COLORADO, USA — From festivals and fairs to expos and runs, there's lots to do, see and explore in Denver and Colorado this April weekend.
Celebrate the spring season this weekend by experiencing the unique culture, food and geography that makes our state so special. Check out one of these fun events across Colorado:
ARVADA — Celebrate the opening of the long-awaited G Line with Olde Town Arvada’s grand opening party. The celebration, which takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature live music performances, kids’ activities in Olde Town Square and much more. All RTD rail lines will also be free all-day Saturday. The 11-mile commuter rail G Line will connect Denver Union Station with Arvada and Wheat Ridge.
DENVER — Following four performances at Pepsi Center in February, Monster Jam returns to Colorado this weekend for an even larger performance. The 2019 Monster Jam Stadium Tour will stop at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Saturday with 14 trucks participating in a Two-Wheel Skills Challenge, Racing and Freestyle events. Trucks scheduled to appear include Grave Digger, Megalodon, Avenger, Bad Company, Hooked, Stone Crusher and more. Tickets are sold at Ticketmaster.com or MonsterJam.com.
DENVER — StarFest, Denver’s homegrown celebration of multi-media science fiction entertainment since 1977, is back this weekend at the Marriott Denver Tech Center. Organizers say StarFest is more than a comic con – it’s an entire weekend of science fiction entertainment overload. Among the features guests this weekend are original Star Trek actors William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols. See the full schedule at StarFestDenver.com.
KARVAL — The 13th annual Mountain Plover Festival takes place Friday through Sunday in Karval, Colorado, one of North America's largest breeding grounds for the elusive bird. Nature lovers, families and birders will love bird watching on ordinarily inaccessible private land. There will be wildlife viewing, entertainment, history and lots of great food including an authentic Saturday night chuck wagon dinner. Local museums will show visitors what life was like on the prairie in Lincoln County. Learn more about the festival at MountainPloverFestival.com.
RELATED: How a Colorado town with a graduating class of 1 hopes a tiny bird will help it get a gas station
DENVER — The record-breaking musical Cats has traveled to Denver for a short engagement at the Buell Theatre. Featuring “Memory,” one of the most treasured songs in musical theater history, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats was the winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. Cats tells the story of a tribe of cats gathered for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. Cats, which opened Wednesday, plays through Sunday. For tickets, visit DenverCenter.org.
GREELEY — The largest event of its kind in the nation, this jazz festival brings together internationally recognized artists, jazz lovers, clinicians and over 250 college, high school and middle school big bands, combos and jazz vocal groups from across the United States. The 49th annual UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival features main stage concerts, after-hours sessions, daytime performances and education workshop sessions. The UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival runs from Thursday to Saturday. For tickets and a complete schedule of events, visit UNCJazzFest.com.
GRAND JUNCTION — Travel back in time to when knights were noble, maids were merry and turkey legs were titanic. Enjoy springtime on the western slope at the 4th annual Grand Junction Renaissance Faire. Explore the village marketplace for arts, crafts and, of course, great food and drinks. Jousting knights, comedy, music and circus shows will amuse visitors of all ages. The Renaissance Faire will he held on Saturday and Sunday at Watson Island. Tickets are available online at GJRenFaire.org.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE — Tacos, beer and punk rock come to Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre on Sunday. The Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival will have live music from The Offspring, Bad Religion, The Vandals, Black Flag, Strung Out and Dwarves. The festival also promises more than 100 different craft beers, gourmet tacos, lucha libre-style wrestling and more. Visit SabrosoTacoFest.com for full details. Tickets are sold at AXS.com.
DENVER — The Scout Show is a great way for the public to see what scouting is about. Held at the National Western Complex, the show features hands-on family-friendly activities including games, obstacle courses, camping demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, pinewood derby car races and much more. The show provides inexpensive entertainment for the whole family. The 2019 Scout Show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission at the door is $5 per family. All Boy and Girl Scouts in uniform get in for free.
