Stanley Home Museum gala tonight

The Stanley Home Museum gala is tonight at the Holiday Inn Estes. Credit: Courtesy/Stanley Home Museum

The Stanley Home Museum’s annual fundraising gala will be held in the ballroom at the Holiday Inn Estes Park tonight. This year’s theme is Inspiration and Invention. Tickets are $150.

SHM was once the summer home of F.O. and Flora Stanley and this year’s gala will celebrate the inventors of the Art Nouveau period, 1880-1910. Black tie and Art Nouveau fashion are optional. The soiree will feature drinks, appetizers, a dinner buffet, and a live auction.

Built in 1909, the home was designed as a miniature Stanley Hotel, but unlike the hotel, which has been modernized for guests, the Colonial Revival house has been preserved and furnished in keeping with its original design. For more information, visit the SHM website.

Fall River Hydroplant tour

Credit: Courtesy/Historic Fall River Hydroplant

The Historic Fall River Hydroplant, constructed by F.O. Stanley in 1909 to provide electricity for his eponymous hotel, will open its doors Friday, July 25, from noon to 4 p.m. for guided tours on the hour at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. No reservations are required, and admission is free, 1754 Fish Hatchery Rd.

Snowy Peaks Winery to celebrate 20 years in business

Also on Friday, Snowy Peaks Winery will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony from noon to 1 p.m. The winery is celebrating 20 years of business and will be joined by the Estes Park Chamber of Commerce and Estes Park Mayor Gary Hall. Visitors who purchase two bottles of wine will receive a gift during the event, 292 Moraine Ave.

Christmas in July

The Estes Park Community Center is celebrating the holidays early and with a tropical twist at its Christmas in July event on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event features an arts and crafts sale, photos with Santa, tropical drinks, and more to encourage everyone to ditch their hiking boots for flip-flops and wear Hawaiian shirts. Local singer Jan McCown will perform holiday music throughout the day.

Those who attend this free event may sign up for a drawing to win a stocking stuffed with gifts from participating vendors.

Telling the story of the night through photography

Estes Park Memorial Observatory will host a lecture about the night sky Saturday at 7:30 p.m. by photogrpaher Dawn Wilson Credit: Courtesy/Dawn Wilson

Nationally acclaimed photographer Dawn Willson will present a lecture and slideshow Saturday at 7 p.m. on the importance of preserving dark sky environments not just for stargazing but also for wildlife, ecology, and human connections to the cosmos. After the talk, if the weather permits the observatory will offer do some an opportunity to view the night sky through telescopes set up and manned on the sidewalk around the observatory.

Wilson is the past president of the North American Nature Photography Association, the co-host of the Nature Photographer Podcast, a Leave NoTrace Master Naturalist, a member of Girls Who Click, the Outdoor Writers Association of America, the Wild Vision Initiative, Nature First, and the Nikon Professional Certified Services.

The lecture, hosted by the Estes Valley Astronomical Society and the Estes Park Memorial Observatory, is free and open to the public. For more information, click here to visit the observattory’s website.

Buckle your seat belt and start your engine

The first-run movie “F1,” starring Brad Pitt, is now screening at the Historic Park Theatre. The action film by “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski tells the story of a former racecar driver who has a chance to regain his past Formula 1 racing fame. Plan for some authentic Formula 1 racing footage and details in this two-and-a-half-hour movie. Afterwards you can hop over to Ride-A-Kart to take a spin in one of their new electric gamified go karts.

What else is happening this weekend

Thursday, July 24

“Dr. Higgins McJay” will perform tonight at Rock Cut Brewing Company. Credit: Courtesy/"Dr. Higgins McJay"
  • Magic and seances at Aiden Sinclair’s Underground at the Stanley Hotel, times vary. Click here for times an tickets.
  • “Angry Parents,” music and comedy at the Historic Park Theatre, 7 p.m. Enjoy 50% off tickets with the code “GOLD “during checkout.
  • Silent Film Festival with piano accompanist at the Historic Park Theatre, 1 p.m. Music starts a half hour before the films do.
  • David Tiller, 5 to 8 pm. for dinner music at the Rock Inn Tavern. Tiller is a founding member of Taarka, and ThaMuseMeant, a mandolinist with High Lonesome, guitarist with the Bonnie Paine Band, and producer and long time collaborator with Elephant Revival. He’s also a professor of songwriting at the University of Colorado and will be releasing his first solo record under his own name this fall of 2025.
  • “Dr. Higgins McJay” — also known as Dr. John Meyer, a Estes Park emergency medicine physician — will perform for one night only at Rock Cut Brewing Company, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday, July 25

  • Dani Hagen and Reverie, a RockGodz Rock Concert will perform at the Historic Park Theatre at 7 p.m. Tickets are 50% off with the code “GOLD” during checkout.
  • David Stryker, Magic and Mentalism at the Historic Park Theatre, 4 p.m. Tickets are 50% off with the code “GOLD” during checkout.
  • Friday Live Music at Snowy Peaks Winery, 4 to 6 p.m. featuring the music of Restless Spirit.
  • Marcus James, Music will perform on the Roof by Bogey’s Sports Bar, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Sarah Minto-Sparks is featured at the Rock Inn Mountain Tavern for dinner music, 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Live Music at the Legion and Queen of Hearts Drawing, American Legion Post 119, open to the public at 6 p.m., the drawing is at 7 p.m.
  • Karaoke at Lonigans begins at 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 26

  • Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightly is the featured Free Movie Saturday, Historic Park Theatre, 10 a.m. followed by a book discussion. This event is presented in partnership with the Estes Valley Library.
  • Jingle, Jangle, Jambroni at Avant Garde Aleworks, 3 to 5 p.m.
  • Karaoke at Lonigans, 9 p.m.
  • The Osburns will be at the Elk Meadows RV Resort for an evening of live music and dancing. This is a free event. Bring your own food, beverages, and dancing shoes. 6:30 to 8 p.m.