The holidays are always a meaningful time of year and for those who are looking to take their festivities on the road alongside family and friends, there’s no place on the map quite like Estes Park. When you can’t wait to infuse a bit of magic into your wintertime visit, the following Estes Park holiday events are just a few of the many you’re going to want to add to your itinerary to make the experience even more memorable!
Enjoy a Nightly Holiday Light Show at Bond Park
A popular and highly anticipated holiday event each year that’s well attended by locals and visitors alike is the nightly Light Show Spectacular that’s hosted at Bond Park. This illuminating experience is held each evening from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm starting November 23 through Christmas and is a chance to witness a truly one-of-a-kind spectacle that focuses on holiday-themed fun. When you attend the nightly Light Show Spectacular, you’ll be treated to a dazzling display of lights that make up a Pixel Pine Tree and are designed to move in time with traditional holiday music. The show is a combination of high-end technology, light, and performance that comes together in a state-of-the-art display. It’s a show that the entire family is sure to love this holiday season and one that’s worth having your camera ready for as the lights make for a terrific photo backdrop too.
Check Out the Catch the Glow Parade
If you’re heading to Estes Park early in the holiday season, you’ll definitely want to make time for the Catch the Glow Parade that’s hosted in town the day after Thanksgiving at 5:30 pm. This annual holiday event is as fun as it is magical, brightening up Estes Park with more than 40 floats, marching bands playing holiday music, dancers, fire trucks, specialty vehicles, and more! As the parade makes its way through downtown Estes Park in the evening, you can expect around 20,000 people to line Elkhorn Avenue as they look forward to this beautiful and festive event.
Be a Part of the Snowman Festival
On December 7, 2024, from noon until 5:00 pm, those who make their way to Bond Park will find themselves right on time to participate in the holiday fun that comes along with the arrival of the annual Snowman Festival! It’s a day packed with holiday magic for the entire family that includes carriage rides through the park, opportunities to see artists create ice sculptures on-site, and a snowman scavenger hunt that’s free and includes a variety of local businesses participating in the fun search. You’ll need a punch card to participate and once you have it in hand and fully filled out, you can present it at Simply Christmas to receive a free snowman ornament to commemorate the experience. The Snowman Festival also includes access to the Kris Kringle Market where you can shop handcrafted goods, enjoying creative activities fit for all ages, and give the little ones an opportunity for a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus too. From the on-site food trucks and glittery face painting stations to the photo opportunities and winter wonderland vibes, the Snowman Festival is always a must-visit in Estes Park.
Explore the Festival of Trees
Those who happen to be in Estes Park over the holidays between November 13 through December 5, 2024, can take time to include a stop at the Festival of Trees on their itineraries. This will once again be hosted by Estes Park Quota and proceeds will go towards supporting the charitable work they do in the community year-round. The Festival of Trees is open each evening from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Estes Park Resort and includes a collection of around 50 holiday trees decked out in their festive best. There are also kid’s coloring contests to enjoy on-site, a raffle to put your name in, and plenty of holiday treats to go around too.
Book Your Breakfast with Santa
When you want to pair a delicious way to start the day with some holiday fun for everyone in your traveling group, adding a Sunday breakfast with Santa experience to your list this year in Estes Park might just be the highlight of your stay. This family-friendly event will be held December 8, 2024, at The Bull Pin in town and will get underway at 10:00 am and last until 1:00 pm. The Bull Pin will be transformed into a winter wonderland experience complete with lights, décor, fantastic food, and more. Of course, the centerpiece of the experience is dining with Santa at your table, and the inclusion of holiday-themed cocktails for the adults is an added bonus. There will be wreath decorating workshops offered on-site that day as well, so there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.
Head to Estes Park for the Holidays
Traveling to Estes Park is always a great choice and at Mountain Village at Lake Estes, we know how much of a difference the right accommodations can make in your experience. Reach out today to learn more about our beautiful vacation rental options available in the area and how we can help you turn your holiday getaway into an unforgettable trip this year.
