By the time you are reading this you may be buried in the preparations for Thanksgiving or Christmas, feeling slightly, or even completely overwhelmed with the sheer volume of things that need to be done right now and although we can’t help you find the perfect gift for Uncle John, we can assist you in planning your New Year’s adventures in Estes Park. The new year stretches out before you as a blank slate just waiting to be filled in and starting it out with a snowy journey to Colorado is the best way to begin 2025. This New Year’s in Estes Park guide to the fun you can have in Estes Park and the comforts you will enjoy in our holiday hideaways may not make your chores go away, but they will make them more bearable, knowing that you have something to look forward after the gifts are unwrapped.
The Lights Are Still Up
Most people, and that includes towns and businesses, keep their Christmas lights up until after the New Year and if you are still feeling the sweet afterglow of an excellent Christmas, you may not be ready to shut the door on the holiday. The Estes Park Holiday Lights Tour is one of our favorite ways to extend the good cheer of the holiday and all you need is a car with a heater, a thermos of hot cocoa to share with the family, and the map we have linked here for a self-guided tour of the holiday lights as seen downtown and in the neighborhoods that surround your Voyago Vacation Rentals holiday retreat. https://www.visitestespark.com/events-calendar/holidays/driving-tour/
One Last Chance for Cookies and Cocoa
At Christmas every activity and event seems to involve hot cocoa and cookies so it may be possible you will have had your fill by the time New Year’s rolls around, but if not, January 1st is the last day You Need Pie, located at 509 Big Thompson Avenue, will offer their free cookies and hot cocoa. This fun event takes place from 5-7 PM daily and can be tacked on to your drive to the holiday lights, offering a festive and exciting night.
Say Farewell to the Old Year in Style
There are generally two ways of thought on how to celebrate the new year, with one side deciding to stay in (and we will discuss that in future paragraphs) and the other wanting to end the year with a big bang. Estes Park will have plenty of opportunities to do both, with the events listed below feeding your desire for glitz, glamour, and the bubbly!
- American Legion Post 119 New Year’s Eve Party, 850 N St Vrain Avenue- This New Year’s Eve Party is for members of the American Legion, but with over 1.5 million members, chances are at least a few of our guests belong. This fun event will be in the style of a speakeasy and will include champagne toast, hors d’oeuvres, and live music; members of other posts just need to bring their membership card and pay the ticket price.
- Crystal Ball at the Stanley, December 28- The Stanley Hotel is often at the epicenter of most events around Estes Park and New Year’s is no exception. Offering an 80s Band, costume contest for best 80s costume, and a photo booth, this event takes place a few days before the actual end of the year, but it is worth checking out.
- The Wheel Bar, 132 E Elkhorn Avenue- When you want to celebrate like the locals, the Wheel Bar is the first place we would recommend. Offering an old school vibe in which everyone feels welcome, this fun spot has been a tradition for 79 years! Offering pool tables, televisions, and a wonderful way to say farewell to 2024, an evening at The Wheel Bar may be the most fun you have had this year.
At Home with Voyago Vacation Rentals
The best moments of your celebration of 2025 may very well be the ones that take place at home in your Voyago Vacation Rentals holiday hideaway. As we mentioned earlier, not everyone wants to be out on the roads on New Year’s Eve, especially with the additional chance of ice, snow, and sleet in Estes Park. Welcome 2025 with your own favorite appetizers you created in our fully equipped kitchen, stock a selection of champagnes or sparkling grape juice, and rock out the last day of the year with a fire going, Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year’s Eve on the television, and no worries about designated drivers. Spending your New Year’s in Estes Park was already a good idea and spending it in Estes Park with Voyago Vacation Rentals may be the BEST idea! Reach out to us and reserve your favorite Estes Park vacation home full of fun and peace today!
Just like that, the 2023 has flown by us at an unbelievable speed, leaving us to get ready for 2024. Celebrate the end to the year by coming to check out Estes Park for a winter themed vacation getaway. Estes Park is one of the top destinations in Colorado for winter sports and unbelievable scenery. New Year’s in Estes Park offers a chance to celebrate the end to a wonderful year and step into 2024 with memorable plans and activities. Take a look at the many ways you can celebrate New Year’s with us right here in Estes Park:
New Year’s Dinner with Bird & Jim
Each year local restaurant Bird & Jim offers a stunning New Years dinner to celebrate a brand-new year. Last year’s occasion brought 2022 to a close with an incredible five course prix fixe meal that includes entrees such as pork belly, miso braised short ribs, duck breast, ahi tuna tartare, and much more. Bird & Jim has become a favorite up here in Estes Park with its modern mountain dining that includes an ingredient driven kitchen. While the menu for this year’s New Year’s dinner has yet to be announced you can expect tantalizing entrees similar to last year. Make sure to pair your prix course dinner with a wine pairing or order from their cocktail menu. If you are not able to make the New Year’s Dinner you can always dine in with Bird & Jim lunch, dinner, or even brunch on the weekend.
The Crystal Ball
Another popular event right here in Estes Park to celebrate the New Year with is The Crystal Ball. This annual tradition takes place at the Stanley Hotel where you can enjoy a three-course dinner along with a dance hall so you can literally dance the night away into 2024. Previous years have included live entertainment during the dinner portion of the event that have included live comedians on stage. A live band will be chosen for the Crystal Ball to showcase some incredible music for you to dance to. Guests are able to enjoy the full dinner, show, and concert package or just purchase tickets for the concert itself. Either way you know you will have a ball right here at The Crystal Ball. This is a 21-and-up event only with more information on the event coming soon.
Grab a Beer at Avant Garde Aleworks
It wouldn’t be a visit to Colorado without stopping by one of the many breweries in the area. Avant Garde Aleworks is one of the top breweries in the area and is open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. They offer a selection of tasty beers including seasonal rotations such as their Winter Strong Ale. The brewery is open daily and also offers up a selection of tasty snacks such as pretzels and assorted chips and popcorn. Join the native Colorado folk and have a beer at Avant Garde Aleworks.
ROCK THIS New Year’s Eve Bash!
Another great New Year’s Eve event right here in Estes Park is ROCK THIS New Year’s Eve Bash taking place at The Barrel. This is another great craft beer and cocktail lounge right here in Estes Park for you to enjoy. This New Year’s Eve bash is a rock and roll theme with costumes highly encouraged for attendees. Entry is just $5 per person which will also provide you with party favors, access to the photo booth, and a free champagne toast. Doors open at 8:00 PM to kick off the party where you will be able to enjoy delicious craft beer or handmade cocktails. The event is sponsored by Tivoli Brewing Company so expect plenty of their tasty beer on tap. Local musicians Perros Nuevos will be on hand for some incredible tunes that you cannot miss out on. Come enjoy the rock show at ROCK THIS New Year’s Eve Bash at The Barrel!
Go Skiing at Eldora
Visitors for New Year’s will also be able to enjoy some winter sports when they visit Estes Park. While the area is not known as a ski destination you will find Eldora Ski Resort approximately 47 miles outside of Estes Park and has been a favorite ski area for years without the major crowds. You will find slopes of all experience levels making it an ideal spot for everyone. Purchase a day pass so you can enjoy the slopes for the day before heading back to your vacation rental.
More Fun for New Year’s in Estes Park
There is no better time than right now to find your favorite vacation rental just in time for New Year’s. Come celebrate the end of 2023 the right way with one of our premium rentals and access to these exciting events and activities. Contact us today!