Chill Things to Do Around Colorado This Winter

In Colorado, we know how to make the most of winter. And if you’re looking for how to join the festivities this year, you’re in the right place.

If you’re headed for the hills to ski, here’s what’s new at Colorado resorts this winter.

Meanwhile, explore hundreds of other winter events are compiled in this comprehensive calendar made for Westword’s annual Holiday & Winter Guide.

Events

December 27: Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening With Cary Elwes: Join Cary Elwes, who starred as Westley in The Princess Bride, for a behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the set of the classic film. Saturday, December 27, 1 p.m. or 7 p.m., $39-$131. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place, comedyworks.com.

December 31: Itchy-O Presents Saturnalia: The anonymous ensemble will fuse industrial rhythm, electronic trance and esoteric theater during this rare New Year’s Eve celebration. Wednesday, December 31, 8 p.m., $55.43. Federal Theatre, 3830 Federal Boulevard, thefederaltheatre.com.

Holiday Markets

Through January 12: Artists on Santa Fe Holiday Exhibition: Shop for original prints, contemporary paintings, jewelry, sculptures, fiber art and ceramics at this local gallery, which will host an opening reception on Friday, November 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. during the district’s Third Friday Art Walk. Now through Monday, January 12, free. 747 Santa Fe Drive, artistsonsantafe.com.

Mountains

Aspen: January 7-10: Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Buttermilk Mountain; January 11-18: Aspen Gay Ski Week; January 23-25: X Games Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain; February 27-28: Snow League at Buttermilk Mountain; March 10-14: Aspen Laugh Festival, aspensnowmass.com.

Beaver Creek: December 31: New Year’s Eve Ski Down and Fireworks; January 16-17: The Alpine Table; February 21-22: Talons Challenge, beavercreek.com.

Breckenridge: January 24: Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center Takeover; January 24-February 3: International Snow Sculpture Championships, gobreck.com.

Crested Butte: December 31: New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks; February 2: World Tutu Day, skicb.com.

Durango: November 21-January 3: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad The Polar Express Train; January 23-February 1: Snowdown, durango.org.

Estes Park: January 23-25: Estes Park Skijor; January 16-18: First Peoples Festival; February 7: Wine and Chocolate Festival; March 7: Whiskey Warm Up, visitestespark.com.

Frisco: December 31: New Year’s Eve at Copper Mountain; February 20-22: Subaru Winterfest at Copper Mountain, townoffrisco.com.

Grand Lake: December 31: New Year’s Eve Fireworks; January 23-25: Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest; January 31 and February 1: Pond Hockey Classic; February 8: Winter Carnival; February 20-21: Ice Addiction Fishing Tournament, gograndlake.com.

Keystone: December 31: New Year’s Eve Fireworks and Torchlight Parade; February 7-8: Keystone Military Winter Games; February 28- March 8: National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS) Summit, keystoneresort.com.

Leadville: Now through January 3: Leadville Railroad Holiday Express Train; January 23-25: Fat Bike Worlds; February 27: 10th Mountain Day at Ski Cooper; March 7-8: Leadville Ski Joring and Crystal Carnival Weekend, leadvilletwinlakes.com.

Ouray: January 22-25: Ouray Ice Festival, visitouray.com.

Steamboat Springs: December 31: New Year’s Eve Light Up Snow Cat Parade and Dress to Impress Masquerade Party; January 5-10: MusicFest; January 19: Bud Light Cowboy Downhill; January 31: Ski Town USA Olympian Celebration; February 3-8: Steamboat Winter Carnival; February 6-10: Para Snowboard World Cup; February 27-March 1: WinterWonderGrass, steamboat.com.

Telluride: December 31: New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks; February 12-15: Telluride Comedy Festival; February 26-28: TAB Fashion Show; February 28-March 7: Telluride Gay Ski Week, telluride.com.

Vail: December 31: Torchlight Parade and Fireworks; February 28-March 1: Vail Legacy Weekend, discovervail.com.

Winter Park: January 10: Mary Jane 50th Birthday Party, winterparkresort.com.

Art

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art: MediaLive: Data Rich, Dirt Poor digs into how value and values are constructed environmentally, culturally and archivally. Now through January 11, free or pay from your heart. 1750 13th Street, Boulder, bmoca.org.

Clyfford Still Museum: “Tell Clyfford I Said ‘Hi’”: An Exhibition Curated by Children of the Colville Confederated Tribes, through May 10, $15-$18 adults; youth free. 1250 Bannock Street, clyffordstillmuseum.org.

Denver Art Museum: Conversation Pieces: Stories From the Fashion Archives, February 15-August 30, $22-$30 adults; youth free. 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, denverartmuseum.org.

Museo de las Americas: Rosas y Revelaciones: Homage to the Virgin of Guadalupe spotlights the religious icon as a universal symbol of hope, identity and resilience. Through January 11, $8 adults, youth free. 861 Santa Fe Drive, museo.org.

