Estes Park is home to plenty of fun summer activities but if you would like to add a few special events to your itinerary, check out the upcoming schedule of festivals and other fun events happening in Estes this summer!
May
Memorial Day Weekend Art Market
May 28 – 30, 2016
Take a stroll around Bond Park over Memorial Day Weekend to shop the market with more than 90 booths of artisans and craftsmen.
Cost: Free!
Insider Tip: Grab a sandwich and lemonade for lunch at Moon Kats Tea Shoppe, right next to Bond Park.
June
Windows to the West Art Show and Sale
June 3 – 5, 2016
The Windows to the West Art Show celebrates Western art in a variety of mediums and brings artists and art enthusiasts together for special events like the art & whiskey gathering, guided gallery tours, and art demonstrations!
Cost: $5 per person, children under the age of 12 are free.
Insider Tip: The Show takes place at the Estes Park Events Complex, a stop on the town’s free shuttle route, so you can leave your car and head downtown before or after visiting the show!
Jazz Fest & Art Walk
June 4 – 6, 2016
The Jazz Fest is an annual summer event that’s perfect for families. Whether you want to listen to fantastic live jazz or indulge your artistic side and take in the art show, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy. There’ll also be a wine garden on-site and music and art workshops for the kids in Bond Park for only $5 per child!
Cost: Free!
Insider Tip: Our vacation homes on Lawn Lane are just up the street from Performance Park and the rest of downtown, so you can be close to all the action!
Elkhorn Dash One-Mile Fun Run
June 11, 2016
This fun run is open to all levels and abilities as you dash down Elkhorn Avenue. Don’t worry, once the race is over you can reward yourself with a stop at some of the delicious candy shops located along the street! The run begins at 7:45 a.m. with registration from 7 – 7:30 a.m.
Insider Tip: Need coffee to be up that early? Stop at KIND Coffee on Elkhorn Avenue before the race – they open at 6am.
Estes Park Wool Market & Fiber Festival
June 11 – 12, 2016
This family-friendly event is both fun and educational! It has workshops, performances, and meet and greets with some fuzzy friends!
Cost: Free!
Insider Tip: Don’t forget your camera! The animals love to pose for photo ops.
2016 Estes Park Marathon
June 19, 2016
Now in its 13th year, the Estes Park Marathon is a popular race with amazing views! There are plenty of options for runners as there is a full marathon (26.2 miles), half-marathon (13.1 miles), a marathon team relay race, a 10K, 5K, and kids’ fun run.
Cost: Dependent on race.
Insider Tip: Not looking to race on your vacation? There are lots of places to watch along the course, or you can volunteer and help cheer on the other runners.
Estes Park Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
June 24 – 26, 2016
Celebrate midsummer in Estes Park with a fun-filled, family-friendly festival! The festival is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Friday night starts off with Scandinavian dancing and music in the beer garden from 4 – 9 p.m. There are fun demonstrations, workshops, arts and crafts booths, and of course plenty of dancing and food!
Cost: Free!
July
4th of July Weekend Celebration
Celebrate Independence Day in the Rockies with the annual Go 4th Festival in Estes Park and the fireworks display on July 4! There’s a lineup of live music, shows, and other entertainment all weekend long.
Cost: Free!
Insider Tip: Stake out your viewing spot along the lake early – it fills up quickly!
Rooftop Rodeo
July 6 – 11, 2016
Get into the spirit of the Wild West with the annual Rooftop Rodeo in early July! Enjoy entertainment courtesy of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as they compete in bronco riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, and more. There are special events like the parade, the Friday night partnership with Man Up Crusade for Purple Night, and Tough Enough to Wear Pink night.
Cost: Tickets start at $15 for general admission.
Insider Tip: Shops downtown offer western gear if you need a hat or boots. Or, if you’re inspired by the cowboys, head to one of our horseback riding outfitters for a ride of your own through Rocky Mountain National Park
Snowy-grass Festival
July 23, 2016
Head on over to Snowy Peaks Winery for a bluegrass concert in honor of the winery’s 11th anniversary! Local bands will be playing from 1 – 5 p.m. and you can enjoy some delightful glasses of wine from Snowy Peaks and purchase food from Esmerelda’s Tamale House! There is a playground on the park for the little ones.
Cost: Free!
Insider Tip: If the kids need to burn more energy before or after, walk over to Fun City and send them down the big rainbow slide!
Rocky Mountain Half-Marathon
July 30, 2016
Run the Rocky Mountain Half-Marathon at the end of July if you need some more time to train or just want to run two marathons in Estes Park this summer! This race does have some elevation gain.
Cost: Dependent on race.
Insider Tip: Cool off by paddle boarding or taking a pontoon boat out on Lake Estes afterward. The Estes Park Marina offers great hourly rental rates.
August
Estes Park Wine Festival
August 13 – 14, 2016
Headto Bond Park in downtown Estes Park for the second annual Estes Park Wine Festival! The festival celebrates Colorado’s impressive lineup of winemakers and vintages. Enjoy tastings from more than 20 Colorado wineries with the beautiful backdrop of Rocky Mountain National Park behind you. There’s live entertainment and food for sale on-site. Please note that this event is not family-friendly and all attendees must be 21 and older.
Cost: $30 for a one day ticket purchased in advance otherwise $35 at the gate; two-day passes are $50. Tickets can be purchased online or at King Soopers grocery stores.
Insider Tip: Estes Park’s own winery, Snowy Peaks, will be part of the fun. Visit their tasting room afterward for another glass and some cheese, and feel free to bring the kids! Snowy Peaks is family-friendly and offers a kids’ playroom.
September
Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival
September 8 -11, 2016
This festival has been a popular event for locals and visitors alike for the past 30 years as it celebrates Scottish and Irish heritage, music, food, and dancing. There are tons of performances, dances, athletic and jousting competitions, as well as a parade among other special events.
Cost: Tickets start at $25 for adults.
Insider Tip: Be sure to check out the nightly Tattoo performance!
Don’t forget to plan your trip around the fee-free days at Rocky Mountain National Park for additional savings and fun on your Estes Park vacation! This summer, you can enjoy free entry to the park August 25 – 28 in honor of the National Park Service Birthday Weekend!
Plan your summer trip to Estes Park with these events in mind and find the perfect cabin to return to after a day of fun in the sun!
