A Preview of Splendors to Come
Photo by Joyce Davell
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Thursday, Dec. 4th
- All day - Letters to Santa
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Golden Sports
- 9-11AM - Mines Capstone Design Showcase
- 9:15-10:15AM - Shelton Elementary School Tour
- 9:15-9:45AM - Baby Time - Registration Required
- 10AM-2PM - Clam Up Bag
- 10-10:30AM - Call In: Mid-Morning Meditation
- 10-11AM - BGoldN Talk @ Front Porch
- 10AM-5PM - Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
- 3-4:30PM - Vaccine, License & Microchip Clinic
- 4-5:30PM - North Ford Complete Street - Small Group Meeting
- 4-11PM - Cheese Night with Cheese Ranch!
- 4-5PM - Holiday Cookie Decorating Party
- 4:14PM - Full Moon
- 5-7PM - Weekly Demonstration - What do you stand for?
- 5-7:30PM - Ugly Sweater Decorating
- 5-8PM - Holiday Market
- 6-8PM - Trivia Night
- 6PM - Run Club
- 6-7PM - Ukulele Thursdays
- 6-10PM - Wax N' Suds
- 6:30-8PM - Financial Education Event, But First Chocolate
- 6:30-8:30PM - Grandma's Last Hayride - A Festive Murder Mystery
- 7-9PM - Stand-up Comedy
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
9-11AM Mines Capstone Design Showcase @ Colorado School of Mines
The Capstone Design Program is a signature student experience at the School of Mines. You can go see and hear the incredible student solutions to real-world challenges in this showcase! More information here.
Location:
Colorado School of Mines
Labriola Innovation Hub (Map)
9:15-10:15AM School Tour @ Shelton Elementary School
We invite you to visit our school and see firsthand how we support students through project-based learning and a strong sense of community.
Monthly tours begin promptly at 9:15 a.m. at 420 Crawford Street, Golden.
We invite you to visit our school and see firsthand how we support students through project-based learning and a strong sense of community. Learn more.
Location:
Shelton Elementary School
420 Crawford Street (map)
10-11AM BGoldN Talk @ Front Porch
An estimated 42 million Americans are currently struggling with hunger.44% of Colorado households with children lack reliable access to nutritious food like fresh fruits and vegetables. 1 in 3 Golden area students is food insecure. BGOLDN Executive Director, Kevin Andrezejewski will discuss Golden’s food pantry that provides food-insecure students and families within Golden, Colorado with sustainable access to fresh, healthy, culturally appropriate food.
Location:
Golden Community Center - Front Porch
1470 10th St. (map)
Senior Santa
The Golden Senior Santa program provides holiday gifts to local seniors experiencing health or financial challenges.
The program coordinates with a local senior apartment building and Seniors Resource Center to identify seniors who don’t have family nearby and would welcome some holiday cheer.
Gifts are collected through a combination of companies who promote it among employees and retail businesses who promote it to their customers.
Gift tags can be picked up at Windy Saddle Café, Connects Workspace at the Armory or Launch Espresso Spirits.
Gifts should be returned unwrapped by December 11th with the tag. Another option is to shop on the Amazon Wish List at bit.ly/seniorsantagolden.
4-5:30PM North Ford Complete Street Open House @ Golden Pond
Miss the October 9th public Open House for North Ford Complete Street? Join staff for a more casual drop-in discussion of the alternatives and other project information previously shared with the community.
See the survey to review public comments to date. Visit Guiding Golden for more information.
Location:
Golden Pond
1270 N. Ford St. (map)
4-5PM Holiday Cookie Decorating Party @ Community Center
Photo by Joyce Davell
Parents, get ready for some sweet holiday fun! Join us for a Holiday Cookie Decorating Party where you and your kids can unleash your creativity with frosting, sprinkles, and plenty of cheer.
All supplies are provided--just bring your sweet tooth and holiday spirit! Parents must stay with your children, and cookies may contain gluten.
Register once per family to secure your spot and let us know how many kids you are bringing.
