Weekend Activities Around Denver and Beyond: Colorado Ice Castles Now Open | Arts and entertainment

Every Thursday, explore Denver’s essential weekend events curated by The Denver Gazette. Immerse yourself in cultural experiences and entertainment throughout the city. Whether you enjoy art galleries, ceramics, or outdoor sports, Denver’s vibrant cultural scene has something for everyone. To submit an event for consideration, email [email protected].

SATURDAY

Ice sculpture artists in Denver begin their creative work on four blocks of ice every Saturday at 3 p.m. and creates 6-foot-tall holiday scenes and then from 16-17, those watching can cheer on the “dueling saw” competition on smaller ice stages during Ice-ie sculptures that ends when the ice melts. The Shops at Northfield, 8340 Northfield Blvd. On site from 15-17, Elsa and Olaf. shopsatnorthfield.com/events.

SATURDAY

There’s music all over the world, including at Denver’s Union Station for Make music day. A tradition since 1982, it begins on December 21 in 1,000 cities in 120 countries and is open to anyone anywhere who wants to make music at the same time in city centers, parks and in their neighborhoods. Then participants also add events throughout the year. All ages, all music levels, all instruments, just a love of music. Locally, it’s 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday in the Great Hall at Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., denverunionstation.com/events/make-music-day-concert-series-at-denver-union-station

THURSDAY-FRIDAY

Ullr, the god of snow, cooperated quite nicely this year, which means both Colorado ice castles could plan openings days before Christmas. Cripple Creek isn’t until Thursday, and the newest cold attraction in Eagle is Friday. The frozen mazes that run through them, lined with colored lights, are billed as “fancy, fairy-tale environments.” Tickets $29, $23 for ages 4-11 icecastles.com.

FRIDAY-TUESDAY

A special family holiday, with performances especially for the young, Cirque Dreams Holidaze takes over the Bellco Theater with the iconic aerialists, circus acts and more with the addition of seasonal music, toy soldiers, reindeer, penguins and storybook characters. Tickets $44-$160: bellcotheatre.com/events

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Central City Opera stars perform the one-act Gian Carlo Menotti opera “Amahl and night visitors 2024” this weekend at Denver’s Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St., Friday at 18.00 and Saturday-Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets $42, $12 for ages 17 and younger. centralcityopera.org/tickets-amahl-and-the-night-visitors.

SATURDAY

Lots of laughs await at this irreverent adult comedy improv night, The Second City: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Sweater.” Make it fun with office parties, classic rom-coms and everything in between. Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Parsons Theatre, 1 E. Memorial Parkway, Northglenn. Tickets are $36-$40 at ci.ovationtix.com/36492/production/1199518?performanceId=11462515 Watch this Second City production Sunday in Lone Tree: lonetreeartscenter.org/series/2024-2025-main-stage-season

SATURDAY

A holiday tradition, Klezfest celebrating with music from around the world and headliners Rabbi Joe Black and Steve Brodsky, Hal Aqua and the Lost Tribe and Mishmish, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mercury Café, 2199 California St., $34. Limited tickets left: tinyurl.com/MMKlezfest24; mercurycafe.com/event/klezfest.

SATURDAY

Hike, make s’mores and burn the Christmas tree during the longest, darkest night of the year, winter solstice, 6-8 p.m., Bear Creek Lake Park, Lakewood. 5 USD. Registration: tinyurl.com/h4ku5525.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

The holiday series is in the Belmar district this weekend for Downtown Lakewood Holiday BAZAAR, 439 S. Upham Street, opens at 11 Saturday and Sunday. Craft vendors, model trucks, lots of pop-up bars, entertainment and lots of craziness. Free. Shop & Sip tickets at tinyurl.com/z2ncjknx

SATURDAY

Watch a movie with your own goat and maybe even do yoga during it Goatflix & Chill: Elf Saturday at The Orchard Town Center, 14644 Orchard Parkway, Suite 900, Westminster. From 7 to 9 p.m., Rocky Mountain Goat Yoga offers the movie with a goat night, $15-$20. theorchardtowncenter.com/event/goatflix-chill-4