The holiday calendar will probably include more than one sparkly encounter — especially if we luck out with some less frigid evenings … The elves have been at work! “A Hudson Christmas” at Hudson Gardens opens on Nov. 23 from 5 to 9 p.m. and continues on selected evenings through Dec. 31. The large grounds are filled with twinkling lights of various sorts, music, happy strollers, a jolly Santa and possible hot drinks as one explores the gardens after dark and trees develop new personalities. The paths are wheelchair/stroller-accessible and it’s really fun to see a delighted response on the face of a babe in arms, as well as baby’s grandma! The box office is open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the 25 nights the lights are on and tickets are available at hudsongardens.org/concerts-events/a-hudson-christmas. Note that volunteers who serve three or more nights get a pair of complimentary tickets. Tickets cost: $10.50 adult; $8 child; free 3 and under; $9 members, military, groups of 15. Hudson Gardens is at 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton.

Holiday Express

The Holiday Express will arrive Nov. 20 at the Depot Art Gallery, 2069 W. Powers Ave., Littleton, delivering fine arts and crafts by artisans around Colorado that make one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Also available: artist-designed cards for holidays and other uses (a package of these cards is a wonderful present). Runs through Dec. 29. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. 303-795-0781.

OAO 2018 open

Artworks chosen by artist/juror Joshua Field for the 2018 Own an Original Art Exhibition will be displayed through Jan. 6 at the Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton. The Littleton Fine Arts Board decided to challenge artists with a theme this year: “Ritual.” Open during museum hours. 303-795-3961.

Holiday’s Evening

Littleton’s Friends of the Library/Museum and the Littleton Museum present the “Annual Holiday’s Evening” on the museum grounds and at the two farms, surrounded by luminarias and an occasional bonfire. Santa will be there to chat with little people, music will fill the crisp air, there will be refreshments and wagon rides. Costumed interpreters will bring past holidays back for visitors. (Dress for cold weather!) Tickets on sale Nov. 17 for members of Friends of the Library/Museum ($7/$3) and Nov. 24 for the public ($10/$4). Cash or check only. 6028 S. Gallup Court, Littleton. 303-795-3950.

Starlighting

Castle Rock’s annual Starlighting will be on Nov. 17, 1 to 6 p.m. at Wilcox Square. Shuttles from Douglas County High School, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle View High School. (Many roads will be closed into the area from 2 to 7 p.m.) Santa will be at Philip S. Miller Library, 2 to 4 p.m.; fire station, 4 to 6 p.m. Lighting ceremony about 5 to 5:30 p.m. (Since 1936!)

Castle Rock Chorale

“Calling My Children Home,” an exploration of choral music through the ages, including Bach Cantata BWV 131, will be presented by the Castle Rock Chorale at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Christ’s Episcopal Church, 614 Fourth St., Castle Rock. Tickets available at the door.

Curtis Center

“Best of the Summer Art Market” (at Denver Art Students League in 2018) winners are exhibited at the Curtis Center for the Arts, 2349 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village through Dec. 29. Curtis director Chris Stevens, Henry Meininger and Sandra Fettingis walked through the large outdoor exhibit (playing kazoos) and chose the best work in several categories for this exhibit. More than 230 artists participated in the market, which fills sidewalks around ASLD at Second Avenue and Logan Street in Denver. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, 303-797-1779. Free admission.

Denver Concert Band

“Heroes and Holidays” is the title for Denver Concert Band’s 2 p.m. Nov. 18 concert at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. The 90-piece band’s program celebrates the music popular at the end of World War I plus some more recent patriotic music, such as John Williams’ “Summon the Heroes.” Word has it that Santa will be on the scene! Tickets ($15) at Lone Tree Box Office, lonetreeartscenter.org/shows. Will also appear at Castle Rock’s Starlighting Nov. 17.

MSU theater

“Still Life With Iris” by Steven Dietz, directed by Jeffrey Parker, will play Nov. 15-17 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the MSU Studio Theatre, King Center, Auraria Campus in downtown Denver. Tickets: $20; MSU students free with ID; other students $10 with ID. 303-556-2296.

Author

Michael Carroll of Littleton will speak at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at Tattered Cover Aspen Grove about his new scientific novel, “Lord of the Ice Moons.” (In the aftermath of an asteroid impact, Earth’s power grid is damaged nearly beyond recovery…)

Correction

We published a photo of “Stickwork,” a sculpture made of saplings, saying it was at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms. Happily, people came to see it. Unhappily, it won’t be there until Mid- April, 2019! Apologies. We misread a release and will hope to give an accurate heads-up when it is in place.