Every year on a Friday evening in late November or early December, thousands of citizens and visitors usher in the Christmas season the old fashioned way by walking together from the Foothills Art Center to the Golden Visitors Center, carrying candles, singing carols and sipping hot cider. The crowd gathers at 6:00 o'clock in the evening at the Foothills Art Center at 15th and Arapahoe Streets, where the Golden Lions Club serves free hot chocoate and cider; the Chamber of Commerce sells 50¢ candles, and instrumentalists play holiday tunes. At 6:30 Santa Clause leads the assemblage, with candles in hand, down the Washington Avenue hill and through downtown Golden to the visitors center.
At the visitors center, there is caroling, free Christmas cookies, cider, reindeer, puppets and eggnog. On the holiday stage outside the Golden Visitors Center local choirs, dancers and carolers entertain until the highlight of the evening when the mayor throws the switch to light the holiday lights along the Clear Creek Trail.
Along the Avenue, there is always a host of collateral events before, during and after the candlelight procession. Various business sponsor special events along the way, and downtown museums often offer extended hours and free admission during the evening.
Costumed dancers entertain the crowd at the Rotary Club Amphitheater on the bank of Clear Creek.