Cost: $10 Residents / $12 Non-resident (per family, not per person)
Location:
Golden Community Center
1470 10th St. (map)
Full Moon Tonight
Full Moon Over Golden City Brewery - Photo by Nancy Torpey
The moon will rise at 4:06PM and the sun will set at 4:35PM
5-8PM Dine Back to Support the Welcome Center @ Golden Mill
As part of Colorado Gives Day 2025, The Golden Mill is proud to support the Golden Welcome Center—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to sharing the spirit and story of Golden.
Location:
Golden Mill
1012 Ford Street (Map)
5-7:30 Ugly Sweater Decorating @ Foothills Art Centre
Ugly sweater decorating is BACK! Bring your plain old sweater to the Creative Campus and turn it into the ugliest, most glorious holiday creation ever. We’ll have free supplies, drinks, and all the glitter you can handle. Space is limited, RSVP to join the fun! 21+ event! Free for Catalyst Members and Above, $10 for Friend & Non Member Register here.
Location:
Foothills Art Center
809 15th Street (Map)
6:30-8:30PM Grandma's Last Hayride @ The Golden Outpost
This family friendly murder mystery will be repeated on 12/6, 12/11, 12/13, 12/18 and 12/20. Buy tickets here.
Location:
Golden Outpost
17695 S. Golden Road (Map)
The Golden Word - 12/04/25
Live Music for Thursday, Dec. 4th
- 5-8PM Teague Starbuck @ Golden Mill
- More Live Music
6PM Moonstone Quill @ New Terrain Brewing
6:30-8:30PM Maya Ogea @ Etta Jeanne
7-10PM Open Jam Night @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
8PM Karaoke @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: More Like a Candlelight Run
Tomorrow night (Friday, December 5th) we'll have our annual Candlelight Walk. It's likely to be even more enchanting than usual, with a full moon and snow on the ground.
The year we generally cite for the origin of the Candlelight Walk is 1987. Last night, I looked back at the Golden Transcripts from that year to see whether the event was essentially the same as it is today. It wasn't! There were several separate events that, together, were similar to things we do now, but they lacked an essential element to make it a Candlelight Walk...the Walk part.
1987
At 6:45PM on December 3, 1987, "the first-ever lighting of the trees along the mile-long Clear Creek corridor, a sight promising to be spectacular" occurred.
Downtown merchants were giving out free stocking stuffers, but there was no time to stop. People wanting to see the next lighting ceremony needed to sprint up the hill to Foothills Art Center.
At 7PM, the "Golden Festival of Lights" began when the large evergreen across the street from the Art Center was lighted. That event also included hot apple cider, Christmas caroling, and a visit from Santa.
Improving the Traffic Pattern
By 1988, the order of events was more recognizable. The crowd was encouraged to gather at 15th and Washington at 6PM to light the big tree.
The crowd will proceed down Washington Avenue in a mini-parade, escorted by the Golden Police Department, and to the holiday sounds of the high school band and carolers. Santa will lead the crowd, riding in a horse-drawn wagon....
The parade will wind down to Clear Creek for the lighting of the city lights. Santa will be available to kids on Washington Avenue from 7 to 9 p.m. and all the shops are planning to stay open until 9 p.m.
Dorothy Akal—who wrote the Avenue Flashes column at that time—marveled at the beauty of the sight and thanked the volunteers who had made it possible. "It's so incredible because stringing the lights were people like the 'guy next door,' not a talented group of artists planning for a gala Christmas display."
With excellent foresight, she added:
I have the feeling that this is definitely developing into Golden's own symbol of Christmas. Just as people look forward to the lighting display at the City and County Building in Denver, they will be looking forward to a stroll down "Fairyland Lane" in Golden. It's simple, effective and so in tune with nature. Thanks again, Golden, for this unobtrusive reminder that the spirit of Christmas is renewed again.
Golden Transcript - December 8, 1988
In recent years, tens of thousands of people have participated. They still meet at 15th and Washington, near Foothills Art Center. Led by Santa Claus and his wife, the group walks slowly down the hill, holding candles and singing Christmas carols. As they reach each of the cross streets, the lights along that block are turned on. When they reach the Visitors Center, there are music and dance performances, followed by the grand lighting moment.
