Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce’s “Lighting of the Star” has been a favorite community event shared by residents and the lighting of The Star dating back to 1936. Starlighting, an annual tradition, includes caroling, dancing, Santa Claus, hot chocolate, ice skating, chili supper and of course the lighting of the star with fireworks which adds to this Norman Rockwell experience. The beloved event is held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in downtown Castle Rock around the Historic Wilcox Square. For many, this is a valued family tradition, not to be missed! In previous years, over 26,000 residents, friends and family fill the square to proudly light the star. This event continues to grow year after year.

Starlighting encompasses the spirit of volunteerism, generosity, and love of tradition as Castle Rock businesses and residents prepare to kick off and celebrate the holiday season! Under the direction of the Castle Rock Chamber, this event highlights the importance of shopping local first and provides a spotlight for our local nonprofits. Starlighting offers the opportunity for nonprofit organizations to set up booths around the square to provide exposure for their worthy causes.  

Founded in 1955, the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce has been the leading champion of entrepreneurial and economic prosperity. Castle Rock Chamber delivers a robust menu of events, programs, and initiatives to cultivate a vibrant economy. Chamber partners include businesses of every size, industry and neighborhoods across the county and region. The Chamber started with a simple but very important objective to support and promote local businesses, and that straightforward mission still drives everything they do more than half a century later. The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce has a long history of championing initiatives that make Castle Rock and Douglas County a great place to live, work and play. 

Want to get connected to our business community? Stop by the Castle Rock Chamber offices in the heart of downtown in the historic landmark Victoria’s House (est. in 1889) on the corner of Fifth and Jerry. Visit their website at CastleRock.org or give them a call at (303) 688-4597.

An abundance of holiday festivities ring throughout the square from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm in beautiful downtown Castle Rock all along Historic Wilcox Square and in Festival Park.

It’s a Norman Rockwell Experience. 

Strolling Dickens Carolers help kick off the holiday season by spreading joy and nostalgia through their songs. Children’s dance troupes, local choirs, community bell ringers and drummers delight the crowds with your holiday favorites.

Patriot Pros provides train rides and free donuts. Luigi’s game truck always draws a crowd along with the mini horses from The Aspen Effect. Prancer, one of Santa’s reindeers, makes an appearance as well. Santa of course never misses this event and is available for visits at the firehouse. There is also children’s art activities at the Douglas County Library and storytime.  

Sense the wonder! 

Aromas filling the air include a great variety of food trucks, savory chili from the firehouse and lots of warm, hot chocolate from the Chamber’s beverage booth. Beverage booths provide both kids and adults hot chocolate as well as some other adult favorites from Burly Beer and Mystic Mountain Distillery. Castle Rock Firefighters host their annual Chili Supper on this day. All proceeds go to Castle Rock Fire Explorer Post 107 and Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Foundation (nonprofit). 

Commemorative Starlighting Ornaments – Shop early before we sell out. 

Be sure to stop by the Castle Rock Chamber’s Starlighting ornament booth to purchase your commemorative Starlighting ornament. Each year a different historical site is selected to be represented on this one of kind gold-plated collector’s ornament. All ornaments depict a historical site. Remember, this holiday season and year-round, Shop Local, Shop Small. After all, small businesses are what built America, one neighborhood at a time. Together we are Stronger. #CRCStrong 

The Emporium stage has local acts, including community bell ringers, and the Rink stage music entertains the skaters. Don’t forget your skates; Rink at the Rock is open all day for public skating. 

The actual lighting of the star ceremony begins at 5 pm sharp on the main stage on the corner of Fourth and Wilcox where channel 9news anchors Corey Rose and Gary Shapiro emcee the ceremony. Biff Gore (a contestant on season six of The Voice) and his helpers sing carols and pump the crowd up with your favorite holiday songs. The singing of silent night is an interactive song where the crowd lights their led candles distributed in the crowds, it’s quite a peaceful site. As the anticipation grows, next to follow is the big countdown where Santa and his helpers "flip the switch" that lights the star at approximately 5:30 pm.

Immediately after the star is lit, there’s a huge eruption of fireworks in the sky. This event is such a memorable sight not to be missed. Attend once, and it will soon be your family’s new favorite holiday tradition. View full event details at CastleRockStarlighting.com.

 

 

History of the Star. 

Information provided on the Town’s website: http://crgov.com/2548/The-Star.

 

Starlighting poem read each year by the current Chairman of the Chamber board of directors.