Wickenburg will celebrate its rich heritage during the 76th Annual Gold Rush Days, set for Feb. 13–16. The event, hosted by the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, highlights the town's roots as a ranching and gold-mining community. Thousands of visitors are expected to join locals for four days of festivities.
The celebration kicks off Thursday, Feb. 13, with the opening of Brown’s Amusements Family Fun Carnival at 4 p.m. in downtown Wickenburg. Grammy-nominated country band Little Texas will perform two concerts at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at 928-684-6624.
Opening ceremonies will take place Friday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. on Frontier Street, followed by a classic car show featuring restored vehicles from across Arizona. Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore Valentine Street’s main festival area, which will feature vendors, art exhibits by the Wickenburg Art Club, live music, and gold-panning demonstrations. Activities will run daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live music starting at noon.
Saturday’s highlights include the Gold Rush Days Parade, beginning at 10 a.m. This year’s theme, “Spur of the Moment,” will feature more than 75 entries, including classic cars, marching bands, and youth groups.
The National Senior Pro Rodeo and Open Rough Stock events will also take center stage Saturday and Sunday at the Everett Bowman Arena, located at 935 Constellation Road. Gates open at 11 a.m., with rodeo performances starting at 2 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for students, and free for children under 5.
Sunday’s activities will feature the Mucking and Drilling Contest at 10 a.m. at the Wickenburg Community Center, followed by gold-panning events, including the Arizona Gold Panning Championship at 1 p.m.
The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce encourages visitors to explore the town’s shops, restaurants, and cowboy culture. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 928-684-5479 or visit visitwickenburg.com or wickenburgchamber.com.
