Golden Retriever Lovers Flock to 'Goldens in Golden' Event

Annual celebration in Colorado draws record 5,500 golden retrievers and over 16,000 people

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Colorado city of Golden hosted its annual 'Goldens in Golden' event, which has become the world's largest unofficial gathering of golden retrievers. This year's event on February 7 drew a record-breaking 5,500 dogs and over 16,000 people from 44 U.S. states as well as several other countries, celebrating International Golden Retriever Day with free furry festivities including a fashion show, 'Golden Election', and plenty of dog treats.

Why it matters

The Goldens in Golden event has grown to become a major attraction for golden retriever lovers, providing a boost to the local economy during the typically slow winter season. The event highlights Golden, Colorado as a dog-friendly destination year-round, with plentiful parks, trails, and pet-friendly businesses.

The details

Thousands of golden retrievers and their owners posed under Golden's Welcome Arch, paraded through town, and gathered at vendor villages and a kissing booth. Despite the large crowds, the dogs remained well-behaved, showcasing the typical sweetness of the breed. The event featured a canine fashion show, a 'Golden Election' that named a golden retriever called Cash as Golden's Canine Mayor, and plenty of opportunities for pup-arazzi photos.

  • The annual Goldens in Golden event is held on a Saturday near International Golden Retriever Day, which is February 3.
  • This year's event took place on February 7, 2026.

The players

Goldens in Golden

An annual free event in Golden, Colorado that celebrates golden retrievers and has become the world's largest unofficial gathering of the breed.

Laura Weinberg

The mayor of Golden, Colorado, who said Goldens in Golden is probably one of the happiest days in the city all year.

Maddi Smith

A resident of Loveland, Colorado who has attended the past three Goldens in Golden events with her husband and their golden retriever, Davis.

Charla Cameron and Maria Loredo

First-time visitors to Goldens in Golden who traveled from San Diego, California.

Jonathan Carley

A resident of Thornton, Colorado who brought his 1-year-old golden retriever, Bubba, to Goldens in Golden to celebrate his 41st birthday.

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What they’re saying

“I just feel in love with how kind they are, how cuddly. They're just your best friend. They're born without mean bones.”

— Maddi Smith (Instagram)

“You see a lot of happy people and pets. Golden retrievers are very friendly dogs. They also seem to have very friendly and community-minded owners that come out with them to the event. So I think it's a combination of the well-behaved pets and the fantastic humans that bring them.”

— Laura Weinberg, Mayor of Golden, Colorado (Forbes)

“It's cool to see an event catered to dogs. It's amazing.”

— Charla Cameron (Forbes)

“I couldn't think of a better place to be than with thousands of golden retrievers, so Bubba and I decided to come. It's been fantastic.”

— Jonathan Carley (Forbes)

“They're just the best dogs on Earth. They bring us joy every single day.”

— Ivanna Carreiro (Forbes)

What’s next

The city of Golden plans to continue hosting the Goldens in Golden event annually, with potential expansions to accommodate the growing crowds and popularity.

The takeaway

The Goldens in Golden event showcases the enduring appeal and community-minded spirit of golden retrievers, while also providing a significant economic boost to the city of Golden during the offseason. The event's growth highlights Golden's reputation as a dog-friendly destination and the strong bond between golden retriever owners and their beloved pets.