Windy Winter Glow: Estes Park's Festive Season Shines Amidst Blustery Weather

Howdy neighbors. Buck Timber here, writing this while the house lets out a long groan every time another gust slams into it. If you stepped outside this week you probably didn’t hear much except the wind trying to relocate your mailbox. Estes Park clocked gusts pushing 90 miles an hour, which is the kind of breeze that makes you rethink every life choice involving a hat.

 

Even with the wind carrying on, the holidays are settling in nicely. Downtown is glowing from end to end, Bond Park looks like it swallowed a Christmas light factory, and the whole town has that warm festive shine that makes winter feel a little less cold. It is a quiet stretch for crowds, but not for holiday spirit. Locals get to enjoy the lights without weaving through visitors, and that is a pretty nice gift all by itself.

 

There is plenty happening this week. Rocky Mountain National Park announced new updates for 2026, Estes has a nighttime glow run coming up and Sleigh the Games is getting ready to take over town. So grab a warm drink, secure anything the wind might steal, and let us take a look at what is going on around the valley.