COMMERCE CITY — Do you have a bunch of old electronics that you’ve been meaning to get rid of? Bring them to the 9NEWS E-Cycle on Saturday. To help recycle electronics properly, 9NEWS has once again partnered with Techno Rescue to host the event in Parking Lot H at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. In past years this has been extremely popular, so you might want to head there early. Check out all the details and pricing here.
COLORADO — There are many reasons to attend one of the 20+ 9Health Fairs scheduled across Colorado this weekend. You can learn more about you, take advantage of free and low-cost health screenings, and talk to several medical professionals. Register in advance or just show up, doesn’t matter to us! We just hope to see you there. Either way, isn’t it time you make your health a priority? Find a fair near you at 9HealthFair.org.
DENVER — Sweat, the newest production at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, opens Friday. The winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and TIME’s No. 1 play of 2017, Sweat is a moving drama about love, friendship and community in the blue-collar factory town of Reading, Pennsylvania. Sweat plays the Space Theatre through Sunday, May 26 with tickets sold through DenverCenter.org.
BRIGHTON — Barr Lake State Park will celebrate Earth Day with its annual Kite Festival this Saturday. Local kite clubs will be on hand with kite expertise and training. The festival is free if you register by calling the Barr Lake Nature Center at 303-659-6005.
GEORGETOWN — A Colorado staple begins its 2019 season on Saturday. The Georgetown Loop Railroad offers spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. The railroad's website says the train transports riders back to a "time where the railroad ruled, mining was a way of life and outlaws littered the land." You can purchase tickets online at GeorgetownLoopRR.com.
COLORADO SPRINGS — Coloradans love their pets and the Pet Expo is all about pets. The event features over 165 exhibitors from across the state. There will be pet demonstrations, training seminars, adoptions, prize giveaways, Frisbee dogs and more. You can bring your pet too if you'd like, but you'll have to sign a waiver at the door. The Colorado Springs Pet Expo runs Friday to Sunday at Colorado Springs Events Center.
COLORADO SPRINGS — Taste of Pikes Peak, also known as the 24th annual Pikes Peak Food, Wine and Beer Expo, is the largest all-you-can-eat-and-drink event in Southern Colorado. More than 80 local restaurants and vendors will be at the event this Sunday at the Broadmoor World Arena. Attendees will enjoy a competition between chefs and cocktail-makers as well as a silent auction for local charity partners. Taste of Pikes Peak tickets are available at PikesPeakCenter.com, BroadmoorWorldArena.com, AXS.com or by phone at 719-520-SHOW.
DENVER — The Denver Art Museum will celebrate Día del Niño - or Day of the Child - on Sunday with free admission for children as well as adults. The museum will also have live music, dances, book readings, kids’ activities and more. Festivities, which begin at 10 a.m., will take place inside and outside of the museum. Learn more at DenverArtMuseum.org.
DENVER — Admission to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is free on Sunday. The museum’s Día del Niño celebration will include special performances, music and family-friendly activities. The museum, known for its famous wildlife dioramas and its work in archaeology, anthropology and paleontology, human physiology, health, mechanics and astronomy, opens at 9 a.m. Sunday.
LAFAYETTE — WOW! Children’s Museum’s annual Día del Niño will be filled with activities for the whole family, honoring the Mexican traditions of “The Day of the Child.” Activities planned include a dance performance by El Latir de Mexico, crafts, story times in Spanish and English, games and more. The free celebration begins at 9 a.m. Sunday at Lafayette’s WOW! Children’s Museum.
MORRISON — Dinosaur Ridge is honoring 30 years of education and preservation with a weekend-long celebration packed with family-friendly events, movies and dinners. Festivities planned include an interactive dino movie party, paleo speakers, “walk with a scientist” tours and community carnival with games, bounce houses, inflatables, rock climbing walls and more. Visit DinoRidge.org for a complete 30th anniversary schedule of events.
