Experience the Magic!

Located in Nederland, Colorado, the nonprofit Carousel of Happiness is a magical menagerie featuring 56 whimsical, hand-carved animals on a restored 1910 Looff carousel, turning to the music of a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ.

Come experience this unique, participatory piece of folk art and become a part of its living history. Owing its creation to local sculptor Scott Harrison and to the generosity of thousands of donors and visitors inspired by his work, the Carousel is multigenerational, nostalgic and new — an experience of simple joy for people of all ages! 

Our facility is open year-round, and as part of the Carousel’s values to be respectful and inclusive, we are an accessible destination for people with disabilities and a demonstration of green, energy-saving technologies. We welcome anyone and everyone to come experience the Carousel of Happiness for themselves! 

In addition to our main spinning attraction, the Carousel of Happiness also has an upstairs observation window (great for watching the 100-year-old gears churn), a puppet theater (housed in a restored band organ facade), and a story booth for recording the stories the Carousel of Happiness inspires you to share.

If all of these features make you want to celebrate, consider renting the entire carousel or the upstairs party room for your next corporate function, family get-together, fundraiser or birthday party. We’ve been lucky to host hundreds of weddings, memorials and other such celebrations of life. 

And, of course, we’ve got a gift shop so you can take a piece of the Carousel of Happiness home. Our curated shop is stocked with pieces sure to intertwine our story with yours and consciously sourced apparel you’re sure to love. Plus, you can feel good when you shop with us because every purchase helps fund the Carousel, magic and all.   

Support the Carousel on Colorado Gives Day – Dec. 10

Help us raise $15,000 to go toward sustaining carousel operations and sharing happiness for many years to come! To donate, go to www.coloradogives/CarouselofHappiness. There is no need to wait until Dec. 10 either, as donations can be scheduled early. All donations that go through on Colorado Gives Day will be boosted by the Colorado First Foundation, so your gift will go even further!