Big Golden Retriever Energy Takes Over Golden

The 2026 Goldens in Golden celebration transformed the streets of downtown Golden into a vibrant river of fur and wagging tails, drawing record-breaking crowds for what has become a global pilgrimage for dog lovers.

Held in honor of International Golden Retriever Day, this year’s event solidified its status as a premier community festival, featuring thousands of retrievers participating in a morning of friendly greetings and all the headscratches they could want.

To manage the unprecedented turnout, organizers successfully implemented an expanded schedule that included multiple group photo sessions under the iconic “Howdy Folks” arch and the highly anticipated election of an Honorary Canine Mayor. See more photos from the event below.