Howdy, neighbors! Buck Timber here, shaking off the Thanksgiving haze and counting the days until mashed potatoes officially become a food group.

If you attended the Catch the Glow Parade along Elkhorn Avenue, you might've witnessed dazzling handmade floats — and maybe even Santa sneaking a wink under those cold November winds.

With turkey leftovers gone, Estes Park bursts into holiday mode. Twinkling lights, vanishing cookies, and a jam-packed town calendar signal festive excitement ahead.

This December, don’t miss the debut Sleigh the Games - Holiday Adventure Fest from December 12-14 at Estes Park Events Complex, featuring winter sports, live music, food trucks, indoor snow tubing, human curling, and winter cocktails for all ages.

For festive décor lovers, the Festival of Trees at Estes Park Resort dazzles with 50 uniquely decorated trees, raffles, and free admission through December 14 — all supporting local charity.

Music fans can gather for the Holiday Sing-Along at Lula Dorsey Museum on December 6 for a morning of classic tunes and community cheer.

Bundle up, savor the spirit, and join neighbors in making this holiday season in Estes Park truly magical.

Which Estes Park holiday tradition features more than 40 decorated trees created by local nonprofits and businesses, all displayed inside The Estes Park Resort each year?

Estes Park police have launched a groundbreaking initiative to improve interactions with residents who have disabilities through

This week Estes Park is shaking off the turkey coma and sliding straight into the season of giving, glowing, and getting outside. The calendar is filling up, and there is plenty to do whether you like helping the community, exploring the holidays, or just watching the town sparkle a little brighter.

Mo Pass says December arrives like a golden retriever in the snow. Fast, happy, and tracking flakes in on the rug.

Here is what is happening around town.

🥫 Can Do Middle School Food Drive

The middle school’s annual Can Do food drive is underway. Students are competing homeroom by homeroom for a pizza party on December 19, courtesy of Poppy’s. Donations benefit Crossroads Ministry and help stock their shelves for local families.

Most needed items: canned fruit, canned chili, pasta sauce, cereal.

Drop off: Estes Park Middle School
Good cause, good fun, and good pizza on the line.

💡 Recycle Holiday Lights with Sunrise Rotary

If your Christmas lights flickered out or only glow on the left half like mine do every year, recycle them instead of tossing them.

The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary and the EPHS Interact Club are collecting holiday lights through January 15.

Drop off bins at:
• Estes Valley Library
• Estes Park Elementary
• Middle School
• High School
• National Park Village

It is a simple way to lighten the landfill and brighten the season.

🎅 Curious About Sleigh the Games?

A brand new holiday festival is coming to town.

📅 December 12 to 14
Sleigh the Games brings three ways to play:
• Punch Card Games around town
• Competitive team events
• Kid zone, hot cocoa, and music for spectators

It is part scavenger hunt, part winter tournament, part good old fashioned town fun. Designed to get families and friends outside and laughing.

Tickets available now.

Mo Pass already signed us up for a team. Pray for us.

Did You Know? Holiday Edition – Estes Park Facts

• Estes Park’s Catch the Glow Parade draws as many as 20,000 spectators each year.
It is now one of the largest small-town holiday parades in Colorado.

• George Hix Riverside Plaza was the original home of the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The event later moved to Bond Park to make space for larger crowds and displays.

• The Estes Valley Library hosts an annual holiday lights recycling program.
Old, tangled, or half-burned strands get repurposed instead of heading to the landfill.

• The YMCA of the Rockies has hosted winter retreats for more than 100 years.
From early 1900s snowshoe outings to today’s craft workshops and holiday events.

• A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered in 1965 and was one of the first TV specials to focus on the meaning of the holiday.
It has aired every year since and remains a town favorite at the Historic Park Theatre.

Buck's Joke Of The Day

Why did the string of Christmas lights go to school?
It wanted to be a little brighter.

Buck’s note: Same reason I drink my morning coffee.

The Festival of Trees.