Events
Denver Nuggets: Spend your New Year’s Eve with Carmelo — or at least watching him dribble down the court and shooting against Philadelphia. 6 p.m. Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Pl., 303-830-8497, www.pepsicenter.com.
Downtown Denver’s New Year’s Eve: Fireworks choreographed to a rousing soundtrack explode over downtown at 9 p.m. and again at midnight. Take advantage of free bus and light rail from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. New Year’s Day. 16th Street Mall, 16th Street, between Broadway and Wynkoop St, 303-534-6161.
Millennium Harvest House New Year’s Eve Cultural Arts Benefit: More than a dozen local arts organizations worked together to produce this New Year’s Eve extravaganza benefit with a Mardi Gras/Carnival theme. In the unique venue of the hotel’s tennis bubble, Cabaret Diosa will entertain along with roving street performers. The event benefits: Blue Moon Dance Company, Boulder Arts Association, Boulder Arts Academy/Boulder Ballet, Colorado MahlerFest, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Dairy Center for the Arts, Open Door Dance Theatre, Tesseract, University of Colorado Theatre and Dance Department, Taps Are Talking, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, Lafayette Community Players, Longmont Theatre Company, The Art Studio and CU Concerts. 8 p.m., $150, www.boulderphil.org/rsvp.html. Millennium Harvest House Hotel, 1345 28th St., Boulder, 303-443-3850.
New Year’s Eve Alive 2005!: Celebrate the new year and MOD Productions’ one-year anniversary of hosting shows at the Oriental Theatre. The all-ages party features music by Half Day, The Winslows, Third World Dogs, Chasing Down Milo, Yukon and Royal Affair. Full bar for those 21 and over. 6 p.m., $5. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave., 303-433-3786, www.modproductions.com.
Noon Year’s Eve Around the World: Kids can celebrate as the new year arrives in three different countries around the world at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Children can make party hats, get their faces painted, ride the mini train and take part in classic countdowns. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Children’s Museum of Denver, 2121 Children’s Museum Dr.
(I-25 and 23rd Ave.), 303-433-7444, www.cmdenver.org.
Sports Oasis: All-ages party featuring indoor sand volleyball, dodgeball, ping pong and hors d’oeuvres. Fri., Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., $20. Sports Oasis, 11575 Main St., Broomfield, 303-469-5656.
Family Friendly
Blossoms of Light: More than 900,000 lights are strung through the Botanic Gardens seventeen acres, making for either a romantic stroll or a jolly walk with your kids. Either way, don’t miss the mistletoe kissing spots. David Ricard will be tap dancing and there will cider, roasted nuts and other treats in the tents. Open through January 23. 6-9 p.m., $4-$8. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., 720-865-3500, www.botanicgardens.org.
Downtown Denver’s New Year’s Eve: Fireworks choreographed to a rousing soundtrack explode over downtown at 9 p.m. and again at midnight. Take advantage of free bus and light rail from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. New Year’s Day. 303-534-6161. 16th Street Mall, 16th Street, between Broadway and Wynkoop St.
First Night Fort Collins: Join thousands for a non-alcoholic party featuring performing acts and interactive crafts. Kids enter free. $10, 970-484-6500, www.dowtownfortcollins.com. Downtown Fort Collins.
New Year’s Eve Alive 2005!: Celebrate the new year and MOD Productions’ one-year anniversary of hosting shows at the Oriental Theatre. The all-ages party features music by Half Day, The Winslows, Third World Dogs, Chasing Down Milo, Yukon and Royal Affair. Full bar for those 21 and over. 6 p.m., $5. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave., 303-433-3786, www.modproductions.com.
New Year’s Eve at Fat City: Wrap up the year with bowling, bumper cars, mini golf, laser tag, skating, virtual-reality rides and video games. The Pistol Grips will roam the complex playing music while face painters and caricature artists entertain. Win a trip for four to Mexico. 11 a.m. - 2 a.m., $15-40. Fat City, 9670 Coal Mine Ave., Littleton, 303-972-4344, www.fatcityinfo.com.
Noon Year’s Eve Around the World: Kids can celebrate as the new year arrives in three different countries around the world at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Children can make party hats, get their faces painted, ride the mini train and take part in classic countdowns. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Children’s Museum of Denver, 2121 Children’s Museum Dr. (I-25 and 23rd Ave.), 303-433-7444, www.cmdenver.org.
Sports Oasis: All-ages party featuring indoor sand volleyball, dodgeball, ping pong and hors d'oeuvre. 7:30 p.m., $20. Sports Oasis, 11575 Main St., Broomfield, 303-469-5656.
Wildlights: Display of over one million lights and animated light sculptures. Dec. 31-Jan. 2, 5:30-9 p.m., $2-$7. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St. (City Park), 303-376-4800, www.denverzoo.org.
Mountain Celebrations
Durango Torchlight Parade and Fireworks: Take a winter break and head south to Durango for the torchlight parade and fireworks. There’ll be plenty of small-town craziness. Durango Mountain Resort, 1 Skier Pl., Durango, 1-800-982-6102, www.durangomountainresort.com.
La Tour: Award-winning chef Paul Ferzacca prepares a multi-course dinner that can be accompanied with specially matched wines. Early seating includes four courses and a champagne toast. Late seating features six courses,music and dancing, designer menu signed by the artist and chef, champagne toast and party favors. Reservations required. Fri., Dec. 31, 4:30 & 8:30 p.m., $125 - $265, 970-476-4403, www.latour-vail.com. La Tour, 122 E. Meadow Drive, Vail.
