Celebrating 75 years of Western fun in Wickenburg, Arizona

The annual 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. Join us February 9-11, 2024! Founded 75 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. Presenting sponsors include Crescent Crown Distributing and Wickenburg Ranch, A Trilogy® Resort Community. Follow the official Gold Rush Days Facebook page!

View the official event schedule here.

View the official event program 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 p.m. on Thursday in the downtown district and runs through Sunday, February 11th. Rides and mini-games for all ages will be on site. A limited number of discount tickets are 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. The main festival grounds will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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 from Luxury Gold Mine 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.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024 – GOLD RUSH DAYS BEGINS

Opening Ceremonies: The official opening gets underway on Friday, February 9th during the Opening Ceremonies on Frontier Street at 10 a.m. 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 9.

The Texas Tenors at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts: Celebrating 15 years of enchanting audiences with their versatile harmony of country, classical, Broadway and contemporary music, Marcus, JC and John, return to Wickenburg for the 75th annual Gold Rush Days festival. Purchase Webb Center tickets online here.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024 – 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 10th, and Sunday, February 11th. Gates open at noon, and the rodeo begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Limited grandstand seating is available. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. The National Senior Pro Rodeo Association selected the 2022 and 2023 Gold Rush Days Rodeo as their “Rodeo of the Year”. Rodeo tickets are now on sale. Get your tickets on Eventbrite.com. Tickets will also be available for sale at the gate, but it will be cash only.

Gold Rush Days Parade: The parade is on Saturday, February 10th at 10 a.m. The Gold Rush parade is one of the largest in Arizona with over 75 entries featuring dozens of horses within each division. Classic automobiles, marching bands, and youth groups will also be participating. The parade theme for the 75th Annual Gold Rush Days is “Our Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.” 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 official parade map here.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2024 – 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 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. View parking information here.