Letters to Santa
When: All day
Where: Golden Welcome Center, 1010 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO
Drop off your letter to Santa Claus at the Golden Welcome Center! Be sure to include a return address because any letters "mailed" before December 15th will receive a response from the man in red himself!
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 2025 John E. Gruber Creative Photography Contest have been announced, and these award-winning images are now on display at the Museum.
Black Diamonds and Steel Rails
This fascinating exhibit delves into the rich history of coal in Colorado, examining its crucial role in fueling locomotives, driving industrial growth, and shaping the state’s railroads. Learn about the mining industry, the challenges faced by miners, and how this powerful resource connected communities across the Centennial State.
LOWER GALLERY
Traqueros: Mexican Trackworkers and the American Railroad
(through August 2026)
This powerful display explores the invaluable—yet often overlooked—contributions of Mexican and Mexican American laborers who built and maintained America’s railroads.
FOOTHILLS ART CENTER - ASTOR HOUSE
1133 Arapahoe Street (map)
303-279-3922
CLOSED New Year's Day, President's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve Day
50th Holiday Art Market
(through December 29, 2025)
Features works from over 100 Colorado artists in this festive Foothills Art Center tradition.
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
(through April 2026)
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, and the Touch Gallery. A new Jolly Rancher exhibit is in the works and will open in 2025.
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
Quilts Inspired from Down Under - a solo exhibit by Bonnie Murphy
(through January 17, 2026)
Drawn to reproduction fabrics and patterns based on historical quilts from the 19th century, Bonnie began to notice most of her quilts were designed by Australian designers, Di Ford Hall, Margaret Mew, Susan Smith and Sandy Cousins, just to name a few! Although hand quilting her first quilts, Bonnie discovered she loved the look of machine quilting and found some very talented ladies who now longarm quilt her creations.
NORTHEAST GALLERY
The Grandeur of the Moment - a solo exhibit by Linda Anderson
(through January 17, 2026)
Linda Anderson tells compelling stories of people in many cultures around the world, many images gathered from her travels. Everyone, everywhere, has a story. Her realistic depictions celebrate the ordinary moments that often go unnoticed, capturing the essence of the humanity we all share. Facilitating that connection visually and highlighting the splendor of the commonplace is her goal.
See all events from the Golden Cultural Alliance
Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
When: All day
Our very own Group Fitness Instructors will be doing LIVE WORKOUTS!
In addition to our LIVE WORKOUTS with your Golden Community Center Fitness Instructors, We have added a YouTube Channel! If you can't make the LIVE workout you can still have your favorite instructor in your own home! We add previously recorded workouts everyday to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrni5jjFr8ip4eNUB63KIvA
If you are a Silver Sneaker Member you can also go to SilverSneakers FaceBook page and see live classes or their web page https://tools.silversneakers.com/ to sign in for On-Demand Classes!
Don't forget to check the LIVE Fitness Schedule for updates and links. https://groupexpro.com/schedule/726/?view=calendar
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
Colorado Gives Day
When: All day
Golden Sports
When: All day
Check out the sports schedules for our local teams:
Colorado School of Mines
Golden High School
Bell Middle School
Painting Exploration @ Front Porch
When: 9AM-1PM
Where: Golden Community Center, 1470 10th Street, Golden, CO
Front Porch Golden Community Center
$35 resident/$38 non-resident
Rich Reds & Smooth Blends – Join us for a fun and approachable two-hour acrylic painting class designed for beginners. In this session, we’ll paint a vibrant picture of ripe, juicy tomatoes while learning the basics of acrylics. You’ll be guided step-by-step through the process—from drawing the composition to mixing the perfect reds and greens, and blending your paint smoothly for natural shading and highlights. Along the way, you’ll gain confidence with color mixing, brush control, and blending techniques that will bring your tomatoes to life. No experience necessary, and all supplies are included. Just bring your curiosity and get ready to create something beautiful!
Active Older Adults aged 50+
Baby Time - Registration Required
When: 9:15-9:45AM
Where: Golden Library, 1019 10th Street, Golden, CO
Help the littlest minds develop and grow. Bounce, sing, rhyme and read with your baby!
Registration required
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
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.
M-Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 12- 5pm
With these holidays:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Visit www.foothillsartcenter.org.
Preschool Time - Registration Required
When: 10:15-10:45AM
Where: Golden Library, 1019 10th Street, Golden, CO
Create a lifelong love of reading with interactive Story Time. Sing, rhyme and dance together for added fun!
Keep the fun going with 1000 Books Before Kindergarten! Get your child ready to read by sharing books together. Read anything, even the same story over and over!
Front Porch Friends Meeting @ The Community Center
When: 10:30AM
Where: Golden Community Center, 1470 10th Street, Golden, CO
The December special guest will be Nathan Richie, Golden History Museum & Park Director and Arts, Culture and Museums Manager. Bring your questions about the Golden History Museum! We will also have a preview of our winter programs.
