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View the official event schedule online here.

View the official event program online here.

Western fun all weekend long “Out Wickenburg Way!”

Wickenburg invites you to join us for the 74th Annual Gold Rush Days celebration in 2023! We look forward to welcoming you to Wickenburg!

February 10-12, 2023 Information: 

The Gold Rush Days celebration is Wickenburg’s biggest event of the year, honoring the town’s long history as a ranching and mining hub in Arizona. Founded 74 years ago, Gold Rush Days continues to honor that heritage. Today, the event draws tens of thousands of visitors during the 3 days of family-friendly activities. Gold Rush Days received its most significant recognition from the Library of Congress, which classifies the event as one of America’s Local Legacies. The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce is the proud producer of the celebration each year, along with partners and sponsors.

View parking information here.

WEEKEND-LONG EVENTS:

Carnival: One of the most popular aspects of Gold Rush Days is Brown’s Amusements Family Fun Carnival. The carnival opens early at 4:00pm on Thursday in the downtown district and runs through Sunday, February 12th. Rides and mini-games for all ages will be on site. A limited number of discount tickets will be available at the Visitor Center, 216 N. Frontier Street for carnival patrons. Tickets are also sold at the carnival.

Artisan Fair: The center of activity is the Wickenburg Community Center and the Wickenburg Public Library, which serves as the main festival area on Valentine Street. Set in the historic district, you’ll find over 150 exhibitors at the Wickenburg Art Club artisan fair and juried art show. In addition, enjoy over 100 arts & crafts vendors, family-fun carnival, gold panning, and much more. View the community center vendors here. The main festival grounds will be open from 9:00am – 5:00pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Gold Panning: You’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at gold panning near the carnival in downtown Wickenburg. Volunteers will be available to help beginners learn the ropes and find gold! Gold panning troughs will be set up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023

Neal McCoy at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts: The electrifying showman will entertain with his country hits including “No Doubt About It,” “Wink,” “The Shake” and more from his 30-year career. Purchase tickets online here.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023 – GOLD RUSH DAYS BEGINS

Opening Ceremonies: The official opening gets underway on Friday, February 10th during the Opening Ceremonies on Frontier Street at 10:00am with western stuntman Will Roberts. Gold Rush Officials will also be kicking off the event.

Classic Car Show: Friday is the only day to see beautiful classic automobiles during Gold Rush Days. Automobile enthusiasts will display their vintage and classic automobiles on Frontier Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, February 10.

Neal McCoy at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts: The electrifying showman will entertain with his country hits including “No Doubt About It,” “Wink,” “The Shake” and more from his 30-year career. Purchase tickets online here.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2023 – THE FUN CONTINUES

Senior Pro Rodeo: Spectate the cowboys and cowgirls as they compete in categories such as bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, and more. The National Senior Pro Rodeo and Open Rough Stock take place on Saturday, February 11th, and Sunday, February 12th. Gates open at noon. Limited grandstand seating is available. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. The National Senior Pro Rodeo Association selected the 2022 Gold Rush Days Rodeo as their “Rodeo of the Year”. Purchase rodeo tickets online here via BAMM Tickets or at the Wickenburg Visitor Center (216 N. Frontier Street). Tickets can also be purchased at the arena on the day of the event (note: prices will be the same at the gate, but it will be cash-only admission).

Gold Rush Days Parade: The parade is on Saturday, February 11th at 10:00am. The Gold Rush parade is one of the largest in Arizona with over 70 entries which include dozens of horses! Classic automobiles, marching bands, and youth groups will also be participating. The parade theme for Gold Rush Days 2023 is “Back in Gold!” Arizona Edventures named the Gold Rush Days parade one of the top ten parades to attend in Arizona! Bring your lawn chairs and get a front-row seat. View the parade route map here.

Rodeo Dance: The rodeo dance is joining us once again during Gold Rush Days! The dance is brought to you by the Humane Society of Wickenburg. Bring your dancin’ shoes to the Wickenburg Community Center on Saturday, February 11th, and enjoy live music by the Pat James Band. The dance will run from 6:00pm to 10:00pm and feature a full bar. All ages are welcome to attend. Dance tickets are $10 per person in advance, $12 at the door. Purchase tickets online here. Tickets can also be purchased at the Wickenburg Visitor Center at 216 N. Frontier Street.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023 – FUN-FILLED FINAL DAY

Mucking and Drilling Contest: Cheer on contestants during this test of skill and strength during the hand drilling and hand mucking events. In the hand drilling contest, competitors must drill a hole into rock using a drilling steel and a sledgehammer in a set amount of time. The competitor that drills the deepest hole wins. Those competing in the mucking contest must shovel crushed rock (also known as “muck”) into an ore cart on rails and push the cart to the finish line in the fastest amount of time. The Mucking and Drilling contest will take place on Sunday at 10 a.m. near the gold panning and the carnival.

Parking Information: Be there early! Parking is limited, especially downtown before the parade on Saturday.

Thank you to our event partners and sponsors who make Gold Rush Days possible: