10 things to do for $10 this weekend, December 23-25, 2011

All the cheesy commercials on television might make you think that everyone is at home baking cookies with their perfect families, but that's not the case! No, no, no. There is plenty to do outside of your home, all for less than $10. In fact, here are ten such events. Whether you have an idyllic family or even care that a magic baby was born more two thousand years ago, we've got you covered, right here. For our complete calendar, visit westword.com/calendar.

Lipgloss" The Winter Break Party at La Rumba (Friday, $5)
Every Friday, Lipgloss offers a place to dance 'til early in the morning, and this week DJ boyhollow and co. make it even more dance-worthy by adding the talents of Chicago's Black Knights on the decks. Dance off all that fruit cake you've been eating for the last couple of weeks.

Holiday Happy Hour at Jazz @ Jack's (Friday, free)
Sneak away from high-pressure holiday festivities and visit this refreshingly low-key celebration. Jazz @ Jack's will offer holiday drink specials while you mellow out to the music of the Greg Tannenbaum Harris Vibe Quintet featuring Venus Cruz as you watch stressed out shoppers rush through the Denver Pavilions.

I Have A Dream...Dreamers' Art Exhibit at NEXT Gallery (Friday, free)
Kid art rules. And the artists at NEXT Gallery think so, too. They'll be displaying a selection of children's art tonight that was part of an I Have a Dream Project. Older artists sent a goodie bag of supplies to fourth graders, and show is the art they created from those supplies. Get inspired.

Scott McClarrinon

HoliDaze in Vail (Friday-Sunday, free)
If you're willing to make the trek out to Vail, the town has plenty to offer in family-friendly holiday activities this weekend. From caroling to Santa sightings to giant polar bear snow sculptures, there will be plenty of holiday fun to be had.

Another Happy Day at the Denver FilmCenter/Colfax (Friday-Sunday, $9.75)
As anyone without regular holiday plans knows, the place of business that stays open during every festivity is the movie theater. And what film is more fitting for a holiday weekend than one fraught with family tension? This Sundance Film Festival Screenwriting Award Winner follows a woman as she attends the marriage of her estranged son and deals with her crazy relatives. It may either hit too close to home and act as catharsis for your family drama, or just make you glad you don't belong to this family. But either way, it's should be a satisfying experience.