Headquartered in the centrally-located downtown Bond Park at the intersection of McGregor Avenue and Elkhorn Avenue (Estes Park's main street) the switch will be thrown and the lights on the trees in the park will come on, a scene replicated from the early days of tree lighting in Estes Park more than 60 years ago. The lighted trees will be added to the 175 decorated trees throughout the downtown area.
Afternoon activities begin at 1 p.m.; the lighting celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. For information contact the Estes Park Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-443-7837.
The celebration is just the first of many events marking the holiday season throughout the village including being a prelude to the day-long annual Catch the Glow Christmas celebration on Friday, November 25.
Also upcoming is a special holiday art exhibit, a Christmas bazaar, and special musical performances presented by the Estes Park Music Festival.
Details about those events are:
Nov. 25: 9th Annual Holiday Art Exhibition & Sale featuring Cultural Arts Center visual artist members. Exhibit continues through December 31. Free. Cultural Arts Center Fine Art Gallery, 453 W. Elkhorn Ave. www.estesarts.com. Noon - 3 p.m. 970-586-9203
Nov. 25: Catch the Glow Holiday Celebration and Christmas Parade. Beginning at noon children will be able to visit with Santa and enjoy hay rides and pony rides. Whimsical characters and festive carolers will entertain throughout the downtown area. At dusk, floats from the Catch the Glow Parade will feature thousands of tiny twinkling lights, storybook figures, angels, snowmen, marching bands, entertainers, wildlife characters and of course, Santa ends the parade! Free. Downtown Estes Park. Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. 970-577-9900; 800-44-ESTES
Nov. 26: Holiday House Christmas Bazaar. The Estes Park Medical Center's annual fundraising event offers handmade gifts, knitted wear, decorations and baked goods. Business and private people donate other items. The bazaar sells out quickly so go early. $1 at door. Estes Park Conference Center, 201 S. St. Vrain Ave.9 a.m.-3 p.m. 970-586-7205
Nov. 27: Peggy Lyon & Gregory Dufford Performance featuring Piano and Clarinet pieces during this Sunday concert. $5; Children & Students Free. Stanley Hotel, 333 E Wonderview Ave. www.estesparkmusicfestival.org. 2 p.m. 970-586-9519
Dec. 2 - 3: Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale. The Friends of the Estes Valley Library's Pre-Christmas Used Book Sale will sell more than 3,000 fiction, mysteries, non-fiction, cookbooks and children's books, as well as a selection of Christmas-themed books. Free. Estes Valley Library, 335 E. Elkhorn Ave. www.estesvalleylibrary.org. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 970-586-8116
Dec. 2: A Christmas Oratorio: Part I by J.S. Bach. The 40-voice Oratorio Society of Estes Park chorus, accompanied by the 40-piece Estes Park Chamber Orchestra will usher in the 2011 Christmas season with this timeless masterpiece. Free, but donations gratefully accepted. Mountain View Bible Fellowship, 1575 S. St. Vrain Ave. www.OratorioSocietyofEstesPark.com. 7 p.m. 970-586-9405
Dec. 3: Quota Club's Holiday Home Tour. The annual tour in the Estes Park area showcases unique mountain homes decked out in holiday finery. $12 in advance; $15 the day of the tour. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 970-586-5800
Dec. 3: A Christmas Oratorio: Part I. The 40-voice Oratorio Society of Estes Park chorus, accompanied by the 40-piece Estes Park Chamber Orchestra will usher in the 2011 Christmas season with this timeless masterpiece. A reception will follow this performance. Free, but donations accepted. Mountain View Bible Fellowship, 1575 S. St. Vrain Ave. 2 p.m. 970-586-9405
Dec. 4: Jubilate Christmas at the Stanley Concert. Shout for Joy and hear some of your favorite songs of the holiday season sung by the Jubilate Sacred Singers in the Concert Hall. $5; Children & Students Free, Stanley Hotel, 333 E Wonderview Ave. 2 p.m. 970-586-9519
