COLORADO, USA — From festivals and fairs to expos and runs, there's lots to do, see and explore in Denver and Colorado this warm March weekend.
If you're looking to get outside and enjoy the seasonal weather, there are snowshoe opportunities and winter festivals in Colorado's High Country, plus the annual Crane Festival is back in Monte Vista.
Sports fans have a big weekend ahead with the home opener of the Colorado Rapids, a rivalry weekend between DU and Colorado College and home games from the Colorado Mammoth and Colorado Eagles.
Finally, Oprah Winfrey brings her nationwide tour — Oprah's 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus — to Pepsi Center on Saturday.
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DENVER — Colorado Ballet presents its annual production of Tour de Force this weekend at Denver’s Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Tour de Force features "Feast of the Gods" by choreographer Edwaard Liang, the world premiere of an all-new work by Julia Adam, and a performance of "Celts" by choreographer Lila York. Four performances of Tour de Force are scheduled in Denver this Friday through Sunday. Colorado Ballet tickets start at $35 at ColoradoBallet.org and by phone at 303-837-8888.
DENVER — Media mogul Oprah Winfrey brings her nationwide tour to Colorado this weekend. "Oprah's 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus" tour will stop at Denver's Pepsi Center on Saturday. Winfrey will be joined by special guest Gayle King. Saturday's event begins at 9 a.m. AltitudeTickets.com is the place for tickets.
DENVER — After a thrilling road victory last week, the Colorado Rapids are at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for their 2020 Home Opener. New head coach Robin Fraser and the Rapids will host Orlando City SC at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets to the Rapids' 25th anniversary season are sold at AltitudeTickets.com.
RELATED: Colorado Rapids 2020 schedule
MONTA VISTA — Nature and wildlife enthusiasts will want to head to Monte Vista this weekend for a festival described as a photographer's dream. Attendees will see thousands of cranes, ducks and geese flying against a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery at the 37th annual Monte Vista Crane Festival.
There will be tours and photography workshops for which you can register online. Crane viewing will be at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. There will also be a free craft and nature fair on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with arts and craft vendors, food, live birds of prey and more, at the Ski Hi Park. For more information, visit MVCraneFest.org.
LEADVILLE — The Leadville Ski Joring and Crystal Carnival is a weekend of mountain bike and Nordic ski races, paintball biathlon and plenty of winter fun. The Leadville Ski Joring involves a horse and rider racing down Leadville’s Harrison Avenue, pulling a skier holding a rope. Other events this weekend include downhill skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowcat skiing, snowmobiling and events where you can walk, run, snowshoe or ski with your dog, plus a Backcountry Film Festival and Saturday night dance. Check out the weekend schedule in Leadville here.
DENVER — The Rocky Mountain Train Show is the largest model train show west of the Mississippi. The show offers 2.5 acres of model and toy trains of all scales, with 30 operating layouts. With over 20 workshops and clinics and more than 700 sales tables, the show is perfect for hobbyists, families or first-timers.
There will be free kids' activities including train rides for kids, hands-on layouts, railroad story time, kid-in-a-cab, train town, face painting and build-a-layout project. The Rocky Mountain Train Show takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Denver Mart with free parking and free admission for kids 12 and under. Tickets are available online.
DENVER — The largest outdoor recreation show in the Rocky Mountain region gets underway Thursday at the National Western Complex. The huge show features giant exhibits and special pricing on RVs, outdoor products, accessories, vacation ideas and outdoor fun. There will be seminars and demonstrations from industry professionals. The Colorado RV, Sports & Travel Show is open from Thursday to Sunday at the complex at I-25 and Brighton Boulevard. Tickets and show hours can be found at ColoradoRVSportsShow.com.
BOULDER — The 16th Boulder International Film Festival arrives this weekend. The festival brings films and filmmakers from around the world to Boulder for a four-day celebration of cinema that features local, national, and international works. Festival passes and a complete 2020 schedule are available online.
DENVER — Colorado Symphony Music Director Brett Mitchell leads this weekend's performance of Maurice Ravel's Boléro and Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life). Performances, set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Boettcher Concert Hall, also include Christopher Theofanidis' Drum Circles. ColoradoSymphony.org is the place for tickets to this weekend's performances.
