Estes Park, ColoradoBluebell Mountain House Book Direct

Home › Guides

Estes Park Events Calendar

From Jeff & René', your hosts at Bluebell Mountain House

Hi, I'm René! One of my favorite things about hosting at Bluebell Mountain House is helping guests plan the fun stuff. Our dog-friendly home sits about 3 minutes from the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance, so you can spend the morning in the park and the evening downtown. Here's what's coming up in Estes Park over the next 12 months, in date order. I check every event against its official source, but plans can change, so please confirm with the organizer before you go.

Last updated: November 12, 2026. Covers mid-November 2026 through October 2027.

This calendar is refreshed twice a month and includes local pop-up events as they're announced.

Good to know: Almost everything stays open year-round, but hours are often shorter in winter. Check hours before you go.

✨ Holiday & Winter in Estes Park

I'll be honest: winter is my favorite season here. When the first snow dusts the peaks and the lights come on along Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park looks just like a Hallmark card. There's hot cocoa in your hands, elk wandering through town, Santa in Bond Park, and a whole community lining the street for a parade of glowing floats. After an evening downtown, there's nothing better than heading back to Bluebell Mountain House, putting your feet up, and letting the pup curl up beside you. The holiday season kicks off with the Lighting of the Trees on November 21 and the Catch the Glow Parade on November 27, and the First Peoples Festival brightens mid-January. Every event is listed by date below.

Host tip from Jeff & René: between events, borrow the snowshoes, poles and sleds we keep at the house (free for guests, in sizes for all ages). The crowds vanish in winter, elk are everywhere, and the Rockies under snow are jaw-dropping.

Full Calendar

November 2026

Game Night at American Legion Post 119 (Local pop-up)

  • Dates: Every Monday in November 2026, 5:30–9 p.m.
  • Place: Tavern at the Legion, American Legion Post 119, 850 N St. Vrain Ave
  • About: A weekly board game night that's open to the public, with plenty of games to choose from.
  • Cost: Free
  • More info: https\://esteslegion.org/

Festival of Trees Kick-Off (Estes Park Quota)

  • Dates: The kick-off was Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The trees stay on display through Sunday, December 13 (drawing at 3 p.m.; see December).
  • Place: The Estes Park Resort and the Ember Restaurant & Bar lobby, 1700 Big Thompson Ave
  • About: About 50 themed trees decorated by local residents and businesses. Buy chances to win one, and enjoy free cookies and cocoa.
  • Cost: Free admission. Tree chances are \$1 each, 6 for \$5, or 13 for \$10.
  • More info: https\://estesparkquota.com/festival-of-trees

Magic City Hippies Live at the Stanley

Estes Restaurant Week

  • Dates: Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 22, 2026
  • Place: Participating Estes Park restaurants, during their regular hours (no set dining times)
  • About: Special Restaurant Week menus and offerings around town. Sign up for the online passport and check in when you dine for chances to win prize packages.
  • More info: https\://www.estesrestaurantweek.com/

Creative Colorado TableSetting/Scaping Contest (Estes Park Museum)

  • Dates: Show open Saturday, November 14 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Sunday, November 15 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.; awards at 3 p.m.)
  • Place: Ember at Estes Park Resort, 1700 Big Thompson Ave
  • About: The 10th annual decorated-table show. Proceeds support the Estes Park Museum.
  • More info: https\://estespark.colorado.gov/programs

Lighting of the Trees (the Estes Park Christmas tree lighting)

  • Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
  • Time: Festivities 3:30–6 p.m.; the tree lights at 5:30 p.m.
  • Place: Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave (moved from George Hix Riverside Plaza)
  • Host: Town of Estes Park and Visit Estes Park
  • About: A tradition of more than 60 years, with photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides and holiday craft kits.
  • Cost: Free (monetary donations accepted for the Police Auxiliary's Blue Santa program)
  • More info: https\://www.visitestespark.com/events-calendar/holidays/tree-lighting-ceremony/

The Holiday Lights: Bond Park & Downtown (begin November 21)

  • When: Starting Saturday, November 21, 2026. Bond Park's free light display runs every evening from 5 to 9 p.m.
  • How long: Visit Estes Park says the holiday calendar runs "Thanksgiving through the New Year," and this year's expanded winter lighting is meant to stretch into the 2027 winter shoulder season. No official take-down date has been published yet, so check with the Visitor Center.
  • What's new for 2026: Lights along downtown from the entrance of Elkhorn Avenue through West Elkhorn to the Moraine Avenue traffic circle, new lighting on Cleave Street, and expanded displays in Bond Park. Visit Estes Park also plans to retire the old digital tree for a traditional Christmas tree.
  • Cost: Free
  • More info: https\://www.visitestespark.com/events-calendar/holidays/ · https\://estesvalleyvoice.com/2026/04/29/visit-estes-park-to-stretch-2026-holiday-glow-into-2027-winter-shoulder-season/

Holiday Lights Driving Tour (self-guided, all season from November 21)

