11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - The Story of the Nutcracker - MAP Children's Theater
When: All day
Where: Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Avenue, Suite 200, Golden, CO
11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
When Marie’s gift from her Godfather Drosselmeier on Christmas Eve gets broken, she tries to find and fix the Nutcracker. Instead, he comes alive, and a story-within-the-story begins! Become a part of the Nutcracker tale and see if everyone gets to live happily ever after.
Breakfast With Santa
When: All day
Where: Golden Hotel, 800 11th Street, Golden, CO
The Golden Hotel is excited to host Breakfast with Santa. There will be two seatings at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Event includes a Breakfast Buffet featuring Eggs, Bacon, Waffles and more. Take your picture with Santa and enjoy the festive decorations in the hotel. Seating is limited and reservations are required.
More information
CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
When: All day
See all events from the Golden Cultural Alliance.
THE BUFFALO BILL MUSEUM AND GRAVE
987 1/2 Lookout Mountain Road (map)
303-526-0744
CLOSED Monday, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
The Buffalo Bill Story, Buffalo Bill's Death, The Americans, A Visit to the Wild West, Firearms, Kid's Cowboy Corral
COLORADO RAILROAD MUSEUM
17155 W. 44th Avenue (map)
303-279-4591
CLOSED Monday, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Eve Day
UPPER GALLERY
Center for Railroad Photography & Art Winners
The winners of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art’s 2024 John E. Gruber Creative Photography Contest have been announced, and these award-winning images are now on display at the Museum.
Without Words
Shining a spotlight on how railroaders have communicated over the years using sight, sound and code
LOWER GALLERY
Hidden from History: A Century of Women in Railroading
This captivating display explores the invaluable contributions of women in the railroad industry over a 100-year period, showcasing their roles in a field traditionally dominated by men.
FOOTHILLS ART CENTER - ASTOR HOUSE
822 12th Street (map)
303-279-3922
CLOSED New Year's Day, President's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas
Decomposing/Recomposing
(through February 2, 2025)
An exhibition by three women using found and original photography to create original compositions exploring the themes of memory, value and time. Featured artists: Gayle Gerson, Jean Hultkrans, and Kirsty Saalfrank.
GOLDEN HISTORY MUSEUM & PARK
923 10th Street (map)
303-278-3557
(Museum) CLOSED Sunday, Monday, New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Eve Day
Clear Creek Room: The Heart of Golden
Surrounded by North and South Table Mountains, Clear Creek has drawn people to this area for millennia.
We Are Still Here: The Endurance of Native Jewels
In this exhibit, we define jewel as both a precious item as well as a woman of strength and importance. Explore how Indigenous women have persevered through hundreds of years of oppression and numerous attempts to destroy their culture. Featuring modern Native fashions that utilize ancient Indigenous jewels, learn about prominent Native women in contemporary American society. Not only are Native Americans still here; they have endured, and they are thriving.
Discovery Awaits: Indigenous Connections, Epic Events, Legendary People, andthe Touch Gallery. A new Jolly Rancher exhibit is in the works and will open in2025.
The Salon: Golden High School 150th Anniversary Exhibit
Golden History Park (11th & Arapahoe): The outdoor setting re-creates the look and feel of a late 1800's mountain ranch complete with gardens, a working blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and chicken coop (chickens included).
MINES MUSEUM
Colorado School of Mines
1310 Maple Street (map)
303-273-3815
CLOSED New Year's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas
The main floor exhibits feature specimens from many Colorado mining districts, other global localities and an introductory video on area geology. The Special Exhibit Room hosts prominent precious metal and invited displays. The main gallery also showcases historic mining murals by Irwin Hoffman.
The basement contains numerous exhibits regarding radioactivity, fossils, basic geology, gemstones, meteorites, ultraviolet minerals and underground mining illumination. The outdoor geologic trail features seven outcrops with various geologic and paleontological points of interest, including fossilized dinosaur tracks, logs and leaves.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN QUILT MUSEUM
200 Violet Street, Unit 140 (map)
303-277-0377
CLOSED New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
MAIN GALLERY
English Paper Piecing
(through January 18, 2025)
Presentations of English paper piecing quilters incorporating their favorite motifs.
