Castle Rock Crew #050

Okay, I didn’t make it out to the Stumblin Santa pub crawl, but that looked like quite the time based on the Facebook photos I saw. Those bars and restaurants looked packed!

But I did get out to Apres and had myself a Cherry Chairlift which was exactly how I imagined it! Would definitely recommend getting over there to try out their winter menu. We’re running a giveaway with them for another day and a half for a $25 gift on Instagram if you want to check it out here.

Wasn’t aware of this before just now, but it looks like there’s a cool light show out in Franktown if you’re willing to make the short drive. The lights are on every night through the end of the year between 5:00pm and 10:00pm. No tickets, no reservations, and no fees, but they do ask that you bring canned goods or hygiene related items for their food drive. They just dropped off a ton of stuff at the Help & Hope Center. Check out their website or their Facebook page.

Ready for summer already? It pretty much feels like it outside right now…well, the Rodeo just announced that Trace Adkins is going to be kicking off the 2026 Fair & Rodeo on Friday, July 24th. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10:00am here.

It’s Here: Homegrown Tap & Dough

Alright, well here’s the opening that many people have been waiting for. According to their website and Instagram, Homegrown Tap & Dough just announced it’s opening on December 26 at 4:00pm. Additional details about the space and design come from reporting by Mile High CRE last month. I can’t wait to go and check it out for myself!

This will be Homegrown’s sixth location and the 15th restaurant overall for Gastamo Group, the Denver-based team behind concepts like Park Burger, Perdida, and Lady Nomada. Leadership has said a Castle Rock location has been on their wish list for years, and now it’s finally happening at the corner of Third & Wilcox.

The space is built to feel like a true downtown gathering spot. Inside, the restaurant seats more than 220 people, with an additional corner patio that opens directly into the dining room when the garage doors are up. There are also private and semi-private dining areas designed for everything from holiday parties to graduations and rehearsal dinners.

Design-wise, the Castle Rock location leans into what they describe as an “elevated ranch” feel. Think warm wood finishes, Western-inspired details, and custom touches that feel specific to this location. One standout feature is a locally commissioned elk head by artist Dolan Geiman, along with a free-play vintage arcade that adds a fun, casual element for families and groups.

On the menu, expect the Homegrown staples people already know. Hand-tossed pizzas, quality pasta dishes, burgers, shareable starters, plus a solid lineup of Colorado craft beers and cocktails. There are also gluten-free and vegetarian options worked throughout the menu.

Homegrown Tap & Dough is located at 221 Wilcox St., right in downtown Castle Rock.

One more thing worth flagging. If you’re thinking ahead to early next year, Homegrown is running a gift card special. Buy $100 in gift cards before December 31, 2025, and you’ll get an extra $25 to use between January 1 and February 28, 2026.

Tri Arts Project

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Sports

Broncos — let’s go! This was a very fun one to watch! It was back and forth the entire game, but Bo Nix’s mom thought that they were going to win and she was right! After being a little spotty on both offense and defense in the beginning of the game, they both showed up in the 2nd half. Bo Nix had quite the day with four touchdown passes and was spreading the love around to all his favorite targets. Unfortunately, it was a rough day with injuries across the league including in this game. Micah Parsons tore his ACL in the second half. Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL against the Chargers (Chiefs are officially out of playoff contention). Wishing those stars quick recoveries. We’ve got our own injuries with safety Brandon Jones placed on injured reserve (pec) and a potential serious ankle injury to linebacker Justin Strnad. Sounds like RJ Harvey’s rib injury from Sunday is not serious, but we added Cody Shrader at running back after claiming him off of waivers. We are now 12-2 and atop the AFC, and take on a very good Jaguars team that sits atop the AFC South at 10-4 on Sunday, December 21 at 2:05pm.

Nuggets — Nugs are 19-6, putting us at 2nd in the Western Conference. It was a quiet week with the NBA Cup games going on, but we handled business with a big win over the Kings (136-105) and an overtime win against the Rockets (128-125). Now, we’ll host the Magic on Thu, Dec 18, the Rockets on Sat, Dec 20, and the Jazz on Mon, Dec 22. The NBA Cup final between the Spurs and Knicks is tonight at 6:30pm. The Spurs punched their ticket with a 111-109 win over the Thunder (only OKC’s 2nd loss of the season).

