If your idea of a perfect Thanksgiving adventure includes amazing wildlife spotting, snow-capped mountain peaks, and festivities to fit the season, booking a trip to Estes Park promises to inspire! Whether you’re looking to enjoy holiday parades, focus on the food, or make the most of indulgent relaxation this year, Estes Park has something exciting waiting for everyone. The following are a few of the reasons you’ll want to book your stay for Thanksgiving in Estes Park today!
Attend the 10th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
If your Thanksgiving stay in Estes Park bring you to town just a little earlier than the holiday itself, you’ll find you’re just in time to enjoy the 10th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony! In 2022, this highly-anticipated local event will be held on November 19th from 3:30 pm through 5:30 pm. The tree lighting always happens the weekend before Thanksgiving in Estes Park at the George Hix Riverside Plaza downtown. Live music adds to the fun holiday ambiance while participants will find everything from kid’s craft centers to wagon rides available to be enjoyed. There will also be free hot chocolate and cookies for all as well as pictures with Santa and llamas to check out! The tree lighting happens at 5:30 and activities are free of charge. If you choose to donate, proceeds go to the Blue Santa program which serves the elderly and disabled across Estes Park.
Check Out the Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival
Those looking to incorporate some delicious flavor into their holiday fun in Estes Park this year will find the 3rd Annual Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival to be a great addition to the itinerary. Held on November 26th and 27th, this festival is a fantastic follow-up to the Thanksgiving festivities and will be hosted at the Estes Park Events Complex at 1125 Rooftop Way. The fun kicks off at 11:00 am Saturday and continues through 4:00 pm Sunday. On-site, guests will find over 100 wines produced in the state of Colorado to check out. The festival also hosts craft vendors for those looking to get a head start on holiday shopping. Every ticket purchased to this festival includes a commemorative wine glass as well as a tote and unlimited tasting options during the festival. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.
Enjoy the Catch the Glow Parade
Another fan-favorite event that takes place in Estes Park the day after Thanksgiving is the Catch the Glow Parade! This family-friendly experience will happen on November 25, 2022, beginning at 5:30 pm. The parade makes its way down Elkhorn Avenue and includes options for visitors to meet with Santa and explore a greater downtown area after that’s decked out in its holiday best. The parade is filled with handcrafted gloats to enjoy and also includes specialty vehicles, fire trucks, and marching bands as well. Typically, over 20,000 people show up to enjoy this exciting event so make sure to stake out your spot early.
Have a Thanksgiving Meal at Dunraven
For those with a passion for history and flavor alike, booking a Thanksgiving dinner experience at Dunraven this year is a must! The Thanksgiving meal will have everything from a savory carving station with turkey, ham, and prime rib to mouthwatering seafood and traditional favorites that are sure to delight. Reservations for this event will be required before attending! Located at 1700 Colorado Peaks Drive, Dunraven has everything you could want for a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. Even if you don’t drop by for Thanksgiving dinner, Dunraven has great food options that are well worth eating at over the holiday weekend or anytime you’re here.
Pick up a Holiday Pie in Style
Estes Park travelers that have a sweet tooth to satisfy this Thanksgiving will find they can always indulge at the Estes Park Pie Shop & Bakery when they’re in town. Located at 509 Big Thompson Avenue in Stanley Village, this bakery has built its reputation around mouthwatering pie selections that are a perfect pairing with Thanksgiving fun. Order one to pick up in advance or drop by and see what inspires you to treat your tastebuds in style.
After Dinner Relaxation
When a delicious Thanksgiving dinner in Estes Park has left you looking to relax and unwind, booking a massage at QI Lounge Wellness Spa could be just the ticket. This locale is located inside our resort and offers up a restorative atmosphere as well as service options ranging from massage therapy and spa packages to body treatments, facials, and acupuncture sessions too. The spa is open Monday-Saturday from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm.
Book Your Getaway to Estes Park Today
No matter when you arrive in Estes Park, making sure you have amazing accommodations to match is made simple when you book through Mountain Village at Lake Estes. Our stunning collection of vacation rentals is sure to inspire and fit customized preferences of all types! Reach out today to learn more about our exciting lineup of options and to start planning your next trip.
Estes Park provides visitors with a wonderful mountain escape any time of year, but there’s something particularly meaningful about heading this way during the holidays. This year take your Thanksgiving dinner to one of our brand-new cabins where you will find a fully appointed kitchen to bake/grill your turkey and have enough plates and dishes for all of the fixings while being surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. When you’re in the process of putting together the ideal Estes Park Thanksgiving itinerary, be sure to add these events to the top of the list!
Holiday Shopping in the Village
When you find yourself in Estes Park for Thanksgiving, you’ll want to take full advantage of time spent at The Village. This area is packed with locally owned boutiques and shops, and during Thanksgiving weekend, guests will find a plethora of sales and specials waiting for them! While these deep holiday discounts can be applied to everything from jewelry and apparel to chocolate and souvenirs, be sure to pay particular attention to Festive Fridays. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in The Village on this day, it’s very possible that free chair massages and giveaway treats will be yours for the taking!
Thanksgiving Light Parade – Catch the Glow
Bring the entire family to the annual “Catch the Glow” parade this year which is held in Estes Park the day after Thanksgiving. Make your way downtown along with the other 20,000 visitors that are expected to attend this popular event. Guests at this parade will be treated to a display of floats, marching bands and more from the moment they arrive. The highlight of this Thanksgiving tradition is the fact that Santa arrives at the very end, reminding everyone that the end of Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the exciting Christmas season.
Estes Park Thanksgiving Dinner
The Mountain View Gymnasium in Estes Park is the site of one of the area’s largest community Thanksgiving meals year over year. The doors are open to the public from 11:30 am until 3:00 pm Thanksgiving Day and the idea around this annual tradition is simply to bring strangers together over food to become lifelong friends. Meals are served up at the hands of volunteers and with more than 700 pounds of turkey on hand, it’s sure to be a Thanksgiving meal for the record books.
Book a Stay Today
Enjoy the authentic spirit of the Rocky Mountains with a stay in one of the beautiful new log cabins available with Mountain Village at Lake Estes. Contact our team today for more information and to begin planning your Estes Park Thanksgiving.