The definitive “Nutcracker”
Through Dec. 28. The region’s premiere take on the seasonal favorite “The Nutcracker” is undoubtedly Colorado Ballet’s, which quickly sells out many of its best seats every year as families flock to the annual tradition. Still, there are plenty more available for the daily performances that extend through Dec. 28 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. in Denver, which includes up-front orchestra seats or more affordable balcony spots.
If you haven’t yet seen the pageantry of the event, you’re missing a classic Colorado experience. Tickets for the all-ages, 65th anniversary shows are $65-$210 at tickets.coloradoballet.org. See the website for availability on specific times and dates. — John Wenzel
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Will Minter, co-owner of ESP HiFi, spins records on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.
Sound off
Friday-Sunday. Populus Denver is an unusual hotel – you can’t miss its facade, designed to look like Colorado aspen trees – and this weekend, it’s hosting an unusual holiday popup. From Friday, Dec. 19 to Sunday, Dec. 21, the hotel will team up with the music-loving owners of ESP HiFi, a vinyl-centric listening bar, to host HiFi Holiday. The event “recasts Populus Denver’s second floor as a glowing, sensory refuge,” organizers said, featuring Japanese-inspired cocktails from High Road Spirits and food pairings like Japanese sandos, karaage and other light bits.
But the vibe will be set by ESP HiFi, which is bringing a “worldly soundtrack … with a curated lineup of Denver vinyl DJs.” HiFi Holiday runs 5-10 each night in the Level 2 event space at Populus, 240 14th St. Walk-ins only; seating is first come, first served. populusdenver.com/event/hifi-holiday — Jonathan Shikes
A holiday circus
Tuesday. Cirque Musica is not a traditional circus, but then again, those aren’t exactly selling a ton of tickets at the moment. Instead, Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland plays to its strengths as a multi-faceted stage revue, with “the spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s greatest circus performers with a musical mix of timeless seasonal music,” organizers wrote. “With some of the best cirque performers from around the world, audiences can expect a night of inspiring holiday entertainment accompanied by breath-taking acrobatic feats of strength and skill.”
The show plays Grand Junction’s Avalon Theatre at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, before heading to Loveland’s Blue Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Tickets for the all-ages Front Range show, at 5290 Arena Circle in Loveland, are $54-$220 at treventscomplex.com/events. — John Wenzel
Ancient Egypt in VR
Opening this week. Touring virtual-reality shows can be hit or miss, but Denver’s had good luck in recent years with titles ranging from the harrowing “Carne y Arena” to more general-audience fare about the International Space Station, dinosaurs and the Titanic. The latest good-looker is “Horizon of Khufu,” which delves into ancient Egyptian sights and sounds with virtual re-creations by “Egypt’s premier Egyptologists,” bringing visitors “inside the Great Pyramid through a full-scale, free-roam virtual reality journey,” producers said.
Put on a headset and step inside a virtual Pyramid of Giza at York Street Yards, 3863 N. Steele St., Suite 1168, in Denver, with slots available now through late February 2026. The experience lasts about 45 minutes and is recommended for ages 10 and up. The venue is fully ADA accessible. Tickets are $22.10-$25.50 via horizonkheopsexperience.com/denver. — John Wenzel