Estes Park is set to offer a wide array of activities this weekend, October 23-25, featuring both Halloween-themed events and general entertainment for residents and visitors. Haunted attractions, film screenings including "The Shining," live music performances, and community gatherings are among the options available.
Haunted experiences are a prominent feature of the weekend. The YMCA of the Rockies is transforming Mountainside Lodge into a "Haunted Mountainside Lodge" on October 23-24. This immersive attraction delves into American frontier history. A family-friendly session is scheduled for Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by a scarier experience for ages 16 and older on Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. Admission is free for YMCA guests, members, and staff, while the public can attend for $10, with proceeds supporting day camp scholarships. Tickets will be available at the door.
The Historic Park Theatre is also embracing the season with multiple screenings of "The Shining" throughout the weekend. Additionally, the theatre will host late-night ghost hunts on Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m. Guided history and haunted tours are available for $20 per person, and psychic readings with Bekah Blackburn are offered. The theatre's schedule includes a free showing of "Beetlejuice" on Saturday at 10 a.m. and the documentary "A Haunting in Blue Hill" later that evening at 7:30 p.m. The venue will also continue to screen a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s "Sense and Sensibility."
For those seeking a more formal Halloween celebration, The Stanley Hotel will host its Shining Ball on Saturday, October 24, at 7 p.m. The event, which promises music, dancing, and entertainment, celebrates the historic hotel's connection to Stephen King’s "The Shining." Tickets for the ball are currently sold out.
Beyond the haunted offerings, live music and cultural events are abundant. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Kim Richey will perform at American Legion Post 119 on Saturday, October 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Richey, known for co-writing Trisha Yearwood’s number one hit "Believe Me Baby (I Lied)" and for her collaborations with artists like Brandi Carlile, brings her blend of Americana, country, folk, and rock to the "Listening at the Legion" series. Tickets are $20, and dinner will be available at The Tavern beforehand.
The Art Center of Estes Park is featuring the "Pots and Paint" exhibition, showcasing pottery by Wynne Wilbur and watercolors by Ann Sneary. The exhibition is open through November 9, operating Fridays through Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Several venues across town will host live music. The Slab Outdoor Pub has five performances scheduled for October 23-25, including Teague Starbuck on Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Mark Gerganoff from 5 to 8 p.m. Smooth Acoustic will perform Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., and Jeremy Smith will conclude the weekend on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Snowy Peaks Winery will feature Denny Driscoll live on its back patio on Friday, October 23, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.; reservations are recommended. The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern offers three evenings of live music from 5 to 8 p.m., with Jon Pickett of Chain Station on Friday, Random & True Jazz Duo on Saturday, and Sarah Minto-Sparks on Sunday. The Velvet Lounge, located inside Estes Perk Coffee, also has three evenings of live music from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring Jessica Rose on Friday, Rudy Vican Live on Saturday, and Kenny Lee Youn on Sunday. Lonigans, at 106 W. Elkhorn Ave., hosts free karaoke every Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight and free live music in a family-friendly setting every Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Community gatherings are planned at the Cleave Street Commons. "Friday Night at the Commons" will take place on October 23, from 4 to 8 p.m., offering live music in a relaxed setting. On Saturday, October 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the "Saturday Artisan Market" will bring together local artists and vendors. "Sundays at the Commons" will offer a space to relax and connect with neighbors on Sunday, October 25, from noon to 4 p.m.
To wrap up the weekend, Avant Garde Aleworks, located at 920 Dunraven St., will host its weekly Sunday Happy Hour on October 25 from noon to 3 p.m., offering 20% off food and drinks with free admission.