Avalanche — we’re 23-2-7 with 53 points (most in the NHL), and increased our point lead over the Stars who have 47. We lost to the Predators in a shootout (4-3), beat the Panthers (6-2), and got our revenge against the Predators with a win (4-2). We visit the Kraken tonight and then head back home to host the Jets on Thu, Dec 19, and then visit the Wild on Sun, Dec 21. MacKinnon keeps doing it and was the first to 50 points this season!

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Events:

Tuesday, 12/16:

Outlets - Santa Paws - 11:00am - tickets (daily through Dec 24)

Outlets - Santa's Cottage | Visit Santa Claus - 1:00pm–6:00pm (daily through Dec 24)

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

Trifecta - Happy Hour - 3:00pm–7:00pm

Downtown Castle Rock - Free Winter Trolley - 5:30pm–7:30pm (every Mon & Tue through Dec 30)

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

Trifecta - Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm

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

Wednesday, 12/17:

Castle Pines Library - Bin Kids Event - 3:30pm–5:00pm

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

Downtown Castle Rock - Holiday Carriage Rides - 4:30pm–8:30pm (every Wed-Fri through Jan 4)

105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Musicians Den Kids Bands - 5:30pm–7:30pm

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

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

Trifecta - Music Bingo - 7:00pm–9:00pm

Thursday, 12/18:

Crowfoot Valley Coffee and Crowbar - Trivia Night - 6:00pm

RNK Running - Holiday Brewery Bingo CHOG - 6:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - Country Dance Night with Dance Instructor Marla Gifford - 6:00pm–10:00pm

Hideaway Bar & Grill - Karaoke with Big E Entertainment - 8:30pm–12:30am

Friday, 12/19:

BoxDrop Castle Rock - Help & Hope Center Charity Sales Event - thru Sunday

Pines Bar & Grill - Atomic XPerience - 6:00pm

Honnibrook - Live Music! Asha Blaine - 6:00pm–9:00pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - These Guys - 6:30pm–10:30pm

Wide Open Saloon - Buck Sergeant - 7:00pm–10:30pm

Sinners and Saints - Live Music At The Altar: Derek Hall - 8:00pm–10:00pm

Trifecta - Karaoke - 9:00pm–1:00am

Saturday, 12/20:

105 West Brewing Company - Ugly Christmas Sweater Party - 4:00pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Blinker Fluid - 6:30pm–10:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - Generation Jukebox - 7:00pm–10:30pm

Sinners & Saints - December Birthdays Party @ Sinners & Saints with Bleed’n Green - 8:00pm–11:59pm

Sunday, 12/21:

Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Holiday Treat Competition - 2:00pm–3:30pm

Monday, 12/22:

Downtown Castle Rock - Free Winter Trolley - 5:30pm–7:30pm (every Mon & Tue through Dec 30)

Heads up on events that are further out:

Pines Bar & Grill - Gritty Velvet - Dec 26, 6:00pm–9:00pm

Pines Bar & Grill - Retro Sonic - Dec 27, 6:00pm–9:00pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Walker Williams - Dec 27, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Wide Open Saloon - Retro Sonic - Dec 27, 7:00pm–10:30pm

Wide Open Saloon - NYE Party Featuring Dueling Pianos - Dec 31, 6:00pm–10:30pm - tickets

Sinners & Saints - New Year’s Eve Dance Party @ Sinners & Saints - Dec 31, 8:00pm–1:00am - tickets

The Stagecoach Saloon - Mountain Magic Band - Jan 3, 6:30pm–10:30pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - These Guys - Jan 9, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Sudden Fiction Books - An Evening with Peter Heller - Jan 12, 6:00pm–8:30pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P And The Hay Pullers - Jan 16, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE! - Jan 16, 6:00pm–9:00pm - tickets

The Stagecoach Saloon - Wags And The Boys - Jan 17, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Chilli Competition - Jan 18, 2:00pm–3:30pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Vetras And Atomic XPerience Split Set - Jan 23, 6:30pm–10:30pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Blinker Fluid - Jan 24, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Whiskey Tasting-Bourbon and Rye - Jan 24, 6:00pm - tickets

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Murder & Mystery - Till Death Do Us Part - Jan 30, 6:00pm - tickets

Douglas County Fairgrounds - Winter Ball - Jan 31, 6:00pm–9:00pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Walker Williams - Jan 31, 6:30pm–10:30pm

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 with a new URL that will provide both advance notice and greater variety for events. Feel free to provide feedback: https://dougcoevents.com/

⚠️ 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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