After a two-month winter closure, the Historic Park Theatre will reopen on Friday for a new season of films, live events, and expanded programming.
The reopening marks the start of improvements to the iconic downtown venue under the direction of the Whimsadoodle Foundation, which has entered into a lease and management arrangement with the theater.
Theatre officials said upgrades will continue over the coming months and into future years, including enhancements to audio and visual systems, new signage, interior and exterior painting, updated carpeting, and other improvements designed to enhance the guest experience while preserving the building’s historic character.
The spring lineup begins with Project Hail Mary, starring Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Project Hail Mary, a sci-fi film based on Andy Weir’s novel, is set to release in theaters on March 20, 2026. Gosling plays Ryland Grace, a science teacher on a lone mission to save Earth, alongside a “rock” alien named Rocky.
Additional screenings and events are scheduled throughout the coming weeks.
Among the highlights:
- Super Mario Galaxy begins April 1
- Special screenings of The Shining during Frozen Dead Guy Days
- The return of the popular Dueling Pianos live event on March 26
The theatre will also host several special events this spring:
- Big Foot Days – April 25, featuring guest speakers and a free Big Foot-themed film screening
- Environmental Film Festival – May 15–16
- Memorial Day Weekend programming – May 23, 25, and 28, including live silent film accompaniment by Scott Wilseck
During Frozen Dead Guy Days weekend, the theatre will lean into its reputation as one of Estes Park’s most haunted venues. Offerings will include guided haunted tours, psychic readings with medium Bekah Blackburn, and late-night ghost hunts.