COLORADO, USA — Winter is in full swing and you can celebrate the season this weekend with the International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breck, Durango's Snowdown, the Rio Frio Ice Fest and the annual ice fishing tournament in Granby.
The X Games return to Aspen's Buttermilk Mountain with spectacular competitions that are free to attend.
Two large expos dedicated to boats and motorcycles open in Denver this weekend and Richard Thomas brings the national tour of "To Kill a Mockingbird" to the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
Before you settle down on the couch for the big championship games this Sunday, consider one of these fun things to do in the Centennial State this weekend.
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Denver Boat Show
DENVER — Are you ready to thaw out this summer after arctic blasts and ice-rinked driveways? The annual Denver Boat Show arrives this weekend at the Colorado Convention Center. The show is Colorado's largest boat show with 250,000 square feet of personal watercraft, fishing boats, cruisers, runabouts, pontoon boats, wakeboard and surf boats and all the newest 2023 boating accessories. Tickets are also available at DenverBoatShow.com.
Colorado Motorcycle Expo
DENVER — One of the country's largest motorcycle events returns to the Mile High City this Saturday and Sunday. The 44th annual Colorado Motorcycle Expo features America's largest indoor motorcycle swap with over 700 booths, a bike show with vintage bikes, live music, used bike corral and more. All of the expo's events are included in the price of admission. Doors open at 9 a.m. each day at the National Western Complex. Tickets are available at ColoradoMotorcycleExpo.com.
To Kill a Mockingbird
DENVER — The national tour of the Broadway hit "To Kill a Mockingbird" is now playing in Colorado. Starring Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas of "The Waltons," the drama has been hailed as "an emotionally shattering landmark production of an American classic" by "Rolling Stone." Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin's adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork plays the Buell Theatre through Sunday, Feb. 5. For tickets and showtimes, visit DenverCenter.org.
X Games
ASPEN — The X Games, called the "world's best action sports, music and festival experience on snow," are back at Buttermilk Mountain from Friday to Sunday. The weekend will showcase the world's best winter sports and athletes, and all competitions are free and open to the public. There will also be concerts from MOD SUN, MADDS, girlfriends, Alexander Smash, Yung Gravy, Kaskade, Night Tales, and TJ Mizell, with tickets available at XGames.com or at the on-site box office. A complete schedule of events can be found here.
The Great Fruitcake Toss
MANITOU SPRINGS — Fruitcakes will be flying in downtown Manitou Springs on Saturday. This event for all ages features the marvelous fruitcake launch and a fruitcake bake-off. If you already threw your holiday fruitcake out, there will be fruitcakes available for "rent." Local bakers can bring their best homemade fruitcake to the "Great Fruitcake Bake-Off." The entire event takes place at Memorial Park in Manitou Springs on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
UllrGrass
GOLDEN — The annual UllrGrass Music & Beer Festival will run Friday to Sunday at Parfet Park in Golden. The festival features Violet Pilot, Scott Slay and The Rail, Buffalo Commons, Uptown Toodeloo, Coral Creek, Madeline Hawthorne Band, Bill & Jill Nershi Bluegrass Band, Full Cord, The Fretliners, Adam Gruel & Friends, Liver Down the River and more. Festival-goers are encouraged to come dressed in Viking regalia and enjoy live music, performing arts and craft beer. Tickets are available at UllrGrass.com.
International Snow Sculpture Championships
BRECKENRIDGE — Snow sculpture artists from around the world are competing in the 32nd annual International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge. The sculpting ends Friday and all the incredible creations will be available for timed-reservation viewing on Saturday. Open viewing without reservations will be available Friday, Jan. 27, through Feb. 1.
Snowdown
DURANGO — Durango's winter festival is back for a 45th year. Snowdown is a 10-day celebration of winter fun and follies. The event features a family-friendly Snowdown Light Parade, scavenger hunt, billiard tournament, karaoke, costume contest, hot wing eating contest and more. Snowdown takes place Wednesday to Sunday with the Snowdown Light Parade set for 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. Visit Snowdown.org for a complete festival schedule.
Rio Frio Ice Fest
ALAMOSA — The three-day, beach party-themed Rio Frio Ice Fest runs Friday to Sunday in Alamosa. Back this year are the stunning ice sculptures, the Rio Frio 5K, a fire and ice bonfire, a polar plunge, entertainment, food and more. Many of the Rio Frio Ice Fest events take place Saturday, including live ice sculpting on Main Street. The Annual Rio Frio 5K will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Rio Grande River. For a full schedule of events head to RioFrioIce.com.