Front Porch Friends Meetings are occurring once a month. Join us at the Golden Community Center for friendly conversation and to support in planning and implementing future Front Porch activities.
More information
/*Events*/
Teen Advisory Board - Golden Library
When: 4:30-5:30PM
Where: Golden Library, 1019 10th Street, Golden, CO
Our teens get involved - and we love it! Create and plan teen-specific Library events and services at the Golden Library with the Teen Advisory Board. See yourself, your language and your family reflected in JCPL programming.
JCPL is looking for a wide representation of teens to get involved at the library, including bilingual volunteers. Apply by filling out the Volunteer Application on the Library home page or visit the Golden Library for more information.
City Council Study Session and Business Meeting @ City Hall
When: 5PM
Where: City Hall Council Chambers, 911 10th Street, Golden, CO
To download the agenda for the meeting, or view archived agendas, minutes or web casts from past meetings, please visit the Public Meetings page.
Visit Guiding Golden Council Comments for ideas, thoughts and information from council members pertinent to current and upcoming issues facing the community, as well as contact information.
More information
/*Meetings*/
VIBE@Five
When: 5-7PM
Where: Origin Hotel Red Rocks, 18485 W. Colfax Avenue, Golden, CO
VIBE@FIVE is Golden's Happy Hour! Come join other members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce for this "Very Important Business Event" - VIBE!
This event is for members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and their guests as well as for members of the Golden Young Professionals.
Dress in your favorite holiday festive attire and join us for our last Very Important Business Event of 2025!
Our host, Origin Hotel, will have a variety of bites from their on-site restaurant, Nomad Taqueria. Guests are welcome to purchase beverages from the bar.
Become a member
Stop in for a quick hello and a refreshment right after work and a chance to get to know fellow members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and Golden Young Professionals. This is a great networking and socializing event.
/*Events*/
Exploring the Elements of Art
When: 5:30-7:30PM
Where: Foothills Art Center, 809 15th Street, Golden, CO
Meeting on Tuesday evenings 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., our group of artists takes on advanced explorations in the elements of art, with an emphasis on refining skills, building on strengths, and supporting areas for improvement. Experienced artists working in any medium, including drawing mediums, are welcome as we meet and support one another in a spirit of fellowship with the intent of finding and/or enhancing our own personal voice.
Explorer & Creator Members $40 / Catalyst Members $80 / Non Members $110
Golden High School PTA Meeting
When: 5:45-7PM
Where: Golden High School, 701 24th Street, Golden, CO
- PTA Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of most months
- 5:45-7:00 p.m.
- Location: Main Office or Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88334188943?pwd=aGNKdWh5VXF1dzF0K3ZBY3plQzZadz09#success)
Team Trivia Tuesday
When: 6:30-8:30PM
Where: Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO
Where: Buffalo Rose Restaurant Sky Bar
Who: The Rose’s own lovely and talented Kelsey Doran hosting
When: Every Tuesday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Prizes? Yes! Gift cards for 1st and 2nd + SWAG for 3rd
Movies * TV * Sports * Music * Science
Bar Bingo Night
When: 6:30-8:30PM
Where: VFW Post 4171, 15625 W. 10th Avenue, Golden, CO
Bar Bingo tonight @ 6:30 and is open to the public. It’s every Tuesday @ 6:30. Not only can you have a great time, but you’ll be helping veterans and veteran program as well!Come for the food and even some FUNds!
Pictures with Santa
When: 6:30-8PM
Where: Golden Community Center, 1470 10th Street, Golden, CO
Calling all good girls and boys: join us for pictures with Santa! Then stick around for free cookies, coloring, crafts, and more!
The City will provide free light refreshments and activities for kids. Remember to bring your letters to Santa! Elves from the North Pole along with our very own Golden Police Officers will be on hand to collect your letters to and make sure they get to the Big Man himself.
Pub Trivia
When: 7PM
Where: Atomic Cowboy, 1100 Washington Avenue, Suite 102, Golden, CO
Holiday Choir Concert
When: 7PM
Where: Golden High School, 701 24th Street, Golden, CO
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
When: 7:30PM
Where: Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, 1100 Miners Alley, Golden, CO
Step into a 1940s radio studio where IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is brought to life before your eyes—complete with vintage microphones, live sound effects, and a cast playing dozens of characters. It's nostalgic, theatrical, and full of heartwarming charm. A timeless story told in a fresh, inventive way.
Tickets
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
When: 7:30PM
Where: Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, 1100 Miners Alley, Golden, CO
Step into a 1940s radio studio where IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is brought to life before your eyes—complete with vintage microphones, live sound effects, and a cast playing dozens of characters. It's nostalgic, theatrical, and full of heartwarming charm. A timeless story told in a fresh, inventive way.
Tickets
