Last Night of the Year in Estes Park

Howdy, neighbors. Buck Timber here.

This time of year always sneaks up on me. One minute it’s Christmas lights and cold mornings, the next we’re standing at the edge of another year wondering how fast that one went.

By tonight, folks will be clinking glasses, counting backward, and pretending next week will feel brand new. It probably won’t. But that’s alright. Around here, New Year’s Eve has never been about spectacle. It’s about finding a warm room, decent music, and people you don’t have to explain yourself to.

Here’s what’s happening around town as the year winds down.

 In the 1920s and 1930s, what kinds of winter activities were featured at Rocky Mountain National Park’s early winter carnivals, activities that later made Hidden Valley a favorite family spot for snowy fun and winter picnics?

Recent mild weather has resulted in challenging sledding conditions at Hidden Valley within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Limited snowfall has left rocks and vegetation exposed on the sledding hill, while icy, hard-packed snow increases the risk of accidents.

Visitors are encouraged to plan carefully, sled only feet-first, and have safe strategies for stopping.

Hidden Valley remains the park’s only designated sledding area, located just seven miles from both Beaver Meadows and Fall River Entrances on Trail Ridge Road.

The site offers flush restrooms and a warming hut on weekends, but no staff, tow ropes, or equipment rentals—so bring your own plastic sleds or tubes, as metal runners aren’t allowed.

With unsatisfactory sledding, consider snowshoeing or cross-country skiing around Bear Lake.

Dress warmly, use traction on icy paths, and always check weather updates before heading out.

Photo Credits: NPS Photo - Hidden Valley Sledding Hill, taken on December 29, 2025

This past week brought classic mountain winter conditions. Cold air, strong wind, and dry weather that can be tough on skin.

Alpenglow Beauty is made for life at high elevation, where wind and low humidity are part of the routine. Their clean, nourishing formulas help keep skin comfortable and balanced without overcomplicating things.

If your skin feels dry or tight after days like these, Alpenglow’s Whipped Tallow Balm is especially worth a look.

Explore the collection at AlpenglowBeauty.com and enjoy 20% off with code WINDY20.

Long before synchronized light displays, Estes Park’s Christmas spirit shined through the creativity of Buel Porter.

Arriving in the early 1950s, Porter, a skilled sign painter and commercial illustrator, brought his talents to the community after years designing billboards and movie slides.

After purchasing Estes Park Signs in 1951, he soon began painting whimsical holiday scenes, starting in his own yard and then expanding to public displays by 1957.

For a decade, Porter’s vibrant panels transformed the town, featuring everything from towering shepherds to playful depictions like Christmas in Bugville and a stunning 22-foot Risen Jesus.

Crafted on classic plywood, these pieces were meant to fade and be replaced—yet their seasonal return became an anticipated tradition.

Though Porter passed in 1969, his spirit lingers each year, celebrating not just Christmas, but the heartfelt presence of a close-knit community.

🎄 Christmas Tree Drop Off

Where: Estes Park Fairgrounds
When: December 29 through January 16
Time: Weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Details: Trees must be stripped of all decorations. No wreaths, garland, artificial trees, or stands accepted. Closed on New Year’s Day. After hours dumping may result in fines.

Buck’s Note: The holidays officially end when you’re dragging a dry tree across frozen ground, wondering why you didn’t do this yesterday.

🥂 New Year’s Eve Events

🍺 New Year’s Eve at Park Tavern

Where: Park Tavern, 247 W Elkhorn Ave
When: Tuesday, December 31
Time: Starting at 4:00 p.m.

Food, drinks, and a steady place to land early and stay put if you feel like it.

Buck’s Note: A good spot if you prefer easing into the night instead of charging it head on.

🍀 Lonigans New Year Celebration

Where: Lonigans Pub, 110 West Elkhorn Ave
When: December 31 through January 3
Time: Doors open at 4:00 p.m. daily
Details: Live music New Year’s Eve from 10:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with a champagne toast at midnight
Cost: Partially free, partially cover

Lonigans is stretching New Year’s across a few days, which feels about right.

Buck’s Note: If one night isn’t enough, this one’s got you covered.

🎸 New Year’s Eve Jabronathon at The Barrel

Where: The Barrel, 251 Moraine Ave
When: Tuesday, December 31
Time: 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Cost: $5

Live music, loud energy, and a crowd that plans to ring in the year at full volume.

Buck’s Note: Not for whispering. Bring your ears and your patience.

🎖️American Legion New Year’s Eve Party

Where: American Legion Post 119, 850 N St. Vrain Ave
When: Tuesday, December 31
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Early bird countdown with live music from the Blue Sky Mountain Band. Dancing, food, drinks, and a prime rib buffet available.

Buck’s Note: Midnight comes early here. That’s not a bad thing.

🎭 New Year’s Eve at The Stanley Hotel

Where: The Stanley Hotel
When: Tuesday, December 31
Details: Masquerade themed Crystal Ball featuring Soul Penny Circus, DJ Blondtoast, photo booth, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight
Note: 21+ event

A theatrical night of masks, music, and atmosphere in a building that knows how to hold a story.

Buck’s Note: If you’ve got a mask and nowhere to wear it, this solves that problem.

DID YOU KNOW? – New Years Edition

•The first New Year’s Eve ball drop happened in 1907, not because it was flashy, but because fireworks had been banned in New York City.

•You can ring in the New Year in Estes Park by spending the day snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park, then hitting festive dinners and live-music parties in town?
•You can view Holiday lights and walk-through displays in spots like Bond Park can still be up through New Year’s, so the town feels like a small winter resort village when you go between events.
• The Big Thompson River flows year-round through the Estes Valley.

Buck's Joke Of The Day

Why did the snowman bring a broom to New Year’s Eve?

He heard people were sweeping out the old year.

Mo Pass looked at me, waited a beat, then said, “Alright. Let’s just start fresh.”

🥂 Happy New Year!

Skiing, snowshoeing, and tobogganing, along with later family winter use like informal snow play and winter picnics at Hidden Valley.