Be resolute
Friday. Start 2026 off right with a guided or self-guided New Year’s Day hike in one of Colorado’s magnificent state parks. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is once again hosting a series of First Day Hikes in specific parks, including Barr Lake, Castlewood Canyon, Chatfield, Cherry Creek, Eldorado Canyon, Golden Gate Canyon, Roxborough and Staunton. Scenic views and fresh air are the primary draws, but there are also activities, like hot chocolate and snacks, a forest bathing primer and bald eagle viewing.
“These guided hikes are organized annually to encourage individuals and families to start the year on the right foot — by getting outside and connecting with nature,” the agency said in a statement. Start times vary, and registration for many hikes is required. For more information and a complete list of participating parks, visit the CPW event calendar. — Jonathan Shikes
Laugh it up
Through Thursday. Early January is a great time for comedy, since stand-ups often take advantage of the light music-touring schedule to mop up audiences. This week features the surreal humor of alt comedy godfather Emo Phillips, at Comedy Works in downtown Denver, with various shows through Saturday, Jan. 3 (tickets are $25-$30 at comedyworks.com), as well as “Self-loving Jew” Yohay Sponder at the University of Denver’s Newman Center for an all-ages show on Thursday, Jan. 8 ($46-$86 via newmancenter.evenue.net).
After a test run earlier this year, Live Comedy Tuesdays is returning for a 20-week Colorado Comedy Showcase, hosted at The Patio at Sloan’s. “The series features five Colorado comedians every week, highlighting a different lineup each Tuesday through April 21, 2026,” said host and producer Professor Phelyx, a nationally known and award-winning illusionist and mentalist. Tickets for the Tuesday, Jan. 6, event are $10 and available at eventbrite.com
Thornton’s big birthday
Opens Monday. It’s been 70 years since Thornton became a city, and the former agricultural hub that now houses 146,000 people is celebrating with a detailed look back. The city is opening a 70th anniversary exhibit at Thornton Arts and Culture Annex, 9211 Dorothy Blvd., on Monday, Jan. 5, and keeping it going through the rest of 2026.
“Various artifacts, photographs, stories, and murals tell the community’s story starting with developer Sam Hoffman, who purchased land in the early 1950s that became the city of Thornton,” organizers wrote. Admission is free and open to all ages, with children under 16 to be accompanied by an adult. The exhibit will be closed on federal and city holidays. Call 720-977-5888 or visit artsthornton.com for more information.
“Frozen” once more
Through Sunday. If you missed the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ touring Broadway version of the enduring Disney musical “Frozen” the last time it was here (in 2024, see above), now’s your chance to see it in Arvada. The city’s Center for the Arts & Humanities is hosting a tight run of the show, which is based on the Broadway version, through Sunday, Jan. 4, with all the pageantry and melody you’d expect from such a lavish production. (Note: It’s just for ages 4 and up.)
Shows take place at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada. Tickets are $68.25-$120 at support.arvadacenter.org. Call 720-898-7200 for more information.
Looking ahead
Hoof it downtown
Next Thursday. The annual drive of more than two dozen Longhorn cattle through downtown Denver returns Thursday, Jan. 8, as the National Western Stock Show kicks off its Jan. 10-25 run of rodeos, livestock and agricultural contests, Western art and vendors, and much more.
Thursday’s unique event is free and begins at noon at Union Station at 17th Street. From there, the cattle and wranglers will wind their way toward the route’s end at 17th Street and Glenarm Place. Expect the city to be hopping with “boots, chaps and cowboy hats to celebrate Colorado’s Western traditions … step back in time and see a true Western cattle drive with horses, cowboys, cowgirls, tractors, marching bands and floats.”
Visit nationalwestern.com for more information about the Stock Show, which takes place at the National Western Complex, 4655 N. Humboldt St. in Denver.