Happy 2023, Boulder! Here’s our big list of things to do in Boulder in January, including live music, ice skating, dinner theater, arts events, dancing, and more.
Cocoa and Cuddles Tour at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
Photo Courtesy Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
What pairs best with a cup of hot cocoa – many will say “marshmallows,” but at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary, they say “cuddles with our Big Barn residents!” This winter season, Luvin’ Arms invites you to participate in our first-ever Cocoa and Cuddles tours here at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary! Get ready for a heartwarming and intimate experience while learning about each resident’s story while enjoying a delicious cup of hot cocoa. Tickets here.
Día De Los Reyes at Museum of Boulder
Photo Courtesy Museum of Boulder
Join the Museum of Boulder’s free celebration of Día De Los Reyes in person or online to celebrate and make wishes for 2022. Enjoy music, dance, short films, workshops, and more from performers and artists from different parts of the world. The Museum’s Día De Los Reyes is meant to transcend any specific tradition or cultural connotation. More information here. Another FREE event on our big list of things to do in Boulder in January.
WinterSkate in Downtown Louisville
Photo: All Things Boulder
When: Thanksgiving week ’til the end of February
Located at the Steinbaugh Pavilion in Historic Downtown Louisville WinterSkate is an old-fashioned ice skating rink complete with skate rental, concessions, and traditional holiday music. Celebrating its thirteenth year as the original outdoor ice skating rink in the community, WinterSkate presents the perfect opportunity to enjoy the winter season in a beautiful small-town setting. Louisville WinterSkate is held at the Steinbaugh Pavilion, 824 Front Street in Historic Downtown Louisville. For details, click here.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Photo Courtesy BDT Stage
When: Through January 28, 2023, full schedule here.
This holiday season, BDT Stage presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. In just three short years, Buddy Holly set the music world on fire and forever changed the face and sound of rock and roll. Armed with a Fender Stratocaster guitar, his signature specs, and a charismatic blend of rockabilly swagger, Buddy explodes onto the stage in this jukebox musical fully loaded with classics “Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Well…All Right,” “Not Fade Away” and many more with an encore that will have you on your feet and dancing in the aisles.
Friday Night Weird
Photo Courtesy Friday Night Weird
When: Every Friday night from 8:30 – 11:30 PM
Friday Night Weird is a weekly cult film series at the Boedecker Theater of the Dairy Arts Center and we’re here to make Boulder weird again by providing curated access to some the best new and classic genre films and a proper theater experience to enjoy them in. For this week’s Friday Night Weird pick, click here.
NoBo Art District First Friday Art Walk
Photo Courtesy NoBo Art District Facebook Page
Where: Friday, January 6, 2023, from 6 PM – 9 PM
NoBo First Friday is a FREE self-guided tour of artists’ studios and creative businesses in the NoBo Art District. Meet painters, sculptors, photographers, designers and other artists along your stroll through the area. Featuring live music, demos and special activities in many locations. Located along Broadway from Pine Street to Highway 36. Follow the colorful flags to find surprises around every corner. First Friday runs from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on the first Friday of the month. Please be respectful of COVID precautions, wear a mask and keep your distance. Please note that many locations have other opening and closing times, see the map or list to check exact times. Details at NoBoArtDistrict.org. Another FREE event on our big list of things to do in Boulder in January.
Trouble No More with special guest Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country at Boulder Theater
Photo Courtesy Boulder Theater
Grateful Web Presents Trouble No More with special guest Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country at Boulder Theater, performing the iconic Allman Brothers Band album Eat A Peach. Tickets here.
Jeff and Paige Concert Plus Pika Storytime at Museum of Boulder
Photo Courtesy Jeff and Paige
When: January 8, 2023, from 9:15 – 11:30 AM
Jeff and Paige use songs, storytelling, and interactive play to engage kids ages 3-9 with nature, music, and movement. They use costumes and props to create characters and set the scene. Their concerts are interactive, educational and focused on Colorado wildlife, sustainability and getting outdoors. Expect quick costume changes, educational skits, original/live music and loads of audience participation! In conjunction with the Museum of Boulder’s “Pika, Prairies and Climate Crisis” exhibit, their Jan. 8th concert will be a musical/theatrical hike from prairie to alpine bookended with inspiring, age-appropriate songs and skits surrounding energy conservation. Tickets here.
