Castle Rock Crew #047

Well, I hope you had a fabulous weekend and enjoyed/survived the wonderful chaos that is Starlighting. I had a great time even though I’ve never been a huge fan of crowds and this was a big one! Well worth it to see how many people were down there supporting the local businesses. The stores were absolutely packed!

And speaking of local businesses, there was at least one new one doing a soft opening this past Saturday — Persephone Candleworks. They specialize in non-toxic soy wax candles and you can find them in Homegrown’s old space right next to The Garden Path. They’ll be part of the Sip & Stroll and you can find some examples of their products in the Local Gift Guide Below. Their grand opening is coming in January, but they will be open Tue-Fri from 11:00am-6:00pm in December.

I also hit LaLa’s and COFF33 to make sure I got some of my fall favorites one more time before they transitioned to their winter menus…here are the Rocky Road Hot Cocoa and the Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Latte from LaLa’s, plus I had to get one of their crustless quiches! My only mistake was not asking for a spoon to scoop the remaining peanut butter out of the mug.

I shared The Gilmore from COFF33 in the past, so I’ll skip the photos, but we’re doing a giveaway with them that’s open for one more day. You can enter here.

I’ll keep this one short and sweet because you’re probably busy grabbing groceries for the big day or mapping out your Black Friday game plan (I just got an Adventure Guide that I’m looking forward to using to get inspiration for fun activities around CO). If you need help with gifts and want to support local, check out the Gift Guide with ideas from some of the participants in the Sip & Stroll on Thursday, Dec 4.

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving (and are brave enough to try the Pumpkin Torte recipe I shared last week!). Personally, this year I’m thankful for you subscribing and reading each week!

Sip & Stroll Local Gift Guide:

We’re just over a week out from Sip & Stroll and are looking forward to seeing you there. If you want to get the juices flowing for some of the things you may want to get as a gift for someone, or for yourself (yes, you deserve it), take a look at the guide below.

Four Seasons Lighting Co.
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Save 25% on installation and get Jellyfish lighting, a permanent lighting solution that makes holiday decorating effortless. Customize colors, run holiday presets and avoid ladders completely. 0% financing available for up to 21 months.

Book a free estimate today to secure your holiday install!

*Use code JF25 for 25% off

Pet Adoptions

If you’re looking for a companion to help you burn off some of those extra Thanksgiving calories, Smokey is your guy.

Cifredo
A traditionally trained barber in downtown Castle Rock at Carla’s Barbershop

Need to look sharp for family photos or holiday events?
Cifredo specializes in straight-razor work, clean fades, and classic businessman cuts.

Book your holiday haircut with Cifredo today!

Sports

Broncos — hope our boys are enjoying their bye week and come back dialed in. I’m assuming Wil Lutz is really enjoying his bye week after getting a three-year extension! Well, we’re supposed to get Surtain and Singleton back after this week which will be great as we head into week 13 at 9-2 just behind the Patriots, who are 10-2 (they haven’t had their bye yet). It looked like the Colts were going to join us at 9-2, but they let one get away to the Chiefs, who are now 6-5 and still in the hunt…we take on the Commanders on Sunday, November 30 at 6:20pm.

Nuggets — Nugs are 13-4, putting us at 2nd in the Western Conference. We beat the Pelicans 125-118, defeated the Rockets in the NBA Cup group stage 112-109, just lost to the Kings 128-123, and then bounced back with a win against the Grizzlies 125-115. We host the Spurs in another NBA Cup group stage game on Fri, Nov 28, and visit the Suns on Sat, Nov 29. Then, we’re back home to host the Mavericks on Mon, Dec 1.

Avalanche — we’re 16-1-5 with 37 points (most in the NHL) after beating the Rangers (6-3), the Predators (3-0), and the Blackhawks (4-1). We’re back home to host the Sharks on Thur, Nov 26, then head to Minnesota to face the Wild on Fri, Nov 28, and then are back home to face the Canadiens on Sat, Nov 29. By the way, we’ve won 9 straight now…

Denver sports teams are crushing it in November. Even the Rockies aren’t ruining our city’s record as they sit at 0-0 in November. Oh, and they promoted Warren Schaeffer, last year’s interim manager, to full-time manager.

