Happy Thursday, Colorado Springs! It’s another great weekend full of fun things to do, plus the Olympics are finally here if you’re feeling like staying in this weekend.
Do you know of any artists, eateries, or local happenings that deserve a spotlight in The 719 Direct? Send them my way at [email protected].
In today’s 719 Direct:
❄️ Downtown Winter Fest 2026
🌭 Battle for Brat Fest
🎹 Piano Trios — EPIC Concerts
🎭 Six Feet Under Winter Horror Festival
🎭 9th Annual Manitou Springs Carniball Gala
🦀 Rusty Crab Daddy Soft Opening
🎶 Live Music
🏈 Local Sports
⛰️ Trail of the Week: Mount Muscoco Trail
Let’s dive in!
-Eric Saul
I’m using this week’s ad space to bring attention to the Rallies for Reading Charity Pickleball Tournament that is happening March 29th from 10 am - 2 pm! All proceeds will go towards the Children’s Literacy Center, whose mission is to provide one-on-one tutoring to Colorado children reading below grade level. There will be a raffle, t-shirts included with registration, and lots of fun. Hope to see some of you there!
Interested in featuring your business or event in our next ad spot? ⬆️ Fill out THIS FORM
🗓️ Your Weekend in Colorado Springs
1. Downtown Winter Fest 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, 200 S. Sierra Madre St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Price: Free
Celebrate winter downtown with live music, ice carving demonstrations, family activities, local vendors, food trucks, and seasonal entertainment. Expect interactive games, community booths, and plenty of festive outdoor fun for all ages in the heart of the city.
2. Six Feet Under Winter Horror Festival
Sunday, February 8, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
RoadHouse Cinemas, 3030 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Price: $31.60 General Admission
Six Feet Under Horror Festival presents a double feature of independent horror at RoadHouse Cinemas. Watch “Mother of Flies”, with the acclaimed filmmakers, the Adams Family in attendance along with the cult-horror masterpiece “House of Abraham”.
3. Battle for Brat Fest
Saturday, February 6, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
3970 Clear View Frontage Rd, Colorado Springs, CO
Price: Free admission
Local chefs and food vendors compete to create the best bratwurst while attendees sample flavors, enjoy drinks, live music, and cast votes for their favorites. Expect a lively food-festival vibe with plenty of community energy and delicious bites.
4. Piano Trios
Friday, February 6, 2026, 7:00 PM
Ent Center for the Arts – Chapman Foundations Recital Hall, 5225 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Price: $44
An intimate chamber music performance presented by EPIC Concerts featuring world-class musicians performing piano trio repertoire in a close-up recital hall setting designed for immersive classical music experiences.
5. 9th Annual Manitou Springs Carniball Gala
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
444 Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Price: $75 General Admission
A colorful masquerade-style gala with live music, dancing, drinks, costumes, and carnival-themed entertainment. This annual fundraiser celebrates local arts and community programs with a lively party atmosphere and creative flair.
🏔️ What’s New in the 719
🦀 Colorado Springs is about to get a fresh taste of the coast with the upcoming opening of Rusty Crab Daddy. The new seafood spot, located at 1430 Harrison Road, will serve sizzling, customizable seafood boils designed to make every meal memorable. A soft opening kicks off on February 6, 2026, giving seafood lovers an early chance to experience the bold flavors.
🎶 Live Music
Thursday 2/5/2026
Live music featuring John Wise and Tribe — Rico’s Cafe, Chocolate and Wine Bar — ~ 5:00 PM (free blues/R&B/jazz set)
Jazz Thursdays: Jahida Esperanza — Mining Exchange Hotel lounge — ~ 5:00 PM (live jazz set)
Steely Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) — Lulu’s Downtown — ~ 8:00 PM
Friday 2/6/2026
Americana Fridays: Mike & Bertye Mountain Duo — Mining Exchange Hotel — ~ 4:00 PM (acoustic Americana)
Al Bach & Karen Standridge — Gallery 113 — ~ 5:00 PM (live local music)
Live music featuring the Cleveland Experiment — Rico’s Cafe — ~ 6:00 PM
Three Dog Night — Pikes Peak Center — ~ 7:00 PM (classic rock tour)
Weakened Friends / Broken Record / Viewfinder — Vultures — ~ 8:00 PM (rock show)
Saturday 2/7/2026
Live music featuring Rafiel and the Roomshakers — Rico’s Cafe — ~ 6:00 PM
The Emo Night Tour — The Black Sheep — ~ 8:00 PM (DJ‑style emo classics night)
Weakened Friends, Broken Record, Viewfinder — Vultures — ~ 8:00 PM (rock night)
🏈 Sports
🏒 College & University Hockey
Colorado College Tigers — Friday, 2/6/2026 — vs. Denver Pioneers | Ed Robson Arena, Colorado Springs, CO | ~ 7:00 PM (Division I college hockey, Battle for the Gold Pan)
🏀 College Basketball
Air Force Falcons (Women) — Saturday, 2/7/2026 — vs. Grand Canyon Lopes | Clune Arena, U.S. Air Force Academy | ~ 1:00 PM (Division I women’s basketball)
Air Force Falcons (Men) — Saturday, 2/7/2026 — vs. San Diego State Aztecs | Clune Arena, U.S. Air Force Academy | ~ 6:00 PM (Division I men’s basketball)
🥎 College Baseball
UCCS Mountain Lions — Friday, 2/6/2026 — vs. Minnesota‑Crookston | Mountain Lion Park | ~ 2:00 PM (College baseball)
UCCS Mountain Lions — Saturday, 2/7/2026 — vs. Minnesota‑Crookston | Mountain Lion Park | ~ 12:00 PM (College baseball)
UCCS Mountain Lions — Sunday, 2/8/2026 — vs. Minnesota‑Crookston | Mountain Lion Park | ~ 12:00 PM (College baseball)
🏃 Community / Running Events
Toyota Super Half Marathon™ — Sunday, 2/8/2026 — Super Half Marathon & Game Day 5K | Downtown Colorado Springs | ~ 10:00 AM / 10:15 AM (Road race & 5K)
🏔️ Trail of the Week
🌲 Mount Muscoco Trail
📍 Location: North Cheyenne Cañon Park, Colorado Springs, CO (Mount Cutler/Mount Muscoco Trailhead along N. Cheyenne Canyon Rd)
🛤 Length: ~3.7 miles out & back
⛰ Elevation Gain: ~1,299 ft (steady climb to summit)
⭐ Difficulty: Moderate / Challenging toward top
⏱ Estimated Time: ~2–3 hours round trip
🔄 Trail Type: Out & back
🏞 Best For: Hiking, summit views, panoramic vistas, nature immersion
A popular hiking route in North Cheyenne Cañon Park that climbs steadily from the Mount Cutler trail junction up to the summit of Mount Muscoco, offering sweeping views of Colorado Springs and surrounding mountains. The trail is well‑marked and maintained, though the last stretch becomes steeper and rockier — hiking boots and poles are recommended. Dogs on leash are welcome, and the route rewards with scenic overlooks and varied terrain through forest and rocky switchbacks.
🙏Thank you!
Thanks for tuning in everyone, hope you have a great time checking out some of these events. I’ll see you back here next week with more of Colorado Springs’ best happenings. Contact me at [email protected] if you have an event that you think would be perfect for this publication.