Overview:
Autumn Gold, Oktoberfest, the Estes Epic, live music, movies, and more are happening around Estes Park September 25-27.
This weekend, the Estes Epic sends mountain bikers and runners across as much as 100K of high-altitude terrain, while Oktoberfest at Avant Garde and a stein-hoisting competition at The Barrel offer challenges of a decidedly different sort. In between, Autumn Gold fills Bond Park with bands and brats, the Wild Turkey Festival takes over Allenspark, and live music stretches from Friday afternoon through Sunday night.
Here’s what’s happening around Estes Park this weekend, September 25-27.
‘Primetime’ at the Historic Park Theatre
Robert Pattinson stars in the first-run film “Primetime,” opening Friday and continuing into October, while the theater’s free Saturday morning series presents “Dark Shadows” at 10 a.m. Sept. 26. Studio Ghibli Fest also arrives with screenings of Hayao Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke” at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. History and haunted tours of the 1913 theater continue throughout the weekend as the Park Theatre heads into its fall spooky season
Last Call: Estes Valley Plein Air Show
This is your last weekend to check out the Estes Valley Plein Air Show at the Art Center of Estes Park. The exhibition features paintings created on location during the annual plein air event, when participating artists spread out across Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding Estes Valley to capture the landscape in real time. The finished works will be on view and available for purchase through Sunday, Sept. 27.
Live Music at The Slab
The Slab Outdoor Pub has five live performances lined up Sept. 25-27. Teague Starbuck starts Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., followed by Mark Gerganoff from 6 to 9 p.m. No Lane Road performs Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., before Jeremy Smith takes over from 5 to 9 p.m. Great American Duo closes out the weekend on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Friday Night at the Commons
Start your weekend at Friday Night at the Commons on Sept. 25, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Cleave Street Commons. This free community gathering brings together live music, neighbors, and visitors for a relaxed summer evening in the heart of Estes Park.
Joseph Lingenfelter at the Rockslide Patio Bar
Enjoy live music on the banks of Fall River as Joseph Lingenfelter performs at the Rockslide Patio Bar at the Inn on Fall River on Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, from 5 to 9 p.m. If you can’t make it this weekend, don’t worry. Lingenfelter will be performing at Rockslide every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday through the end of September.
Friday Live Music at Snowy Peaks Winery
5 Foot Betty performs live in the tasting room at Snowy Peaks Winery on Friday, Sept. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. The show is free to attend, but seats in the tasting room fill up quickly, so reservations are advised. Call 970-586-2099 to reserve your table.
A Weekend of Live Music at The Rock Inn
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern has three evenings of live music on tap this weekend. Jon Pickett of Chain Station performs Friday, Sept. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by Random & True Jazz Duo at the same time Saturday, Sept. 26. Geoff Clark rounds out the weekend Sunday, Sept. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Live Music and Football at Bogey’s
Bogey’s Sports Bar has a full weekend of music and football lined up Sept. 25-27. Buster & The Boomers perform live on the rooftop Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Bogey’s opens early at 10 a.m. Saturday for a full day of college football, then turns its attention to the NFL on Sunday, opening at 11 a.m. with NFL Sunday Ticket.
Friday Night at American Legion Post 119
The Coldies perform live at American Legion Post 119 on Friday, Sept. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. The free evening also includes the Queen of Hearts raffle from 6 to 7 p.m., with food and drinks available for purchase.
A Weekend of Music at The Velvet Lounge
The Velvet Lounge, the speakeasy tucked inside Estes Perk, has two nights of live music planned this weekend. HOSS performs Friday, Sept. 25, from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by returning performer Jessica Rose at the same time Saturday, Sept. 26.
Karaoke Night at Lonigans
Take the stage at Lonigans (106 W. Elkhorn Ave.) for its free karaoke night, happening every Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight. It’s the perfect late-night outing for those looking to get their sing on.
Estes Epic Returns for Two Days of Mountain Endurance
The Estes Epic brings two days of high-altitude racing to Estes Park on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27. The weekend starts with a 31-mile MTB 50K at 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Trail 50K and Heavy Half at 7 a.m. Sunday. Athletes looking for an even bigger challenge can tackle the Epic Double, combining both 50Ks for 100K across two days. The event begins at Stanley Park and serves as a fundraiser for the Estes Park High School Mountain Bike Team.
Wild Turkey Festival Comes to Allenspark
The Wild Turkey Festival celebrates fall in Allenspark on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Old Gallery. The free festival features live music, local vendors, a farmers market, a scavenger hunt, and turkey-themed games, with activities supporting the Allenspark Food Bank, Allenspark Fire Department, and local businesses.
Saturday Artisan Market
Browse handcrafted goods and meet local makers during the Saturday Artisan Market at Cleave Street Commons on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The free community event brings together artists, artisans, and creative vendors in the heart of downtown Estes Park, offering everything from handmade gifts and artwork to locally crafted products.
Autumn Gold Brings Bands, Brats, and Beer to Bond Park
The Estes Park Autumn Gold Festival returns to Bond Park for two days of live music, food, and fall festivities Sept. 26-27. Wendy Woo, Last Men on Earth, Wrenn Van Band, and The Long Run are among the weekend’s performers, while lawn games, family activities, and the Rocky Mountain Spirits Experience round out the festival. Autumn Gold runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10, with children 12 and younger admitted free, and proceeds support Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club community projects, grants, and scholarships.
Oktoberfest at Avant Garde Aleworks
Avant Garde Aleworks celebrates Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 9 p.m. with three beer releases, German-inspired food, and an afternoon of festivities. Stein-holding competitions take place at 1, 2, and 3 p.m., while Jingle Jangle Jabroni performs from 4 to 6 p.m., and Step Mother Nature follows from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Face painting and food from Graze Craze and XLVII Bakery are also on the schedule. Admission is free.
Avant Garde Summer Concert Series
Avant Garde Aleworks wraps up its Summer Concert Series with two free performances Saturday, Sept. 26. Jingle Jangle Jabroni takes the patio stage from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by Step Mother Nature from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The concerts coincide with Avant Garde’s Oktoberfest celebration, featuring German-inspired food, beer releases, and other festivities throughout the day.
Stein Hoisting Competition at The Barrel
Test your strength at The Barrel’s Prost Brewing Co. Stein Hoisting Competition on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Competitors will hold a full one-liter stein straight in front of them for as long as possible, with prizes awarded based on time. The Oktoberfest-inspired competition is free to enter, with dirndls and lederhosen encouraged. Participants must be 21 or older.
Sundays at the Commons
Slow down and savor a laid-back afternoon at Sundays at the Commons on Sunday, Sept. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. at Cleave Street Commons. This free community gathering offers a welcoming space to relax, connect with neighbors, and enjoy family-friendly activities.
Sunday Fun-day at Snowy Peaks
Spend Sunday afternoon on the back patio at Snowy Peaks Winery with live music and Rocky Mountain Paella on Sept. 27. The Reckless Ramblers performs from 2 to 5 p.m. while guests relish the winery’s signature paella and local wines. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended. Call 970-586-2099 to reserve a table.
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.
Do you have any suggestions for upcoming or recurring A&E events in or around Estes Park? Please send information to Toni Tresca (trescaanthony@gmail.com) by the Tuesday before the event to be included in the A&E roundup.