  • When: All holiday season. The lights are brightest from 5 to 9 p.m.
  • Route: Downtown (Bond Park, George Hix Riverside Plaza, Elkhorn storefronts), YMCA of the Rockies, Castle Mountain Lodge along Fall River, and the Estes Park Resort by Lake Estes. An interactive map is on the source page.
  • Cost: Free
  • More info: https\://www.visitestespark.com/events-calendar/holidays/driving-tour/

Chase the Glow Run/Walk 🐾

  • Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 5:35–8 p.m.
  • Place: Starts at Bond Park
  • About: A 4-mile run or 1-mile walk past the holiday lights, timed to start just as the town's lights come on. Registration includes a beanie, wearable lights, cocoa and cookies.
  • Host: Running Wild Events
  • Cost: Registration required (see the event page)
  • Dog-friendly: Yes! The organizer welcomes "runners, walkers, kids, dogs, the whole crew."
  • More info: https\://www.visitestespark.com/event/chase-the-glow-run-walk/17759/

YMCA Turkey Trot – Drumstick Dash (kids' 1-mile)

Tardy Turkey Trot (Estes Chamber, new this year)

Catch the Glow Parade & Celebration

  • Date: Friday, November 27, 2026 (the day after Thanksgiving)
  • Time: The parade starts at 5:30 p.m.
  • Place: Elkhorn Avenue, downtown
  • Host: Town of Estes Park / Estes Park Events Complex
  • About: 40+ lighted floats, marching bands, fire trucks and specialty vehicles, watched by up to 30,000 people. The organizer says to come early and "enjoy an afternoon with Santa" downtown. It also kicks off Visit Estes Park's "Catch the Glow" holiday season.
  • Cost: Free
  • More info: https\://eventsinestes.com/catch-the-glow-parade/ · https\://www.visitestespark.com/event/catch-the-glow-parade/16780/

Estes Park Annual Holiday Art Show (Earthwood Collections)

  • Dates: November 27 through the end of December 2026
  • Place: Earthwood Collections, downtown Estes Park
  • About: A holiday exhibit and sale of new American art, with surprise visits from local artists.
  • Cost: Free to browse
  • More info: https\://www.earthwoodgalleries.com/december-events/

Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival

  • Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Place: Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way
  • About: The 7th annual festival, with tastings from 20 Colorado wineries, artisan and retail vendors, and photos with Santa in Santa's Workshop.
  • Cost: Free for kids under 6; \$5 for ages 6 and up (including non-drinking adults); \$40 for drinking tickets
  • More info: https\://www.visitestespark.com/event/estes-park-holiday-wine-festival/17463/

December 2026

First Friday Art Groove

  • Date: Friday, December 4, 2026, 5–7 p.m.
  • Place: Galleries around town, including Earthwood Collections, which has live jazz and a meet-and-greet with wood turner Dave Landers
  • Cost: Free (complimentary refreshments at Earthwood)
  • More info: https\://www.earthwoodgalleries.com/december-events/

Paint and Sip: Reindeer

Central City Opera at the Stanley

Reverend Horton Heat at the Stanley

Holiday Card Making (Estes Valley Library)

  • Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
  • Place: Estes Valley Library Makerspace
  • About: Make holiday cards with stamps, punches, specialty scissors and an embosser. Open to all ages, from preschoolers to adults; registration opens November 14 at 11 a.m.
  • Cost: Free
  • More info: https\://calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org/event/15447543

Boulder Ballet presents The Nutcracker Suite

Festival of Trees Drawing (Estes Park Quota)

New Year's Book Club (Estes Valley Library)

Crystal Ball: New Year's Eve at the Stanley

  • Date: Thursday, December 31, 2026. Doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m., champagne toast at midnight, ends 12:30 a.m.
  • Place: The Stanley Hotel
  • About: The Stanley's annual 21+ New Year's Eve masquerade, with the Soul Penny Circus sideshow, DJ Blondtoast, tarot readings and a photo booth.
  • Cost: Tickets required (21+)
  • More info: https\://www.stanleyhotel.com/event/crystal-ball/

January 2027

Dead Pioneers at the Stanley

First Peoples Festival

  • Dates: Thursday–Sunday, January 14–17, 2027
  • Schedule: Ticketed Indigenous dinner at Twin Owls Steakhouse (Jan 14); Indigenous Art Market, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Jan 15–17); First Peoples Fashion Show (Jan 15); Friendship Powwow at the Events Complex Pavilion (Jan 14–16); First Peoples Film Festival at the Historic Park Theatre (Jan 16–17)
  • About: The festival's fourth year celebrates Indigenous art, music, food, film and storytelling, with vendors exclusively from Federally Recognized Tribes.
  • Host: Town of Estes Park / Estes Park Events Complex
  • More info: https\://eventsinestes.com/first-peoples-festival/ · https\://www.visitestespark.com/events-calendar/winter-events/first-peoples-festival/

Fire in the Mountains at the Stanley

WAR at the Stanley

A Rocky Mountain Auld Lang Syne (Burns Night)

