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Gold Nugget Days in Paradise

Gold Nugget Days is Paradise’s late-April celebration of the 54-pound nugget found near Dogtown in 1859. The Town of Paradise says the celebration began in 1959 and has run every year since. The Gold Nugget Museum organization, Gold Nugget Days Inc., stands behind it.

At a Glance

When
Late April each year (2027 dates not confirmed)
Began
1959
Honors
The Dogtown nugget, 54 pounds, found in 1859
Run by
Gold Nugget Days Inc. (Gold Nugget Museum)
Open year-round
Depot Museum, Thursday to Monday, 12 to 4 p.m.

What The Town Lists

  • A parade with a contest for best entry
  • A children’s costume contest
  • Melodrama
  • Sunday at the Museum
  • Donkey Derby
  • Highlanders and Miners Ball
  • The Miss Gold Nugget Pageant

That is the Town’s own list. The Town sends visitors to the Gold Nugget Museum’s website for details. Read the story behind the festival on the Dogtown nugget page.

These were not on an official page we could open on October 30, 2026. Check with the organizer before you plan around them.

  • Not confirmedThe 2027 dates and schedule
  • Not confirmedWhich of the listed events are held in the current year
  • Not confirmedEvent locations and prices
  • Not confirmedWhether the pageant and ball still run in their listed form

More Paradise and The Ridge

The Dogtown NuggetGold Nugget MuseumJohnny Appleseed DaysParadise & The Ridge

Sources

  1. Town of Paradise, Gold Nugget Days (54-pound nugget, 1859, celebration since 1959, event list). Read October 30, 2026.
  2. Gold Nugget Museum (organization, Depot Museum). Read October 30, 2026.

Cite this page: “Gold Nugget Days in Paradise” It’s Chico, checked October 30, 2026. https://itschico.com/events/gold-nugget-days/

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