3 Lakes Ice Fishing Tournament
GRANBY — The 35th annual 3 Lakes Ice Fishing Tournament, which runs Friday to Sunday, features contests on Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, and Grand Lake. The tournament will begin with a kick-off party Thursday night with food, drinks and karaoke in Granby.
Denver Winter Brew Fest
DENVER — Beer lovers, rejoice! The Denver Winter Brew Fest takes place Saturday at Mile High Station. The fest celebrates craft beverages from around Colorado, live music from Grunge Lite and Stone Beat Invasion, food and other vendors. This weekend's festival will benefit Big Bones Canine Rescue. VIP and general admission tickets can be purchased at DenverBrewFest.com. More than 100 beers and ciders will be featured at the indoor festival which will have two Saturday sessions.
The Wizard of Oz
BROOMFIELD — Danse Etoile Ballet presents "The Wizard of Oz," the classic story following Dorothy and the loveable characters of Oz along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. All new music has been composed by Colorado composers Bruce Klepper and Dave Heffner for this ballet along with fine art designed by Colorado artist Sarah Winkler. "The Wizard of Oz" will be performed Friday through Sunday at Broomfield Auditorium. Tickets are $20 adults and $15 students/seniors/children. For tickets, visit DanseEtoile.org.
Winter Bird Festival
COLORADO SPRINGS — North Cheyenne Canon Park is holding its annual Winter Bird Festival this weekend! The festival offers family activities, pinecone feeder-making, rock painting, bird walks and more bird-themed activities. The Winter Bird Festival runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center.
Immersive Monet
DENVER —Don’t miss your last chance to see more than 500 paintings come to life. Shimmering sunrises, graceful dancers and water lilies are just a part of the iconic art of Monet and the Impressionists. From the creators of "Immersive Van Gogh," this is the final weekend to see "Immersive Monet & The Impressionists" at Lighthouse ArtSpace Denver.
Yeti Chase 5K/10K
LAKEWOOD — Bear Creek Lake Park is the location of Sunday's Yeti Chase 5K/10K run. The 5K features a mostly-flat course while the 10K throws in a few Lakewood hills. All Yeti Chase participants receive a long-sleeved technical shirt and post-race goodies. Registration is available at RacingUnderground.com.
University of Denver vs. Colorado College
DENVER — The Gold Pan series, which features in-state college hockey rivals Colorado College and the University of Denver, is heading to Ball Arena this weekend. The Tigers and Pioneers will meet on the home ice of the Colorado Avalanche on Friday at 7 p.m. The men's ice hockey teams have met 332 times previously in their history.
"The Denver-Colorado College rivalry is one of the most-played series in college hockey, and we're looking forward to showcasing our two historic programs at the home of the Avalanche," DU head coach David Carle said.
Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche wrap up a three-game homestand this weekend in Denver. The Avalanche host the St. Louis Blues at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ball Arena. Tickets start at $74 at Ticketmaster.com.
Colorado Mammoth vs. San Diego Seals
DENVER — The crews at Ball Arena will cover the ice after the Avalanche game for the Colorado Mammoth to play a game. The Mammoth host the San Diego Seals at 7 p.m. Saturday at Ball Arena. Tickets start at $34 at Ticketmaster.com.
Movies this weekend
“Avatar: The Way of Water” led ticket sales in movie theaters for the sixth straight weekend, making it the first film to have such a sustained reign atop the box office since 2009's “Avatar.”
The nominations for the 95th Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday and now is your chance to get caught up on all the contenders.
The 10 movies up for best picture are: “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Elvis,” “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Women Talking” and “Triangle of Sadness.”
Opening this weekend
- Fear
- Distant
- Infinity Pool
Last weekend's box office
- “Avatar: The Way of Water,” $19.7 million.
- “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” $11.5 million.
- “M3gan,” $9.8 million
- “Missing,” $9.3 million.
- “A Man Called Otto,” $9 million.
- “Plane,” $5.3 million.
- “House Party,” $1.8 million.
- “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime The Movie,” $1.5 million.
- “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” $1.4 million.
- “The Whale,” $1.3 million.
> Would you like to see your favorite Colorado festival, fair, expo, concert, drama, musical, ballet, run or event listed in 9Things? Send it to alexander.kirk@9news.com.
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