Here’s our guide to make your weekend in Estes a little more enjoyable.

Bobcats Homecoming

Estes Park High School will celebrate Homecoming this weekend. A Homecoming Parade will take place on Friday, Sept. 19, starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Riverside parking lot, proceeding down Elkhorn Avenue to St. Vrain Avenue, and ending at the school. Tailgating with alumni, parents, kids, teachers, and members of the community will begin at 4 p.m. in the parking lot outside the stadium, between the middle school and the administration building. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. against the Flatirons of Westminster. 

Autumn Gold, a Festival of Beer, Brats, and Bands

Bond Park will be filled with nonstop music, grilled brats, and beer this weekend during the Rotary’s annual Beer, Brats, and Bands fest. One of the weekend’s big draws is a raffle. The $10,000 top prize will be awarded to one lucky winner, who will be named at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21. On stage Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m., area favorite rocker Wendy Woo will take the stage. Shakedown Street performs at 12 p.m., and the 6 Million Dollar Band completes the entertainment day beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday’s guest artists, Knot Rock, whose set begins at 11 a.m., and El Loco Fandango at 2:30 p.m., will round out the weekend of music to dance to in the grass. Find details about the event that has been a mainstay of Estes Park’s fall season for 41 years on the Estes Autumn Gold website. 

Rails in the Rockies

Into model trains? This is another of those traditional events for Estes Park visitors and locals. Held at the Event Center, adults and children marvel at the setups created and organized by members of the Estes Valley Model Railroaders. You’ll see intricate working train exhibits of all sizes, from tiny Z-scale to classic G-gauge, including unique British and German layouts. Getting to and from Autumn Gold is just an easy trolley trip back and forth from where there’s ample parking. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Peak to Peak Studio Tour 

The Old Gallery, Charlie Eagle Plume’s, and the Hilltop Guild are among the gallery stops on the 2025 Peak to Peak Studio Tour, a self-guided studio tour that begins in Allenspark and winds its way through Ward, Nederland, and on to Central City and Blackhawk. This year’s tour features 27 artists. The event begins this weekend, Sept. 20 and 21, and continues next weekend, Sept. 27 and 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Old Gallery will feature artists demonstrating their techniques, including painters Susan Krauth (Sept. 19 and 27), Debra Stanger (Sept. 20), Malena Hirshfeld (Sept. 28), and ceramic artist MaryLynn Schumacher (Sept. 21). The Old Gallery is located at 14863 Colorado Hwy 7. The Peak to Peak Highway is Colorado’s oldest scenic byway. It is a 55-mile route from Estes Park to Black Hawk with views of the Continental Divide and historic mining towns like Black Hawk and Central City. Click here for a map of participating galleries. 

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Rock Cut

For those who indulge in the season, Rock Cut Brewing is throwing an Oktoberfest-themed bash on Sunday, Sept. 21. The event commemorates the release of its annual Oktoberfest beer. Twisted T’s Artisanal Bakery will be on-site serving brats, pretzels, and strudel. Drop by Rock Cut at 390 W Riverside Dr. from 12 to 7 p.m. to join in the party.

Final Week for “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale“

If you want to say goodbye to the beloved TV drama “Downton Abbey” on the big screen, you have just one week left to see “The Grand Finale” at the Historic Park Theatre. The film establishes a new generation to take Downton Abbey into the future. Your last chance to see it in Estes is Thursday, Sept. 25.

Estes Valley Plein Air 

There are just a few weeks left to catch the entries in this year’s Estes Valley Plein Air competition at the Art Center of Estes Park, 517 Big Thompson Ave., before the exhibition closes on Monday, Sept. 29. Click here for gallery hours.