You Won’t Want to Miss This Arizona Winter Festival in February

Can you think of a more perfectly Western thing to do than to attend Gold Rush Days in a town as perfectly Western as Wickenburg? Set for February 12 to 15, 2026, Gold Rush Days celebrates the town of Wickenburg's history as the former epicenter of gold mining and ranches, long before Phoenix was established. So, make the most of this February by attending the 77th Annual Gold Rush Days in Wickenburg, Arizona!

Grab your cowboy or cowgirl boots and your Western hat and head on down to Wickenburg for a rompin' stompin' good time this February! Presented by the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, Gold Rush Days is one of those events that celebrate the Old Wild West in the best way. It's also been named as one of Arizona's Local Legacies by the Library of Congress. Pretty cool, right?

The weekend starts out with a literal bang as costumed gunslingers take to Frontier Street with a shoot-out — Old West style, of course. And the excitement doesn't stop there! The Gold Rush Car Show is scheduled on February 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring your friends and family along to admire 75 classic cars owned by local classic car collectors.

The weekend will also host one of the largest parades in Arizona. The Gold Rush Days Parade will have marching bands, horses and horse-drawn wagons, classic cars, and more making their way down Frontier Street. You can also watch the much-anticipated Senior Pro Rodeo, during which cowboys and cowgirls from across the country will compete in a series of rodeo events. The rodeo will begin at 2 p.m. each day.

In addition to the scheduled events, there will be live music, a carnival, artisan booths, food booths (including barbecue), and gold panning and mining contests to remember that Wickenburg was once a big mining town. Adults and kids alike will have a blast feeling like they are a part of the Wild West for a weekend in Wickenburg, so bring the entire family to Gold Rush Days! This year, the Gold Rush Days will also feature a Breast of Gold Cancer Walk on February 13 at 9 a.m. to raise awareness for breast cancer.

With three and a half days of activities and excitement, this is one weekend to remember! Save the dates for this February Gold Rush getaway and consider spending a few nights at the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch that weekend! And if you're looking for more ways to enjoy the weekend, be sure to check out our itinerary planner for recommendations of things to do in the area.