First People’s Festival
January 16–18, 2026, this meaningful winter gathering celebrates Indigenous culture through art, music, storytelling, and community connection. It’s one of the more thoughtful events on the Estes calendar and brings a quieter, more reflective energy to the season.
Skijor Estes Park
January 23–25, 2026, this action-packed winter weekend brings horses, skiers, and plenty of excitement together on a snowy course. It’s fast-paced, loud, and full of that fun mountain-town spirit Estes does so well.
Wine & Chocolate Festival
February 7, 2026, this cozy winter event pairs wine tastings with chocolate and other sweet treats for a relaxed day in town. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the slower, more indulgent side of winter in Estes.
Whiskey Warm Up
March 7, 2026, this easygoing tasting event centers on whiskey, warming drinks, and late-winter atmosphere. It’s a natural match for that in-between season when Estes still feels wintry but spring is starting to peek through.
Frozen Dead Guy Days
March 27–29, 2026, this famously quirky festival is packed with costumes, live music, offbeat traditions, and a lot of laughs. It’s weird, lively, and easily one of the most talked-about events in the area.
Bigfoot Days
April 24–25, 2026, this playful spring festival leans into mountain legend with themed activities, vendors, and family-friendly fun. It’s full of personality and has that classic Estes mix of humor, charm, and local flavor.
Estes Park Rotary Duck Race
May 2, 2026, thousands of rubber ducks race down the river in one of Estes Park’s most beloved traditions. It’s playful, slightly chaotic, and all for a great cause.
Environmental Film Festival
May 15–16, 2026, this event highlights nature, conservation, and the outdoors through film and conversation. In a place surrounded by so much natural beauty, it feels especially fitting and community-focused.
Estes Park Art Market
May 23–25, 2026, this spring arts weekend showcases handmade work from local and regional artists. It’s a great excuse to stroll, browse, and pick up something unique as the season starts to warm up.
Wool Market
June 13–14, 2026, this longtime favorite brings together fiber artists, wool producers, demonstrations, and traditional craftsmanship. It has a strong mountain-west feel and is especially loved by visitors who appreciate heritage skills and handmade goods.
Independence Day Fireworks
July 4, 2026, Estes Park celebrates the Fourth with fireworks framed by beautiful mountain views. It’s one of those classic summer nights that feels especially memorable in town.
Rooftop Rodeo
July 6–11, 2026, this is one of the biggest summer events in Estes, filled with rodeo action, western tradition, and hometown pride. Even visitors who don’t usually follow rodeo often make time for this one.
Snowygrass Music Festival
July 9–12, 2026, this laid-back festival brings bluegrass and acoustic music to a beautiful mountain setting. It’s scenic, relaxed, and a perfect fit for Estes in the middle of summer.
Estes Park Wine Festival
August 8–9, 2026, this relaxed summer event combines wine tastings, food, music, and mountain views. It’s the kind of festival that’s easy to settle into and enjoy for the afternoon.
Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival
September 5–7, 2026, this holiday weekend tradition fills Bond Park with artists, makers, food vendors, and that last burst of summer energy. It’s always a popular stop for visitors enjoying one more long weekend in Estes.
Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival
September 11–13, 2026, this is one of Estes Park’s most recognizable cultural events, with Celtic music, dance, athletics, clans, and deep-rooted tradition. It’s colorful, lively, and a longtime local favorite.
Autumn Gold Festival
September 26–27, 2026, this downtown fall festival brings together live music, beer, food, and that first real hint of autumn in Estes. A lot of people come just as much for the atmosphere as they do for the entertainment.
Elk Fest
October 3–4, 2026, this signature Estes Park event celebrates elk season with bugling contests, wildlife education, and elk-themed activities. Since fall is prime elk-viewing season here, this one feels especially true to the town.
Pumpkin & Pilsners
October 2026, this fall event mixes pumpkin picking, family activities, live music, and craft beer into one easygoing autumn day. It has the kind of fun, community-driven energy Estes does especially well in October.
Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival
October 2026, this tasting event showcases Colorado craft distillers and has a more adult-focused fall-festival feel. It’s a great fit for visitors who enjoy the food-and-drink side of the season.
YMCA Turkey Trot 5K/Fun Run
November 26, 2026, this Thanksgiving Day run gives people a fun and active way to start the holiday. It’s family-friendly, community-oriented, and a nice way to kick off the day before the big meal.
Catch the Glow Parade
November 27, 2026, this holiday light parade fills downtown with glowing floats, festive displays, and small-town Christmas spirit. Around Estes, it really feels like the beginning of the holiday season.
Sleigh the Games
December 2026, this holiday-season event brings playful winter competitions, family activities, and plenty of festive energy to town. It feels like a newer tradition, but one that fits naturally into Estes in December.