LAKEWOOD — The City of Lakewood honors Earth Day with a fun community celebration on Saturday. The event, which aims to celebrate sustainability and increase awareness of environmental issues, includes food trucks, beer garden, fitness activities, kids’ activities, interactive art and performances, vendors, compost workshops and live music from The 14ers, Thunder & Rain, Turkeyfoot, and Rocky Mountain Steel Band. The Earth Day Celebration begins at 11 a.m. at the Lakewood Heritage Center. Check out the complete event schedule at Lakewood.org.
PALISADE — Soak in springtime on the western slope with the family. The 12th annual Outdoor Heritage Day at Palisade's Riverbend Park features free, fun activities including fishing, archery, climbing, firearms safety, boating, wildlife viewing and more. Outdoor Heritage Day will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
COLORADO SPRINGS — Comedian Jim Gaffigan will bring his “Quality Time Tour” to Colorado this weekend. Gaffigan will perform at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are sold through AXS.com.
DENVER & PUEBLO — With concert quality sound, cutting-edge special effects, high-powered lasers, large screen video projection and special lighting, the Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular is a must-see for listeners ready for a "mind-expanding journey." The show, set to the greatest hits of Pink Floyd, is at the Pueblo Memorial Hall on Friday and Denver’s Paramount Theatre on Saturday.
DENVER — The Denver Silent Film Festival returns to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Sloans Lake for its 8th year this Friday to Sunday. The festival features ten programs, including comedies and dramas, as well as a feature from India and the earliest surviving silent film by an African-American director. Passes and tickets are available now at DenverSilentFilmFest.org.
LOVELAND — The 16th annual Northern Colorado Spring Home and Garden Show takes over The Ranch Events Complex at Larimer County Fairgrounds this weekend. The home and garden extravaganza will have over 200 booths with vendors, expert advice, services and demonstrations to help you get your spring home improvement project off the ground. The show runs Friday to Sunday and admission is free.
DURANGO — The Durango Home & Ranch Show aims to be a one-stop marketplace for ideas and experts to help you remodel, refresh and renew your home. The home show will be held Saturday and Sunday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
GREELEY — Crafters, rejoice! Local crafters and artisans will be showcasing their unique one-of-a-kind items at this weekend’s The Tribune Spring Craft and Gift Show. Held at the Greeley Mall, the show will also have kids’ activities, gifts and giveaways. Admission to the Saturday and Sunday show is free.
CASTLE ROCK — The Rocky Mountain Antique Festival runs Friday to Sunday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Event Center. The show features antique dealers from over a dozen states in an indoor, climate-controlled setting and parking is free. For tickets, visit HeritageEventCompany.com.
WOODLAND PARK — The 20th annual Kidsfest takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center in Woodland Park. The event features a game area, bounce house, discovery zone, activity booths and more. To see all the activities planned at the free, early childhood festival at tre.org.
DENVER — This weekend, the Colorado Symphony will perform Tchaikovsky’s explosive 1812 Overture, in addition to tackling the works of other prominent Russian composers such as Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov and Prokofiev. The Colorado Symphony Chorus will also join this weekend’s performances under the direction of guest conductor Rossen Milanov. The Colorado Symphony will perform Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Boettcher Concert Hall. For tickets, visit ColoradoSymphony.org.
BOULDER — The CU Theatre and Dance Department are ready to present their annual Spring Concert this Friday and Saturday. The concert will feature a mix of hip-hop, aerial, fusion forms and improvised dances crafted by undergraduate and graduate dance students. Performances are free and open to the public at Charlotte York Irey Theatre in Boulder.
FORT COLLINS — This weekend’s CSU Spring Dance Concert features new works by faculty, guest, and student choreographers. Performances will take place Friday and Saturday the University Dance Theatre on the Colorado State University campus. Reserve your seats at CSUArtsTickets.UniversityTickets.com.
FORT COLLINS — Canyon Concert Ballet will perform their beautiful new ballet this Saturday and Sunday at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The re-imagining of the classic Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale The Little Mermaid, choreographed by Artistic Director Alicia Laumann, is set in Renaissance Denmark with a contemporary ballet and eclectic classical score. For tickets, head to LCTix.com.