Afternoon Tea Dance
Photo Courtesy Avalon Ballroom
When: January 8, 2023, from 2 – 5 PM
Social and friendly ballroom dancing to great live music at the Sunday afternoon Tea Dance. Enjoy couples dances such as waltz, foxtrot, swing, tango, and one-step. Live music and light refreshments are included in your admission price. Dancing from 2pm to 5pm. No prior dance experience required. No partner needed. More info here.
Friday Night Jazz at Hotel Boulderado
Photo Courtesy Hotel Boulderado
Spend your Friday night listening to Jazz in the historic lobby of the Hotel Boulderado. Sip on refreshing cocktails and enjoy small bites with a special happy hour menu available for Jazz in the lobby.
Open Studio at Boulder Public Library’s Markerspace
Sewing Rebellion, Photo All Things Boulder
When: Every Tuesday & Wednesday from 1 PM – 7 PM
Boulder Public Library and Building 61 offer Open Studio every week, giving free access to: 3D Printers, Sewing Machines, Electronics bench, Design Laptops, Vinyl Cutter, Screen Printing Equipment and more are available for use at this time. More info here. Another FREE event on our big list of things to do in Boulder in January.
Tuesday Night Team Trivia at The Rayback
Photo Courtesy The Rayback Collective
When: Every Tuesday night, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Join Team Trivia Denver every Tuesday at The Rayback Collective in Boulder trivia night! Bring your friends, this event is free. For more information, click here. Another FREE event on our big list of things to do in Boulder in January.
Free Aerial Dance Open House
Photo Courtesy Frequent Flyers
When: Sunday, January 8, 2022, at 1 PM
Have you ever wanted to learn to fly? Now is your chance. Join Frequent Flyers for the Aerial Dance Open House! Aerial dance demonstrations and free trials on every apparatus starting every half hour for ages 5+. Another FREE event on our big list of things to do in Boulder in January.
Boulder Comedy Show
Photo Courtesy Boulder Comedy Show
When: Every Sunday night at Rayback Collective from 7 – 9 PM
The Boulder Comedy Show is the longest-running weekly comedy show in Boulder, CO. The live stand-up show happens every Sunday at the Rayback Collective. Every weekend a different comedian will be performing, headliners having been seen on Netflix, Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, Fallon, Colbert, Letterman, Kimmel, MTV and pretty much everything in between. Schedule and tickets here.
BeeChicas: Winter Wellness
Photo Courtesy BeeChicas
Honey and propolis are key to a bee’s immune system and helpful to our own! Learn about their medicinal benefits and explore some simple ways you can stock your pantry to boost your health this winter at the BeeChicas: Winter Wellness event. BeeChicas will show you how to make elderberry honey syrup, propolis tincture, and a handy medicinal ointment for cuts and wounds. Register for the free event here. Visit https://www.beechicas.com/ for more projects, recipes, and resources. Another FREE event on our big list of things to do in Boulder in January.
Boulder Community Knitting
Photo Courtesy Boulder Community Knitting
Boulder Community Knitting is a group of happy knitters dedicated to helping Boulder County’s children in need. They work with local charities – primarily Clinica and Sister Carmen Center. The group meets once a month at the Meadows branch of the Boulder Public Library and shares a free pattern. You supply the yarn and needles. You can check their website for updated information on meetings and projects. The group is always eager to have new members. More info here. Another FREE event on our big list of things to do in Boulder in January.
Don’t Tell Boulder
Photo Courtesy Don’t Tell Comedy
When: Friday, January 13, 2023 at 8 PM
You’re one step away from experiencing live comedy like never before: Don’t Tell Comedy. Secret comedians, secret location, and no two-drink minimums (BYOB!). Purchase tickets and they’ll send you the rest of the secret info at noon on the day of the show. For more information, click here.
Takács Quartet: January 2023
Photo Courtesy CU Presents
The Grammy-winning Takács Quartet will perform at Grusin Music Hall at CU Boulder, tickets here.
Lafayette Oatmeal Festival
Photo Courtesy Lafayette Oatmeal Festival
When: Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
26th Annual Lafayette Oatmeal Festival is a popular family event focusing on a healthy lifestyle. Oatmeal Breakfast will be held at Pioneer Elementary, click here for details.
Boulder County Bombers Live Roller Derby
Photo Courtesy Boulder County Bombers
When: Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 5 PM – 9 PM
Boulder County Bombers presents live roller derby at the Boulder County Fairgrounds featuring an epic clash of the cryptids – fangs, talons, teeth, wings, horns, eyes, and all! Boulder County Devils will face off against Major Turbulence of Denver Roller Derby. Head to https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5656197 for tickets – on sale now!
