Things to do with kids in Golden, CO
Checked · All times are local Mountain Time (Golden time)
Coming up in Golden: Trick or Treat Street on Washington Avenue (Oct 30), Monster Mash at Golden History Park, Library & Foothills Art Center (Oct 31), The Great Turkey Chase (Nov 26) and 3 more events. 8 always-open places, led by Mines Museum of Earth Science. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Halloween & fall events in Golden
Trick or Treat Street on Washington Avenue
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 · 3–5pm
- Cost
- Not stated
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Music, dance performances, games and candy from local businesses. Washington Avenue is closed to traffic between 11th and 14th streets.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Monster Mash at Golden History Park, Library & Foothills Art Center
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 · 2–4pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor + outdoor
Drop-in Halloween party: kids trick-or-treat between the Golden Library, Golden History Park and Foothills Art Center, with not-so-scary stories and crafts. No registration.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thanksgiving events in Golden
The Great Turkey Chase
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Starts 8:30am
- Cost
- Registration required (kids 10 and under have an untimed entry)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A 5K-ish Thanksgiving fun run for the whole family that starts and finishes at Parfet Park, with an untimed entry for kids 10 and under.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum
- When
- Fri, Nov 6 – Wed, Dec 23 (Several evenings a week from Nov 6, daily after Thanksgiving; 10% off before Thanksgiving) · Main departures 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm
- Cost
- Standard: ages 2–15 $80, 16+ $100; lap riders under 2 free
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor + outdoor
The official POLAR EXPRESS ride with hot cocoa, a reading of the story and a visit from Santa. Several evenings a week from Nov 6, daily after Thanksgiving.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Olde Golden Candlelight Walk
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 · 6–9pm; walk starts 6:30pm at 15th St & Washington Ave
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Bring a candle and carol down Washington Avenue to Parfet Park for the lighting of the park and Clear Creek corridor. Golden History Museum and the library open with activities.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Family Time Story Time at Golden Library
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 – Sat, Dec 26 (Saturdays) · 10:15–10:45am
- Cost
- Library program; registration required
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Saturday family story time with books, songs and rhymes. Registration is required and opens seven days before each session.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Mines Museum of Earth Science
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 4–17+ (our guidance)
Colorado School of Mines geology museum; free rock for finishing the family scavenger hunt
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave
- Price
- Adult $5 · Child $1 (child 6-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Under 5 free; gravesite and observation deck free. Nov 1–May 18: Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Colorado Railroad Museum
- Price
- Adult $12 · Child $5 (child 2-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
2026 museum admission; train-ride tickets extra ($5 adult, $2 child) on ride days
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Golden History Museum
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Tuesday–Saturday 10am–4:30pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Nature Center open Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun 10am–4pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
- Price
- Daily vehicle pass $12–$17; individual $4
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Mountain park with family trails, ponds for fishing and a visitor center (daily 9am–4pm); day use 5am–10pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Golden History Park
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
1800s ranch cabins and schoolhouse; grounds open daily 5am–11pm, buildings open on open-house days
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Lions Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown park next to the Golden Community Center with a large accessible playground, picnic pavilions, restroom and Clear Creek Trail access; city parks open 5am–11pm unless posted
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Golden this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 3 family events in Golden, 1 free: Monster Mash at Golden History Park, Library & Foothills Art Center (Sat, free), Trick or Treat Street on Washington Avenue (Fri) and Family Time Story Time at Golden Library (Sat).
What time is trick-or-treating in Golden?
Sunset on Halloween in Golden is at 5:59 p.m. Golden doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk. Downtown: Trick or Treat Street on Washington Avenue, Fri., Oct. 30, 3–5 p.m., Washington Avenue.
What Halloween events are in Golden in 2026?
We list 2 Halloween or fall events in Golden, 1 free: Trick or Treat Street on Washington Avenue (Fri, Oct 30) and Monster Mash at Golden History Park, Library & Foothills Art Center (Sat, Oct 31, free).
What are free things to do with kids in Golden?
These are free according to their official sites: 4 places and 2 upcoming events in Golden, including Mines Museum of Earth Science, Golden History Museum and Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve. See all 6 above.
Where can kids play indoors in Golden when it's cold or snowy?
We list 2 indoor places in Golden: Mines Museum of Earth Science (Free) and Golden History Museum (Free).
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Golden?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Golden: The Great Turkey Chase (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Denver area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Golden?
We list 1 event with Santa in Golden: THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum (Nov 6 – Dec 23). Our Santa guide for the Denver area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Golden?
We list 1 holiday light event in Golden: Olde Golden Candlelight Walk (Dec 4, free). Our holiday lights guide for the Denver area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Golden?
We list 1 everyday program in Golden: Family Time Story Time at Golden Library (Saturdays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Golden?
We list 3 places in Golden that welcome kids under 2, including Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve, Golden History Park and Lions Park. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Golden family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 3 places in Golden: Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave (adult $5, kids 6–17 $1), Colorado Railroad Museum (adult $12, kids 2–17 $5) and Golden Gate Canyon State Park (Daily vehicle pass $12–$17). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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