LAKEWOOD — The newest production from Ballet Ariel arrives on Saturday and Sunday at the Lakewood Cultural Center. The ballet will perform original choreography to Maurice Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite and the fairy tales of Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Tom Thumb, Empress of the Pagoda and The Fairy Garden. Ballet Ariel will also stage a dramatic and entertaining production of Act III of Swan Lake. Tickets to this weekend’s performances can be purchased at Lakewood.Showare.com.
NIWOT — Centennial State Ballet is set to present A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with choreography from George Balanchine and music by Felix Mendelssohn, on Saturday and Sunday. The Centennial State Ballet Chamber Orchestra will provide musical accompaniment to the performances, held at Niwot High School Auditorium. For tickets and information, visit CentennialStateBallet.org.
LITTLETON — First Presbyterian Church of Littleton will host a free concert on Saturday. The Spirituals Project Choir will perform various arrangements of the music of spirituals, which were created and first sung by enslaved Africans in America in the 18th and 19th centuries. The choir, under the direction of M. Roger Holland from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, will perform the free concert at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Littleton.
DENVER — The Denver Young Artists Orchestra will perform their “Final Bow” this Sunday at Denver’s Boettcher Concert Hall. The orchestra, under the direction of Wes Kenney, will perform selections from Prokofiev, Dvořák and Bowen. Tickets are available at the symphony box office, ColoradoSymphony.org or by phone at 303-MAESTRO.
DENVER — The Evergreen Chorale will hold two performances of Singing Peace his weekend. The group, along with The Thomas Dance Project and instrumentalists, are set to perform Saturday at Denver’s Wellshire Presbyterian Church and Sunday at Golden’s Calvary Church. Reserve your seats at OvationWest.org.
AURORA — Broadway and television star Megan Hilty headlines this weekend’s Central City Opera "Theatre of Dreams" Gala. The black-tie event begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora. In addition to Hilty, the evening will offer cocktails, a four-course gourmet dinner, fine wines and dancing. To reserve a seat, head to CentralCityOpera.org.
BOULDER — The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra closes their season with Dvořák's beloved Symphony No. 9, "From the New World,” and Peter Boyer’s Grammy-nominated Ellis Island. Boulder Philharmonic’s “The Dream of America” begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at CU’s Macky Auditorium. Reserve your seat at BoulderPhil.org.
AURORA — The 5th annual Wedding Street Market Bridal Expo is your one stop shop for all of your wedding planning. The expo offers expert advice and services in planning, gowns, décor and wedding destinations, plus there will be live music, food and more. The Wedding Street Bridal Expo is Sunday at The Hangar at Stanley.
BOULDER — Explore amazing new inventions and technologies created by teams of CU engineering students at the annual CU Engineering Projects Expo. The 2nd annual event, which takes place from 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Friday, is free and open to the public at CU’s Indoor Practice Facility. RSVP to attend the expo at Colorado.edu.
GLENDALE — Glendale’s Infinity Park will host two epic rugby matches this Friday. First, the USA Women’s Eagles 15s will face off against the Barbarian F.C. at 5 p.m. Then, the Glendale Raptors take on Rugby United New York at 7:30 p.m. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the first 1,000 fans through the gates will get a free Rudi the Raptor keychain. For tickets and Friday’s schedule, head to GlendaleRaptors.com.
BOULDER — New football head coach Mel Tucker makes his Colorado debut with Saturday’s Spring Game. The day begins with a Healthy Kids Day at 11 a.m., followed by the free scrimmage from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. After the Spring Game, fans are invited on the field for a selfie session with the Buffs.
LOVELAND — The full-tackle Legends Football League and the Denver Dream open the 2019 season Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center. The Dream, who host the Los Angeles Temptation at 7 p.m., feature a veteran roster along with impact rookies competing in the Western Conference of the LFL during the 2019 season. Game tickets can be found at TREventsComplex.com.
CENTENNIAL — Showtime On Ice, a Denver tradition since 1973, begins Friday night at South Suburban Ice Arena. Local figure skaters will put on performances alongside some of the most elite skaters in the country. There are four performances total, including two evening shows and two matinees, from Friday to Sunday. For ticket information, visit ShowtimeOnIce.com.
