Start a new holiday tradition in Estes Park
Some holiday traditions begin with a recipe, others begin with a place — a mountain cabin where everyone gathers, a favorite shop visited each year, or an evening spent watching lighted floats roll through downtown.
This year, make Estes Park part of your holiday story. Whether you’re bringing the whole family for Thanksgiving or planning a December escape for two, leave room for simple pleasures: a leisurely breakfast, mountain views, holiday shopping, and time together.
For travelers arranging flights and several nights away, now is a good time to choose your dates. Here are the confirmed 2026 holiday events to plan around — and how to decide which part of the season suits you best.
Holiday events worth planning around
Annual Tree Lighting: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Want to celebrate the beginning of the season? Plan an early holiday getaway around the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Bond Park.
The free celebration runs from 3:30–6 p.m., with the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. The town’s announced festivities include music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, carriage rides, and take-home ornament-making gifts.
Make an evening of it: explore downtown, gather for the lighting, then head to dinner as the holiday season gets underway.
Catch the Glow Parade: Friday, November 27, 2026
For a holiday trip with a memorable centerpiece, plan around the Catch the Glow Parade, beginning at 5:30 p.m. the day after Thanksgiving.
The free parade travels along Elkhorn Avenue with more than 40 entries, including illuminated floats, marching bands, and decorated vehicles. Bundle up, arrive early to find your viewing spot, and enjoy an evening that could become the highlight of your family’s annual trip.
Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Extend your Thanksgiving stay through Saturday for the seventh annual Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival at the Estes Park Events Center.
The organizer confirms November 28, 2026, with more than 20 Colorado wineries, craft and artisan vendors, and Santa. It’s an opportunity to sample wines, shop for gifts, and add another festive outing to your weekend. Visit the organizer’s website for tickets and admission details.
Choose Thanksgiving for a festive family gathering
Thanksgiving is the best fit if you want your trip built around major holiday events. Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, November 26, followed by Friday’s parade and Saturday’s wine festival.
Consider arriving Wednesday and staying through Sunday. That gives you time to settle in, share Thanksgiving dinner, enjoy downtown, and attend the weekend celebrations without rushing.
A cabin or vacation rental with a kitchen can make familiar family recipes part of the trip. If you prefer dining out, confirm Thanksgiving menus and reserve ahead. Look for lodging with a comfortable gathering space where everyone can enjoy games, conversation, and a slow morning together.
Choose Thanksgiving if your ideal tradition combines family time with a lively community celebration.
Choose December for a getaway at your own pace
December is a good fit if you want more freedom to shape your days. Build your visit around shopping for thoughtful gifts, lingering over coffee, enjoying mountain scenery, and returning to a welcoming lodge or cabin.
Schedule your visit for early December to let you enjoy a holiday escape before Christmas-week commitments fill the calendar.
A three- or four-night stay gives you room for an outdoor outing, an afternoon downtown, and a day with very little scheduled. If you’re considering Christmas itself, confirm restaurant hours, lodging amenities, and any holiday meals before booking.
Additional December event dates may be announced as the season approaches. Check the calendar again before finalizing a trip around a particular celebration.
Make room for the tradition you’ll remember
Perhaps it will be choosing an ornament together each year. Perhaps it will be Thanksgiving dinner with mountain views, or the moment the first glowing float appears along Elkhorn Avenue.
Start with the experience you want, choose your dates, and find a place to stay that makes spending time together easy. Then leave a little room for the unexpected moments — the ones that bring you back next year.
Explore places to stay and upcoming events on Estes-Park.com, and start planning your new holiday tradition.
Event dates checked September 30, 2026. Reconfirm schedules and ticket information before traveling.