Featured Events

UPCOMING EVENTS IN HISTORIC CENTRAL CITY

COMPLETE AT-A-GLANCE CALENDAR

  • May 2025

  • Gilpin History Museum Opens for the Season

    Saturday, May 24, 2025: 10:00AM-4:00PM daily
    Gilpin History Museum, 228 East High Street
    Admission: $10 per person; ages 12 and under tour for free
    Sponsored by Gilpin County Historical Society

    Who would have thought that a submarine inventor would hone his craft in the landlocked small mountain town of Central City. In 1898, that’s exactly what Rufus T. Owens did hoping to sell his design to the Navy. To test his handcrafted submarine, at the last minute, he decided to use rocks rather than hopping in to navigate it himself. It’s a good thing he did because it promptly sunk to the bottom of Missouri Lake (near Central City) where it remained for 50 years. Even though the Smithsonian Institute offered to buy it, the submarine is now on display in the Gilpin History Museum. The museum is open daily from 10:00AM – 4:00PM until the end of September, 2025.

  • June 2025

  • 78th Annual Juried Art Show

    June 7-August 8, 2025
    Opening Reception June 7, 2025: 5:00PM-8:00PM
    Washington Hall, 117 Eureka Street
    Admission: FREE
    Presented by Gilpin County Arts Association

    The 78th Annual Juried Art Show presents more than 100 pieces from the nation’s top artists displaying an incredible variety of mediums to include oil paintings, watercolor, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and more. All are for sale. The opening reception and awards take place on June 7th from 5:00-8:00PM. Admission is free and the exhibit is family friendly.

  • Madam Lou Bunch Day

    Saturday, June 14, 2025: 12 noon-7:30PM
    Main Street Central City

    Admission: FREE
    Sponsored by Main Street Central City

    The Famous Bed Race down Main Street celebrates Madam Lou Bunch who in the late 1800s opened a brothel for the many miners looking to strike gold on the “Richest Square Mile on Earth”. In the face of a tuberculosis breakout, she became a hero. Festivities include the Famous Bed Race down Main Street, live music, performances by the Infamous Backroom Cabaret and The Wild Bunch, a costume contest, and the Madams’ & Miners’ Ball as well as special activities for the children. Enter a Bed Race Team and win $500.

  • Barber of Seville

    June 28, 2025 Opening Dinner: 5:00PM
    June 28, 2025 Opening Night Performance: 8:00PM
    July 2, 4, 6, 12, 15, 25, 26, 30, 2025: 2:00PM
    July 19, 2025 Performance: 7:30PM
    August 3, 2025: 2:00PM
    Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
    Tickets Starting at: $31.95
    Sponsored by Central City Opera

    Making its return to the Central City Opera for the first time in twelve years, Barber of Seville is a comic opera by Gioachino Rossini that blends romance, humor, and memorable music. Individual show tickets and subscriptions are now on sale.

  • Stills in the Hills

    Saturday, June 28, 2025: 1:00PM-5:30PM
    Main Street Central City

    Admission: Starting at $68.46 per person
    Sponsored by Central City Business Association

    Calling all connoisseurs to explore the fine science of malt and blended whiskey at this exclusive tasting that features a selection of Colorado’s finest. This is your chance to sample and learn what distinguishes each hand-crafted blend in a setting that takes you back to the Prohibition Era. Added bonus: Live music and the antique Model A’s lining the street. (Must be 21 yeas of age to consume alcoholic beverages.)

  • July 2025

  • 78th Annual Juried Art Show

    June 7-August 8, 2025
    Washington Hall, 117 Eureka Street
    Admission: FREE
    Presented by Gilpin County Arts Association

    The 78th Annual Juried Art Show presents more than 100 pieces from the nation’s top artists displaying an incredible variety of mediums to include oil paintings, watercolor, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and more. All are for sale. Admission is free and the exhibit is family friendly. goes here

  • Barber of Seville

    July 2, 4, 6, 12, 15, 25, 26, 30, 2025: 2:00PM
    July 19, 2025 Performance: 7:30PM
    August 3, 2025: 2:00PM
    Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
    Tickets Starting at $31.95
    Sponsored by Central City Opera

    Making its return to the Central City Opera for the first time in twelve years, Barber of Seville is a comic opera by Gioachino Rossini that blends romance, humor, and memorable music. Individual show tickets and subscriptions are now on sale.

