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@gazette.com.

THURSDAY-JAN. 25

That special time of year when Colorado celebrates its Western heritage in this tradition since 1906, the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo at Denver’s National Western Complex. Kicking off at noon Thursday with the parade featuring longhorn cattle downtown and a huge schedule of events beginning Saturday. More than 20 pro rodeos, PBR champs, the MLK Jr African American Heritage Rodeo, a Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Xtreme Dog Shows, horse jumping, Western vendors and so much more. Schedule and tickets: nationalwestern.com. Country music, boots and two-stepping at clubs everywhere.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

Add to this extremely busy weekend the International Sportsmen’s Expo in the Colorado Convention Center. Fishing, hunting, pontoon boats and RVing. Newest vendor added to the hundreds is the Eagle Claw Tackle Store. Guides from the West, Canada and Mexico, African hunts and photo safaris. All about Colorado in the Outdoors Pavilion by Colorado Parks and Wildlife with catch-and-release trout pond. Sunday is Family Day. Admission $18, active duty military and youth under 15 free. Open noon Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. sportsexpos.com

 SATURDAY-FEB. 16

Wonderful scents and beautiful flowers await at the Orchid Showcase Saturday through Feb. 16 in Denver’s York Street Botanic Gardens. Hundreds of orchids from the Gardens’ collections Orangery, Marnie’s Pavilion and the Boettcher Center Lobby. Two free days during the Showcase with advance reservations Jan. 19 and Feb. 12. And Orchid Sales Days begin Saturday. botanicgardens.org

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Begin the year with a short one, several short ones in fact, during Masters of the Short Story. Top actors will bring to life classic stories at 7 p.m. Saturday at Nomad Theater in Boulder and 2 p.m. Sunday at Su Teatro in Denver. Tickets $26, storiesonstage.org, 303-494-0523. Recognize yourself, events or people you know in these tiny moments, they promise. A cookies and milk reception follows.

DAILY

We haven’t seen much of that wonderful white stuff, but when we do there’s Children’s Museum Snow Days fun at Marsico Campus until Feb. 16. The outdoor plaza is the place for snow fun: a sledding hill, building a snowman, sock skating on the rink, fire pits, a snowmobile mountain diorama, and ice house fishing. mychildsmuseum.org/exhibits/snow-da

SATURDAY

Walk like a penguin and even dress like one at the 13th annual All-Out Polar Prowl, the first running event of the new year and an official BOLDERBoulder qualifying run. Choose a 5K, 10K or half marathon along the Van Bibber Creek Trail overlooking Arvada’s open spaces. Add to this a contest for the best-dressed penguin person. Prowl from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 11200 W. 58th Ave. Registration $48.70, events@alloutmultipro.com

SUNDAY

Relax with a Sunday yoga workout alongside calming sea life floating by in the Shark Tank at the Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St., 8:30 to 10 a.m. It’s on the second Sunday of each month through November. $45 includes admission to the full aquarium. All levels of vinyasa yoga. Bring yoga mat and water bottle. info@yogasocial.org