Reach out if you’re interested in sponsoring the newsletter. [email protected]

Events:

Turkey Rock Trot - 5K Family Fun Run/Walk/Stroll - Nov 27, 7:30am - online registration is closed, but there are sign-ups at the race

Tuesday, 11/25:

The Office Co. | Bar & Kitchen (every day) - Happy Hour - 2:00pm–7:00pm

Courtyard Social (every weekday) - Happy Hour - 2:30pm–5:00pm

Bien y Tu (every weekday) - Happy Hour - 2:30pm–5:00pm

The Whiskey Lodge - 85¢ Wings - 3:00pm–10:00pm

Bucketlist Tavern (every weekday) - Happy Hour - 3:00pm–6:00pm

Hideaway Bar & Grill (every day) - Happy Hour - 3:00pm–6:00pm

Downtown Castle Rock - Free Winter Trolley - 5:30pm–7:30pm

Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Geeks Who Drink Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm

Elizabeth Brews - Trivia Night - 7:00pm–9:30pm

Wednesday, 11/26:

Wide Awake Eatery - Happy Hour - 4:00pm–6:00pm (Wed-Sat)

Downtown Castle Rock - Holiday Carriage Rides - 4:30pm–8:30pm

Alidade Brewing - Music Bingo - 6:00pm–8:00pm

Hideaway Bar & Grill - DJ Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm

Thursday, 11/27:

Fairgrounds - Turkey Rock Trot - 5K Family Fun Run/Walk/Stroll - 7:30am - online registration is closed, but there are sign-ups at the race

Downtown Castle Rock - Holiday Carriage Rides - 4:30pm–8:30pm

Friday, 11/28:

Outlets - Black Friday Shopping - 7:00am–9:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - The John Weeks Band - 7:00pm–10:30pm

Sinners and Saints - Live Music At The Altar: André LaMotte - 8:00pm–10:00pm

Saturday, 11/29:

Outlets - Black Friday Weekend - 9:00am–8:00pm

Outlets - Santa Paws - 11:00am

Outlets - Santa's Cottage | Visit Santa Claus - 11:00am–7:00pm

Outlets - Festive & Free Fun | Holiday Gift Wrapping - 1:00pm–5:00pm

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Whisky Tasting at the Castle - 6:00pm–9:15pm - tickets

105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: The Kevin Austin Band - 6:30pm–9:30pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - The Orchard Road Band!! - 6:30pm–10:30pm

Wide Open Saloon - MIMIC - 7:00pm–10:30pm

Sunday, 11/30:

Outlets - Black Friday Weekend - 10:00am–7:00pm

Outlets - Santa Paws - 11:00am

Outlets - Santa's Cottage | Visit Santa Claus - 12:00pm–6:00pm

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Breakfast with Santa - 10:00am - tickets

Monday, 12/1:

Outlets - Santa Paws - 11:00am

Outlets - Santa's Cottage | Visit Santa Claus - 1:00pm–6:00pm

Downtown Castle Rock - Free Winter Trolley - 5:30pm–7:30pm

Iron Mule Brewery - Iron Mule - December Sea Glass Trees - 6:00pm–8:00pm - tickets

Heads up on events that are further out:

Downtown Castle Rock - Festival Park Starlight Market - Dec 5, 3:00pm–8:00pm

The Ridge Golf Course - Tree Lighting Celebration - Dec 5, 5:00pm–7:00pm - tickets

The Grange - Holiday Wine Soiree 2025 in The Meadows - Dec 5, 6:30pm–9:30pm - tickets

The Stagecoach Saloon - The Country Music Project Band!! - Dec 5, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Plum Creek Church - Annual Christmas Market - Dec 6, 9:00am–12:00pm

Downtown Castle Rock - Festival Park Starlight Market - Dec 6, 11:00am–7:00pm

The Gardens, Highlands Ranch - Ornament Decorating Party! - Dec 6, 11:00am–4:00pm

The Ridge Golf Course - Movie Night - Dec 6, 5:00pm–7:00pm - tickets

The Ridge Golf Course - Holiday Carriage Rides - Dec 13, 4:00pm–8:00pm - tickets (SOLD OUT, JOIN THE WAITLIST)

The Ridge Golf Course - Holly Jolly Brunch - Dec 14, 9:00am–3:00pm - tickets

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE! - Dec 27, 6:00pm - tickets (ALWAYS SELLS OUT, SO BUY AHEAD OF TIME)

Worth the drive: other Douglas County Events can be found in our sister newsletter, DougCo Drop — subscribe below

*We are working on an events calendar via our sister brand that will provide both advance notice and greater variety for events - feel free to provide feedback: https://dougcodrop.com/events/

⚠️ Please verify event details and availability with the respective venues or organizers, as schedules may change.

Let us know of any events, locations, establishments, or businesses that you would like us to highlight in coming editions. [email protected]

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