Our biggest event of the year is October 7—Prairie Harvest Fest!
Painted Prairie’s award-winning event series is back, and to celebrate our fifth year of hosting unforgettable events, we’re taking it up a notch. Mark your calendars and get ready to shop, watch movies, and dance to local favorites. There’s something for everyone.
Start your day at Painted Prairie and support your neighbors and community. Join us for locally sourced produce, hand-crafted goods, food trucks, and a bounce house for the kids to burn off that early morning energy.
Get ready to party as we celebrate the start of summer with Soul School and its unique brand of Motown, oldies, and funk at High Prairie Park. Local food trucks will be open and ready at 6pm to serve up tasty treats, so come hungry and ready to have fun!
We’re rocking the park with Colorado’s one-and-only Hazel Miller & The Collective when they bring their eclectic mix of jazz, R&B, Blues, and original music. Food trucks start serving at 6pm!
The Painted Prairie Movie in the Park series is back and better than ever. Grab your lawn chairs, enjoy a delicious meal from our local food trucks (start at 6pm!), and watch classic, all-time favorite movies while taking in the views of the Front Range.
Catch all the action when Black Panther hits the outdoor screen at High Prairie Park! Popcorn, candy, and sweet treats await for early moviegoers.
Encanto and The Barbie Movie
Bring a sleeping bag for the kids and let them “camp out” while watching and singing along to Encanto. Stay for the double feature at 8:45 pm. — The Barbie Movie.
Make it a party and come dressed to impress in your best Barbie Ken costume for our second feature. Popcorn and candy concessions are available for purchase at the park while supplies last.
The Northeast Aurora’s most popular event is back for the fifth year in a row! We’re ready to once again celebrate all things fall at Prairie Harvest Fest.
Costume contest, local food trucks, live DJ, local food trucks, local artisan booths, carriage rides, and more! You don’t want to miss this year’s event.
To learn more about our 2024 Events Calendar and to RSVP, visit our events page for details.
*Weather permitting; vendors subject to change; concessions while supplies last.
A huge thank you to all the residents and friends who joined us to celebrate all things spring at the Painted Prairie Spring Fling. Over 250 kids and adults spent the perfectly, sunny afternoon hunting eggs, munching on tasty spring cookies, and meeting up with the Easter Bunny for pictures. Another big “Thank You” to Boy Scout Troop 630 for volunteering to help us create a successful event for all! We can’t wait to see everyone again next year!
Looking for a few Spring Break staycation ideas? Check out this month’s events and activities courtesy of our partner, Visit Aurora. Celebrate Women’s History Month, Easter, and embrace the luck of St. Patrick’s Day, and discover the exciting events and activities unfolding in Aurora for March.
Here’s a sample of what’s happening this month in Aurora:
Commemorate Women’s History Month with an enriching event hosted by the Aurora History Museum: “Libraries and Women’s Work.” Delve into an interactive discussion spotlighting the pivotal role women have played within libraries from the 1920s to the present day. Explore the fascinating origins of public libraries, including the remarkable journey of the Aurora Public Libraries, which emerged from the efforts of a women’s club. Discover the many contributions of librarians and uncover the stories of remarkable women who have left indelible marks on the history of libraries.
Embark on a profound journey with a unique experience featuring a sage blessing and captivating traditional stories shared by Doug Good Feather. As a member of the Standing Rock Lakota Nation and descendant of Grandpa Chief Sitting Bull, Doug shares not only traditional tales but also showcases indigenous artifacts, offering a glimpse into the heritage of his people. Moreover, gain a deeper understanding of his impactful endeavors at the nonprofit organization Spirit Horse Nation and Lakota Way Healing Center, where his dedication to indigenous culture and community shines brightly.
Get ready to shamrock and roll at the Town Center at Aurora this St. Patrick’s Day! Join this fun-filled celebration packed with Irish flair, featuring captivating Irish step performances by the Celtic Steps and toe-tapping tunes from the Queen City Rovers. Quench your thirst with green beer served by Helga’s Haus Bier Garden because what’s St. Patrick’s Day without a little green-flavored fun? But that’s not all – there’s face painting and a host of other exciting activities to enjoy! Make sure to mark your calendar for this jampacked event, and don’t forget to wear your best shade of green!
Get ready to groove all day long at Dancetopia 2024! Prepare to lace up your dance shoes and immerse yourself in a full day of electrifying performances and live music. This isn’t your average dance class – Dancetopia 2024 offers an eclectic array of dance forms spanning salsa, Indian classical dance, traditional folk interpretations, Brazilian drumming, Samba Pagode music, belly dance, and more. It’s a cultural extravaganza that invites the entire community to join in the celebration. Dancetopia 2024 welcomes everyone for an engaging and active cultural experience right here in Aurora.
