Where: Southlands, 6155 S. Main St.
When: Opens the week of Nov. 13 and runs through late February 2018
The scoop: Skate in style at the Southlands mall annual ice rink. Get your skates ready to go for when the rink opens in mid-November.
Where: Southlands, 6155 S. Main St.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 28
The scoop: Join Southlands for an event thatap half shopping spree, half trick-or-treat. Take your children down the mall’s Main Street to visit retailers for treats.
Where: Nick’s Garden Center and Family Market, 2001 S. Chambers Road
When: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through the end of October
The scoop: For the month of October, Nick’s Garden Center and Family Market is transformed into a fall festival, featuring a patch with more than 100 tons of pumpkins, a straw maze, train rides and more.
Where: Aurora Reservoir, 5800 S. Powhaton Road
When: Open daily, 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. in October, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. in November, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in December
The scoop: Even as other activities, such as boating, close for the season, fishing stays a fixture at the Aurora Reservoir through December. Get your pole, bait and state fishing license for a relaxing day reservoir-side.
Where: Morrison Nature Center, 16002 E. Smith Road
When: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 29
The scoop: The treats don’t end with candy at the Morrison Nature Center’s trick-or-treat trail. Children can learn about nature and history at interactive booths hosted by organizations, including the Aurora History museum and Denver Botanic Gardens.
Where: Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave.
When: 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 10
The scoop: Join the Plains Conservation Center for a particularly immersive historical experience. An actor will relay the tale of Buffalo Bill, in character, as attendees soak up the storytelling with hot cocoa and gooey s’mores around the fire.
Where: Centennial House, 1671 Galena St.
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 9-10
The scoop: Celebrate the winter holidays by learning more about local history at Centennial House, built in 1890. Sip on tea and nibble cookies as you take the free tour.
Where: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St. and Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
When: Nov. 14-Dec. 8
The scoop: The Festival of Wreaths supports the Aurora History Museum’s programs and preservation sites. Local businesses, organizations and people sponsor and design the wreaths, which buyers can bid upon online.
Where: DeLaney Farm Historic District, 170 S. Chambers Road
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 2-3
The scoop: Take a step into the 1930s at the DeLaney Farm Historic District when it’s all spruced up for the holidays. Explore the homestead house, barn and schoolhouse for free and enjoy complementary hot chocolate and cookies.
Where: Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 5
The scoop: Gather with your neighbors to kick the holiday season into high gear at the city center. Enjoy the luminous displays, dance along to live music and meet Santa Claus.
Where: Stapleton Central Park, 8801 M.L.K. Jr. Blvd.
When: 10:15 a.m.-noon Nov. 23
The scoop: There’s no shame in indulging during Thanksgiving dinner, but instead of sitting through the parade or dog show another year, why not burn some calories before the meal? All proceeds benefit the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research.
Where: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St.
When: Shows through October
The scoop: Deck yourself out in your best pearls and sequins for this immersive musical and decadent 1920s party. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts production at Stanley Marketplace will put you in the middle of the gin-soaked, jazzy action.
Where: Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., No. 1
When: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 1
The scoop: Don’t miss Aurora’s most patriotic event. Gather among the aircraft at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum for the 23rd annual Aurora Veterans Salute.