Boulder City 2009 Winter Holiday Events

Tiny little Boulder City always puts out more than one expects, especially during the winter holidays.  The small town main street lights up, restaurants offer specials and politicians show up to participate in the holiday parade of lights.  Those looking for an old-fashioned Christmas should take the time to browse the city’s antique stores, grab a handcrafted beer at the Boulder Dam Brewing Company or an international steal of a wine at Milo’s Best Wine Cellar.  The historic Boulder Dam Hotel offers dining and overnight stays that once welcomed celebrities like Clark Gable and wife Carole Lombard.

Holiday Tree Lighting

6 p.m. Friday, December 4

Frank Crowe Park, 640 Nevada Way (map it)

Join the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce’s mascot Jingle Cat for live choral music, hot chocolate and the annual season kickoff where holiday lights are lit. Free

Night of Lights Holiday Open House

6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, December 5& 6

St. Jude Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s Street

The children’s home will host music from various teen groups and High School musicians, hay rides, s’mores, a craft area for kids, photos with Santa and a silent auction including items such as signed Andre Agassi items and artwork; a trip to Sonoma, California; NASCAR tickets; hotel rooms. Donation suggested.

Day of Holiday Parties

Saturday, December 5

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 35th Annual Doodlebug Bazaar

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Santa’s Picture Party

4:30 p.m. Santa’s Electric Night Parade (Nevada Way)

7 p.m.  Parade of Lights at Lake Mead

Bicentennial Park, 999 Colorado Street

Kids will receive goodie bags and coloring books from Jingle Cat when they meet Santa and have their parents take their picture. Families can buy hand-crafted goods and benefit Lend A Hand and St. Jude’s Ranch for Children and the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum with their Doodlebug purchases.  The day culminates with the valley’s only Christmas parade, an annual electric parade along Nevada Way and the annual boat parade at Boulder Beach where an estimated 25 boats show off their Christmas decorations. All events are free.

Luminaria and Las Posadas

6 p.m.  December 11, 2009

Bicentennial Park, 999 Colorado Street

The Chamber of Commerce presents a live Nativity scene with Christmas caroling, local entertainment and hot chocolate. Free.

The Nutcracker

7 p.m. December 11 & 12

1 p.m. December 12 & 13

Historic Boulder City Theatre, 1225 Arizona Street

This annual performance by the local dance company students is a holiday favorite.  $15 for tickets.  Call 293-1161.

Shane Patton Scholarship Foundation Pub Crawl

December 12

The fundraiser honors U.S. Navy Seal Shane Patton, a Boulder City resident who died in action in Afghanistan rescue mission, as documented in the book, “Lone Survivor.”    Organizers invite participants to party at downtown Boulder City restaurants with $1.50 beers and $2 mixed drinks for those who contribute $25 for the crawl ticket.  In addition, $1 raffle tickets are available for goods that include a beach cruiser bicycle donated by BC Adventure Bicy7cles; dinner/2-night stay at the Hacienda and $50 dining certificates at Big Horn and Evans.  The crawl includes restaurants The Other Side; Milo’s Best Cellar; Boulder Dam Brewing Company, Big Horn Restaurant; Evan’s Old Town Grille and Tony’s.

Image copyright Alan Goya.