Estes Park, Colorado is a mountain town known for its pristine beauty, rugged mountains, and for being considered the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, but when most people consider visiting, they tend to do so in the summer and winter months. Fall, however, is when the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains is set on fire, with the trees that grow here turning shades of crimson, orange, and gold, and the weather, while definitely frosty at some points, doesn’t leave your fingers and toes numb, especially when you return home to sit in front of a roaring fire in our Voyago Vacation Rentals seasonal sanctuaries. Life is pretty much perfect in our Colorado hometown in the fall, and we hope this guide to the top fall events in Estes Park will encourage you to check out the charms of the area, giving you more ideas on how to fill in every minute of your fall getaway.
Autumn Gold Festival, September 21 & 22, Bond Park
Say so long to summer while savoring live music, cold beer, and a varied selection of foods served by some of the best food vendors in town. The Autumn Gold Festival has welcomed the new season in all the best ways for 30 years, and as you chow down on the traditional Autumn Gold Brats washed down with homemade lemonade or a frosty beer, indulge your children in the Family Fun Zone, and leave dad to his own devices at the Classic Car Show, you may be wondering, can this event get any better? Of course, it can, when you purchase a raffle ticket for $100 and earn a chance to win up to $10,000 in cash. The proceeds go towards scholarships and community programs, and since only 350 tickets will be sold, there is a 1 in 50 chance your ticket will be a winner!
Pumpkins & Pilsners Festival, October 5, Bond Park
Your exploration of Estes Park festivals and events is going to teach you at least a couple of things about the residents of this stunning spot: 1) We love beer; and 2) Bond Park is a popular event venue, with Pumpkins & Pilsners Festival offering an example of both. Kiddos love this event, giving them the chance to pick a pumpkin to decorate your Voyago escape, playing games, creating arts, and jumping in a bounce house, but never fear, as an adult you are going to wish this event never had to end. Offering live music, cold beer, and the backdrop of the autumn landscape, late September and early October are the best times to see the trees dressed in their autumn finest, making this fall festival one of our favorites.
The Shining Reigns Supreme in Estes Park
The Stanley Hotel is known for its alter ego, the Overlook Hotel, straight out of Stephen’s King imagination, and as you can imagine, Halloween is when it shines bright. Offering two major fall events as listed below, it can be a fun part of your Colorado vacation, and coming home to our decidedly NOT haunted Voyago Vacation Rentals autumn abodes promises to make this trip even better.
• The Shining Ball, October 21, The Stanley Hotel – Offering an early start to your Halloween festivities, this costumed ball is the event of the season, featuring a costume contest, music, entertainment, and an opportunity to be immersed into the world that Stephen King created so effortlessly.
• The Shining, October 22-31, Park Theater – The original movie, The Shining, made the world afraid of the dark, and if it has been a while since you watched it (or you haven’t seen it all), you will be surprised at how well it holds up. The Historic Park Theater is offering showings of that classic horror film during the latter half of October, and if you attended the Shining Ball during your time in town, it can be a fun to see the spaces you were just occupying showing up on the big screen.
Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival, November 2, Estes Park Events Complex
Fall arrives early in the mountains, and some years it feels as if winter arrives even earlier, but when you attend the Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival on November 2, we don’t think you will even notice the weather! Offering the best spirits our local distilleries can produce, there will also be live music, bar games, and even a whiskey seminar that will teach you everything you didn’t think you needed to know about the drink.
Welcome Home
However you spend each fall day in our charming mountain town, coming home to Voyago Vacation Rentals promises to be the highlight of your Colorado adventures. Reserve your favorite fall sanctuary today and discover how comfort and luxury makes every vacation shine even brighter.
One of the main reasons you, as a traveler, have chosen a vacation home instead of a hotel room for your Estes Park, Colorado accommodations is the kitchen spaces that are included with the rental. You know how expensive it can be to dine out at every meal, and although you will still need to spend some money on food supplies, enjoying a meal or three at home in your Voyago Vacation Rentals comfy hideaway will go a long way towards easing the costs of travel. And because shopping should be fun while on vacation, this guide to the local farmers and craft markets in Estes Park will give you a fantastic way to stock your pantry and refrigerator while also offering a taste of Colorado in the form of fresh produce and baked goods.
Estes Valley Farmers Market, Estes Park Visitor’s Center, June Through September
As you may be well aware, the winter months are cold and snowy, so our farmers markets are only open during the summer months, but that’s ok; it just gives us more time to anticipate all the treasures we will find during our market wanderings. Nestled in the shadows of the mountains the surround Estes Park, multicolored awnings ensure that the treasures you are exploring will stay out of the elements. The market is open every Thursday (rain or shine) from 8 AM until 1 PM. Wondering what you will find during your own adventures at the Estes Valley Farmers Market? It may be easier to describe all the things that won’t be there, but we don’t mind giving you a hint or two. Obviously, the content is ever changing, but this wonderful market is the ideal spot to purchase locally grown produce and homemade baked goods, plus flowers, art, and crafts.
Estes Park Art Market, May 25-27, Bond Park
The best artists are drawn to our little piece of paradise and the Estes Park Art Market that is held Memorial Day weekend is where many of them display their masterpieces and have been doing so for over 40 years, much to our delight. Offering a variety of art of many genres, visitors can expect to see not just paintings, but photography, fabric art, even 3-D characterizations designed to fascinate, all of which make memorable souvenirs from your fabulous escape to our beloved mountain town. Admission is free so you can save your money to purchase your favorite pieces in the collection and the show starts at 9 AM all three days and ends at 5 PM on the 25th and 26th and at 3 PM on May 27th.
Handmade in Colorado Expo, August 23-25 in Bond Park
While the Handmade in Colorado Expo hasn’t been around as long as the Estes Park Art Market, it has been a beautiful celebration of independent designer’s works for 17 years this August, and we at Voyago definitely recommend that our guests explore the wares during their summer stay. Everything in this artistic event is handmade. You’ll find glass art, food, and even jewelry in addition to the more standard mediums often found at local art shows. Also offering live music and live art performances, we promise that every minute will be worth celebrating and when you find “THE” piece that speaks to your heart it will serve as a reminder of your incredible vacation in Estes Park. Admission is free and start and stop times are 11 AM -6 PM on August 23, 10 AM- 7 PM on August 24, and 10 AM- 4 PM on August 25.
Annual Arts & Crafts Festival, September 14th & 15th in Bond Park
If you are beginning to think that Bond Park is the epicenter of art festivals, you may be right, especially as the beginning of fall brings the Annual Arts & Crafts Festival to town once again. The art is guaranteed to make you happy, featuring photography, paintings, even glasswork and jewelry, but if you find yourself distracted by the beauty of the weather and the stunning and colorful trees of fall, no one will blame you. Life is beautiful in the fall in Estes Park, and because this show is more than just art, guests can expect to find bath and body products, pottery, textiles, yarn items, and so much more, the wares you purchase are guaranteed to shine equally bright. Admission is free and the event starts at 9 AM both days, ending at 5 PM on Saturday and 4 PM on Sunday.
Plenty of Room to Store Your Treasures
As you meander the aisles of the different events listed here, you can rest assured there will be plenty of room in which to store your treasures! Spacious, comfortable, and luxurious, our Voyago Vacation Rentals also offer fully equipped laundry rooms (or stackable units hidden away behind closet doors), enabling travelers to pack light and save room for all the glorious art purchased at the different festivals. Reserve your favorite escape today!