Welcome to your Weekend Events Roundup — a curated list of different activities, events and news around Denver (and occasionally some stuff in the mountains) for the weekend of Feb. 21, 2020. Check out Denverite or The Denver Post for an eclectic mix of stories and happenings every week.
CO WX: Denver Forecast
BLACK SHEEP FRIDAY: SOCK PUPPET KARAOKE
WHEN: Fri. Feb. 21 @ 6-8 PM (Happy Hour 5-7 PM)
WHERE: MCA Denver (1485 Delgany St)
COST: Free with museum admission, members & teens ($5 after 5 PM)
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: A unique take on a classic crowd-pleaser — turn up with a sock puppet to lip-sync any kind of slapper you dang well please. DJ Bella Scratch with the jams! This is the last installment of MCA’s Black Sheep Friday, and arguably one of the coolest events around Denver. “Sophisticated nonsense.”
COLORADO GARDEN & HOME SHOW
WHEN: Sat. Feb. 22-Sun. March 1 / Sat. & Sun. @ 10 AM; Mon.-Fri. @ 12 PM
WHERE: Colorado Convention Center (700 14th St)
COST: Prices vary; typically $12 for adults, $10 for seniors
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: This nine-day event is the Rocky Mountain region’s oldest, largest garden and home show. Gallivant through 11 beautiful landscaped gardens and visit more than 650 exhibitors from all over the country and Canada with products, services, ideas and new technologies in landscaping and gardening.
SELF CARE SUNDAYS
WHEN: Sun. Feb. 23 @ 10 AM
WHERE: MCA Denver (1485 Delgany St)
COST: Free with museum admission
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: On the first Sunday of every month, MCA Denver provides an unconventional opportunity to experience the museum and art on a whole new level. Every Sunday is a different experience.
DENVER NUGGETS VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
WHEN: Sun. Feb. 23 @ 4 PM
WHERE: Pepsi Center (1000 Chopper Cir)
COST: Prices vary
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: HOOPS. Nugs are 38-17 and T-Wolves are 17-38. Nikola Jokic turned 25 this week as well, so go say Happy Birthday to the Nuggies’ young star.
DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE FREE DAY
WHEN: Sun. Feb. 23 @ 9 AM-5 PM
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science (2001 Colorado Blvd)
COST: Fo’ Free
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: The second free day offered in February — in case you missed the first one!
DENVER MARDI GRAS
WHEN: Sat. Feb. 22 @ 6-11 PM
WHERE: Exdo Event Center, dressed up as Bourbon Street (1399 35th St)
COST: General admissions between $25-$65
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: An elaborate festival for 1,200 people, 10,000+ free beads — specifically models tossing beads from balconies — and 12-foot voodoo dolls. And did we mention, booze? Because yet another year is here and you still couldn’t make it to NOLA. Feel that on a personal level.
COLORADO DRAGON FILM FESTIVAL
WHEN: Thurs. Feb. 20-Sun. Feb. 23 / times vary
WHERE: Locations vary; Opening Reception at Sie FilmCenter (2510 E Colfax Ave)
COST: Tickets vary, from Opening Night to Film Fest Pass ($30-$90)
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Ten films from all over the world, food, art and more at Colorado’s only all Asian film festival. The Dragon Film Fest showcases diverse stories of international and Asian American cinema and highlights wellness and community.
DENVER RESTAURANT WEEK 2020
WHEN: Fri. Feb 21-Sun. March 1
WHERE: Check out participating restaurants and menus
COST: Multi-course dinners offered at three price points: $25, $25 or $25
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Just go look at #DenverRestaurantWeek on Instagram. We all love food. This is a great opportunity to check out Denver’s top restaurants, or perhaps some new places you’ve had your eye on. This should be a front runner in your lineup of weekend events.
INAUGURAL DOWNTOWN OPEN RAIL JAM
WHEN: Sat. Feb. 22 @ 5-10 PM
WHERE: Civic Center Park
COST: Free admission (proceeds from concessions and food trucks go to the Civic Center Conservancy)
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: This Civic Center Conservancy and Pacifico-hosted competition draws pro snowboarders and skiers to a 90-foot slopestyle course. Enjoy a beer garden, food trucks, live music, and of course — the fullest of sends.
COLORADO ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL
WHEN: Thurs. Feb. 20-Sun. Feb. 23
WHERE: American Mountaineering Centers (710 10th St, Golden)
COST: Sessions vary from free admission, to $25 per film, to $65 for an all-access pass.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Check out world-class environmental films and interact with local and national organization reps at this event geared towards the natural world. Other than short and feature-length films, events include Happy Hours, meet n’ greets with filmmakers and a guided nature and forest therapy walk.
REPTILIAN NATION EXPO
WHEN: Sat. Feb. 22-Sun. Feb. 23 @ 10 AM-5 PM
WHERE: Denver Mart Pavilion (451 E 58th Ave)
COST: General admission starts at $12
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Reptiles, amphibians, arachnids and exotic venomous snakes shows two times a day — this is the largest reptile expo in the state. More than seventy vendors will be at the expo with thousands of unique exhibits and supplies.
Send us suggestions or ideas for any events and activities we should include on the Weekend Events Roundup / Check out our Cornerstone Card partners for a list of exclusive specials, discounts and promotions around Denver for Cornerstone residents.
AND ALSO: here’s Monti.
(photo by Angelica Zepeda)