DENVER – Every weekend, Denver7 compiles a list of some fun events you might enjoy. Here are our picks for the 7 best things to do in the Denver metro area and beyond this weekend.
1. Brush off those cowboy boots for the 114th National Western Stock Show & Rodeo
What: The National Western Stock Show, the nationally recognized western heritage and entertainment event with one of the world's richest regular season professional rodeos, one of the country's largest horse shows and a western trade show, returns for another year to the Mile High City. The kick-off parade takes place Thursday, Jan. 9 at high noon in Downtown Denver.
Where: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. in Denver
When: Thursday, Jan. 9 through Sunday, Jan. 26
Admission: Adult ages 12+ range from $12-$24; children ages 3-11 range from $3-4
More info: https://nationalwestern.com
2. Outdoor junkies, rejoice! The International Sportsmen’s Expo is in Denver this weekend
What: Calling out camping, fishing, off-roading, hunting and any other outdoor enthusiast – one of the largest consumer shows for those who follow nature’s call is in Denver this weekend! There will be over 500 exhibitors as well as experts instructing at free theaters, gear try-out area and contest venues.
Where: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St. in Denver
When: Thursday, Jan. 9 and Friday, Jan. 10 from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: $16 for adult; free for active military (with proof of ID) and for kids 15 and under
More info: https://www.sportsexpos.com/attend/denver/
3. Raise a glass and toast to winter during Aspen’s 69th Wintersköl celebration
What: Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know it’s winter but that won’t stop the Town of Aspen from toasting the season during the 69th annual four-day celebration appropriately titled Wintersköl! The event features on-and-off mountain activities, festivals, free-and-nearly-free events for the entire family, including an uphill social, a popular soup-making contest in which guest restaurants will battle it out for the best soup in Aspen, the annual WinterFest celebration (with a Bow Wow Kids Zone this year, featuring a kids’ cookie-decorating station and face painting), the Aspen Glow Parade, the Wintersköl Bonfire, a torchlight descent, fireworks and much more!
Where: Aspen, Colo.
When: Thursday, Jan. 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 10 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 12 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: $0-$59
More info: https://www.aspenchamber.org/events/acra-annual-events/winterskol
4. Taste hundreds of big, Belgian beers at the Breckenridge Big Beers Festival
What: A world-class beer festival is coming to Breckenridge this weekend! Meet famous brewmasters and brewery owners, taste hundreds of big, Belgian style as well as experimental beers, and learn anything and everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the magic brew.
Where: Breckenridge, Colo.
When: Thursday, Jan. 9 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: $15-$675; buy tickets here.
More info: https://www.gobreck.com/event/big-beers-festival-jan-10-12/#
5. Have breakfast and then go for a run in Lafayette during the city’s Oatmeal Festival and 5K Run
What: The 24th annual Lafayette Oatmeal Festival is a popular family event focusing on a healthy lifestyle. The event includes a unique festival including an Oatmeal Breakfast and 5K Walk/Run. The breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. and the run starts at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Oatmeal Breakfast at Pioneer Elementary, 101 East Baseline Rd.; Lafayette Oatmeal 5K Walk/Run at the Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts, 200 East Baseline Road.
When: Saturday, Jan. 11 from 7:30 a.m. to noon
Admission: $8 for adults: $6 for people 60+ and for kids 3-12; kids under 3 years old get in free
More info: https://business.lafayettecolorado.com/events/details/lafayette-oatmeal-festival-and-5k-walk-run-january-11-2020-7896
6. Giddy up for Western Week in Golden
What: Golden shows off its Western heritage with Western-themed events, January 11 – 18, 2020. Check out special events and discounts including: the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, a guided Wild West Walking Tour, live Western music throughout Golden, a Wild West Brewery Crawl & History Tour, discounts at the miner-themed challenge at the Golden Puzzle Room, Old West photos sessions at Oh! Susanna Vintage Photo Parlor and more. You’ll also want to mosey down Clear Creek walking path, which will be illuminated with thousands of holiday lights lining the banks of the creek and reflecting in the water. Don’t forget to visit Golden’s “saloons” and craft breweries!
Where: Golden, Colo.
