9Things to do in Denver and Colorado this weekend: Feb. 9, 10, 11

COLORADO, USA — Kids being pulled on skis behind horses and stunning mountain fireworks are just a few of the events planned this weekend at the oldest-running winter carnival in the western United States.

Steamboat’s annual celebration of winter and western heritage is back this weekend along with Frisco’s Spontaneous Combustion Community Bonfire.

No matter where you live in the Centennial State there is sure to be an exciting adventure awaiting you this chilly February weekend. Grab the hot cocoa and check out one of these fun events across Colorado.

Don’t forget to share your awesome weekend photos with the ‘Near Me’ button on the 9NEWS app! 

> Have an event tip? Send it here.

LOVELAND — The “Sweetheart City” gets sweeter for Valentine’s Day with the annual Sweetheart Festival. The festival runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — even if it snows — in downtown Loveland with free family fun. The festival features live ice sculpting, fire and art demonstrations, musical and dance performances, including Spinphony at the Rialto Theater. For a full schedule of Sweetheart Festival events, visit VisitLoveland.org.

DENVER — The “most action-packed live event on four wheels” makes its annual stop in Denver this weekend. The massive monster truck extravaganza Monster Jam will rock Ball Arena for four performances this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Trucks scheduled to appear in Denver include El Toro Loco, Megalodon, Monster Mutt Rottweiler, Velociraptor, Earth Shaker, Jurassic Attack, ThunderROARus, and the legendary Grave Digger. Get your Monster Jam tickets at MonsterJam.com.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Head to Steamboat Springs this weekend to experience the oldest, continuous Winter Carnival west of the Mississippi. Although the 111th annual festival has been underway since Wednesday, the highlights of the festival are on Saturday and Sunday. The street events feature kids being pulled on skis behind horses and adults being pulled on shovels through downtown Steamboat. On Saturday, Howelsen Hill will be lit up with illuminated skiers descending the mountain and a spectacular fireworks show to end the night. For a full schedule of snow sculpture judging, s’more parties, winter sports events and more, visit SteamboatChamber.com.

FRISCO — The Spontaneous Combustion Community Bonfire is an annual Frisco community celebration. The bonfire, fueled by the town’s recycled Christmas trees, kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by a firework show at 8 p.m. The Town of Frisco will be accepting Christmas trees for the bonfire through 4 p.m. Saturday at the Frisco Bay Marina dirt lot.

LAKEWOOD & LITTLETON — Valentine’s BAZAAR returns with two locations this Saturday and Sunday. Located in downtown Lakewood and Littleton’s Aspen Grove, each venue will have dozens of craft vendors, live music and pop-up bars. Entry is free to all.

FRISCO — The 53rd annual Frisco Gold Rush is the longest running Nordic event in Colorado. The event consists of classic and skate races open to skiers of all ages and abilities. There will be a 20K Skate, 10K Skate, 5K Skate and 1K Kids’ Fun Ski at the event on Saturday. Gold Rush registration can be completed at FriscoGoldRush.com.

PARKER — Parker Parks and Recreation Run Series’ signature run/walk arrives this Saturday at Salisbury Park. The Valentine’s Day 5K or 10K is a fun, festive workout followed by a post-race pancake breakfast. A free kids’ dash follows the race for children 8 and under. Runners and walkers are welcome to register at ParkerRec.com.

DENVER — Join Augustana Arts, president of the International Guild of Wines Claude Robbins, and Venezuelan jazz pianist Victor Mestas for “Music of the Vine,” a wine tasting and musical performance. Audiences will enjoy a curated selection of South American wines as they are led through a wine tasting, each wine paired with a jazz piano tune flavored with South American rhythms and styles. The event begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver.

DENVER — Admission is free for all visitors on Sunday at both locations of Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. Bring your friends and family to share in the wonders of aviation and space exploration. Explore interactive exhibits and see rare artifacts and iconic aircraft up close. Register online for free tickets.

DENVER — The next “2nd Saturday at CSU Spur” is this Saturday with a day of free, family oriented programs, activities and demonstrations centered on the campus’ core themes of food, water and health. CSU Spur’s three buildings will be open this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Greenhouse is undergoing renovation and is closed to the public; it will reopen in early March.

DENVER — Colorado Ballet continues its full-length ballet “Jekyll & Hyde” this weekend at Ellie Caulkin Opera House. Choreographed by Val Caniparol and inspired by the Robert Louis Stevenson novella, “Jekyll & Hyde” features music by Frédéric Chopin, Krzysztof Penderecki, Henryk Górecki, Wojciech Kilar and Henryk Wieniawski. Due to its mature content, “Jekyll & Hyde” is recommended for those ages 13 and older. The Victorian London-set ballet plays through Sunday. 

DENVER — “Cebollas” is a new production now playing at Denver’s Singleton Theatre. Yolie, Celia, and Tere are three sisters forced to take an unexpected road trip from Albuquerque to Denver. Making their way north on I-25, they don’t travel for business or for pleasure. They just need to transport a dead body across state lines. But, then again, what are sisters for? “Cebollas” plays at the Denver Performing Arts Complex through March. 17.

Last weekend was another quiet weekend at the box office with most moviegoers checking out holdovers and awards contenders. “Poor Things,” “American Fiction,” and “Wonka” are continuing to perform well.

Pixar’s “Turning Red” debuts in movie theaters for the first time this weekend, along with Diablo Cody’s new “Lisa Frankenstein.”

• Lisa Frankenstein
• Skin Deep
• Float
• Popular Theory
• Turning Red

1. “Argylle,” $18 million.
2. “The Chosen,” $6 million.
3. “The Beekeeper,” $5.3 million.
4. “Wonka,” $4.8 million.
5. “Migration,” $4.1 million.
6. “Mean Girls,” $4 million.
7. “Anyone But You,” $3.5 million.
8. “American Fiction,” $2.3 million.
9. “Poor Things,” $2.1 million.
10. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” $2 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.

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Colorado Guide

Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER

Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n 

ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.

For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for “9news” to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.