Saturday. The winter solstice is the darkest day of the year, but it can also be a day of celebration. Join in the fun at the 24th annual Winter Solabration, held just a couple of days before the official solstice on Monday. The event brings together winter rituals from many cultures, including Indian mudra dancers, an English mummer’s play, Christmas caroling and American community dancing. For kids, there’s storytelling, juggling, balloon magic and a special kids’ room with movies and art activities. 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Highlands Masonic Center, 3550 N. Federal Blvd. Admission is $32 for adults, $18 for teens, $8 for children ages 6 to 12. Kids under 6 are free. For more information, call 303-571-9112 or visit wsolstice.org.

Friday and Sunday. Kick off the week before Christmas with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. The annual “Christmas Classics” concert features old and new Yuletide favorites, including selections from “The Nutcracker,” arrangements of “Greensleeves” and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and music from John Williams’ score for “Home Alone.” The Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale and the Gospel Music Workshop Chorus will raise their voices, too — and so will the audience in a round of Christmas caroling. 8 p.m. tonight, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs. Tickets are $15-$54, with discounts available for students, seniors and active military personnel. Advance tickets are available at ticketswest.com. For more information, visit csphilharmonic.org or call 719-575-9632.

Thursday. Head to downtown Denver for Christmas Eve and get a dose of holiday cheer with your last-minute shopping: Larimer Square is hosting its 2nd annual Christmas Eve Celebration. Put in a final order with Santa, get a free ride in a horse-drawn carriage and take in the “LoDo Aglow” window displays. Hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts will be available for warm-ups, and carolers will help keep spirits bright. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. Larimer Square, Larimer Street between 14th and 15th Streets. Admission is free. Visit larimersquare.com for more information.

Ongoing through Jan. 3. Get a double dose of the Denver Botanic Gardens’ holiday light displays — this year, the Gardens’ Chatfield location is sparkling, too. “Trails of Light” leads visitors down a path festooned with millions of twinkling lights, with hot snacks and drinks available along the way. The York Street location is back with “Blossoms of Light” as well, featuring ice sculptures, romantic “kissing spots” and seasonal entertainment. s5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly, Denver Botanic Gardens. 1005 York St.; 720-865-3500. 5:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton; 303-973-3705. Admission is $9 for adults; $7 for Gardens members, students and seniors; $6 for children ages 4 to 12. Gardens members receive $2 off. Advance tickets are available at King Soopers locations.

Saturday through Jan. 3. Escape snowy-day boredom at Winter Break at the Denver Art Museum. Kids age 18 and younger get into the museum for free through Jan. 3, with daily special activities geared toward grade-schoolers. This winter’s theme is “Western Animals”: Join the search for all the critters that “live” in the museum. The museum’s Art Tubes and Family Backpacks, available every day during break, will follow the theme, too. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The museum is closed Mondays. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Avenue Pkwy.; 720-865-5000. Activities are included with admission. For Colorado residents: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $3 for youth ages 6 to 18. For nonresidents: $13 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $5 for youth.

-Kathleen St. John