The Greatest .5k Ever by Sanitas Brewing Co.
Photo Courtesy Sanitas Brewing Company
When: January 14, 2023, from 10 AM – 2 PM
Who says you have to ditch your fitness goals in January? We’re combining fitness and fun to kick off the new year. Take the official .5k run around our warehouse, then reward yourself with a post-run beer. We’ll kick off the morning with some healthy snacks, Mor Kombucha and Boulder Juice. Then we’ll get warmed up with a short yoga/stretching session by Mark from Full Throttle Yoga before kicking off the run. Grab a beer and some healthy eats from our resident taco cart McDevitt Taco Supply post-run! For more info, click here.
Fiske Double Feature: We Are Stars & Perseus and Andromeda
Photo Courtesy Fiske Planetarium
Join Fiske Planetarium for a double feature with the films We Are Stars and Perseus & Andromeda. Tickets here.
Winter Prairie Dog Half Marathon
Photo Courtesy 3W Races
When: Sunday, January 15, 2023, from 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
3W Races would love to have you join them for this fun event that kicks off our Prairie Dog Race Series! Make it your annual Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance weekend event. Kick off your year with this half marathon which winds through back roads, bike paths, and gravel trails, showing off some of the best views the Front Range has to offer. More information here.
Motus Theater Presents: Dr. King Jr. and the Radical Roots at the Heart of Justice
Photo Courtesy Dairy Arts Center
When: January 16, 2023, at 2 PM
Motus Theater presents an arts-based, family-friendly event exploring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s understanding of poverty and racism. Featured guests include: The nationally acclaimed and regionally-loved singers, The ReMINDers; Dr. Reiland Rabaka, Director of the CU Boulder Center for African and African American Studies, presenting reflections and hip-hop poetry; and Colette Payne, Director at the Women’s Justice Institute, presenting a JustUs monologue that inspires us all to action in alliance with Dr. King Jr. Tickets here.
HomeVibe presents an evening with McKenna Michels
Photo Courtesy Roots Music Project
HomeVibe presents an evening with McKenna Michels at Roots Music Project. Songwriter, singer and vivid storyteller McKenna Michels makes fearless, complex pop music that radiates with mesmerizing vocal & piano melodies & soul-baring lyrics. For more info and tickets, click here.
Annual Super Duper Garage Sale at Boulder County Fairgrounds
Photo Courtesy Super Duper Garage Sale
The Annual Super Duper Garage Sale is back at Boulder County Fairgrounds with 35,000 Sq ft of indoor shopping with 90+ vendors. For more info and tickets, click here.
Boulder Phil: Afternoon with Bruckner
Photo Courtesy Boulder Phil
Virtuosic violinist Alex Gonzalez will leave the audience breathless with his spirited rendition of a Mozart classic and cornerstone in the violin repertoire, Concerto No. 5. Then transcend into the spiritual lyricism of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7, justifiably considered one of the greatest symphonies ever written. Tickets here.
Laser Radiohead at Fiske Planetarium
Photo Courtesy Fiske Planetarium
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, Radiohead is one of the most creative and unique musical acts in the world. Tap into the clever and influential stylings of the band for a mind-bending show at Fiske! Tickets here.
Blind Cafe Experience: Music and Dinner in the Dark
Photo Courtesy Dairy Arts Center
The Boulder Blind Cafe Experience is an award-winning positive social change pop-up dinner, social impact discussion & intimate live music performances held in 100% darkness, no blindfolds! You’ll break bread in community family style to a nourishing and healthy fixed dinner menu – sourced from local sponsors, restaurants, farms, and grocers – the dinner will be designed to be grounding, comforting & familiar but also become curious….and complete with something delightful, a nourishing surprise. For more info and tickets, click here.
The Wizard of Oz at Broomfield Auditorium
Photo Courtesy Danse Etoile Ballet
Danse Etoile Ballet brings L. Frank Baum’s story of the Wizard of Oz to life in this whimsical ballet. Your favorite characters will dance down the yellow brick road to Oz and on their journey to see the Wizard and battle the Wicked Witch to bring Dorothy back home. Tickets here.
The Desert Furs + Flash Mountain Flood with Special Guest Toast
Photo Courtesy Fox Theatre
Fox Theatre presents The Desert Furs and Flash Mountain Flood with Special Guest Toast. Tickets here.
