Hello, Estes Park! Spring isn’t quite here yet, but this weekend brings a few signs that the seasons are shifting. Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 8, giving us longer evenings and a little extra daylight to enjoy everything happening around town. The calendar is full, too: First Friday’s Art Groove returns with galleries, live music, and art walks across Estes Park; the Whiskey Warm Up pours its way back into Riverside Plaza; and International Women’s Day celebrations add another reason to raise a glass. Here’s what’s happening March 6–8.
First Friday! Art Groove
Estes Park’s creative community comes together again for FIRST FRIDAY! Art Groove on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., a free, self-guided art walk through galleries, studios, taprooms and maker spaces across town. Highlights this month include the “Mentor/Student” show at the Art Center of Estes Park, live jazz with Max Wagner and Stu MacAskie at Earthwood Collections, and live music by Skip Neilson and Karen Nicholson at Aspen and Evergreen Gallery alongside its “Dead of Winter” exhibit inspired by Frozen Dead Guy Days. Along the route, visitors can also “stop in for a drop” at spots like Snowy Peaks Winery, Rock Cut Brewing Company, Avant Garde Aleworks and Elkins Distilling Co., where art, drinks and conversation flow together.
Friday Live Music at Snowy Peaks Winery
Unwind into the weekend with warm harmonies and acoustic charm as Swing Aggregate performs live in the tasting room at Snowy Peaks Winery on Friday, March 6, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The show is free to attend, but seating in the tasting room fills quickly—reservations are recommended. Call 970-586-2099 to save your table for an early evening of music, wine, and relaxed mountain-town vibes.
March Murder Madness Event at Macdonald Book Shop
Put your detective skills to the test at March Murder Madness at Macdonald Book Shop on Friday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. This free, interactive mystery night invites guests to swap favorite whodunits, sip a mocktail, and tackle a puzzle-style murder mystery game led by the shop’s staff. The first sleuth to crack the case will win a softcover book, and the first 10 people to RSVP will score a bit of bonus swag.
Jon Pickett at The Rock Inn
Kick off your weekend with an anything-goes acoustic set from Jon Pickett at The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern. Performing regularly on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m., Pickett brings the energy of a full band to the stage as a solo, one-man-band performer. A former metal guitarist turned mountain multi-instrumentalist, his set blends folk, bluegrass, jazz, Motown, hip-hop, and plenty of playful surprises. Expect soulful originals, clever covers, and genre-hopping detours that might jump from Paul Simon to Black Sabbath without warning. Free to attend and always a crowd-pleaser, it’s a laid-back way to spend an evening with great music and mountain-tavern vibes.
James Davis at Twin Owls
Add an elegant soundtrack to your evening at Twin Owls Steakhouse with live classical and Spanish guitar by James Davis. Performing Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Davis brings a refined, atmospheric style that pairs seamlessly with Twin Owls’ fine dining experience. Live music is offered for dining guests only, so reservations are recommended.
Slick of Slick Machine at American Legion Post 119
Enjoy a relaxed Friday evening with live music by Slick of Slick Machine at American Legion Post 119 on Friday, March 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free and family-friendly, and The Tavern will serve its full food and bar menu from 3 to 8 p.m. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m., and the Queen of Hearts drawing takes place at 7 p.m.
Xtreme Bar Bingo
Friday nights get a competitive twist at Xtreme Bar Bingo at Bogey’s Sports Bar, running weekly from 8 to 9:30 p.m. beginning March 6. This high-energy spin on the classic game offers big incentives: the main jackpot starts at $5,000 and grows by $1,000 each week until it hits $15,000, while the Jr. Jackpot begins at $500 and climbs by $50 weekly. Along the way, players can also win prizes like TVs, sports tickets, and gift cards. Best of all, it’s free to play, so you can just show up and see if your numbers hit.
Karaoke Night at Lonigans
Take the stage at Lonigans (106 W. Elkhorn Ave.) for Karaoke Night, happening every Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight. It’s free to join, making it the perfect late-night outing with friends, family, and plenty of sing-along fun.
Whiskey Warm Up
Warm up from the inside out at the 13th annual Whiskey Warm Up on Saturday, March 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the George Hix Riverside Plaza. Presented by Elkins Whisky, this outdoor tasting festival showcases Colorado’s thriving distilling scene, with more than 35 distilleries pouring samples of whiskey and other spirits. Each ticket includes a commemorative tasting glass, plus access to live music and local vendors. Tasting tickets are already sold out, but the event is free and open to the public. Guests without tickets can still purchase bottles from their favorite distilleries to take home, but they will not be able to participate in the tastings.
Sarah Minto-Sparks at The Rock Inn
Country/folk singer and guitar picker Sarah Minto-Sparks is set to play The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free, making it an easygoing option for live music alongside dinner and drinks. To make a reservation in advance, call 970-586-4116 to confirm your spot.
International Women’s Day Celebration
Rock Cut Brewing Company marks International Women’s Day with a full afternoon of beer, music and community on Sunday, March 8, from noon to 8 p.m. The celebration kicks off with the release of a special Rye Pilsner brewed by lead brewer Kate and the women of the Rock Cut team, followed by live music from Snowbelt from 4 to 6 p.m. Guests can grab bites from the Akido Sushi food truck (12–7 p.m.), and women will receive half-off standard pours for most beers on tap. The event is free to attend and offers a lively way to raise a glass to the women shaping the local craft scene.
Sunday Fun-day at Snowy Peaks Winery
Round out the weekend with Sunday Fun-day at Snowy Peaks Winery on March 8. The venue is offering Date Night Specials from 4 to 7 p.m.: enjoy any entrée paired with a bottle of wine for $40, or choose 10% off a charcuterie board and 25% off a bottle to match. Reservations are recommended—call 970-586-2099 to save your spot.
Sunday Dinner Live Music at Lonigans
Wrap up the weekend with good food, craft cocktails, and live tunes at Lonigans (106 W. Elkhorn Ave.). Every Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m., the pub hosts free live music in a family-friendly setting.