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver: Roni Horn: Water, Water on the Wall, You’re the Fairest of Them All and Deborah Jack: The Haunting of Estuaries… An (After)math of Confluence, through February 15, $5-$14 adults; youth free. 1485 Delgany Street, mcadenver.org.

RedLine Contemporary Art Center: Notes From a Peripatetic Collector: Selections From the Collection of Dr. Charles Hamlin, through December 7; Bruce Price: Harmonious Dissonance, through January 11, $5 suggested donation. 2350 Arapahoe Street, redlineart.org.

Theater

A Christmas Carol: The DCPA Theatre Company will perform this joyous musical adaptation based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens. November 21-December 28, $41.30-$189.98. Wolf Theatre, 1301 13th Street, denvercenter.org.

Annie: A classic musical comedy of optimism and resilience. November 21-December 28, $45-$60. Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 Main Street, Littleton, townhallartscenter.org.

Disney’s Frozen: Reimagined for the stage, this uplifting winter tale is full of magic, humor and a stunning musical score. November 21-January 4, $40.30-$105. Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, arvadacenter.org.

Goodnight Moon: Introduce your little one to the magic of theater with a captivating adaptation of the popular children’s book. Now through January 25, $33.04 adults and $25.96 youth. Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre, 1101 13th Street, denvercenter.org.

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play: A cast of characters will tell this timeless story within a 1940s radio studio, complete with vintage microphones and live sound effects. November 29-December 28, $40-$69. Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, 1100 Miner’s Alley, Golden, minersalley.com.

Mary Poppins: Rediscover the enchantment of the world’s most beloved nanny during this musical classic. Now through December 28; $30-$70 adults, $18 youth and free under five. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 West Dale Street, Colorado Springs, fac.coloradocollege.edu.

The Notebook: The Musical: A deeply moving portrait of enduring love, based on the best-selling Nicholas Sparks novel. December 16-28, $47.20-$106.20. Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis Street, denvercenter.org.

Stocking Stuffers: Share a good laugh during this new, adults-only musical comedy packed with heart and highly inappropriate holiday cheer. November 28-December 28, $40-$64. Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, 1100 Miner’s Alley, Golden, minersalley.com.

What the Dickens!?: An entirely improvised holiday play inspired by the classic author’s works. November 28-December 27, $12-$20. What If Theatre, 9060 West Sixth Avenue, Lakewood, whatiftheatre.com.

Film

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert: Relive the magic of Harry Potter on the big screen, with live accompaniment by the Colorado Symphony. Friday, January 16, and Saturday, January 17, 7 p.m., and Sunday, January 18, 1 p.m., $15-$123. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1301 13th Street, tickets.coloradosymphony.org.

Dance

Little Women and Nutcracker Suite: Hosted at two venues, this original holiday production from Ballet Ariel brings together a duo of Christmas classics. Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood. Saturday, December 27, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 28, 2 p.m. Northglenn Arts, 1 East Memorial Parkway, Northglenn, $32-$42, balletariel.org.

The Nutcracker: The Colorado Ballet and orchestra will once again capture the magic of this classic holiday tale. November 29-December 28, $40-$195. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis Street, coloradoballet.org.

Museums/Attractions

The Brown Palace Hotel: Enjoy seasonal teas, treats and festive cheer amid this Denver landmark’s sparkling decor. Now through Sunday, January 25, $40-$105. 321 17th Street, brownpalace.com.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Set among beloved animal exhibits, Electric Safari features more than eighty illuminated sculptures, nightly themed drone shows, interactive activities, photos with Santa and family-friendly rides. December 5-January 1, $19.75-$24.75 adults and $15.75-$20.75 youth. 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, cmzoo.org.

Children’s Museum of Denver: During Snow Days, the museum’s outdoor plaza will offer a sledding hill, sock skating and festive family activities. December 6-February 16, $16.75-$18.75. 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, mychildsmuseum.org.

Christmas in Color: Hosted at two metro-area venues, this immersive drive-thru experience features giant candy canes, arched pathways and more displays made from millions of lights. November 14-January 4, $34.99-$59.99, Water World, 8801 Pecos Street, Federal Heights; and November 28-January 4, $34.99-$49.99, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison, christmasincolor.net.

Cirrus Social Club: This cannabis lounge will deck the halls with festive decor and Christmas-themed menu offerings. December 2-31. 3200 East Colfax Avenue, cirrussocialclub.com.

Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms: Head to the foothills to follow the illuminated Trail of Lights past plant collections and the Hildebrand Ranch homestead. November 21-January 11, 5-8:30 p.m., $20 adults and $12 youth. 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, botanicgardens.org.

