On Saturdays in December, authentic and historic downtown Golden becomes a festive holiday center. Join in the holiday spirit and watch floats, clowns, festive holiday characters, and Santa Claus on the firetruck parade down Washington Avenue. After the parades, head to the downtown area shops and restaurants. Each parade is different, providing the perfect reason to bring the family back to Golden again and again!
The route is down Washington Avenue from 11th to 13th Streets through historic downtown, with lots of activities before and after. The parades are presented by the Golden Chamber of Commerce. Go to www.VisitGolden.com for more information.
On Saturdays in December, authentic and historic downtown Golden becomes a festive holiday center. Join in the holiday spirit and watch floats, clowns, festive holiday characters, and Santa Claus on the firetruck parade down Washington Avenue. After the parades, head to the downtown area shops and restaurants. Each parade is different, providing the perfect reason to bring the family back to Golden again and again!
The route is down Washington Avenue from 11th to 13th Streets through historic downtown, with lots of activities before and after. The parades are presented by the Golden Chamber of Commerce. Go to www.VisitGolden.com for more information.
On Saturdays in December, authentic and historic downtown Golden becomes a festive holiday center. Join in the holiday spirit and watch floats, clowns, festive holiday characters, and Santa Claus on the firetruck parade down Washington Avenue. After the parades, head to the downtown area shops and restaurants. Each parade is different, providing the perfect reason to bring the family back to Golden again and again!
The route is down Washington Avenue from 11th to 13th Streets through historic downtown, with lots of activities before and after. The parades are presented by the Golden Chamber of Commerce. Go to www.VisitGolden.com for more information.
A Golden icon for three decades, Golden Fine Arts Festival is a prestigious juried art show located in the heart of historic downtown Golden, Colorado happening August 21-22.
With its prime location just 20 minutes west of Metro Denver and free admission to the public, this premier event traditionally draws over 30,000 visitors (pre-COVID) over 2 days to enjoy art, live entertainment, beer and wine gardens, and food vendors.
The event, rich in community tradition and a well-established reputation, is limited to 100 artist booth spaces. If social distancing restrictions are in place, booth spaces may be limited further. Artists are selected through a competitive jury process selected by art professionals. Traditionally, over half of participating artists travel to Golden from outside of the state of Colorado. Colorado is also home to many talented artists who participate at the event each year. Cash prizes are awarded to 1st and 2nd place winners in nine categories, as well as Best of Show and Best of Colorado honors.
Produced by the Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden Fine Arts Festival is a favorite of those who value an attentive and welcoming ‘home hospitality’ of Golden, Colorado for artists and patrons alike. Visit www.goldenfineartsfestival.org before you go for more information, and to ensure there are no additional, pandemic-related restrictions implemented.
A Golden icon for three decades, Golden Fine Arts Festival is a prestigious juried art show located in the heart of historic downtown Golden, Colorado happening August 21-22.
With its prime location just 20 minutes west of Metro Denver and free admission to the public, this premier event traditionally draws over 30,000 visitors (pre-COVID) over 2 days to enjoy art, live entertainment, beer and wine gardens, and food vendors.
The event, rich in community tradition and a well-established reputation, is limited to 100 artist booth spaces. If social distancing restrictions are in place, booth spaces may be limited further. Artists are selected through a competitive jury process selected by art professionals. Traditionally, over half of participating artists travel to Golden from outside of the state of Colorado. Colorado is also home to many talented artists who participate at the event each year. Cash prizes are awarded to 1st and 2nd place winners in nine categories, as well as Best of Show and Best of Colorado honors.
Produced by the Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden Fine Arts Festival is a favorite of those who value an attentive and welcoming ‘home hospitality’ of Golden, Colorado for artists and patrons alike. Visit www.goldenfineartsfestival.org before you go for more information, and to ensure there are no additional, pandemic-related restrictions implemented.
Don’t miss the Golden Sidewalk Sale in beautiful downtown Golden. Roam Washington Avenue and stroll up and down the side streets looking for shops sporting balloons signaling a sale. Golden’s mostly locally-owned stores are going all out for this event with great prices on everything from outdoor gear and jewelry to clothing and artisan crafts. Get to Golden early for the best selection. The sale is citywide and most Downtown Golden merchants are participating. With a wide variety of shops and restaurants offering sidewalk sales and outdoor dining, there is no better time to visit Golden and get a jump on holiday shopping.
Did we mention the fun? Because this year, you’ll also enjoy entertainment including a mobile bubble tower, face painting, and paint a pumpkin kit for kids (while supplies last), making the Golden Sidewalk Sale perfect for free family amusement. Stop by the back patio of Golden Visitor & Information Center (1010 Washington Ave.) for face painting and to pick up the children’s activity.
Families can also enjoy the premier of Colorado Railroad Museum’s Day Out With Thomas event.
Saturday, September 11, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.!
Bubble Tower (Washington Ave.) – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Face Painting (Golden Visitor Center back Patio) – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join us at the Golden History Museum (923 10th St.) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3 for the first-ever Autumn Fest and a packed afternoon of fun for the whole family, sponsored by Golden Kids Dental and Orthodontics.
Free Family Activities
incredible chalk art
hourly puppet shows (plus hands-on stations to make your own show)
make-your-own-bubbles station
silent movie viewing
4-H petting zoo
craft stations
BIG TRUCK demo (Streets, Fire, and Police Departments)
costumed Civil War interpretation
karate demonstration
Other Fun
Westernaires pony rides ($3 per ride)
CODA Brewing Company beer garden
The best part? It’s fun for the whole family and a great way to welcome the fall season!
Archaeology isn’t just about digs in exotic locations far away from here. Golden has a rich history that we’re still “uncovering”! Stop by the Golden History Museum (923 10th St.) on Saturday, April 30 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and visit with archaeologist Amy Gillaspie while she photographs artifacts collected during the Astor House Community Archaeology Project excavation of summer 2021.
Learn more about the Astor House dig site, ask about a day in the life of an archaeologist, or just take a look at the artifacts. Amy specializes in social changes at Front Range historic sites and has also excavated at Plains sites in Colorado and North Dakota, at Classic Maya sites in Belize, and for the US Department of Defense on a World War II recovery mission in France. This a free drop-in event with NO registration required.
Homestead for the Holidays lets you experience the winter season just like the pioneers did. This family-friendly event will have you strolling through Golden History Park, taking in the colorful decorations, making a craft that you get to take home, and basking in the season. It’s time to go homestead for the holidays!
Valued volunteers make this event possible and will serve as interpreters within the historic structures to answer questions and guide your experience.
Advance registration is required.
Visit GoldenHistory.org/events to get ticket prices and to sign up.
(Photo by: Povy Kendal Atchison)
