It’s a new year with new adventures and events ahead of us! While the holidays might be over, Southwest winter events are far from it. After all, the weather is nice and sunny (for most of us, anyway) and it’s the best time of year to be outside.
From skijoring to art and balloon festivals, here are events near you (or a quick road trip away) to enjoy in January.
Southwest Winter Events
Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo: Jan 7-17, Texas
Odessa, Texas, starts the year off with what they do best: rodeos. The Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo has been running since the 1930s, and it’s a week-long event filled with bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping and bronc riding at the Ector County Coliseum.
Learn more about it at sandhillsssr.com.
Bluff Balloon Festival: Jan 16-18, Utah
Spend Martin Luther King Jr. weekend with your head in the clouds, kind of. On Friday and Saturday, hot air balloons fly over the Valley of the Gods, a gorgeous red rock canyon with picturesque formations. You can hike or caravan to follow the air balloons; viewing is free. There are many events this weekend, too, including an ice cream social, art festival, stargazing with telescopes, and Navajo tacos will be sold.
Learn more at bluffutah.org/bluffballoonfestival.
City of Rocks State Park Public Viewing: Jan. 17, New Mexico
Spend an evening under some of New Mexico’s darkest skies at City of Rocks State Park at a public stargazing and night-sky viewing event. Known for its dramatic volcanic rock formations and designation as an International Dark Sky Park, City of Rocks offers exceptional views of constellations, planets and winter skies. Explore the park by day and stay after sunset for guided viewing and astronomy-focused programming.
Learn more at newmexico.org/event/city-of-rocks-state-park-public-viewing/19876/.
Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships: Jan. 19-28
Every January, the town of Breckenridge, Colorado hosts snow sculpture championships. These competitors come from around the world to battle it out, and the sculptures are impressive, to say the least. Starting Jan. 19, visitors can walk around Riverwalk Center to view these icy spectacles. Admission is free.
Learn more at uncovercolorado.com/events/breckenridge-international-snow-sculpture-championships.
Children’s Museum of Phoenix Free School and Family Fun Night: Jan. 24, Arizona
The children’s museum in Downtown Phoenix is a highly interactive and highly favored by many families, and on January 24, you can take the family for free. A DJ will be onsite, along with a balloon drop, face painting and student performances to enjoy.
Learn more at visitarizona.com/events/children-s-museum-of-phoenix-free-school-fair-and-family-fun-night.
Stay tuned for part 2 of Southwest winter events coming soon!