Each Thursday, explore Denver’s essential weekend events curated by The Denver Gazette. Dive into cultural experiences and entertainment delights across the city. Whether you enjoy art galleries, pottery, or outdoor sports, there’s something for everyone in Denver’s vibrant cultural scene. To submit an event for consideration, email listings@gazettedev.gazette.com.

THURSDAY-JAN. 12

Denver remains a city of holiday lights for another several weeks and it’s a longtime  tradition leading into National Western Stock Show time opening with a downtown parade of longhorns and cowboys Jan. 9. Through Jan. 12, the beautiful LED Blossoms of Light lines mile-long pathways through Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Timed entries.botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/blossoms-light. Also through Jan. 12, Hudson Holidays, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, still sparkles with its lighted trees, a light maze, large, themed exhibits and pathways. 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets: hudsongardens.org. The always impressive City and County Building sparkles with Light the Lights through Jan. 26, welcoming rodeo guests to the metro area at Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave. Choreographed light and music shows each evening. denvergov.org

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Time for final trips aboard the Georgetown Loop Winter Holiday Trains for the season, through Sunday. The post-Christmas trips travel through the lighted forest at night and all trips have a Victorian Holiday Celebration theme. georgetownlooprr.com/events

DAILY THROUGH JAN. 19

Come meet the Animals of the Rainforest and learn all about those amphibians, sloths, reptiles and more and learn how they are being saved. A Denver Museum of Nature & Science temporary exhibit, 2001 Colorado Blvd., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission. dmns.org

THURSDAY-FRIDAY

Don’t miss the last two days of the Denver Art Museum’s youth showcase Indomitably Indigenous which has offered Indigenous metro area artists an opportunity to celebrate and share their voice, culture and identities. It is part of DAM’s 100 years collecting Native American art, part of the museum’s Wonderscape Spotlight space in the Martin Building and part of the Spirit of the Sun’s Youth Media Hub. denverartmuseum.org 

FRIDAY

The first Friday in January kicks off a monthly Pay-What-You-Wish Day for admission to Clyfford Still Museum, 1250 Bannock St., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hands-on mini tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The museum has a collection of 3,125 works by the abstract expressionist. clyffordstillmuseum.org

DAILY

Design work master plan updates have been unveiled by Denver Parks and Recreation for the next 100 years of historic Civic Center Park downtown. The community is invited to submit  revitalization or future plan suggestions as well as how to preserve the area’s long history. First plans include adapting the Greek Theater for contemporary programming. Also focusing on the Central Promenade. Groundbreaking planned in 2025.To receive project updates: lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/4EjSnNd/outdoordowntown