To celebrate the holiday season, the City of Centennial and Arapahoe County have planned events and campaigns for the community, including chances to support local vendors, enjoy holiday attractions and donate materials for others. 

Dec. 3: Holiday Artisan Market

Local talent and holiday attractions are coming to Centennial Center Park!

The Centennial Holiday Artisan Market, a free and family-friendly event, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Centennial Center Park, located at 13050 E. Peakview Ave.

Attendees can expect holiday treats, visits with Santa, local artisans and performances by local school and dance groups. 

Here is the schedule of musical performances for the event: 

• 11:30 a.m.: Newton Middle School Choir
• Noon: Dry Creek Elementary Choir
• 12:30 p.m.: Homestead Elementary Choir
• 1 p.m.: Peakview Elementary Choir and Tone Chimes 
• 1:30 p.m.: Amplified Arts Dance 
• 1:45 p.m.: Metropolitan Academy of Dance 
• 2:15 p.m.: School of Rock 

Those interested in learning more about the event can visit centennialco.gov/Calendar/Holiday-Artisan-Market.  

Heads stick out of parked cars as Conifer Community Church holds their annual holiday lights event Saturday. Attendees had the option of parking …

By Dec. 8: Partnering for the Holidays

Employees of Arapahoe County Human Services created a “Partnering for the Holidays” program that provides holiday gifts to Arapahoe County residents who are clients with Arapahoe County Human Services. 

The program benefits children and adults in crisis, victims of abuse or neglect, or those experiencing financial hardship, according to Arapahoe County’s website. 

To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, the county asks people to consider donating gift cards, in increments of $25, this year. If residents want to donate an item rather than a gift card, the county listed items it recommends purchasing on its website.

People can drop off donations until Dec. 8 at two locations: Arapahoe County Human Services located at 14980 E. Alameda Drive in Aurora, or the human services building located at 1690 W. Littleton Boulevard in Littleton. Gifts can also be shipped to Kala Slater at 14980 E. Alameda Drive in Aurora. 

Those interested in learning more about the program or donating an item can find more information at arapahoegov.com/415/Partnering-for-the-Holidays. 

"Santa" Bill Lee looks out over the Laughing Valley Ranch from his porch on Dec. 16.

Dec. 10: Visit the Village

From a synthetic ice rink to a petting farm, Arapahoe County’s “Visit the Village” holiday-themed event offers a variety of activities for families to enjoy. 

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center, located at 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora. 

Attractions include meet-and-greets with Santa, a petting farm, synthetic ice rink, local vendors, inflatables, and an ornament and craft station.

The event also features a “home for the holidays”-themed gingerbread house contest. To participate, residents can drop off their decorated gingerbread house on Dec. 7 or Dec. 8 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. To sign up to participate, visit arapahoecountyeventcenter.com/f/22. 

The first prize for the contest is a two-night stay at Fairfield Inn and Suites. Judges will score entries and the winner will be announced at 1 p.m. during the “Visit the Village” event Dec. 10.

To attend the event, residents can purchase a $10 ticket for general admission, or they can have free admission to the event if they donate a new, unwrapped gift for any age. The donated gifts will support the Arapahoe County Human Services’ Partnering for the Holidays gift giving program. 

Those interested in finding more information or attending the event can visit bit.ly/visitvillage22. 

Running from Nov. 17 to Dev. 24, Lakewood's Camp Christmas hosts everything from bars to Santa Claus.

By Jan. 17: Sock It To ‘Em campaign

The City of Centennial is collecting socks to help people experiencing homelessness from now through Jan. 17. 

There are collection boxes scattered throughout the city for people to drop off new socks of all sizes and age groups. 

The collected socks benefit the Sock It To ‘Em Campaign, a Denver nonprofit serving local homeless shelters. According to the nonprofit’s website, socks are the number one clothing need of those experiencing homelessness. 

Some of the main drop-off locations in Centennial are:

• Centennial Civic Center, located at 13133 E. Arapahoe Road. 
• Koelbel Library, located at 5955 S. Holly St. 
• Castlewood Library, located at 6739 S. Uinta St. 
• Smoky Hill Library, located at 5430 S. Biscay Circle
• Southglenn Library, located at 6972 S. Vine St. 

Those interested in learning more about the campaign can visit centennialco.gov/socks.