Merry almost Christmas Colorado Springs! 🎉 Work is winding down and it’s looking like a great weekend to spend some time with family & friends. Whether you’re hunting for holiday lights, live tunes, or just a fun way to get outside, this week’s edition of The 719 Direct has you covered.
Do you know of any artists, eateries, or local happenings that deserve a spotlight in The 719 Direct? Send them my way at [email protected].
In today’s 719 Direct:
🗓️ Weekend Highlights
🎬 Movie on the Mountain at Cheyenne Mountain State Park
🌉 Bridge of Lights at Royal Gorge
🎷 Canyon Winds Winter Concert
🎭 A Christmas Carol at Louisa Performing Arts Center
🎅 Brunch with Santa at My Neighbor Felix
🏔️ What’s New in the 719
🍔 The Happy Cow opens in Old Colorado City
🏭 Swire Coca-Cola announces new $475M facility in Colorado Springs
🏈 Sports
🏀 Air Force Falcons (Women) vs. Nevada Wolf Pack | Saturday, 12/20 | 1:00 PM
🏀 Colorado College Tigers (Men) home game | Sunday, 12/21 | Time TBD
⛰️ Trail of the Week
🌾 Big Bluestem Trail | 4.2 miles, Easy | Bluestem Prairie Open Space
Let’s jump on in!
🗓️ Your Weekend in Colorado Springs
1. Movie on the Mountain
Sunday, December 21 2025, 5:00 pm – 7:20 pm
Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80926
Price: Free (park entry fee required)
Join Cheyenne Mountain State Park for a free outdoor holiday movie event! Movie on the Mountain features a classic holiday film showing (Santa Claus Conquers the Martians) with complimentary hot cocoa and popcorn. Enjoy this family-friendly seasonal tradition under the Colorado sky — perfect for all ages (registration encouraged).
2. Bridge of Lights
Friday, November 28 – Sunday, December 21 2025, evenings (typically 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, 4218 County Road 3A, Cañon City, CO 81212
Price: ~$14 online / ~$16 at the gate (children 3 & under free)
Experience the Bridge of Lights, an annual holiday walk-through event where thousands of lights illuminate America’s highest suspension bridge and park area. Enjoy festive activities like a Christmas market, cookie & ornament decorating, seasonal treats, and free Santa photo opportunities on select nights.
3. Canyon Winds Winter Concert
Saturday, December 20 2025, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
1590 W. Fillmore St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Price: Free
Enjoy the sounds of the season with the Canyon Winds Winter Concert, a free performance by a 75-piece community concert band featuring holiday favorites and classical selections. A festive and uplifting musical event for all ages in downtown Colorado Springs.
4. A Christmas Carol
Sunday, December 21 – Saturday, December 27 2025
(Opening performance Sunday, December 21, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
Louisa Performing Arts Center, 21 Broadmoor Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Price: ~$35 general admission
Simpich Marionettes’ classic holiday production of A Christmas Carol brings Charles Dickens’ beloved story to life through intricate puppetry and theatrical storytelling. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey from miser to Christmas spirit as this seasonal favorite plays through the holidays.
5. Brunch with Santa
Sunday, December 21 2025, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
My Neighbor Felix @ The Promenade Shops at Briargate
1645 Briargate Parkway Suite 203, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Price: Free (optional craft activities may have fees)
Celebrate the season with Brunch with Santa! Enjoy festive brunch options, specialty holiday drinks, and meet Santa for photos. Complimentary gift-wrapping is also provided, and guests can participate in holiday crafts to make the experience even more memorable.
🏔️ What’s New in the 719
🍔 A new eatery called The Happy Cow quietly opened recently in the former Pop Kitchen space in Old Colorado City. They’re serving ranch-style burgers, gluten-free chicken fritters, unique coffee drinks, and more.
🏭 Swire Coca-Cola Announces New Facility in Colorado Springs
A major new Swire Coca-Cola, USA manufacturing facility is coming to the Peak Innovation Park area of Colorado Springs, bringing a $475 million investment and an estimated 170 new jobs to the region. The project emphasizes sustainability (LEED Gold goals) and is expected to support many additional jobs indirectly through construction and the local supply chain.
🎶 Live Music
Thursday 12/18
A John Denver Christmas with Rick Schuler at Pikes Peak Center | ~ 7:30 PM
Darci Lynne & Friends: Up Close & Personal Christmas Tour at Phil Long Music Hall | ~ 6:00 PM
Friday 12/19
The Long Run — Tribute to The Eagles at Phil Long Music Hall | ~ 6:00 PM
Merry Metal Christmas Sweater Party at The Black Sheep | ~ 7:00 PM
Saturday 12/20
Cowboy Christmas featuring Red Mountain Highway & Sandy Wells at Phil Long Music Hall | ~ 6:00 PM
Colorado Springs Philharmonic: Christmas Symphony at Pikes Peak Center | ~ 7:30 PM
Sunday 12/21
An Evening With The Irish Tenors at Phil Long Music Hall | ~ 5:00 PM
Colorado Springs Philharmonic: Christmas Symphony at Pikes Peak Center | ~ 2:30 PM
Holiday Show with Megan Burtt & Edie Carey at Lulu’s Downtown | ~ 7:00 PM
Christmas Concert with Little London Winds at Bethel Lutheran Church | ~ 7:00 PM
🏈 Sports
🏀 Basketball
Air Force Falcons (Women) — Saturday, 12/20 — Women’s Basketball vs. Nevada Wolf Pack | Clune Arena, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs | 1:00 PM
Colorado College Tigers (Men) — Sunday, 12/21 — Men’s Basketball home game scheduled (opponent TBD / Reid Arena) | Colorado College, Colorado Springs | Time TBD
⛰ Trail of the Week
🌾 Big Bluestem Trail
📍 Location: Bluestem Prairie Open Space, Colorado Springs, CO
🛤 Length: 4.2 miles (out & back)
⛰ Elevation Gain: ~101 ft
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
⏱ Estimated Time: ~1 – 1.5 hrs
🔄 Trail Type: Out & Back
🏞 Best For: Hiking, walking, birding, scenic prairie views
A relatively flat, easy hike through Bluestem Prairie Open Space that follows a path around Big Johnson Reservoir, perfect for a short nature walk or casual outing.
🙏Thank you!
Thanks for tuning in everyone, hope you have a great time checking out some of these events. I’ll see you back here next week with more of Colorado Springs’ best happenings. Contact me at [email protected] if you have an event that you think would be perfect for this publication.