Saturday-Sunday. Every year it begins to seem a lot like Christmas when the Colorado Ballet starts its run of “The Nutcracker.” It’s a tradition in many families to bundle up and head downtown to catch a performance of the yuletide classic, and this year they’ll have plenty of chances. Saturday night is the first of 24 performances scheduled through Christmas Eve, including matinee and evening shows. For the uninitiated, “The Nutcracker” tells the story of Clara, a young girl who receives a soldier-shaped nutcracker for Christmas. She falls asleep holding the gift, and in her dream she and her nutcracker prince go on a daring adventure. Set to Tchaikovsky’s famous score, you’re guaranteed to leave with “The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” ringing in your head. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 950 13th St. Tickets range from $12.95 to $117; visit or call Colorado Ballet at 303-837-8888 to purchase.
Today. Love winter, but hate the cold? WinterWorld is the place to be. It’s got all of the good parts — sparkling snow, Christmas elves, candy — minus the gloomy chill. The indoor attraction opens today, featuring all manner of winter-themed activities. There’s a candy-cane tunnel, giant snow globes, Santa’s house, a blacklight snowstorm and the mysteriously named “Twinkle Room.” And that’s just the beginning. WinterWorld will be open Wednesdays through Sundays until February, just in case the real winter isn’t enough fun, or for a refresher on your holiday cheer. Special events will be sprinkled, snowflake-style, throughout the months ahead. 2-10 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. WinterWorld, 6875 S. Clinton St., Greenwood Village; 303-792-2593. Admission is $11.95; advance tickets available online at .
Saturday. Naturally shy, coyotes are heard but rarely seen. At the Plains Conservation Center Saturday, curious humans can explore the secretive lives of the prairie-dwelling wild dog. The center’s “Coyote Moon” program will discuss coyote facts and fiction. Hopefully, howls will resound too: The event includes a trip into the field to listen for local coyotes singing their songs. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora; 303-693-3621. Reservations are required; to register, call or visit . $5.
Thursday. Jenna Bush used to be known as the blond half of President Bush’s twin daughters. During their days at the University of Texas, she and her sister, Barbara, were painted as unrepentant party girls careering around Austin. But now she’s 26, and Jenna’s stepping out with her first book, “Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope.” On Thursday, she visits the LoDo Tattered Cover to sign copies. “Ana’s Story” is nonfiction, a chronicle of the life of a young mother Bush met as a UNICEF intern in Latin America. Ana was born HIV-positive, suffered from abuse and had a baby at age 17. She is poor, and her baby’s father is becoming increasingly ill from AIDS. Her daughter doesn’t have the virus, though, and Ana keeps a positive outlook while she continues to live her life fully. The book is aimed at teens to help them make smart, safe choices. 7 p.m. Thursday. Tattered Cover Book Store, 1628 16th St.; 303-436-1070. Tickets are available now at all Tattered Cover locations, free with purchase of “Ana’s Story,” $18.99. Each ticket admits two to the signing.
