Getting ready for a sensory friendly symphony concert.
A short holiday concert with a string quartet and actors, dimmed (not dark) house lights, fewer people, captions, free fidget tools and a quiet room. Two dates in December. Here is the quiet way through it, in the symphony's own words.
Colorado Symphony Sensory Friendly Concerts
Dec 5: Larry D. Carter Theater, Community College of Aurora, 16000 East CentreTech Parkway, Aurora 80011. Dec 8: Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree 80124 · Two one-time concerts, about 45 minutes each: Sat Dec 5 2026 at 2:00 pm (Aurora) and Tue Dec 8 2026 at 7:00 pm (Lone Tree). Lone Tree box office: 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday and two hours before shows.
Each show has “dimmed house lights during the concert”, “reduced venue capacity”, captions, “an adapted program”, and “an available quiet room”. “Complimentary fidget tools are available for all attendees.”
“Performers modify shows to ensure there are no startling noises or visually over-stimulating components.”
Our note Both concerts are the same holiday cabaret: a Colorado Symphony string quartet with actors from Phamaly Theatre Company, songs to sing along to, and short stories. The symphony says about 45 minutes; Lone Tree's page for the 2024 edition said an hour, so we'd plan for 45 to 60.
Our note The symphony's own pages don't say whether sound is turned down. The Aurora ticket page showed cart errors when we checked; confirm the $13 price at checkout or with the Box Office at (303) 623-7876.
Our note Lone Tree Arts Center also has its own sensory inclusive shows in this window (not symphony events, all 4 pm): Sun Nov 1, Sun Nov 15, Sun Jan 10.
There is a quiet room at both concerts. Its name and location are not stated; ask staff.
The show is short: about 45 minutes.
More: tickets, parking, coming and going, food
Named by the symphony and Lone Tree Arts Center; neither publishes a noise scale
Louder, in the venues' words
Light applause after each song (Lone Tree, Dec 8) (“we will encourage light applause” “at the end of each number”)not stated
Quieter
Quiet room at both concerts (location not stated; ask staff)quiet zone
All ages welcome. Financial aid is not available for these concerts.
Lone Tree parking: a large free lot on the south side of the building; the free garage across the street at Target if it sells out. Aurora parking: not stated.
Lone Tree's staff let people come and go during sensory inclusive shows; its social narrative says “When I am ready, I can return to my seat and continue watching the show.”
At Lone Tree, ask staff where to find headphones, ear plugs or fidgets. Drinks are allowed in the theater; snacks stay in the lobby.
Lone Tree has its own social narrative about visiting the theater (PDF); the symphony has none for these concerts.
Assisted listening devices from Phamaly at all performances: email info@phamaly.org.
After booking you get a confirmation email, then reminders a month and a week before. Changes: (303) 623-7876 or tickets@coloradosymphony.org.
Program questions: CEILearning@coloradosymphony.org.
What the symphony doesn't say
not stated whether sound levels are lowered
not stated where the quiet room is at either venue
not stated whether headphones are available in aurora
A holiday cabaret of about 45 minutes: a Colorado Symphony string quartet plays and Phamaly Theatre Company actors sing and tell stories. The house lights stay dimmed, not dark, there are fewer people than a regular show, and the words are captioned. Free fidget tools for everyone, and a quiet room at both concerts (ask staff where). At Lone Tree on Dec 8, people are encouraged to clap lightly after each song. Change anything.
One tip from a dad who's been there
Ask staff where the quiet room is as soon as you walk in, since neither venue says. At Lone Tree, read the Arts Center's own social narrative the night before. Expect light clapping after each song on Dec 8. Leaving early still counts as a concert day.
Common questions
What if my child won't look at the schedule or story?
That is common at first. Leave it where the moment happens, point to one picture at a time, and keep it low-pressure. Many kids warm up to it after a few calm tries, in their own time.
Can I make this in Spanish?
Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no signup, and we don’t keep what you type; anything you save stays on your device. Make it, print it, done.
