Denver Center’s offbeat and entertaining ‘Camp Christmas’ returns to Aurora

After two years outside in Lakewood, Lonnie Hanzon’s yuletide wonderland is back in its original location

Camp Christmas, the Denver Center’s quirky ode to the season, returns in all its twinkling splendor beginning November 16.

A partnership between the Denver Center’s Off-Center division and Lakewood-based installation artist Lonnie Hanzon, Camp Christmas was originally staged in 2019 indoors at Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace. In 2020, the pandemic forced a move outdoors to the Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park. It was a different vibe on the outside, without the ability to explore quite as much of the installation in detail while also being subject to cold weather curtailing the experience. After two years, it’s back at Stanley Marketplace in all its glory.

Camp Christmas offers a weird and playful way to get your yuletide cheer on. This event is kid-friendly as well as adult-oriented — with something for everyone. The walk through the camp has nostalgic Christmas displays and more funky and eclectic scenes to enjoy. There are fun and quick games to play, jolly pun trees to challenge you, a Merry Badge scavenger hunt, camp activities throughout and, of course, a visit with Santa.

Right at the entrance to Camp Christmas, there’s a place for you to “check your emotional baggage” and let it all go before you get too far. You can leave your troubles behind and then stop at the Base Camp bar to grab a specialty craft cocktail or mocktail, hot cocoa or apple cider. Right next to that is a wheel to spin where you can discover your holiday superpower (mine is Terrific Toastmaster).

The Funky Forest Frolic is outside and has a holiday-themed dollhouse village, twinkling tree display, a lighted arch to walk through and a place to visit with Santa (I asked for a new bike rack for my car).

Back inside there’s a dizzying array of holiday displays that range from nostalgic to campy to dazzling. To help boost your holiday spirits, each display includes uplifting and warm fuzzy signs that match the theme, such as “Let your light sparkle this season!” and “How can you share your light this season?” Additionally, there are pun trees scattered throughout Camp Christmas. Most of them you can find within each camp display. A lift-up card with the answer is included. These are entertaining, light-hearted and a hit with everyone that I encountered.

Click an image for larger view.

Beyond Fairyland is the Fairy Bar for more seasonal libations. Throughout Camp Christmas there are signs with toasts. For example, in the Pink Room area just beyond the Fairy Bar, you can stand at the pink bar, make the suggested toast with your friends and then lounge around the pink tree on a pink couch. Why not?

At the end is the Camp Christmas gift shop with items ranging from goofy to nostalgic. I picked up a bottle of Guilt Repellent and some pizza-flavored candy.

In addition to all the fun right before you each night at Camp Christmas, there are special theme nights beginning November 18 plus two different radio sponsor nights, a campy fashion show, dress-like-Santa night and holiday PJ night, among many other events. Every Wednesday is “On Wednesdays We Wear Pink.”

See the Camp Christmas website for VIP events such as Camp Drag Queen and Camp Director Lonnie Experiences, as well as to see when the campgrounds are open and when you can visit Santa (he’s not always there, you know).

This event is fun with a group. If you go alone, make friends and join them in the fun. The Camp Christmas displays are highly detailed and fun to examine up close, and with all the activities and games to play, give yourself plenty of time to take it all in. It definitely puts you in the holiday spirit — with plenty of laughs along the way.