AURORA — The newest musical revue from the Aurora Singers is set for this weekend. Gone Overboard, a celebration of the high seas with selections ranging from Titanic to Love Boat, will transport guests on a musical voyage filled with cheerful songs, silly antics and a little bit of romance. The Aurora Singers will perform Saturday and Sunday at East Middle School. Tickets are available online or at the box office. Children 11 and under get in for free.
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DENVER — Beauty and the Beast, Pavane of Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, Empress of the Pagoda and The Fairy Garden will be brought to life this weekend by Ballet Ariel. The final performance of "Fairy Tale Suite and Tea Parties" will be performed Sunday at 3 p.m. at Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre at 119 Park Avenue West.
DENVER — There will be seven concerts on Friday as part of the First Friday Five Points Jazz Hop. Performers on Friday include Ginger & the Jazz Precludes, Stafford Hunter, Steven Brooks Quartet, Tony Exum, Jesse Hunter 4, Felix Ayodele & The New Moons and TRK Trio. Check out the full schedule here.
CENTENNIAL — Centennial's Resolute Brewing Company and Hog Haven Farm are teaming to celebrate National Pig Day from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday. The brewery's new turf patio will have tasty beers, a piggie photo booth, feed/pet the pig opportunities, Hog Haven Farm merchandise, hourly prize giveaways, and more. The event is family-friendly, but dogs need to stay at home (pigs are welcome).
COLORADO SPRINGS — The 10th annual Touch-A-Truck weekend takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Norris Penrose Event Center. There will be trucks and vehicles used to save lives, move rocks or travel very fast, all in a safe location for kids to explore, sit in the driver’s seat, feel the tires or climb into the flatbed. Friday’s event is a sensory-friendly session for children on the autism spectrum and general sessions open Saturday and Sunday mornings. Proceeds from the weekend benefit the Junior League of Colorado Springs’ Fostering Change initiative.
MINTURN — The 5th annual Barstool Races return Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Minturn. The winter tradition involves "athletes" adding a pair of skis, or a snowboard, to the base of a barstool to "race" down a snow-covered course. Saturday's Barstool Races take place at Little Beach Park in Minturn. All proceeds from the event go back to The Minturn Community Fund which supports Minturn's free summer concert series, the holiday Giving Tree, Neighbors in Need and other programs throughout the year. You can watch the event as a spectator or participate by registering at MinturnCommunityFund.org.
FORT COLLINS & BOULDER — Two plunges are scheduled this weekend in Colorado. The Fort Collins Polar Plunge begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at Maxline Brewing and the Boulder Polar Plunge begins at 1 p.m. at Boulder Reservoir. Plunge registration can be completed online.
FRISCO — Susan G. Komen Colorado’s annual Snowshoe for a Cure is this weekend at the Frisco Nordic Center. More than 1,000 snowshoers are expected to participate in Saturday’s fun event with many clad in pink tutus, strolling their way through a 3K or 5K course in an effort to end the world’s most-frequently diagnosed cancer. Snowshoe for the Cure registration includes a packet pick-up party with drinks and appetizers hosted by the Town of Frisco on Friday, a goody bag, prizes from sponsors and partners, and a post-event celebration with entertainment and sponsor booths. Race registration can be completed online.
SILVERTHORNE — The Silverthorne Recreation Center will hold an evening snowshoe hike on Saturday at the Angler Mountain Trailhead. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is open to ages eight and up. After the hike, there will be hot drinks and snacks at the warming hut at North Pond Park.
DILLON — If you’ve thought about checking out the spectacular Dillon Ice Castles, this is your last weekend. The popular attraction will officially close for the season on Saturday. The castles, which are made up of hundreds of thousands of hand-placed icicles, feature ice-carved tunnels, fountains, slides, frozen thrones and towers that light up and twinkle to music. Tickets should be reserved ahead of time at IceCastles.com.
FORT CARSON — Runners and joggers looking to celebrate a soldier's best friend can join this weekend's War Dog Memorial 5K Run at the Ivy Physical Fitness Center at Fort Carson. Furry critters and their human companions can register online for the event, which kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday.
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DENVER — Sunday Funday at the Loud House begins at 5 p.m. Sunday in Denver. The Colorado Mammoth are hosting the Rochester Knighthawks at Pepsi Center. Family packs, party packs and single tickets are sold at AltitudeTickets.com.
LOVELAND — The Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, remain at home this weekend at Loveland's Budweiser Events Center. The Eagles face off against the Ontario Reign at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To pick out your perfect seat, visit ColoradoEagles.com.
