UPCOMING EVENTS IN HISTORIC CENTRAL CITY

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 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.

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 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. More information coming soon.

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
Season Subscriptions Starting at: $72
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 go on sale April 1, 2025.

Saturday, June 28, 2025: 1:00PM-6:00PM
Main Street Central City
Admission: TBD
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.) More information coming soon.

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

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
Season Subscriptions Starting at $72
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 go on sale April 1, 2025.

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
Season Subscriptions Starting at $72
Sponsored by Central City Opera

Central City Opera presents the regional premiere of a patriotic opera by Aleksandra Vrebalov and Deborah Brevoort about military wives during the Iraq war. Individual show tickets go on sale April 1, 2025.

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
Season Subscriptions Starting at $72
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 go on sale April 1, 2024.

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

August 1 and 2, 2025: 2:00PM
Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
Season Subscriptions Starting at $72
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 go on sale April 1, 2024.

August 2, 2025: 7:30 PM
Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
Season Subscriptions Starting at $72
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 go on sale April 1, 2025.

August 3, 2025: 2:00PM
Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street
Season Subscriptions Starting at $72
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 go on sale April 1, 2025.

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.

Sunday, June 22, 2025
William C. Russell Park
Sponsored by Gilpin County Parks & Recreation
Information: https://gilpincounty.colorado.gov/county-news-notices/special-events-and-holidays

Saturday, August 23, 2024
Sponsored by Gilpin County Historical Society
Information: gilpinhistory.org/events

October 17, 18, 24, 25, 2025
Sponsored by Gilpin Historical Society
Information: gilpinhistory.org/events

December 6 & 7, 2025
Sponsored by Main Street Central City