Ten More Things to Do in Denver This Weekend

Cowboys and culture collide in another big, creative mashup of events and activities this weekend. You can catch a theater opening, chill at Wash Park or see the last of Zoo Lights. And tomorrow, the African-American rodeo rides into town.

For free events around Denver, see the latest Art Attack and our list of free things to do. Now keep reading for ten events worth the price of admission:

Polar Bear 5K
Sunday, January 15, 9 a.m.
Washington Park, 1000 South Downing Street Sure, this is Denver, and no one ever knows what to expect, weather-wise, even in January. But whether this year’s Polar Bear 5K run/walk in Wash Park lands in an icebox or on a bluebird winter day, it's guaranteed to be a good time. There’s also a 200-meter fun run for kids and an appearance by Polie the Polar Bear, refreshments at the finish line and fancy medals. The race starts near Mississippi Avenue and Franklin Street by Grasmere Lake; registration is $30 to $35 online in advance and $5 more on race day.

Wintersköl
Sunday, January 15
Various venues in Aspen
Aspen’s annual “toast to winter” dates to a quiet January in 1951, when locals decided to celebrate Aspen with an eclectic weekend of festivities. The four-day celebration concludes today with Drag Queen Bingo Brunch, jazz at Element 47, and Lettuce at Belly Up Aspen. Get details here.

Klondike, With Director in Person
Sunday, January 15, 1 p.m.
Sie FilmCenter, 2510 East Colfax Avenue
Award-winning Ukrainian film Klondike is the story of a Ukrainian family living on the border of Ukraine and Russia during the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war in 2014, and pregnant Irka refuses to leave her house even as the village gets captured by armed forces. Shortly after, they find themselves at the center of
 an international air-crash catastrophe on July 17, 2014. Denver Film will host director Maryna Er Gorbach at a discussion moderated by Vincent Piturro, professor of Film & Media Studies, MSU Denver, after a screening today. Get the details and tickets here.
Hunger Action Pro Rodeo
Sunday, January 15, 2 p.m.
Denver Coliseum, National Western Complex
The rodeo action continues at the National Western, with four special benefit rodeos. Proceeds of the Hunger Action Pro Rodeo, presented by Centura Health, will be donated to Focus Point FRC and Hunger Free Colorado. The action includes the Westernaires presented by Sunward Steel and Catch-A-Calf Catch presented by Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers. Tickets range from $46 to $86; get them here.

Stories on Stage: A Hall Pass to the Galaxy
Sunday, January 15, 2 p.m.
Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive
Stories on Stages explores unknown worlds and dreams of the future in A Hall Pass to the Galaxy, a live dramatic reading performance quoting from a universe of great sci-fi authors through time. Local actors Annie Barbour, Cajardo Lindsey and Ann Marie Nest channel the speculative tales during a single afternoon at Su Teatro; for armchair theater-goers, the show premieres virtually on January 19 at 7 p.m. and can be viewed anytime afterward. Either way, tickets are $24 here.

Curious Theatre, Alma
Sunday, January 15, 2 p.m.
Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma Street
Curious Theatre Company continues its 25th-anniversary season with the regional premiere of Alma, Benjamin Benne’s play developed at the 2020 Denver Center Theatre Company’s New Play Summit in 2020. The plot revolves around a single immigrant mother and her seventeen-year-old daughter, whose hopes and dreams diverge from the college-bound, upwardly mobile future her elder imagines for her. The gentle tale is a break from the company’s more overtly political material, but it still makes plenty of solid points. The show runs Thursdays through Sundays through February 18, and tickets range from $25 to $53 at the Curious online box office.

Junk Drawer Sunday Swirl
Sunday, January 15, 3 to 10 p.m.
Venue will be revealed
The ultra-inclusive queer dance party series Junk Drawer commences another year of getting down in safe company with Sunday Swirl, a celebration in a secret new location described as “the cutest,” with tunes by Karim Olen Ash and Naasha, and an art installation by Alicia Ordal. For folks who like to make themselves more comfortable in a consenting atmosphere, there’ll also be a separate play space with a clothes check; feel free to leave inhibitions at the door. Tickets are $30 at Eventbrite; the venue address will be sent by email to ticket-holders.

Wild West Show
Sunday, January 15, 4 p.m.
National Western Events Center, 4655 Humboldt Street
There’s no better family entertainment at the National Western Stock Show than the Wild West Show, a throwback to Buffalo Bill Cody’s theatrical tent shows from the turn of the last century that still capture the imaginations of kids, grandparents and everyone in between. Characters from the original shows, including Bill himself, his female counterpart Annie Oakley and the great Black cowboy Bill Pickett, make appearances between the derring-do of riding tricks, quick-draw feats and more. Tickets are $30 to $57 here and going fast.
Zoo Lights
Sunday, January 15, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele Street
While City Hall will stay lit through the Stock Show, this is last call for Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo. Over one million lights are spread across 83 acres, decorating exhibits and forming the shapes of animated animals. Wildlife is a common theme for the ice sculptures on display, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot a few actual elephants and tigers, too. Admission is $25 per adult, and several add-on packages are available; get hours and all the details here.

MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo
Monday, January 16, 6 p.m.
Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt Street
How to top off your solemn MLK Jr. Day activities? How about with barrel racing, mutton bustin’ and a buckin’ bronc or two? Sit back at the Stock Show’s annual African-American Heritage Rodeo, a showcase for Black cowboys and cowgirls following in the footsteps of original Black range rider and role model Bill Pickett. It’s the perfect way to take in a history lesson from the annals of Black power. Get tickets, $30 to $49, here.

Do you know of a great event in Denver? We'll be updating this list through the weekend; send information to [email protected].