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.
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.
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
Winter Solstice
When: 2:20AM
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
Blacksmithing
When: 9AM-12PM
Where: Golden History Park, 1020 11th Street, Golden, CO
Have you always wanted to learn about blacksmithing but you’ve had trouble finding a good option? Join our volunteer every third Saturday at Golden History Park for a fun morning of observation and learning about blacksmithing. Our recreated blacksmith shop, complete with historic tools and coal-fired forge, will transport you to the 1800s. Bring your technical questions and your camera and we’ll take care of the rest.
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.
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
Sewing Bee
When: 10:30AM-3PM
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Golden, 17707 W. 16th Avenue, Golden, CO
Once a month the church hosts a sewing bee where people can bring whatever project they're working on to get help or just hang out. This is also an opportunity for get help troubleshooting problems you may be having.
Feel free to bring lunch and snacks.
More information
Jingle on the Avenue - A Holiday Character Mingle
When: 11AM-1PM
Where: Washington Avenue, Golden, CO
Spend a magical day in Golden meeting and mingling with family favorite holiday characters along Washington Avenue.
Newfoundland Dog Cart Rides
Free Holiday Carriage Rides
When: 12-2PM
Where: 12th Street (between Washington Avenue and Miners Alley), Golden, CO
Clear Creek Carriage Company will be offering free horse-drawn carriage rides through historic downtown Golden. The rides begin and end on 12th Street, just west of Washington Avenue, across from YoColorado.
Free
Clear Creek Carriage Company
Soundbath
When: 6:30-7:30PM
Where: PranaTonic Yoga & Wellness, 1224 Washington Avenue, Suite 210, Golden
Join us for an immersive sound and vibrational experience! Relax and be ready to be taken on a sound healing journey with various types of instruments including crystal singing bowls, Himalayan bowls, gongs, drums, a handpan, and more.
This is a beautiful opportunity to slow down, allowing ourselves some space to rest. The vibrations from the different instruments have a way of penetrating into our cells and retuning our bodies, bringing us back into equilibrium. This can be a very therapeutic, energetic, and/or relaxing and peaceful exploration. Please bring layers and an eye mask, which will enhance your overall experience.
$35
More information
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!
Drag Bingo
When: 7:30-9:30PM
Where: Mountain Toad Brewing, 900 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO