The Candlelight Walk is my favorite Golden event of the year. It’s fun, it’s free, it’s pretty, it’s cheerful, and I always run into a lot of people I know. Here’s a brief run-down of what to expect this evening:
2-7PM Golden Landmarks Association’s Olde Fashioned Holiday Shoppe at 14th and Washington.
4-5:30PM The Dove Inn will be hosting Santa Claus. You are encouraged to bring your kids and take photos.
6:30-8PM Visit the Golden Library to enjoy treats, make a craft, and stay for entertainment.
6PM The crowd will gather behind Foothills Art Center, at 15th and Arapahoe, for caroling, dancing, and pictures with Santa. You can bring a candle (or glow stick) or purchase one from the Chamber. The Golden Lions Club will be serving hot drinks and cookies, courtesy of the Golden Safeway.
The walk down the hill will begin at 6:30. Sometimes, the lights along each block are lit as the crowd passes by. We’ll all gather in front of the Visitors Center. There, the fabulous Annie Woodworth, age 6, will help Mayor Sloan throw a ceremonial switch and the lights on the big tree at 10th and Washington and all of the lights along the creek will come on. It’s a beautiful sight!
After that, the crowd will disperse along the Creek paths to enjoy the Open Houses at the Library, the History Musem, and the History Park. Many will visit the stores along Washington Avenue. Many of them will have refreshments, live music, etc.
Virtuosity Dance Centre dancers will perform in the hay barn at the History Park, and Destination Dance will perform at the Rotary Amphitheater along the Creek, behind the Visitors Center.
There will be a brief fireworks display, launched from the roof of the Golden Hotel at about 7PM.
A Jefferson County naturalist will have a telescope set up in the Visitors Center parking lot, so you can check out the celestial events. Inside the Visitors Center, local artist Jesse Crock will be signing this year’s Leadership Golden ornament.
Make sure you arrive early enough to find a place to park. Have fun tonight!
Here’s a very brief overview of Saturday events. You can see everything, with times & places, at goldentoday.com/christmas.
Pancake Breakfast with Santa at Table Mtn Inn 8:30-10
Craft Faire at JUC 9-4
Kids Workshop at Home Depot: build a model sled with reindeer 9-12
Golden High School Holiday Bazaar 10AM-4PM
Holiday Ornament Decorating Party at Dinosaur Ridge 10AM-2PM
Santa at the Station from 10AM-2PM
Olde Golden Christmas on Parade 10:30-11
Holiday Open House at Avalanche Harley-Davidson 11AM-3PM
Pictures with Santa at Avenue Gifts 11:30-3PM
Santa at the Smokehouse 11:30AM-1PM
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides from 12-3PM
Nutcracker at Miners Alley’s Children’s Theater 1PM
Mug Rugs on Holiday class at Golden Quilt Company 1PM
Pictures with Santa at Foothills Art Center 1-3PM
Artist Demos at Holiday Art Mart 2-3PM
Golden Landmarks’ Holiday Shoppe 2-7PM
Golden Concert Choir presents Handel’s Messiah at 4PM
Art Rocks the Toad! at 4-7PM
A Christmas Carol at Miners Alley at 7:30PM
Woody’s Downhill Saturday 9-midnight
