What’s more fun than a thousand+ Golden Retrievers all in one spot? How about an entire weekend of dog-friendly activities in Golden, Colorado!

Goldens in Golden 2022 event golden retrievers around the legs of humans

Now, “Goldens in Golden” is a must. The unofficial largest gathering of Golden Retrievers in history will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. The four previous gatherings have each attracted upwards of 1,000 Golden Retrievers and their owners under the famous Golden Arch for a meet-up and photo-op that has gone ‘round the world from People Magazine to CBS This Morning. The official photo is so popular that there will be three official group photos taken at 11:30, 12 noon or 12:30 pm.

But there’s lots more fun than posing with your pooch for a photo. First read up on ALL the Goldens in Golden events happening by familiarizing yourself with the Goldens in Golden Events Page at VisitGolden.com. More events and specials are being added as we get closer to the event, but here are a few must-do’s:

  • Book an overnight – or a weekend– in Golden! Most Golden hotels offer dog-friendly deals, like The Eddy’s “Sleepover Pawty,” featuring a “barkuterie board” and other fun pet amenities! VisitGolden.com has lots of pet-friendly lodging listed for all the options.
  • On Friday, kick off the weekend with the Golden Mill’s Kick-Off Party, where there will be adoptable dogs, Fido-friendly vendors, pup cups, dog-themed beers on tap, live music and a live ice sculpture carving in the shape of, what else?, a Golden Retriever. 
  • Saturday morning, get out the doggie jitters and take an early stroll through Golden to grab coffee and take a pre-event walk along Clear Creek on the Peaks to Plains Trail. The paved trail passes right through downtown Golden and stretches up into the mountains through a scenic canyon, crossing back and forth across the partially frozen river on beautiful bridges. There are many places where your four-legged friend can have a drink or even wet their paws in the creek. Note, dogs must be leashed at all times.
  • At 10 a.m., the Golden Mill will open early for a pre-pawty so bring Luna, Bella, Daisy, Lucy, Milo, Max, and Teddy (the most popular dog names for 2024 according to the American Kennel League) for some early socializing while you enjoy Bloody Mary’s and breakfast burritos.

A baby dressed in a Golden retriever costume and parent with a golden retriever shirt at the 2022 Goldens in Golden event

  • Head towards Parfet Park, where the event kicks off at 11 a.m. This lovely park at Washington Ave. and Clear Creek is “Dog Central” for the event and will have a Pet Vendor Village giving out treats. There’s a mini “Golden Arch” for one-on-one photos to commemorate the event, and it’s the natural gathering place for dogs to meet each other, rub noses, and have a quick smell before marching up Washington Ave. for one of the three official photo shoots at 11:30 a.m., 12 noon and 12:30 p.m.
  • Along the way, many Golden merchants will have dog treats, deals and specials. Be sure to pick up some official Goldens in Golden merch made by Golden’s own YoColorado! There will be a booth in Parfet Park and their store is located around the corner from Golden’s Welcome Arch at 805 12th Street. You can also skip the line and order online! Many Golden merchants will have fun Goldens in Golden souvenirs for sale too – support these great stores who welcome you!
  • Get matching Western hats for you and your Golden at the Rancher Hat pop up at Buffalo Rose, located on the corner of Washington and 12th! Then stop by Foothills Art Center at Astor House for a dog-friendly and dog-themed mini market and retail shop - selling artisan dog treats, dog art and dog gear plus goodies and activities for dogs including pup paddies from Bob's Burgers, photo ops and custom pup portraits.
  • Have lunch with your best friend at an outdoor café or a picnic table along the creek. The people of Golden live outdoors and there are two dozen outdoor cafes offering everything from Woody’s Wood-Fired Pizza to mouth watering BBQ at Colorado’s first capitol building, the Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse. Grab a deli sandwich “to go” at D’Deli and share it with your Golden on the river. Why would you want to leave Golden on what some people have called “the best day of the year?” Hang around and grab some food and give your dog the experience of their lifetime.
  • Have a beer at one of Golden’s many dog-friendly outdoor beer gardens. Many, like Golden City Brewery, will have special treats for the dogs! You’ll find that not only is Golden the best city in Colorado – or maybe the US? -  for Golden Retrievers, it also is the “biggest little beer town in the world,” brewing more beer than any other town on the planet! (Thanks Coors!) But there is also a wonderful collection of craft brewers in town and most are very dog friendly.People sharing a drink at Ace Hi on Washington Ave. patio with their golden retrievers during 2022 Goldens in Golden event
  • In addition to your iconic pics from Goldens in Golden, why not set out to get more classic Colorado photos with your Golden. Of course, this includes nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which has several dog-friendly trails and is open to leashed dogs during non-event times. You can also take dogs for a stroll at Dinosaur Ridge, surrounded by 70-million-year-old dinosaur tracks. Both North and South Table mountains surrounding Golden have dog trails to the summit that are generally dry and snow free in February. 

Whatever you do, you and your best friend will have an amazing experience. Of course, all Golden Retrievers have met other Golden Retrievers at some point – but to wag their tails through a sea of Golden Retrievers? Do dogs know the difference and recognize their own kind? You’ll know the answer in minutes. Although you may discover the answer through tears and laughter and joy that you and your pal will never forget. It will surely be a Golden experience for all!