'Enchanted Evening' to bring holiday magic to Niwot

The 2021 holiday shopping season is just around the corner and, conveniently, you don't have to go much farther than that to start it off right. On Friday, Nov. 26, the Niwot Business association kicks off three weekends of downtown festivities with the 21st edition of Enchanted Evening, featuring Christmas traditions gone-by.

"Niwot really comes alive during the holidays," NBA Vice President and event co-organizer Deborah Read Fowler said. "We're so excited for the tree lighting, Santa, the parade, the Holiday Fayre, the live music, the nutcracker dance--so much festive fun."

After scaling back operations in 2020 due to the pandemic, Fowler and co-organizers Mary Coonce and Linda Klueber are planning a more familiar Enchanted Evening this year, with a little something for everyone. The fun kicks off at the corner of Second Avenue and Niwot Road at 5:30 p.m. with a pop-inspired holiday performance by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band in anticipation of Santa's arrival and the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.

Josh Morin will be the emcee, and the Niwot United Methodist Church will be on hand with free apple cider. Santa and Mrs. Claus will then head off to the Left Hand Grange to visit with families until 9 p.m. After the kids give their lists to Santa, families can head over to the Emporium Building for arts and crafts or to Niwot Market for an ice sculpture demonstration. A horse and carriage will once again be in service between Old Town and Cottonwood Square, as will Banjo Billy's bus.

It's going to be a busy night for music lovers. Four diverse musical acts will be performing around town, including the Flanigan String Quartet at the Grange with Santa. Harpist Alina will be at the Niwot Inn, classical guitarist Tony Crank will be appearing on 2nd Avenue, and there will also be roaming carolers in full holiday regalia.

Of course, it wouldn't be the day after Thanksgiving without shopping. Most Niwot retailers will be open during the event, offering enticements to help customers get a head start on holiday giving.

Santa makes a return trip to Niwot the next day (Saturday, Nov. 27) to serve as the Grand Marshal in the annual Holiday Parade. This year's procession kicks off at 11 a.m. and will feature special guest Elsa from Disney's Frozen, as well as the Boulder County Sheriff's Color Guard as a wide variety of scouts (cub, boy, brownie, and girl). There will also be 4-H clubs, classic car clubs, horses, llamas, marching bands and much, much more. Thanks to volunteers from the Niwot High Key Club, Santa will be back at the Left Hand Grange to catch up with those kids who couldn't make it to Enchanted Evening or those needing to make any additions or corrections to their wish lists until 1 p.m.

The festivities will continue throughout the following two weekends (Dec. 4 & Dec. 11), with the Niwot Holiday Market, in collaboration with the Women's International Club of Niwot, host of the annual Christmas Fayre. This year, the Fayre vendors will pop up in an assigned location throughout 2nd Avenue and Cottonwood Square businesses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturdays, which shoppers will be able to find on a map. Santa and Mrs.Claus will also be making a return appearance on these dates.

Rest assured, there will be plenty of places to purchase your holiday gifts, enjoy some merry music and eat and drink some festive culinary treats at the Fayre. Organizers are also planning live music, carollers, nutcracker stops, and kids' activities. Be prepared to enjoy treats such as hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and gingerbread, and the list continues to grow.

Niwot businesses are getting into the spirit with a window decorating contest, organized by Kristin Alger and Carissa Brandes. Numerous local establishments will be "decking the halls" with their most artful holiday-themed displays. Visitors to a Holiday Magic event will have a chance to vote for their favorite window, and the top three vote-getters will receive a ribbon and plaque. Later on, three completed ballots will be chosen at random, and the lucky voters will receive a gift card to local merchants.

Funds for Niwot Holiday Magic have been provided by the Niwot Local Improvement District and the NBA. Visit Niwot.com for more information.

If you go: Enchanted Evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26th at the corner of Second Avenue and Niwot Road. Santa will visit with kids at the Left Hand Grange between 6:30 and 9 p.m. Visitors can find parking in Cottonwood Square, along Second Avenue or at the Children's Park on First Avenue.