Central City Events We Can’t Wait to Host Again!
Central City’s event calendar is normally the highlight of the year. And though we cannot celebrate them together this year due to COVID-19, we can’t help but look forward to when we can come together to enjoy these events again!
Central City Mayor Jeremy Fey races to the finish line at Madam Lou Bunch Day bed races!
Attendees shiver in their boots during a spooky presentation during the annual Creepy Crawl.
Live music, taste tests and some good ol’ lederhosen round out a day at Central City’s Beer Festival!
Central City Opera
When you think of Central City events, folks all around the country think OPERA! Known nationally for their summer performance season, the Central City Opera brings talented artists from all over the country to our mountain town. You won’t want to miss their falsettos and choruses echoing through the innate and historic Opera House. Typically running from July through Labor Day, they showcase multiple performances and even an annual festival.
Madam Lou Bunch Day
Picture this: you’re wheeling down Central City’s Main Street on a four-poster bed with hundreds of strangers cheering you on! That’s right, this is Madame Lou Bunch Day! Madam Lou Bunch Day honors the most successful brothel owner in Central City’s early days by an exciting ‘Bed Race’, where two men and one woman race wheeled beds down Central City’s historic downtown. Celebrate your bed race victory by soaking up some live music, reveling in a fantastic costume contest, and attending an old-timey ball. Fingers crossed for next year!
Hot Rod hill Climb
Rev your engine during Central City’s Hot Rod Hill Climb. What began as a test between race cars and hot rods in the early 1900s, has now been revived to gather hot rod enthusiasts all over the country! Get a whiff of the working engines and feel these classic cars whizz by as you cheer on the races, or wander through historic downtown admiring these refurbished vintage masterpieces. With over 100 cars in attendance each year, the Hot Rod Hill Climb celebrates history and community all at once!
Creepy Crawl
Do you believe in ghosts? How about other creepy or gruesome tales? The Gilpin Historical Society’s annual Creepy Crawl is the perfect event for you! These 60-minute walking tours take you through Central City’s historic buildings, some of which can ONLY be accessed during the event each year. Locals reenact spooky tales and historic murders, and of course, it’s presented in October leading up to Halloween. Prepare to have the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!
Beer Festival
Whether you prefer to sip on reliable pale ale or a hearty stout, like most folks in Colorado, we take our beer pretty seriously! That’s why The Great Central City Beer Festival is such a treat each August. Experience innovative flavors or celebrate the best of the classics; either way, you’ll be full to the brim with craft genius. With accompanying live music and sponsored by Central City’s famous casinos, this is a great event to mix great brews with great entertainment! Can’t wait for when we can cheers to some of Colorado’s best local brews.
STILLS in the Hills
Speaking of tasty drinks, ditch the hops and enjoy a weekend of tasting craft liquor at our annual Stills in the Hills! Sample award-winning spirits, dance to live music, and enjoy a tasty treat from their variety of food vendors. Watch as our historic Main Street transforms into one big speakeasy, so grab your friends and family and come sip, savor and repeat.
Central Jazz Festival
If you can’t tell by now, we love transforming our historic streets and venues into places of celebration! A revival of the original Central City Jazz Festival, which ran from 1976 through 1992, the Central Jazz Festival brings renowned jazz artists and performers to our classic Colorado destination. If you love quality tunes, a good time, and more, you’ll love this event!
NIGHT OF GOOD FORTUNE
Just like our historic venues and downtown happenings, Central City’s unique and fun casinos are also great hosts! The Night of Good Fortune brings outdoor food vendors, live music and gaming together with a Spanish theme to make the most of the warm summer months. Play AND party at this summer celebration.
Central City is no stranger to ups and downs, considering its mining history. That’s why we can’t wait to bounce back and play host to some of these amazing events. But in the meantime, be sure to check out our casinos, galleries, and museums. See you then!