So long, 2018!
It's been a long, full year of amazing events, concerts, festivals, art fairs, county fairs and sporting events in the Centennial State. But before we jump into 2019, there's still a great weekend of fireworks, concerts, New Year's celebrations and Broncos football. Have a great weekend!
New Year's Eve Fireworks — Denver
The sky above Denver's 16th Street Mall will be filled with spectacular fireworks to close out 2018. Shows will take place New Year's Eve at 9 p.m. and midnight. The fireworks will be synched to a music playlist from DJs along the mall.
Noon Year's Eve — Denver
Families can enjoy the sights, sounds and excitement of Times Square, at the Children's Museum, all before bedtime. The Children Museum's Noon Year's Eve event on Monday features countdowns with hourly ball drops, bubble wrap fireworks, rainbow confetti, sparkler and noisemaker crafts, science experiments, face painting, special characters, festive treats and more.
The Denver Broncos conclude the 2018 season on Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos, who have clinched back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1972, could be making some big changes after the game. Kickoff is set for 2:25 p.m. at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.
Rescue Run 5K & 10K — Colorado Springs
This is the year you'll keep your resolutions! Begin the year on the right foot with a 5K or 10K on New Year's Day. The races take place Tuesday at Colorado Springs' Palmer Park. Proceeds from the runs benefit El Paso County Search and Rescue, an all-volunteer organization. Race registration can be completed online.
Resolution Run 5K — Fort Collins
One of Fort Collins' oldest races returns for a 34th year. The Resolution Run has a new host and new course this year. The family-friendly, neighborhood streets 5K will start and finish at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. The event, which begins at 6 p.m. New Year's Eve, is held after sunset and glow sticks will be provided. Race and volunteer information is available online.
PAW Patrol Live! — Denver
The newest PAW Patrol Live tour arrives in Denver this weekend. "The Great Pirate Adventure" will play four shows at Bellco Theatre on Friday and Saturday. For tickets, head to AXS.com.
The Beach Boys — Beaver Creek & Denver
Iconic rock band The Beach Boys visit the Centennial State this final weekend of 2018. The "Surfin' Safari" and "Surfin' U.S.A." rockers will perform at Beaver Creek's Vilar Performing Arts Center this Friday and Saturday, plus Denver's Paramount Theatre on Sunday. Tickets and information can be found at TheBeachBoys.com.
Denver's Union Station will be home to three New Year's Eve parties this Monday. The New Year's Eve experience will have three DJs spinning jams in the station leading up to an extravagant light show on the Great Hall ceiling at midnight. Tickets are sold online.
Colorado Springs Philharmonic's New Year's Eve — Colorado Springs
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic will celebrate New Year's Eve with a concert in the big band spirit of Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. The Philharmonic will "swing" into the new year at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts. Get your tickets at CSPhilharmonic.org.
The Colorado Symphony's popular annual tradition "A Night in Vienna" returns on New Year's Eve. The rousing selection of polkas, waltzes and marches begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Boettcher Concert Hall, ensuring attendees won't miss the 16th Street Mall fireworks. Reserve your seats at ColoradoSymphony.org.
Colorado Avalanche — Denver
The Colorado Avalanche will play at Pepsi Center twice this holiday weekend. The Avs first welcome the Chicago Blackhawks at 7 p.m. Saturday as well as the Los Angeles Kings at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
Denver Nuggets — Denver
Friday's Denver Nuggets game at Pepsi Center is a "Mile High City Night" featuring a performance from platinum-selling recording artist 3OH!3. Plus, the red-hot Nuggets host the San Antonio Spurs at 7 p.m. The Nuggets will also play in Denver at 7 p.m. New Year's Day against the New York Knicks.
Extreme Rodeo Challenge — Loveland
The 13th Annual New Year's Eve Extreme Rodeo Challenge returns to the Budweiser Events Center this Monday. The event features rodeo favorites including saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, bullfighting and mutton bustin’. TREventsComplex.com is the place for tickets.
AdAmAn Club Fireworks — Colorado Springs
A Pikes Peak tradition since 1922, hearty climbers traverse the icy slopes of Pikes Peak to provide a spectacular show for spectators in the Colorado Springs region. At midnight the climbers set off a huge fireworks display for the delight of everyone below. On a clear night, the AdAmAn Club Fireworks can be seen for hundreds of miles along the Front Range and eastern plains. This is truly a Colorado tradition you need to experience at least once.
Centerra’s New Year’s Eve Bash — Loveland
Loveland has a new way to ring in the new year — Centerra New Year’s Eve Bash. Staged at The Promenade Shops at Centerra and Chapungu Sculpture Park, you can celebrate the new year with food, activities, ice skating, fireworks and a silent disco party. At 8 p.m. catch Centerra’s New Year’s Eve community fireworks show from either the Main Plaza and Silent Disco beginning at 8:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn. This event was first published by MileHighontheCheap.com. For more deals and discounts, visit MileHighontheCheap.com.
Decadence — Denver
Many of the biggest artists in electronic and dance music are at the Colorado Convention Center on Sunday and Monday for Decadence 2018. Sunday's lineup includes Skrillex, Above & Beyond, Bassnectar, Eric Prydz, Zeds Dead, 1788-L, Alison Wonderland and more. Monday's New Year's Eve lineup includes Marshmello, Griz, ILLENIUM, 3LAU, Big Wild, Deorro, Anti Up, Frank Walker, Ilan Bluestone and many more. Single and two-day passes are sold at AXS.com.
2019 White Rose Gala — Denver
The White Rose Gala is a high end charity awareness event with musical and theatrical performances. The Gala's Roaring 20s and Great Gatsby theme is perfect for "flapper dresses, stylish sequins and fancy fedoras." The 2019 White Rose Gala opens at 9 p.m. Monday at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Tickets can be purchased online.
The String Cheese Incident — Broomfield
Colorado jam band legends The String Cheese Incident will headline three nights of concerts at Broomfield's 1stBank Center this New Year's weekend. Concerts are set for Friday, Saturday and Monday. Single or three-night passes are sold through AltitudeTickets.com.
STS9 — Denver
Rock band Sound Tribe Sector 9 - or STS9 - will headline not one, not two, not three, but four concerts in Denver this weekend. The band will perform at the Fillmore Auditorium and Summit Music Hall from Friday to Monday.
Josh Gracin & Craig Wayne Boyd — Colorado Springs
The Voice winner Craig Wayne Boyd and American Idol performer Josh Gracin will headline a New Year's Eve event at the historic Antlers Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs. Tickets and VIP packages are available online.
A Magical Cirque Christmas — Grand Junction
"A Magical Cirque Christmas" - a new production from the producers of Broadway smash hit "The Illusionists" - will stop at the Avalon Theatre on Sunday night. The show features dazzling illusions and breathtaking cirque artists performing to holiday favorites. America's Got Talent finalists Tyce and Mary Nielsen, a husband and wife aerialist team will perform the Duo Trapeze and Duo Roller Skating. For tickets, check out MonumentalTix.com.
Mamma Mia! — Grand Junction
There are four opportunities to see everyone's favorite ABBA-inspired musical performed by the High Desert Opera. Mamma Mia! opens Saturday at the Robinson Theatre with three performances this weekend and one next Saturday. Tickets are going fast so grab your money, money, money and reserve your seats at 970-523-9605.
Georgetown Loop Railroad — Georgetown
Head to the mountains and experience winter in Colorado from a train! Visit with Santa and see more than 160,000 lights in the forest with Georgetown Loop Railroad's "Lighted Forest." Get your tickets ahead of time at GeorgetownLoopRR.com.
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 a jubilant weekend!