DENVER — It's rivalry weekend for two storied ice hockey programs in Colorado. The University of Denver and Colorado College men's ice hockey teams will compete at 7:37 p.m. Friday at Colorado Springs' Broadmoor World Arena and then at 8:07 p.m. Saturday at Magness Arena in Denver. Tickets to see the Pioneers and Tigers are going fast at DenverPioneers.com.
DENVER — The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) has made admission FREE on Saturday to the Denver Art Museum. Doors open at 10 a.m. to see the hundreds of works of art throughout the galleries. There will also be art-making opportunities in the Paint Studio.
LOVELAND — The Larimer County 4-H Carnival and Craft Show is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the First National Bank Building at The Ranch Events Complex. Proceeds from the event support 4-H programs in Larimer County. Booth tickets will be sold at the carnival for 25¢ each.
AURORA — The Spring Craft Show season is revving up with a show at Aurora's Smoky Hill High School on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With more than 150 local vendors and crafters, expect the usual variety of handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, accessories, baked goods and other products. Breakfast and lunch will also be sold on site. Admission and parking are free. This event was first published by MileHighontheCheap.com. For more deals and discounts, visit MileHighontheCheap.com.
GREELEY — The Tribune Home & Garden Show has brought landscapers, florists and roofers together for 37 years. The 2020 show runs from Friday to Sunday at the Event Center & Exhibition Hall at Island Grove Regional Park. The show is the perfect place to get a start on your home and garden projects with advice, information and products from the top experts in Northern Colorado.
COLORADO SPRINGS — The 30th annual Custom & Classic Motorcycle & Car Show takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Colorado Springs Event Center. The Super Show offers an indoor Custom & Classic Car & Bike Show and Swap Meet. In addition to more than 200 vendors spread over 80,000 square feet, there will also be a tattoo competition, live music, beer garden, food vendors and more.
COLORADO SPRINGS — Part of the annual Motorcycle & Car Show at the Colorado Springs Event Center, the 28th annual Colorado Tattoo Competition will be held on Sunday. Organizers say the competition is the largest and longest-standing exposition of personal body art in Colorado. There will be contests for best color, color sleeve, black & gray, black & gray sleeve, large tattoo, most traditional, best portrait, most patriotic, best Asian theme, and best cover up. For competition rules, visit Pro-Promotions.com.
DENVER — The Denver Kids Young Professionals Council hosts Saturday’s Denver Masquerade Ball. The fundraising event is a unique formal experience, letting guests dance, drink and socialize while dressed in their best with a touch of mystery. The event, which kicks off at 8 p.m. at Mile High Station, will feature music, signature cocktails and a contest for the most-decorated mask. Reserve your Denver Masquerade Ball tickets at DenverMasqueradeBall.com. All of Saturday’s proceeds support Denver Kids, Inc.
DENVER — Two country music stars have united for “The Late Nights and Longnecks Tour.” Justin Moore and Tracy Lawrence bring their spring tour to Denver’s Mission Ballroom at 7 p.m. Friday with special guest Lainey Wilson. Grab your tickets at AXS.com.
DENVER — Clay Walker arrives in the Mile High City on Saturday for a concert at the Grizzly Rose. Tickets for the 18-and-older show are sold at TicketWeb.com.
PUEBLO — Country music star Ned LeDoux brings his “Dance With Your Spurs On” tour to Pueblo Memorial Hall on Saturday. Tickets are available online for the 8 p.m. concert.
DENVER — Reunited hip hop group Three 6 Mafia – DJ Paul and Juicy J – will perform this weekend at Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium. The group went on hiatus in 2012 as its members focused on solo projects, and since then, two founding members have died: Koopsta Knicca in 2015 and Lord Infamous in 2013. Three 6 Mafia won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006 for their song "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" from the movie Hustle & Flow. LiveNation.com has tickets for Friday’s Denver concert.
BROOMFIELD — Canadian DJ Excision will headline two nights at Broomfield’s 1stBank Center. Friday’s 6 p.m. concert also features 12th Planet, Space Laces B2B MUST DIE!, PhaseOne B2B Kai Wachi, Wooli, Champagne Drip, and Calcium. Excision will be joined by Riot Ten, Wooli B2B Dion Timmer, Modestep (DJ SET), PhaseOne, Champagne Drip B2B G-Rex, and Jessica Audiffred at Saturday’s 6 p.m. concert. Tickets for both shows are sold at AXS.com.
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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