  • The Knock

    July 5, 2025: 7:30P
    July 9, 11, 13, 19, 22, 2025: 2:00P
    August 2, 2025: 7:30 PM
    Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
    Tickets Starting at $31.95
    Sponsored by Central City Opera

    Central City Opera presents the regional premiere ofa patriotic opera by Aleksandra Vrebalov and Deborah Brevoort about military wives during the Iraq war. Individual show tickets and subscriptions are now on sale.

  • Once Upon a Mattress

    July 12, 26, 2025: 7:30PM
    July 16, 18, 20, 23, 27, 29, 2025: 2:00PM
    August 1 and 2, 2025: 2:00PM
    Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
    Tickets Starting at $31.95
    Sponsored by Central City Opera

    Packed with golden-age Broadway tunes, clever humor, and larger-than-life characters, Once Upon A Mattress offers a delightful mix of whimsy and vocal brilliance—perfect for anyone who loves music, laughter, and happily-ever-afters. Individual show tickets and subscriptions are now on sale

  • August 2025

  • 78th Annual Juried Art Show

    June 7-August 8, 2025
    Washington Hall, 117 Eureka Street
    Admission: FREE
    Presented by Gilpin County Arts Association

    The 78th Annual Juried Art Show presents more than 100 pieces from the nation’s top artists displaying an incredible variety of mediums to include oil paintings, watercolor, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and more. All are for sale. Admission is free and the exhibit is family friendly. goes here

  • Once Upon a Mattress

    August 1 and 2, 2025: 2:00PM
    Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
    Tickets Starting at $31.95
    Sponsored by Central City Opera

    Packed with golden-age Broadway tunes, clever humor, and larger-than-life characters, Once Upon A Mattress offers a delightful mix of whimsy and vocal brilliance—perfect for anyone who loves music, laughter, and happily-ever-afters. Individual show tickets and subscriptions are now on sale.

  • The Knock

    August 2, 2025: 7:30 PM
    Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
    Tickets Starting at $31.95
    Sponsored by Central City Opera

    Central City Opera presents the regional premiere ofa patriotic opera by Aleksandra Vrebalov and Deborah Brevoort about military wives during the Iraq war. Individual show tickets and subscriptions are now on sale.

  • Barber of Seville

    August 3, 2025: 2:00PM
    Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
    Tickets Starting at $31.95
    Sponsored by Central City Opera

    Making its return to the Central City Opera for the first time in twelve years, Barber of Seville is a comic opera by Gioachino Rossini that blends romance, humor, and memorable music. Individual show tickets and subscriptions are now on sale.

  • The Great Central City Beer Festival

    Saturday, August 23, 2025: 1:00 PM-6:00 PM
    Main Street Central City
    Admisson: TBD
    Sponsored by Central City Business Association

    Join your friends for a Colorado original featuring a hand-picked selection of local Colorado breweries with dozens and dozens of beer varietals to sample. Set in Historic Central City, get up close and personal with the brewmasters and brewery teams that crafted them. A one-of-a-kind event, this is truly a beer lovers' festival. (Must be 21 yeas of age to consume alcoholic beverages.) More information coming soon.

  • Plein Air Artists Colorado Exhibition

    August 25-October 5, 2025
    Reception and Awards October 5, 2025: 5:00PM-8:00PM
    Washington Hall, 117 Eureka Street
    Admission: FREE
    Sponsored by Gilpin County Arts Association

    Gilpin County Arts Association is pleased to welcome Plein Air Artists Colorado’s 28th Annual National Fine Art Exhibition to Washington Hall providing collectors the opportunity to purchase these exceptional pieces, all of which were created  outdoors. The reception and awards on September 5 is free and family friendly.

Stay in Touch With Central City Events that Lean into its iconic past.

Join in the Madam Lou Bunch Day celebration June 14, 2025 in Central City.