The Highlands Ranch Mansion opens its doors for its holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Holiday Celebration at the Mansion is a free community event put on by the Highlands Ranch Metro District at the historic house on East Gateway Drive.

The day packs a lot onto the Mansion grounds: horse-drawn hayrides, visits with Santa Claus, face painting, school choirs, selections from The Nutcracker performed by local dancers, holiday story times, reindeer games on the lawn and booths from local vendors. Food trucks will sell food and drinks.

See the house

Volunteer docents will be stationed inside for self-guided tours, so this is also a chance to walk through the Mansion's rooms.

The schedule

The schedule posted by the Mansion runs like this:

  • 10:15 a.m.: Santa arrives in front of the Mansion
  • 10:30 a.m.: Story time with Douglas County Libraries, Mansion second floor
  • 10:30 a.m.: Redstone Elementary choir, Great Hall
  • 11:15 a.m.: Roxborough Elementary and Intermediate choir, Great Hall
  • 11:30 a.m.: Second story time with Douglas County Libraries
  • Noon: Sand Creek Elementary choir, Great Hall
  • 12:45 p.m.: Dry Creek Elementary choir, Great Hall
  • 1:30 p.m.: Cougar Run Elementary choir, Great Hall
  • 2:15 p.m.: Selections from The Nutcracker by Colorado Dance Center, Great Hall
  • 3 p.m.: The celebration ends

Face painting runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a caricature artist is on site from noon to 3 p.m.

Park at Mountain Vista, ride the shuttle

There is no parking at the Mansion for this event, except for vehicles with disability placards or plates. Shuttle buses run from the west lot, the student parking lot, at Mountain Vista High School starting at 9:30 a.m. The last shuttle back leaves the Mansion at 3:15 p.m.

Good to know

Private photo shoots are not allowed on the Mansion grounds during public events, so plan family portraits for another day. Questions go to the Metro District at 303-791-0430 or info@highlandsranch.org.

Plan your visit

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Where: Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E. Gateway Drive, Highlands Ranch
  • Parking: Shuttles from Mountain Vista High School's west lot from 9:30 a.m.
  • Cost: Free; food trucks and vendors sell on site

Sources