For a full list of Spring Fun, visit the Visit Aurora blog for details about these events, and more amazing things to see and do in Aurora.
**Photos and information courtesy of Visit Aurora
Join us as we celebrate 2023, a remarkable year of growth and abundance at Painted Prairie, and get ready as we raise the bar even higher for 2024 with ‘More to Love’ for everyone!
More Homes.
More People.
More Events.
More Builders.
More Parks.
More Fun.
There’s so much more to come as we kick off 2024 with MORE to Love. We’re excitedly looking forward to welcoming additional builders, new parks, and the highly anticipated first phase of Town Center. You’re going to be amazed by what we have planned for 2024.
Check out our recap video for 2023 and share it with your friends. There’s always room for more at Painted Prairie!
As part of its first-ever neighborhood giving campaign – and the launch of the community’s Culture of Kindness program, neighbors raised $1,525 for Children’s Hospital in support of the families in care at the hospital. Britta Reza, PPOA Community Manager presented a check to Deannah Baesel, the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Senior Coordinator for Annual Giving, on December 13 at the hospital’s Denver campus.
At Painted Prairie, we strive to create a Culture of Kindness in our community by extending our hospitality to our neighbors and to the city of Aurora and beyond. We’re proud to support our neighbors and community partners and look forward to the work our Social Committee is doing to launch new service projects and tokens of kindness throughout the year.
At Painted Prairie, we’re pretty big on traditions. Every year since 2020, we’ve had a special tradition here that has continued to shift and evolve as the neighborhood grows — Prairie Holidays. This year, the tradition carried on, as we welcomed a new holiday season at Painted Prairie.
Prairie Holidays has always been our way of celebrating the season, honoring the diversity of our neighbors, and bringing people together in the spirit of the holidays. Besides, what better way to celebrate the season than with your neighbors and friends?
It was a special time where we gathered with friends for holiday cookies, s’mores by the fire pits, hot cocoa, coffee, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. A special thank you to our sponsors – Jolynn Crownover of Compass Realty, Amanda Barry of Insured by Legacy Insurance Partners for supplying our coffee and hot cocoa — and Ori Kouahi of US Bank Mortgage and Painted Prairie for the cookies from Gateaux Bakery.
Didn’t make it to this year’s Prairie Holidays event, don’t pout or cry, you have another chance to catch Santa before he gets ready for a night of preparing for gift drops!
At that very first Prairie Holidays celebration, Santa and Mrs. Claus recorded a special message just for the neighbors at Painted Prairie. We may be guessing here, but ever since the Claus’ recorded that video, Painted Prairie has been Santa’s first Colorado stop on Christmas Eve night! Coincidence? We don’t think so.
Relive that first Prairie Holidays as the jolly couple share a special moment with the Painted Prairie community by reading the holiday classic “Twas the Night before Christmas,” suitable for all kids aged 1 to 100 (or older)! Share your traditions and favorite family holiday stories on Instagram or Facebook by snapping a photo, posting, and tagging Painted Prairie (@paintedprairieco on Instagram)!
The holidays are officially here and we’ve pulled together a list of the top activities to get you and yours into the holiday spirit. There’s no doubt that Aurora is just the right blend of urban amenities and natural wonders, and as the third-largest city in Colorado, it’s brimming with attractions and activities for all ages.
Here at Painted Prairie, we’ve curated our top three must-do holiday activities to celebrate the season in Aurora – trust us, you won’t be disappointed!
The Gaylord Resort is always up to something during the holidays, and this year is no different. Located just steps away from Painted Prairie, the Gaylord’s holiday offerings are always a hit with family and friends of all ages.
ICE!, the annual holiday tradition at Gaylord Hotels, runs through Jan. 1, 2024. Using more than two million pounds – or 1,000 tons – of ice, the Warner Bros. holiday classic, ‘A Christmas Story™’ is brought to life in ice sculpture form by a team of 40 world-class ice artisans from Harbin, China. The holiday celebration continues with performances from “Cirque: Spirit of Christmas,” ice slides, Christmas activities and a visit from Santa Claus.
In addition to the amazing ice sculptures, guests can also take rides down the two-story-tall ice slides and traverse through ice tunnels and arches. The ICE! experience concludes in a separate area dedicated to the Nativity scene, meticulously carved, and shaped in a dramatic display of crystal-clear ice.
“Cirque: Spirit of Christmas” returns for another year with dazzling costumes, breathtaking aerial performances, and feats that defy gravity. The original Gaylord Hotels production will feature high-flying stunts, acrobatic feats, elaborate staging, and a dramatic musical score directed by renowned Broadway Director Neil Goldberg.
