It’s the first week of 2025! Cheers to a Happy New Year in Denver. Kick the year off with comedy, art shows, mocktails and make your goals for the year ahead.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

Sundance Head

When: Jan. 2, 8 p.m.
Where: The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues, 1624 Market St., Denver, CO
Cost: $20
The Lowdown: For an evening of soul and country, listen to Sundance Head at Oskar Blues this Thursday. Head was on American Idol in 2007, making the top 24 and then joined in Season 11 of The Voice in 2016 and won on Blake Shelton’s team.
Buy tickets here

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert

When: Jan. 3, 7 p.m., various dates and times available
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St., Denver, CO
Cost: $19.20-$166.40
The Lowdown: While Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ is played in high-definition across four giant screens, the Colorado Symphony will perform John Williams’ score, conducted by Justin Freer.
Buy tickets here

Caspa B2B Rusko

When: Jan. 4, 9 p.m.
Where: Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO
Cost: $67.89+
The Lowdown: Mission Ballroom is starting 2025 out strong with a stacked lineup of DJs and producers this Saturday. The Widdler, Ternion Sound, Mythm, Chief Kaya, Torcha and Skinny Limbs will open, followed by a b2b set with Caspa and Rusko for a “Back to the Underground XL” performance.
Buy tickets here

Donny Most with MJO

When: Jan. 5, 4 p.m.
Where: Dazzle, 1080 14th St., Denver, CO
Cost: $20 – $30
The Lowdown: For 90 minutes enjoy the big band style of music from Donny Most, known as “Ralph Malph” on Happy Days. The band will play songs from Sinatra, Darin and Martin, in their own creative interpretation of the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra.
Buy tickets here

New Year’s Day Recovery Brunch

When: Jan. 1, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Wonderyard Garden + Table, 2200 Larimer St., Denver, CO
Cost: Free to attend, prices vary
The Lowdown: After a night full of celebrating, you might need a pick-me-up to get the day going. Wonderyard Garden + Table is offering 25% off their Bloody Mar or Mimosa bar for the day beside a spread of their signature brunch favorites like fluffy pancakes, avocado toast and more.
Reserve here

Raise Your Glass to Dry January

When: Jan. 1 – Jan. 31
Where: FIRE at the ART Hotel, 1201 Broadway St., Denver, CO
Cost: Prices vary
The Lowdown: The start of a new year is full of emotions and expectations. If you’re looking to start 2025 on a fresh and sober foot but still want to be social with friends, consider trying FIRE Restaurant and Lounge’s two non-alcoholic cocktails for the month of January. There is “The Clean Slate,” an NA take on a smoked Manhattan and “The Designated Driver,” an NA margarita.
Book a table here

Paint and Sip – Lovely Winter Wonderland

When: Jan. 3, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Painting with a Twist – Lakewood, 7134 W. Alaska Dr., Denver, CO
Cost: $39/person
The Lowdown: Instructor Brian will guide the class through painting a “Lovely Winter Wonderland” that includes mountains and winding river through the snow with various mediums and brushstroke techniques. This class is for any skill level, from beginners to experienced painters. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase so that you can unwind while letting your creative juices flow.
Buy tickets here

Beer Pairing Dinner

When: Jan. 4, 6 p.m.
Where: Goldspot Brewing Company, 4970 Lowell Blvd., Denver, CO
Cost: $99/person
The Lowdown: Chef Jared has curated an intimate tasting menu for guests to appreciate, paired with brews from Goldspot Brewing Company. The menu will entail a five-course Colorado grown meal paired with five Colorado crafted beers, with details revealed only at dinner to compound the surprise.
Buy tickets here

Brew Year’s Eve #8

When: Jan. 5, 8 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Where: Bierstadt Lagerhaus, 2875 Blake St., Denver, CO
Cost: Free to attend
The Lowdown: At this “Industry Get Down,” attendees can indulge in $7 liters of lager, a free mac and cheese bar with toppings, free shots for the countdown at 10 p.m., karaoke, a beer pong tournament and other games. The event is “a little late and not as flashy, but wayyyyyy more fun.”
Buy tickets here