PAGOSA SPRINGS — Head to Pagosa Springs this weekend and enjoy samples from over 50 different types of craft beer while soaking in a variety of 23 geothermal soaking pools. Attendees of the 5th annual Pagosa Pints & Pools Craft Beer Fest can soak on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and enjoy food trucks and live music. Tickets are available online here.
PUEBLO — Enjoy an evening of great beer, live music, games and animals. The 4th annual Brew at the Zoo runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pueblo Zoo. The ticket price includes zoo admission and you'll get a commemorative Brew at the Zoo tasting glass and enjoy live music, games, unlimited beer samples and more. Tickets are available online at PuebloZoo.org.
DENVER — The annual Belgian Brew Fest will be held on Sunday at The Garden at Bruz Beers. The event, which takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., features unlimited Belgian beer samples and live music. For tickets, visit BelgianBrewFest.com.
PUEBLO — Walk MS, which aims to bring a community of passionate people together to end MS forever, returns to Pueblo this April weekend. The event will offer one-mile and three-mile routes and is open to all ages. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Pueblo Community College. On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m. or online at NationalMSSociety.org.
DENVER — The Back on My Feet 5K is an untimed fun run and fundraising event to support the Back on My Feet program. The program aims to use the power of running as a catalyst to empower individuals to achieve self-sufficiency. The dog-friendly and stroller-friendly run begins at 9 a.m. at Sloan Lake Park. Registration can be completed at BackonmyFeet.org.
FORT COLLINS — The Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County hosts Saturday’s Remembrance Walk in Fort Collins. The walk begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at City Park and will travel about one mile. Registration can be completed online with a suggested donation of $10.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS — The annual Water Wells for Africa 5K Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday in Glenwood Springs. The run/walk, hosted by Sonlight Foursquare Church, will help fund the construction of a third well in Malawi, Africa. Complete your race registration here.
ARVADA — Lake Arbor is the site of Sunday’s Expect Miracles 5K. The 5K and a 1.5 mile fun run hope to raise medical research funds for Rare Sisters and the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation. The event will also have a community expo and food trucks. Race registration can be completed at RareSisters.org or BeyondBatten.org.
DENVER — The annual Cherry Creek Sneak returns to Cherry Creek this Sunday. The event is a must for runners, walkers, families and elite runners. The event offers a 10-mile, 5-mile, 3.1-mile and ½-mile kids’ fun run (for those 8 and under). An after-party features free beer (for those 21 and older), vendors, sponsor giveaways and more. Cherry Creek Sneak registration can be completed online.
COLORADO SPRINGS — Explore the beauty of Colorado Springs’ Bear Creek Regional Park at Saturday’s Spring Fling 5K Poker Run/Run. Each participant in the event will get a scorecard and work to reach all five checkpoints on the course at which they will draw a card. Adults will collect scores for a poker hand and kids will collect colors for a special prize category. Participants will turn in their hand at the finish line and prizes will be awarded. Proceeds go towards building an equestrian skills course at the park. Spring Fling 5K registration can be completed online.
COLORADO SPRINGS — The Just Ruck 5K walk/march event takes place Saturday at Garden of the Gods Park. The walk is organized by the non-profit Struggle Beyond the Decade and Kingdom Empowerment outreach ministries, to raise awareness about military veteran suicide. To sign up for the walk, visit RunSignUp.com.
EVANS — Sunday's 6th annual 5K In My Shoes is a walk, run or roll race that promotes awareness of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Teams, beginners and pros are all welcome on a well-marked, fully-accessible course that begins at Envision (1050 37th St. Evans). The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. and a 1K begins at 8:35 a.m. Registration is available online at Envisionco.org.
Do you know of a cool, fun Colorado festival, fair, expo, concert or event you think we ought to mention in this week's 9Things or in the future? Send it to alexander.kirk@9news.com.
Have an extraordinary weekend!
SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Feature stories from 9NEWS