For tickets, more information, or to book an overnight stay, guests may visit ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com. Painted Prairie residents with access to the Painted Prairie app can get 20% off admission to ICE! A Christmas Story, and Cirque: Spirit of Christmas by logging in and clicking the Steals & Deals button for more information.
It’s quite possibly the quirkiest holiday tradition in Colorado. Camp Christmas is back at The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace. Brought to you by Hanzon Studios and Denver Center of Performing Arts (DCPA) Off-Center, Camp Christmas is open through December 24.
Immerse yourself in a 15,000-square-foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer with just the right amount of camp; it’s everything you love about the holidays wrapped into one sparkling experience.
At Camp Christmas, you can leave your worries behind, discover your holiday superpower, visit Santa, and sample craft cocktails from the Base Camp and Fairy Bars. You can wander through a surreal mashup of nostalgic scenes, scratch your head at playful pun trees, and, most importantly, reconnect with the joy of the season.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here. All ages are welcome. Children 2 and under are free. Everyone must have a ticket.
There’s something about a wintertime open-air skate sesh that just gives us all the holiday feels (and chills). The Pond at Southlands is one of Aurora’s holiday and winter traditions perfect for any age and ability. Open through February 25, you can ice skate all the way through Valentine’s Day. Advance session tickets are available for $14. To make a reservation, click here.
After your skate, head over to one of the fire pits located along S. Main Street and warm up with family and friends, or stop in to grab a bite or sip at one of the many amazing restaurants throughout Southlands Mall. Don’t forget the shops! Snag those last minute gifts for your holiday gift lists. Southlands Mall is located at 6155 S. Main St., Suite 260 Aurora, Colorado 80016.
Looking for a bit more choices for holiday activities? Check out this list from Visit Aurora for more holiday fun.
This time of year, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the blessings in our lives. It’s a season of gathering with loved ones, savoring delicious meals, and counting our many reasons to be grateful.
In a special look into the traditions and thoughtful reflection on the theme of gratitude, Painted Prairie residents Jacci Cradle and Gabriele Dos Santos Prasse remind us that cultivating a spirit of gratitude and holding onto family traditions, is not just a once a year “thing.” It takes practice and a whole lot of honing in on what is truly important in life. Both women were kind enough to speak with us in greater detail about what this time of year looks like for them and their families.
Traditions during this time of year are very important to my family. We cherish coming together to celebrate with loved ones, sharing meals, and giving back to the community. One of our cherished traditions is volunteering at local organizations, like food banks or shelters, to support those in need. We also enjoy decorating our home, spending time with family and friends. These traditions reinforce the values of giving, togetherness, and community, which are so important to us.
I am profoundly grateful for the love and support of my family, the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives through various means, and for the chance to meet and connect with people from all walks of life. What brings me joy during the holiday season and throughout the year is seeing the spirit of kindness and generosity in people, especially young people, who are actively engaged in their communities and working towards a better future. Their energy and determination remind me of the limitless potential in our society.
Painted Prairie has become a place that feels like home for my family because of the strong sense of community and the diverse and inclusive atmosphere. It’s a place where we can connect with neighbors, support local businesses, and truly feel like we belong. The shared values of unity, diversity, and sustainability in the community align with what our family holds dear. It’s a place where children can thrive, and we can contribute positively to the community.
Cultivating a habit of gratitude is not something that should be limited to just November or the holiday season. Throughout the entire year, my family and I make it a point to reflect on our blessings regularly. We do this by keeping a gratitude journal, sharing what we’re thankful for during family dinners, and making an effort to express our appreciation to those around us. Acts of kindness and giving back to the community, whether through volunteering or other means, are also essential for fostering a sense of gratitude throughout the year. This practice reminds us of the importance of empathy, compassion, and working together for a better world.
The Thanksgiving tradition is one of our favorites. We celebrate with delicious food around friends and family.
We’re thankful for officially moving to Colorado (4 months ago) and finding a great community to settle in. What brings us joy? Being able to do what we love and care for our family!
We love being in an active community that brings us together at the different events throughout the year. We have been fortunate to enjoy the farmers markets, the neighborhood BBQ, the pancake breakfast, the family painting class, movies at the park and the Fall Festival! Our son and dog also love all the parks!
We make time for uninterrupted family dinners and give thanks for those moments!
At Painted Prairie, we strive to promote a community of kindness and encourage our residents to extend that kindness beyond our neighborhood borders. We will continue to share stories about the people of Painted Prairie, our community, and what makes living here so special.
