Ever thought of spending your holidays in Estes Park?
Celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas in the mountains!
Thanksgiving in Estes Park
There are several ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in Estes Park with your loved ones, whether it’s just a couple or a full crowd! It’s really special to start the holiday season feeling relaxed and inspired. And we can’t think of a better place to experience peace, joy, and gratitude than our mountain home.
Find lodging with a full kitchen
Some properties in Estes Park offer full kitchens where you can cook the turkey and all the trimmings. There’s a convenient Safeway grocery store in town that is well stocked, so you can get last minute ingredients there. You can even go online to order your turkey ahead of time!
One of the benefits of staying at a place like River Stone Resorts and Bear Paw Suites is that unlike an AirBnB rental, they have a full on-site staff available to help with whatever might come up, act as a concierge to activities and events around town, and support you having a wonderful vacation.
Another property offering full kitchens is Aspen Winds on Fall River. After celebrating, you’ll be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the river right outside your door. You might even get some friendly elk visitors! Their knowledgable and friendly staff will make this a vacation to remember.
Find lodging that can accommodate a crowd
This is the time of year to gather, and how special would it be to bring everyone together for a trip to Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park? With tons of outdoor activities to enjoy, everyone will be entertained.
Rocky Mountain Resorts has a collection of properties and can often accommodate a larger group. They will work with you to put together a solution to meets your needs! From cozy cabins to condos and vacation homes, they will take care of you so that you can enjoy the stunning outdoors and festive holiday town activities.
YMCA of the Rockies is another property well suited for a group. They offer affordable accommodations and dining options. There are over 860 acres of beautiful land adjoining RMNP to explore, and activities for all ages. This year there is a family-friendly Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving morning for walkers and runners.
Events in Estes before and after Thanksgiving
Tree Lighting
While an official announcement hasn’t been made yet, the annual tree lighting ceremony usually takes place the Saturday before Thanksgiving in Bond Park downtown. If you’re in town, it’s fun to bring a thermos of cocoa, stroll the shops on Elkhorn avenue, and get into the holiday spirit.
Catch the Glow Parade
Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the town of Estes Park kicks off the holiday season with their Catch the Glow Parade! Charming floats, shiny fire trucks, marching bands, and lots of sparkling lights parade through town bringing a glowing feeling – some may call it JOY! – to young and old alike.
More than 20,000 people gather on Elkhorn avenue to join this special celebration. Make sure you’re one of them this year! The parade starts at 5:30 pm.
Christmas in Estes Park
Christmas in the mountains. Picture a cozy cabin with a roaring fire. Take a snowshoe trek on a peaceful trail. Then stroll through a Hallmark movie-esque town. Sigh. Sounds pretty magical, doesn’t it? We can help you make it happen!
Lodging that will give you that “home away from home” feeling
Staying in a property that offers thoughtful services and amenities will make your holiday away from home feel warm and cozy. Estes Park offers some truly unique, well-established lodging where you’ll be greeted like an old friend the minute you walk through the door.
McGregor Mountain Lodge is conveniently located only 1 mile from the Fall River entrance of RMNP and 4.5 miles from downtown Estes Park. They offer a special Snowshoe Package that runs throughout the holiday season. They are known for having some of the best views in the Estes Valley and abundant wildlife right on their peaceful property!
Castle Mountain Lodge is perfectly situated on the tranquil banks of Fall River. They are an equal distance between the town of Estes Park and RMNP, so the location is ideal. You’ll cross over the covered bridge into a peaceful haven frequented by wild turkeys and elk. Christmas at Castle Mountain Lodge is a truly special time, with festive touches and a hospitality-focused staff.