  • When: Typically late January, near Robert Burns' birthday (January 25); 2027 date not yet announced (checked hogbackdistillery.com and visitestespark.com)
  • About: A Scottish Burns Night celebration with live music at Twisted Griffin, a multi-course dinner and Hogback Distillery whisky.
  • More info: https\://www.hogbackdistillery.com/a-rocky-mountain-auld-lang-syne/

Budos Band at the Stanley

  • Date: Friday–Saturday, January 29–30, 2027; doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. (two nights; 21+)
  • Place: The Stanley Hotel
  • Cost: Tickets required
  • More info: https\://www.stanleyhotel.com/calendar

February 2027

Hawthorne Heights at the Stanley

  • Dates: Friday, February 5, 2027, plus a second night (the Stanley's event page lists both Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7, so confirm when you buy tickets); 21+
  • Place: The Stanley Hotel
  • More info: https\://www.stanleyhotel.com/calendar

Wine & Chocolate Festival

Squirrel Nut Zippers at the Stanley

Judy Collins at the Stanley

March 2027

Whiskey Warm Up

  • Date: Saturday, March 6, 2027, 1–4 p.m.
  • About: A town-hosted outdoor whiskey tasting with live music and bites at George Hix Riverside Plaza, 111 E Riverside Dr (21+; tickets are limited and sell out quickly).
  • More info: https\://eventsinestes.com/whiskey-warm-up/

April 2027

Frozen Dead Guy Days

  • Dates: Friday–Sunday, April 9–11, 2027 (coffin races Saturday, April 10)
  • Place: Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way
  • More info: https\://frozendeadguydays.com/

Bigfoot Days

May 2027

The Great Estes Park Rotary Duck Race is typically the first Saturday in May; 2027 date not yet announced (checked epduckrace.org). Trail Ridge Road usually reopens around Memorial Day; check back for pop-up events.

June 2027

Estes Park Wool Market

July 2027

Rooftop Rodeo

August 2027

No major annual festivals are scheduled yet; check back for pop-up events.

September 2027

Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

  • Dates: Friday–Sunday, September 10–12, 2027 (field opens 9 a.m. daily)
  • Note: The organizer says no dogs or pets are allowed.
  • More info: https\://scotfest.com/

Autumn Gold Festival (Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary)

  • Dates: Saturday–Sunday, September 25–26, 2027
  • Place: Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave
  • Cost: \$10 daily; free for kids 12 and under
  • More info: https\://estesparkautumngold.com/

October 2027

Elk Fest

Looking further ahead (November 2027): Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival: typically November; 2027 date not yet announced. Lighting of the Trees: typically the Saturday before Thanksgiving; 2027 date not yet announced. Catch the Glow Parade: typically the day after Thanksgiving; 2027 date not yet announced. (Checked eventsinestes.com and visitestespark.com.)

Dog-friendly: unless noted, organizers don't say either way, so please ask before bringing your pup.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Fall & Winter Notes

  • Old Fall River Road is closed to vehicles for the season (as of October 6, 2026).
  • Trail Ridge Road has had temporary closures for snow and ice, and it closes for the winter each fall (it usually reopens around Memorial Day). Call the 24-hour status line at (970) 586-1222.
  • Ranger-led programs are free and run year-round. Schedules are on the park calendar and at visitor centers, and programs can be canceled because of weather. https\://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

Full calendar: https\://www.visitestespark.com/events/ · Estes Park Visitor Center, 500 Big Thompson Ave, 970-577-9900

FAQs

When do the holiday lights come on in Estes Park? On Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Lighting of the Trees in Bond Park (the tree lights at 5:30 p.m.). After that, Bond Park glows every evening from 5 to 9 p.m. through the holiday season, and this year the winter lights are expected to stay up into the new year.

What's the biggest holiday event in Estes Park? The Catch the Glow Parade on Friday, November 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. on Elkhorn Avenue. It's free, and bundling up and arriving early is part of the fun.

What's happening in Estes Park in January? The First Peoples Festival runs January 14–17, 2027, and the Stanley Hotel has concerts most Friday nights.

Can I bring my dog to Estes Park events? The Chase the Glow Run/Walk on November 21 welcomes dogs; the Scottish-Irish Highland Festival does not allow them. For other events, check with the organizer. Bluebell Mountain House is dog-friendly, so your pup has a cozy place to relax while you're out.

Related guides: Going to a Stanley Hotel show or tour? See my Stanley Hotel guide. Still picking dates? See the best time to visit Estes Park.

Sources

visitestespark.com · eventsinestes.com · stanleyhotel.com · eptrail.com · estespark.colorado.gov · estesvalleylibrary.org · estesparkquota.com · earthwoodgalleries.com · ymcarockies.org · estesvalleyvoice.com · estesrestaurantweek.com · epduckrace.org · frozendeadguydays.com · scotfest.com · estesparkautumngold.com · hogbackdistillery.com · clemes.com · nps.gov/romo · esteslegion.org · Local Facebook community event listings

← All Estes Park & RMNP guides