Language Without Words: Works by Ash Eliza Williams

When: Dec. 22 – May 4, 2025
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens – York St. Location: 1007 York St., Denver, CO
Cost: Admission free – $15.75
The Lowdown: Explore Ash Eliza Williams’ painting and sculptures at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Williams’ Language Without Words is “an invitation to notice alternate ways to interact with nature…and contemplate perspectives beyond human experience.” Her work focuses on interspecies communication and empathy, and it has been exhibited in the MCA Denver, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (CO) and the New York Hall of Science. On Jan. 23, Williams will be present for an Intersections Lecture: Artist Talk from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Register for that event here.
Get admission tickets here

Ladies Night

When: Jan. 2, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Shoot Indoors Central Park, 6280 E. 39th Ave., Denver, CO
Cost: $10 for ladies
The Lowdown: Every first Thursday night of the month, Shoot Indoors Central Park hosts a Ladies Night, for women to be empowered in a safe, liberating experience. Rentals and targets are free, with only a $10 charge for shooting. This event is for both seasoned pros and first-time shooters.

Friday Night Stand-Up Showcase

When: Jan. 3, 7 or 9 p.m.
Where: Denver Comedy Lounge, 3559 Larimer St., Denver, CO
Cost: $21 – $25
The Lowdown: See comedians that have been featured on Comedy Central, NBC, TBS, HBO, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in the intimate Denver Comedy Lounge for some laughs at the beginning of the new year.
Buy tickets here

2025 Reading Goal Kickoff

When: Jan. 4, 12:30 – 4 p.m.
Where: Western Sky Bar & Tap Room, 4361 S. Broadway, Englewood, CO
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Calling all book lovers: come over to Western Sky Book Coven to get started on your reading goals for the year. There will be an allotted amount of time for silent reading, book chatting, bookish vendors and flash tattoos. Guests can hang out with other book lovers, have some drinks and get inspired.
Reserve a spot here

Laura Shill: Working On Myself

When: Jan. 5, 12 – 4 p.m.
Where: MCA Denver – Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St., Denver, CO
Cost: Performances are free with museum admission
The Lowdown: Performers Laura Shill and John Lake will “Work on Themselves, exercising various forms of interaction between the objects in Shill’s ‘loneliness gym.’” The performers will move throughout the MCA Denver building for prolonged stretches and other movement.

DENVER — In just a few hours, downtown Denver will be buzzing with New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Denver7 spoke with staff at The Cherry Cricket in Denver’s Ballpark District who said they were getting ready for the busy crowds.

General Manager Griffin Yarbenet said they are making sure to have more staff — and more champagne, ready.

“We got to make sure we have a lot of champagne flutes and a lot of booze ready, you know? People like to celebrate. Sometimes this is the last two hurrah before ‘Dry January,’” Yarbenet said. “We’ve noticed throughout the years that, especially after COVID, that these kind of events are creating more draw, more people are more comfortable with going out.”

Bars and restaurants aren’t the only ones who are gearing up for a big night — The Denver Police Department (DPD) said you can expect to see a lot more officers across the city, especially in spots where there will be large events.

“We do plan to make sure we have enough (patrols) based on just regular call load, but also enough to handle the firework shows that are downtown,” said Jay Casillas, public information officer for DPD.

Casillas said there will be both on-duty and off-duty officers. He said several off-duty officers are in charge of working at some of the NYE events across the city.

“They’re officers that aren’t on the clock, but they’re getting paid by the event holder, right? The people that are organizing the event, they paid them, and they’re just there to provide security for that event,” Casillas added.

DPD is reminding everyone: No matter how you plan to celebrate, do so safely.

“Plan for a safe and sober ride going to and from these areas, using designated drivers, designated sober drivers, utilizing ride shares, utilizing public transportation,” he said.

The Cherry Cricket in LoDo said it will be open until around 1:30 a.m. depending on how busy it is. They are not charging a cover fee.