NORTHEAST GALLERY
WILD! SAQA Regional Exhibition
(through January 18, 2025)
SAQA | Studio Art Quilt Associates | Colorado, Wyoming & Utah Region
Let your imagination take you on a journey to a WILD place. Explore ALL things wild, such as untamed wildlands, wild spirit, wildlife, free, and uninhabited places.
See all events from the Golden Cultural Alliance.
11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - The Story of the Nutcracker - MAP Children's Theater
When: All day
Where: Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Avenue, Suite 200, Golden, CO
11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
When Marie’s gift from her Godfather Drosselmeier on Christmas Eve gets broken, she tries to find and fix the Nutcracker. Instead, he comes alive, and a story-within-the-story begins! Become a part of the Nutcracker tale and see if everyone gets to live happily ever after.
TriceraTOTs
When: All day
Where: Martin G. Lockley Discovery Center, 17681 W. Alameda Parkway, Golden, CO
9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Join us at the Discovery Center for this fun, 30-minute craft and storytime! Tickets can be purchased for children aged 2+. Children 1 and under and adults are free to attend, but please limit the total number of children attending in your group to three (3) to leave room for other families due to limited open spots.
$5
Register
Golden History Tours
When: All day
Golden History Tours offers Wild West Walking Tours, Pub Crawls, Ghost Tours, and more! If you don't see a scheduled tour on a particular date, you can book a tour at a custom time.
More information
Saturday Morning Run and Social Walk
When: 8AM
Where: Golden History Park, Arapahoe and 11th Streets, Golden, CO
Join the Foothills Running and Cycling Club for a morning run and social walk every week!
For more info, visit our website: www.memberplanet.com/foothillsrunningandcyclingclub
Golden Comprehensive Plan Community Engagement & Feedback Opportunity
When: 10-11:30AM
Where: Safeway, 1701 Jackson Street, Golden, CO
A Comprehensive Plan is a policy document that guides long-term decisions for the City, covering land-use decisions like rezoning, infrastructure investments, and programming choices. It lays the foundation for future zoning codes, which then turn the plan into reality.
This is another opportunity for public feedback.
Learn more about the Comprehensive Plan on the Guiding Golden page.
Brunch at the Rose
When: 10AM-3PM
Where: Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO
The Rose will be hosting brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Come enjoy our delicious brunch menu, along with signature cocktails.
Music from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Reservations
Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
When: 10AM-5PM
Where: Foothills Art Center, 1133 Arapahoe Street, Golden, CO
The annual Holiday Art Market (HART) at Foothills Art Center in Golden, CO is a premier holiday venue for fabulous fine art and craft made in Colorado. Visitors are immersed in a unique holiday marketplace featuring an array of handmade gifts for everyone on their holiday gift giving list. Over 100 Colorado artists offer ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, paintings, woodworking, photography and much more. Plus, your purchases of these one-of-a-kind treasure helps support both local artists and Foothills Art Center!
Admission and activities are free (donations accepted). 303-279-3922.
M-Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 12- 5pm
With these holidays:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
More information
Visit www.foothillsartcenter.org.
Holiday Frame Weaving 101
When: 10AM-3PM
Where: Foothills Art Center, 809 15th Street, Golden, CO
This class will introduce students to introductory weaving techniques. Students will use a small and simple frame loom. No experience required! Learn how to warp a loom, basic tapestry style techniques, taking off the loom and what to do once finished.
Holiday Frame Weaving 101
When: 10AM-3PM
Where: Foothills Art Center, 809 15th Street, Golden, CO
This class will introduce students to introductory weaving techniques. Students will use a small and simple frame loom. No experience required! Learn how to warp a loom, basic tapestry style techniques, taking off the loom and what to do once finished.
Toy Drive - The Miracle Shop of the Golden Rotary
When: 10AM-4PM
Where: Parfet Park, 10th Street and Washington Avenue, Golden, CO
Help fill Santa's bags with new, unwrapped toys for local children this holiday season.
The Miracle Shop, a project of the Rotary Club of Golden, is an annual holiday popup store in Golden, Colorado. This store allows financially struggling parents the ability to shop for new and quality toys at garage sale prices. In fact, each shopper decides what he/she can afford to pay. Over five-hundred children receive holiday gifts chosen and purchased by their parent/guardian who in turn receive the gifts of a gleeful child and reinforced sense of community and personal dignity.