When: Saturday, Jan. 11 through Saturday, Jan. 18
Admission:
More info: https://www.visitgolden.com/events/festivals-of-golden/western-week/
7. Haven’t seen Tatu the lion cub at the Denver Zoo? Go see him for free this Friday!
What: Tatu, the newest addition to the Denver Zoo’s lion pride, is growing up fast and if you haven’t seen him, what better way to spend Friday than by going out to the Denver Zoo for free?!
Where: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St. in Denver
When: Friday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/you-can-visit-the-denver-zoo-for-free-on-any-of-these-seven-days-in-2020
Looking for more? Check out these other fun events:
Got the travel bug for 2020? Check out the Colorado RV Adventure Travel Show
What: Looking to travel more this year? Have an RV that needs some updgrades? Head out to the 30th annual Colorado RV Adventure Travel Show and check out all the new motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, truck campers and more, and shop around for RV and camping accessories.
Where: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St. in Denver
When: Thursday, Jan. 9 and Friday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: $12 for adults; $10 for Good Sam members and free for kids 12 and under
More info: https://www.corvshow.com/
Take on the scenic beauty of Colorado during the Snow Mountain Classic Race
What: Head to Snow Mountain Ranch for the 19th annual Snow Mountain Classic Race! Challenge yourself (or your friends, or your special other) to a single lap 7.5K course or double it up with the 15K course. Stay for the weekend and enjoy all of the things Granby has to offer!
Where: Snow Mountain Ranch, 1101 CO Rd. 53 in Granby, Colo.
When: Saturday, Jan. 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More info: https://www.playwinterpark.com/events/snow-mountain-classic-race
Are you a fan of yoga and pugs? Then you’ll want to head to Englewood for PugYoga
What: Alright, pug lovers. Here’s your chance you can also find your center: The Colorado Pug Rescue is hosting a new fundraising event that has “Colorado” written all over it: PugYoga. That’s right. If you love pugs and want to get your Zen on, this is something you’ll definitely want to partake in. The purchase of a ticket gives you a free craft beer and an amazing yoga flow class with pugs. What more could you possibly ask for?
Where: Brewability Lab, 3445 S. Broadway in Englewood, Colo.
When: Saturday, Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission: $20
More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pugyoga-tickets-76664107409
Cheer on the Nuggets as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers
What: Head out to the Pepsi Center to watch the Denver Nuggets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Where: Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Cir. in Denver
When: Saturday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.
Admission: $15-$208
More info: https://www.stubhub.com/cavaliers-vs-nuggets-tickets/grouping/429402/
Hunters and gun enthusiasts: There’s a gun show this weekend in Colorado Springs
What: Gun collectors, hunting enthusiasts, and everyone else in between: Colorado Springs will be the place to be if you’re looking for a new gun, hunting supplies, as well as military surplus and outdoor gear. Vendors will also be available to teach you about guns, answer any questions you may have, and help you find what you’re looking for.
Where: Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Boulevard in Colorado Springs, Colo.
When: Saturday, Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $6.50-$14.50
More info: https://rkshows.com/event/colorado-springs-co-gun-show/
Experience the magic of the Dillon Ice Castles
What: If you’ve never been to the Dillon Ice Castles, don’t wait any longer. This magical winter attraction created by professional ice artists who build structures using hundreds of thousands of icicles. This family friendly attraction welcomes guests to enjoy frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains and more. Some of the castles can reach heights around 30 feet.
Where: 120 Buffalo St. in Dillon, Colo.
When: Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, from noon to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m.
Admission: $15.99-$25
More info: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/ice-castles-in-dillon-will-open-on-saturday-tickets-go-on-sale-on-christmas-day
If you love museums, enjoy free entrance at the Longmont Museum
What: The Longmont Museum, housed in a distinctive contemporary building, features changing exhibits in history, art, and science, as well as the award-winning Front Range Rising, a long-term exhibit on the history and culture of this region.
Where: Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road
When: Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
More info: https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum
Have an event you’d like for us to tell viewers about? Send an email to oscar.contreras@thedenverchannel.com at least a week ahead of the event and make sure to title it "7 best things to do" so he can put your event on the list.