Celebrate summer at the Golden Music Festival (formerly Summer Solstice Music Festival) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 14-16, 2013. Spread your blanket on the natural hillside amphitheater at Clear Creek History Park in Golden, Colorado, and enjoy toe-tapping live bluegrass, Americana, and folk music. Beer, food, and other refreshments will be available for purchase at this annual fundraiser for Golden History Museums’ programming and exhibits. Outside food is permissible, but alcohol may only be purchased inside the park. Tickets will go on sale May 1, 2013, and are available in-person at the Golden History Center, or by phone at 303-278-3557. Tickets are non-refundable, and the festival will be held rain or shine. Advance ticket sales will end at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, June 13.

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The Kiwanis Club and Downtown Merchants Association puts on an Easter egg hunt in Parfet Park for the children of Golden.

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Grab your blanket and settle into a spot early for Movies and Music in the Park in Parfet Park on Friday nights in August. This free event includes a live band that will play until dusk, and then a featured movie plays. You can bring a picnic or buy food from a variety of vendors.

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Enjoy a variety of local merchants and fresh foods at the Farmer’s Market, located in the parking lot just west of the Golden Library at 1019 10th St. The Farmer’s Market is every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from June to October.

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This free 2-day festival is an open-air art gallery adjacent to Clear Creek in downtown Golden, held over a weekend in August. The Golden Fine Arts Festival is known for its quality, affordability and ambiance.

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The First Friday Street Fairs occur on the first Friday of every month between June and October. It includes entertainment, food and much more. From 5 to 9 p.m. on Washington Avenue between 12th and 13th streets.

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Golden’s annual Buffalo Bill Days Festival brings the rip-roaring Wild West back to historic downtown for a weekend of fun. Weekend events include entertainment, arts and craft vendors, food and beverage vendors, rides and games for the kids. This event typically happens on the last weekend in July.

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The Golden Police Department hosts National Night Out in conjunction with law enforcement agencies across the country. The Golden event is held in Parfet Park on the first Tuesday in August. The event is an opportunity for residents to meet local law enforcement, meet each other and get educated about neighborhood safety.

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The Golden Lions Club along with the City of Golden host the annual 4th of July Festival in Lions Park, near 10th and Maple streets. In the past, the event has included entertainment for children, food and beverage concessions, live music and of course, a spectacular fireworks show at the end of the night.

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Golden was honored to host the Stage 6 start of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge, then again the second year. This was the largest spectator event in Colorado history and one of the largest sporting events to ever take place in the United States, rivaling the Tour de France. Golden hopes to host the event again in the future.

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200 cars line Washington Avenue for the Wild West Auto Roundup in June. A great chance to get a close look at vintage cars, along with food and entertainment. The event is free.

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Chili aficionados and beer lovers are welcome to the Knock Your Boots Off! Chili Cook-Off and Beer Tasting on Arapahoe Street between 12th and 13th streets in October. Savor the flavors of some of the best chili and beer around.

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Come see a true olde fashioned hometown parade with floats, clowns, Christmas characters, music and Santa. From 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Washington Avenue.

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Gather at 6 p.m. at the Foothills Art Center, 15th and Arapahoe streets, for caroling. Buy a candle for 50 cents from the Golden Chamber of Commerce and walk down Golden’s main street, Washington Avenue, by candlelight. The walk ends at the Golden Visitors Center, 1010 Washington Ave., where there is a stage show and a variety of performances, and the downtown Christmas lights are ceremonially turned on.

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