The Miracle Shop has been hugely successful. Adjusted pricing allows a population of underserved adults to purchase items they normally wouldn’t be able to afford, and more importantly, it creates dignity. There is no handout but, instead, a varied shopping experience. Popularity has grown, evidence that this works.
Drive-Thru or Drop Off
Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
When: 10AM-5PM
Where: Foothills Art Center, 1133 Arapahoe Street, Golden, CO
The annual Holiday Art Market (HART) at Foothills Art Center in Golden, CO is a premier holiday venue for fabulous fine art and craft made in Colorado. Visitors are immersed in a unique holiday marketplace featuring an array of handmade gifts for everyone on their holiday gift giving list. Over 100 Colorado artists offer ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, paintings, woodworking, photography and much more. Plus, your purchases of these one-of-a-kind treasure helps support both local artists and Foothills Art Center!
Admission and activities are free (donations accepted). 303-279-3922.
More information
Visit www.foothillsartcenter.org.
Family Time - Registration Required
When: 10:15-10:45AM
Where: Golden Library, 1019 10th Street, Golden, CO
It’s reading fun for everyone! Gather the whole family for engaging stories, dancing, singing and rhyming.
Registration required
Olde Golden Holiday Parade
When: 10:30-11AM
Where: Historic Downtown Golden
Join in the holiday spirit and watch floats, clowns, festive holiday characters, and Santa Claus on the firetruck parade down Washington Avenue.The parade winds down Washington Avenue between 10th and 13th Streets with lots of activities before and after.
Outpost Holiday Market
When: 11AM-5PM
Where: Golden Hayride Outpost, 17695 South Golden Road, Golden
More information coming soon.
Santa Paws
When: 11AM-3PM
Where: Golden Mill, 1012 Ford Street, Golden, CO
Santa will be stopping by to visit and take pictures!! We know that many of our furry friends can get bored waiting in line, so please reserve a time by clicking the link below. Shop at our holiday Pup Up vendors. Visit the ornament decorating station for the kids. Adoptable dogs on site! SIGN UP HERE.
If you or your pals are feeling a festive mood, please feel free to dress up in your best holiday gear!
CSM Women's Basketball vs. Colorado Mesa
When: 1PM
Where: Colorado School of Mines, Lockridge Arena, Golden, CO
Meet Santa
When: 2-4PM
Where: The Eddy Taproom & Hotel, 1640 8th Street, Golden, CO
Stop by The Eddy Taproom & Hotel to meet Santa on December 7th and 14th! Bring your kids and dogs for free photos.
More information
CSM Men's Basketball vs. Colorado Mesa
When: 3PM
Where: Colorado School of Mines, Lockridge Arena, Golden, CO
Teen Pride After Hours: GAYme Night
When: 6-8PM
Where: Golden Library, 1019 10th Street, Golden, CO
Get your GAYming on with old school board games, giant lawn games and plenty of other gaming styles! Win a game...get a prize! Come to this fun and free event for LGBTQIA+ teens and allies ages 12-18. We will have chips, drinks and all types of yummy snacks!
A Christmas Carol
When: 7:30PM
Where: Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, 1100 Miners Alley, Golden, CO
A loyal and zany take on the holiday classic, adapted for the stage by Josh Hartwell.
Miners Alley Playhouse is proud to present this new and updated version of Charles Dickens' heartwarming story of holiday redemption. Using only a handful of actors to bring dozens of characters to life, it's fast-paced fun that will get you in the seasonal spirit!
As we welcome the holidays in our new performing arts center, this year's version promises to be funnier, spookier, and crazier than ever. Featuring the same cast you know and love, including the roller skates!
A Christmas Carol
When: 7:30PM
Where: Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, 1100 Miners Alley, Golden, CO
A loyal and zany take on the holiday classic, adapted for the stage by Josh Hartwell.
Miners Alley Playhouse is proud to present this new and updated version of Charles Dickens' heartwarming story of holiday redemption. Using only a handful of actors to bring dozens of characters to life, it's fast-paced fun that will get you in the seasonal spirit!
As we welcome the holidays in our new performing arts center, this year's version promises to be funnier, spookier, and crazier than ever. Featuring the same cast you know and love, including the roller skates!
