chock-full of antique furniture, lighting, jewelry, books and other collectible treasures with special sales going on through the weekend, and holiday food and drink for all.

Kids will have the chance to meet, and have their picture taken with live Christmas reindeer – antlers and all – in the parking lot of Turn of the Century Antiques, 1475 S. Broadway. Petting is encouraged, but riding is not permitted.

More details were still coming together at press time, so to keep up on all the latest details, visit antique-row.com or call 303-722-8700. 

There's no need to stand in long lines to see Santa. Spend a few minutes with friends and neighbors as Preferred Properties, one of our fine neighborhood realtors at 1041 S. Gaylord St., invites you and your little ones (and pets) to have pictures taken with Santa, on Sat., Dec. 1, from 9a.m.-noon. Please RSVP by Nov. 28 to 303-778-8222, to reserve your place. Photos will be taken and will be available through
DavidOrdwayPhotography.Com! For information, 303-778-8222.

Our good friends at First Christian Reformed Church, 1814 S. Emerson St., are continuing the international theme as they host a Global Bazaar on Sat., Dec. 1, 9a.m.-3p.m.

Vendors will tempt you with fair-trade, handmade items from around the world, with the hope of raising awareness of and funds for local and international mission-based organizations and projects. Live entertainment will brighten the day, and plenty of holiday treats will be available.

All proceeds benefit the ministries represented at the Global Bazaar. Details, call 303-733-4936.

The South Pearl Street shopping district, founded in the latter days of the 19th century, has moved decidedly into the 21st century as its roster of shops and restaurants continues to grow in variety and quality. But when it comes to the holidays, South Pearl joyfully celebrates the season as it has for decades.

So take time to join your friends and neighbors for Winterfest, Fri., Nov. 30, 6-9p.m., and Sat., Dec. 1, 11a.m.-5p.m., in the 1500 block of S. Pearl St.

Winterfest will kick off on Friday night with horse & carriage rides, a live appearance by Father Christmas, mulled cider (adults only) and roasted chestnuts (no age requirements), and – new this year –the street will be closed to auto traffic on Friday to create a safer environment for the carriages and pedestrians alike.

Festivities move into high gear on Saturday with live music and some favorite vendors from the summer farmers markets as well as additional gift booths, ready-to- eat food, spiced beverages, horse & buggy rides and the return of Father Christmas.

Should winter’s chill demand, warming stations will be set up to keep your fingers and toes comfy throughout the weekend.

For information, call 303-734-0718 or visit southpearlstreet.com.

Celebrate as families did in pioneer days, when Four Mile House Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., revels in A Colorado Christmas, Sun., Dec. 2, noon-4p.m. In the days of yore, Christmas was a time for elegant dress and elaborate decorations. Experience Four Mile House – Denver’s oldest standing residence – decked out for the holidays. Get a taste of how your ancestors might have made merry as you play Victorian games with Father Christmas, create your own gingerbread fantasy (additional charge), sample chestnuts roasted on an open fire, string your own popcorn and cranberries for the Four Mile Tree and much more.

Adult admission is $5; military w/ID and seniors (65+), $4; youth 7-17, $3; Park members and children 6 and under are free. For information, call 720-865-0800 or visit fourmilepark.org.

The Denver Waldorf School always welcomes the holiday season in high style, with impeccable taste. The Waldorf School Holiday Fair returns for its 38th annual run on Sat., Dec. 1, 9a.m.-3p.m., on the school grounds at 940 Fillmore St.

Children will enjoy a variety of holiday-related games and activities, including crafts (making beeswax candles and elf houses, cinnamon-scented ornaments, etc.) and other holiday fun.

Musical entertainment will ring out throughout the event, along with a puppet show for younger celebrants and free horse and carriage rides for all. A professional photographer will be on hand to take child and family portraits.

If shopping is on your agenda, nearly three dozen handpicked vendors will offer a variety of imaginative handcrafted gift items – books, toys, etc. You will also be able to pick up the family Christmas tree on site as well as beautiful handmade holiday wreaths. Youngsters will find the “Kids Only” shopping area to their liking, with all items priced at $2 or less, including gift wrapping. As always, the Waldorf School Holiday Fair will have plenty of food options for the energy-deprived.

There is no charge for entrance to the fair, including access to the vendors, toy AND book sale, grill and diner, entertainment and carriage ride. The children’s activities will run 9:30a.m.–2:30p.m., for a minimal fee. Tickets cost for $7 for three activities (great for children under 7) and $16 for unlimited.

For information, call 303-777-0531 or visit denverwaldorf.org.

For a thoroughly unique tilt at the holidays, make time for the Winter Solabration, Sat., Dec. 22, beginning at 6p.m. at the newly refurbished Temple Events Center, 1595 S. Pearl St.  This yuletime celebration of Christmas and Solstice customs features storytelling, a mummer’s play, and sword and Morris dance performances, along with community singing, wassail, and traditional American community dances for all, ending with the mysterious Abbot’s Bromley Horn Dance at midnight. Visit wsolstice.org for info.