Foothill Crew #04

Christmas Lights & Stock Show History

Yeehaw 🤠 the National Western Stock Show rolled into Denver this past weekend. For 16 days every January, this Colorado staple transforms into a full on celebration of our western heritage. With that, let’s take a second to talk about a Colorado tradition that you might not know about- especially if you’re new to our little slice of the Rockies.

While most folks are packing up their holiday lights right after New Year’s, Colorado keeps the festivities going until the National Western Stock Show wraps up. This isn’t just some new fad- the custom of keeping Christmas lights on through the end of the stock show goes back generations.

Starting in the 1940s, local leaders encouraged Coloradans to keep their holiday lights up, creating a festive welcome for the tens of thousands of visitors who flocked to the stock show.

So keep those lights shining bright- you’re not being lazy (when your significant other asks), you’re carrying on a Colorado tradition rolling out the welcome wagon for our Stock Show visitors! Keep those lights shining until January 26th!

Tuesday

Tuesday Night Special, Rock Rest Lodge, Golden- $2 Drafts

Trivia Tuesday, The Golden Mill, Golden- Show off your smarts 🤓 and win prizes from sponsors and the Golden Mill. 6:30-8:30pm

Open Bluegrass Pick Night, Over Yonder Brewing Company, Golden - All levels welcome. Enjoy 50% off your first pour if you’re pickin or just come down and hang. Good times

Wednesday

Live Music with Chrispy, Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- The one man looping band who plays all the genres you love. Jam out

Apres Wednesday, The Golden Mill, Golden- Want the apres ski scene without the I-70 traffic? Well look no further. Join from 5-8pm for live music, drink specials, and Loveland ticket giveaways. Send it

Colorado Cowboy Gathering, Golden Public Library, Golden- Cowboy stories, poetry and music. Grab your stetsons and boots, and gather around the proverbial campfire to hear amazing stories, poems, and historic music about the Wild West. Free, but registration is required. 5-6pm

Ski & Board Tune Night, New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Join other steezy folks at the brewery. For $30 bucks, get a wax and edge as well as beer while you wait. 5-9pm Wax on, wax off

Trivia Night, Over Yonder Brewing Co, Golden- 6-8pm

Thursday

Thank you Thursdays, Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Locals get 10% off all day while the kitchen is open, and a great warm up for Open Mic Night 👇️ 

Almost Famous Open Mic Night, Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- starting at 7pm

Runner’s Roost Run Club, Golden- Meet at Runner’s Roost at 6pm. Get those miles

Avalanche Awareness Class, Bent Gate Mountaineering, Golden- Avalanche Awareness for Ice Climbers with Golden Mountain Guides. Gain knowledge, make safe decisions, and have fun. Learn from some of the best. 6-8pm. Free, but RSVP ahead of time

Cheese Night with Cheese Ranch, Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Self guided cheese and beer pairing. Don’t worry if you attended last time- every offering is different and unique! Beer & cheese…yum

UllrGrass Troubadour Contest, Bridgewater Grill, Golden- UllrGrass Troubadour Contest 2025 from 6-9pm. Slap the bass, man

Music by the Mesa, New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- featuring The High Road Home and their progressive bluegrass style. 6-9pm

Colorado Cowboy Gathering, The Rose Event Center, Golden- Celebrating cowboy heritage, traditions, and entertainments. Join for a lively night of Western music, poetry, and storytelling. Pony Up

The Wreckunds, The Woodcellar, Evergreen- The Wrecklunds jamming out, starting at 8pm. Wreck ‘em

Friday

Fondue Friday, Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Reserve your pot by Thursday evening, and get cheesy 🫕 

Golden StArt, Eddy Taproom & Hotel, Golden- Come and join for drinks and apps with artist Leslie Fitzsimmons, and meet other local art enthusiasts. 3-4pm. Artsy

Free Concert, Sky Bar Stage, Golden- Enjoy the rooftop of the Buffalo Rose and be serenaded by the bluegrass tunes of Chuck Sitero from the High Lonesome band. FREE event

Drag Bingo 2000s Billboard Edition, Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Show up by 7:30 and have fun.

Saturday

Fly Tying Class, Ascent Fly Fishing- Masterclass with Scott Stisser. For aspiring anglers 🎣 and fly tyers, join and learn from one of the best in the country. 10am-5pm Fish on

Cocktail Class, State 38 Distilling, Golden- Learn how to make the perfect cocktail from the experts at State 38. 4-5:30pm Get tix

Blacksmithing in the Park, Golden History Park, Golden- Join Golden’s own volunteer blacksmith for a fun morning of learning and observation. 9am-12pm Hammer time

Dead Floyd Concert ,Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Dead Floyd bringing the heat, combining the sounds of two iconic bands into one holy grail. Rocking starts at 8pm

Wild West Pub Crawl, Golden History Tours, Golden- Beers & Bandits

Solvera Concert, Howling Wind Brewery, Rollinsville- Escape up the canyon for some crisp mountain air and enjoy live music with Solvera kicking off at 5pm. Head west

Sunday

Pet Adoption Event, Over Yonder Brewing Co, Golden- Adoption event with Animal Rescue of the Rockies. Meet adoptable dogs, enjoy delicious beer, and support a great cause! 1-4pm Woof Woof

Board Game Night, Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- 5pm-close. $1 off pints while playing. Board games provided, or bring your own if you’re serious. Yahtzee

Fundamentals of Flow workshop, Rise Yoga & Wellness, Golden- 3-5pm Namaste

Monday

Yoga on Tap 🧘, New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

Mines Mondays, Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- $1 off all pints every Monday with your Mines ID

Live Music, The Golden Mill, Golden- Live music by Taylor Frederick from 5-8pm

Texas Hold ‘Em night, Morrison Holiday Bar, Morrison- Cards dealt at 6pm

Downtown Golden, ~1880s, looking east with view of businesses along the 1200 block of Washington and South Table Mountain in the background.

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See you around the next bend!