The Mayor, with the help of a local child, flips a large ceremonial switch. At that moment, the large evergreen at 10th and Washington is turned on, with its thousands of multicolored lights. At the same time, the lights along the creek and the trees in Parfet Park are illuminated.
The Library, the History Museum, and the cabins in the Golden History Park are open for the Candlelight Walk. Many of the stores along Washington Avenue have refreshments and some have live music.
It's the most beautiful night of the year in Golden.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly clear. Low around 13, with temperatures rising to around 17 overnight. West wind around 7 mph.
Thursday: Sunny. High near 37, with temperatures falling to around 31 in the afternoon. West wind 8 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly Cloudy, 24°F
Friday: Mostly Sunny, 41°F
Friday Night: Chance Light Snow, 27°F
Saturday: Chance Light Snow, 43°F
Saturday Night: Slight Chance Light Snow, 25°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 42°F
Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 27°F
Monday: Mostly Sunny, 49°F
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 32°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, 53°F
Tuesday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 38°F
Wednesday: Slight Chance Rain And Snow, 54°F
News About Golden - December 4, 2025
Snow totals: Here's how much has fallen across Colorado
By Alexander Kirk
9News
DENVER — The first significant snowstorm of the season to impact the Denver area arrived in Colorado late Tuesday... Read more...
City of Golden Weekly Digest
In this issue... Download PDF below.
PARKING PERMIT RENEWALS NOT REQUIRED
City of Golden
On December 2, 2025, the City's parking vendor mistakenly emailed renewal notices to permit holders. Please disregard that message. All existing parking permits will automatically renew for 2026--no action is needed... Read more...
Golden’s NREL renamed National Laboratory of the Rockies
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
For three decades, Goldenites and others have read NREL aloud as “en-rell.”
Now, they’ll have to figure out a way to say “NLR.” Read more...
Supporters
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Sponsors:
($100/month and up)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Golden Hayride Outpost, Unite Fitness, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Goosetown Station, and Earth Sweet Boutique
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $550/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Goozell Yogurt & Coffee Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, Saré Merrigan, The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, and Vic DeMaria
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Rick Flint, Forrest Jones, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, Steve Enger, Kristie Brice & Mike Schwartz, The Golden Hotel, Kurt & Janet Siegfried, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, Robert Thresher, Tonie Mattox, Centennial State Wealth Advisors, and Steve & M.L. Richardson
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $110/yr)
Brad Miller & Julie Bartos, Holly Thomas, Jim and LouAnne Dale, Ann Pattison, Thomas Hoffman, Carol Abel, Brian Quarnstrom, Sandra Curran, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Kathy Smith, Karen Smith, Carlos & Nancy Bernal, Robert Storrs, Michele Sannes, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, E Tom Hughes, Crystal M Culbert, Patrick A. Madison, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Deb Goeldner, Christopher Ball, 6th Chair Home Services, Dot & Eric Brownson, Rosemary Coffman, Emeline Paulson, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Frani R Bickart, Jennings and Litz, Bill Sedgeley, Nancy Hughes, Justin L Wade, Kathi Eggers, Traci Case, Donna Owen, Leslie D Lutz, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser & KC Gilliland, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, Jim Garner, John and Carol McEncroe, the Golden Welcome Center, the Golden Transcript, Koshare Eagle, Ken and Colleen Krantz, Traci Neuman Lacey, Jo Barber, Jamie Cookinham, Kermit Shields, Meridee Cecil, Vicki Olson, Colleen & Michael Ramey, Nancy & Pete Torpey, Jax Baker, Simon Maybury, Rose McLaughlin, Cameron Chambers, Joyce Gravina, Patrick Klein, Barb Robie, Richard Caldwell, Janice Waring, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, Mary Eiberger, Kevin Nichols, Ed & Carol Freza, Laura and Curtis Moore, Ruth Hund, Shelley & Jerry Devitt, Eileen Masterson, Kate Olivier, Amy Korengut, Pam Logan, Clare Shier, and Wendy Weiman
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, Emily Kurzinski, Nanette Johnson, Peyton Gibson, Sally Berger, Kristen Morgan, Joyce Sutton, Mary Rains, Craig Champlin, Stan Swisher