Denver Botanic Gardens York Street: During Blossoms of Light, vibrant displays and immersive installations will illuminate a mile-long walkway through the gardens. November 21-January 11, 4:30-9 p.m., $22-$33. 1007 York Street, botanicgardens.org.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Magical Winter Nights at the museum will feature immersive scenes, indoor ice-less skating, a Northern Lights-inspired display, holiday shopping and more. November 20-January 4 (21+ nights December 4, 11 and 18), $24.95 adults and $19.95 youth. Temporary exhibits: The Secret World of Elephants, now through January 25; and Brick Planet: A Magical Journey Made With LEGO® Bricks, now through May 3, $25.95 adults and $20.95 youth. 2001 Colorado Boulevard, dmns.org.

Denver Zoo: Admire animal exhibits and gleaming displays during Zoo Lights, an annual favorite. November 23-January 5, 4:30-9 p.m. (10 p.m. on select dates), $26-$30 adults and $19-$23 youth. 2300 Steele Street, denverzoo.org.

Elitch Gardens: The theme park will transform into a winter wonderland, with four million lights, larger-than-life displays and a new holiday show in the Trocadero Theatre, plus appearances from Santa and his elves. November 28-January 4, $19.99. 2000 Elitch Circle, elitchgardens.com.

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center: View elaborate ice sculptures, join a dining event inspired by Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, experience indoor snow tubing, marvel at a twelve-foot-tall edible gingerbread house and more. November 24-January 2, $15-$41. 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard, Aurora, christmasatgaylordrockies.com.

Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs: This hotel’s annual Snowland celebration will feature daily snow showers in the grand lobby, sparkling light shows within immersive snow globes, festive crafts, holiday games and seasonal menu items. November 24-January 6. 9494 Federal Drive, Colorado Springs, greatwolf.com.

Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek: Experience après fun at the hotel’s festive rooftop lounge featuring curated music, drinks and dining, along with ice skating and complimentary skate rentals. Now through January 1, noon to 9 p.m., free. 245 Columbine Street, halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com.

History Colorado Center: View fifty artifacts from the events that shaped the United States in Moments That Made US, debuting on Friday, November 21, and see the photographs in Horizon: On the Plains With John Fielder before it ends on Sunday, January 11. $15 adults and free youth. 1200 Broadway, historycolorado.org.

Hotel Polaris: The inaugural Wings of Winter celebration will feature flights with Santa on the hotel’s 737Max flight simulator, a “cocoa command center,” holiday tea with a twist, a red phone hotline to the North Pole and more immersive holiday experiences, November 25-December 30. 8989 North Gate Boulevard, Colorado Springs, thehotelpolaris.com.

Hudson Gardens and Event Center: Sip hot cocoa and snap a photo with Santa while exploring an illuminated forest, the lighted maze and themed exhibits. November 28-January 4, $20 adults and $15 youth. 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, hudsongardens.org.

Ice Castles: Discover ice-carved tunnels, illuminated sculptures, frozen thrones, slippery slides and more within these enchanting castles, each built with hundreds of thousands of icicles. Opened December 19. 125 Stephens Way, Silverthorne, and 339 Irene Avenue, Cripple Creek, icecastles.com.

McGregor Skate: Celebrate opening day of the McGregor Square ice rink with a skating performance at 5:30 p.m. and a tree lighting at 6 p.m, followed by The Grinch on the giant outdoor screen and free photos with Santa at Milepost Zero. November 28-January 4, $15 adults and $9 youth ($6 if you bring your own skates). 1901 Wazee Street, mcgregorsquare.com.

Mile High Drone Shows: Six hundred lit drones will display winter scenes and holiday-themed animations nightly, with visibility from the Tivoli Quad and throughout downtown Denver. November 21-December 31, 7 p.m., free. 1000 Larimer Street, visitdenver.com.

Mile High Tree: Witness nightly light shows within this dazzling immersive art piece standing seven stories high. November 21-December 31, 5-10 p.m., free. Tivoli Quad, 1000 Larimer Street, visitdenver.com.

Pearl Street Mall: In addition to the Switch on the Holidays event and Lights of December Parade, Pearl Street Mall visitors can find St. Nick on the Bricks, ride the electric Snowflake Express train and earn Downtown Dash shopping giveaways through the season. Activity availability varies; November 23-December 31, free, suggested donation of $5 per train ride group and $10 per Santa group photo. Pearl Street, Boulder, boulderdowntown.com.

Santa’s Little Man Ice Cream Factory: Sample special holiday ice cream flavors and enjoy signature experiences like gingerbread house building, a letter-writing craft station, community caroling and more in a decked-out atmosphere. November 28-January 4. 4411 West Colfax Avenue, littlemanicecreamfactory.com.

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum: Immerse yourself in a new exhibit starring an AV-8B Harrier II+ aircraft that has seen combat in several countries. Now through December 31, $19.95 adults and $12.95 youth. 7711 East Academy Boulevard, wingsmuseum.org.

These listings are from our annual Winter Guide, inserted in the November 20 issue of Westword; find more events at westword.com/arts.