It's your ultimate, amazing, festive holiday event guide

Thanksgiving kicks off the annual 
shopping, eating and celebrating for the next 39 days. But don’t stress: Our pullout gives you the lowdown on events great and small through New Year’s Eve.

And if you're looking for kids events or those that benefit others, search for KIDS or CHARITY.

STAGE
"A Christmas Carol” — Through Dec. 31, The Simpich Showcase Marionette Theatre, 2413 W. Colorado Ave., $12-$15. Go online for dates and times: simpich.com. KIDS

ATTRACTIONS
Happy Cats Haven Furry Purry Holiday Boutique— Feline gifts, toys, treats and more, noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 5-8 p.m. Thursdays, through Dec. 31, 1412 S. 21st St.; 635-5000.
“Blossoms of Light”— Over one million colorful lights draped in elegant designs highlight the Gardens winter beauty, 5:30-9:30 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1, Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, $10, $8 members, students, seniors, military, $7 ages 3-12, $5 child member, children 2 and younger; 1-720-865-3585, botanicgardens.org.
“Trails of Lights” — With more than one million twinkling lights illuminate a winding path through the Colorado countryside, 5:30-9:30 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1, Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, $10, $8 members, students, seniors; 1-720-865-3585, botanicgardens.org.
harleys-hopefoundation.org. KIDS, CHARITY
“Electric Safari” — 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. through Jan 1, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road. Go online for admission costs: 633-9925, cmzoo.org. KIDS
“Manitou Springs High School Band Annual Christmas Treecycle Fundraising Event” — Bring your natural tree to us - free of tinsel, flocking, ornaments, lights, stands, etc., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 1, 5 and 6, Manitou Springs High School, 405 El Monte Place, Manitou Springs, Free, cash donations readily accepted. Can’t come to us?  We will pick up for a minimum donation of $10 and within a  reasonable distance from MS High School; Karen Triplett, 635-4129, 321-3672. CHARITY
“12th annual Christmas Tree Recycling program” — Boy Scout Troop 78 is offering its 12th annual Christmas Tree Recycling program as a conservation project and to raise funds for the boy’s camping, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 5, 6, 12 and 13, Eagleview Middle School (Vindicator Blvd); Rampart High School (Lexington and Union); Western Museum of Mining (Northgate Blvd and I-25); Air Force Academy (North gate B-52 Scout Camp), $10 for drop-off, $15 for pick-up, suggested donation for trees less than 10 feet tall. Other trees & bushes can be picked up or dropped for an additional donation, contact the troop for details. Please remove all your lights and ornaments; 428-5402, usafatroop78@gmail.com. CHARITY
“The Great Fruitecake Toss” — 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 12, Manitou Springs High School, 405 El Monte Place. Cost of competing is a nonperishable food item, to be donated to the Westside Cares food bank. A limited quantity of fruitcakes are available to rent, however, we encourage you to bring your own fruitcake. Free for spectators. Rules for competing are online; manitousprings.org, 685-5089. KIDS, CHARITY

SHOPPING
 “100 for $100 Holiday Art Show and Sale” — Featuring local and regional artists, including Tracy Miller, Patti Filler, Laura Reilly, Coni Grant and more. All paintings priced at $100, Tracy Miller and Fare Bella Galleries, 14-16 Ruxton Ave. Show runs through Dec. 31, free; 650-0827, tracymillerfineart.com.
Commonwheel Artists Co-op Annual Holiday Market Opening — More than 35 Colorado artists, live music, hot apple cider, home baked cookies and more, 5-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, through Jan. 6, Commonwheel Artists Gallery, 102 Canon Ave., Manitou Springs, free; 685-1008, commonwheel.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE
“New Years Eve Gala Ball” — Hosted by Magical Productions, 7 p.m.-1 a.m., Colorado Springs Marriott, 5580 Tech Center Drive, call for cost. Reservations required: 570-0761.
“New Year’s Eve ¡En Fuego!” — Presented by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, 8 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $19-$59; 520-7469, www.csphilharmonic.org.
Martini Shot’s “New Years Eve” — 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Stargazers Theatre and Event Center, 10 S. Parkside Drive, $25, $35 reserved, 476-2200, www.stargazerstheatre.com.
Celebrate the New Year with Jim Jackson in ‘Busker and Me” — With magic, juggling, and giant soap bubbles and more, 7 p.m. Dec. 31, 2 p.m. Jan. 2 through 4, 11 a.m. Jan. 5, 1 p.m. Jan. 6, The Millibo Art Theatre, 1367 Pecan St., $10.50; 465-6321, www.themat.org. KIDS