Marvel At Dozens Of Larger Than Life Ice Sculptures At Colorado’s Most Magical Ice Festival This Winter
The Rio Frio Ice Festival in Alamosa, Colorado, offers a magical winter experience with ice sculptures, a 5K race, and various family-friendly activities.
Coloradans have figured out how to make the elements work to our advantage! When it is snowing, we hit the slopes. When it is sunny, we find a way to do everything outdoors. When there is a big chunk of ice, we sculpt it into something spectacular! If you are intrigued by the latter, we invite you to attend the Rio Frio Ice Festival in Colorado that is nothing short of magical:
Taking place January 27th through the 29th, 2023, is the annual Rio Frio Ice Festival!
Located in Alamosa, the Rio Frio pays homage to all things winter and boasts a packed schedule complete with intricate ice carvings.
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Beginning at noon on Saturday, January 28th, the ice carving segment of the festival showcases some of the state's most talented sculptors, who will demonstrate their craft based on the festival's annual theme (TBA).
Even if you can't make it to Main Street on Saturday at noon, be sure to swing by later on in the festival to see some of the finished sculptures!
If you think the icy fun ends at the sculptures, think again, as the Rio Frio also hosts a 5K atop the frozen Rio Grande River.
The Rio Frio 5k begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
In addition to all of the above, the Rio Frio runs a beautiful Cross Country Luminara Ski, Polar Plunge, Fire and Ice Bonfire, Ice Carousel and skating, fat bike races, and other fun surprises.
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Bring the kids, as there is something for everyone to enjoy at this magical wintertime tradition.
To learn more about the Rio Frio Ice Fest - or to register for one of its many memorable events - please visit their website.
If you find yourself saying, "I wish I knew where to watch fireworks near me this July 4th!" then we have the perfect list here for you! Celebrating Independence Day is a fun and important American tradition, and fireworks are a big part of that for most of us. Here, we've put together a list of some of the very best fireworks displays in Colorado for this holiday weekend, and no matter which one you choose, you're sure to be quite pleased. Have a great time celebrating America this year, and happy July 4th to you!
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1. Arvada Fireworks Display
Arvada's Fireworks Display is well-known around the region for being one of the best in Denver metro. This display has been happening since 1979 and will start around 9pm.
2. Aurora 4th of July Spectacular
Aurora's July 4th celebration includes food trucks, live music, and a big fireworks show that starts at 9:30 and lasts about 30 minutes.
3. Brighton Fourth of July
The celebration in Brighton includes food vendors, music, and fun, family-focused activities, and an impressive fireworks display at dusk.
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4. The Great American Picnic - Broomfield
Your whole family will love The Great American Picnic in Broomfield. Bounce on inflatables, eat food from local food vendors, and grownups can sip beer in the 21+ beer garden. Watch the Bike Parade and enjoy the big fireworks show at 9:30pm.
5. Commerce City 4th Fest
Dick's Sporting Goods Park and the Colorado Rapids offer the largest fireworks display in the state every year. Fireworks start after the Rapids play Kansas City and will begin around 9:30pm.
6. Colorado Rockies Post-Game Fireworks - Denver
Another big fireworks display on July 4th in the Denver metro area is the one that happens after the Rockies game at Coors Field. This year the Rockies play the Milwaukee Brewers and fireworks will commence when the game ends.
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7. Englewood 4th of July Independence Day Celebration
Enjoy local vendors, food trucks, and fun times with your neighbors at the Englewood 4th of July Independence Day Celebration! Fireworks start around 9:15pm.
8. Estes Park 4th of July Celebration
Fireworks are especially beautiful over Lake Estes! Check out music, food, local craft beer, and more before things start to explode in the sky!
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9. Fort Collins July 4 Celebration
The Fort Collins July 4th Celebration includes a golf tournament, a 5K, a parade, baseball games, and live music. Fireworks begin at 9:15pm.
10. Independence Day Fireworks - Grand Lake
Grand Lake is known for being one of the very best fireworks displays in our mountains! Before fireworks, which start around 10pm over Colorado's largest natural lake, you can check out a variety of festivities around town and on the lake during the day, too.
11. Highlands Ranch July 4th Fireworks
Everyone loves the Highlands Ranch Family Pet & Bike Parade and the Community Parade on the morning of July 4th. After that, go home and relax and rest up to prepare for the town's big fireworks display at 9:30 pm at Highland Heritage Regional Park.
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12. July 4th Festival - Loveland
The City of Loveland goes all out for its July 4th celebration! Check out the bike parade, the Kids' Zone Play Area, live music, a cornhole tournament, beer gardens, and fireworks over the course of a very exciting day.
13. Westminster 4th of July Celebration
Westminster has one of the best July 4th fireworks displays in the north metro area. Enjoy food, activities, beer, live music, and fireworks at 9:15pm.
Colorado is full of fun activities on July 4th! No matter where you live, you're sure to find festivities and fireworks within easy driving distance. Get out there and have a blast - no pun intended - with your friends and family and make some memories that will last for many years to come! Have a great holiday, everyone!
Taking a road trip to see fireworks in Colorado? Don't forget to pack some snacks!
Editor's Note: The 2024 festival has been canceled.
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Let me ask you a question: Where is the best place on earth to get BBQ? Don't worry, I'll give you a second to think about it... Time's up! What do you think? Memphis? Kansas City? Texas? While all of the above is very true, you are missing by far the best BBQ on earth, which can be found at this Annual Colorado BBQ Challenge that you simply cannot miss. After learning more, you'll be ready to pack your bags and head to get some of the best BBQ in the U.S.
The Annual Colorado BBQ Challenge features 70+ BBQ vendors competing for the prestigious title of Grand Champion.
The competition usually takes place over Father's Day weekend. The 2024 festival was unfortunately canceled when Copper Mountain declined to host the festival. Stay tuned with the Town of Frisco to learn more as the festival searches for a new home next year.
Started in 1993 with a mere 12 competitors, this popular Colorado tradition now welcomes not only 70 professional and amateur chefs from around the state, but also a whopping 30,000 guests each year!
There's a very delicious reason so many people flock to this annual festival. You can't beat the BBQ!
Located in Frisco, the Colorado BBQ Challenge offers not only a menu of tender, fall-off-the-bone meats, but also concerts...
Last year's musical lineup included the 101st Army Rock Band, Buckner Funken Jazz, and Beau Thomas. Hopefully the festival will be able to score so many awesome acts when the event reappears.
...the Breckenridge Distillery Whiskey Tour and a whole lot more!
BBQ AND whiskey?! Count me in! It's a dream combination.
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(Need we emphasize how amazing this BBQ tastes?!)
And there are so many different kinds of things to try.
Be sure to come with an empty stomach because there will be lots and lots to eat throughout the day.
As per their website, "Hogback Tickets are the official currency of the Colorado BBQ Challenge. Hogback tickets can be purchased at ticket booths throughout the event. $1 = 1 Hogback."
More information on the Colorado BBQ Challenge -- which takes place over 6 blocks worth of Frisco's Main Street -- can be found on the Town of Frisco's website.
Stay tuned for more information on where the 2025 competition will land.
Have you been to this fabulous festival, the Annual Colorado BBQ Challenge? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below. We love to hear your firsthand accounts of these unique events and experiences.