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Catch the Glow Parade

November 24, 2023
 

The Annual Catch the Glow Parade brightens Estes Park at 5:30 p.m. the day after Thanksgiving!
 

Each year as many as 20,000 people line Elkhorn Avenue to “Catch the Glow” of this whimsical holiday parade, as well as spend the afternoon visiting Santa and strolling through downtown Estes Park. The parade features more than 40 units, including hand-crafted floats from the Town of Estes Park and nonprofits, marching bands, fire trucks and other specialty vehicles.
 

Subscribers to the Rocky Mountain Channel will be able to stream the parade live.
 

Parade float

Parade Parking & Transportation

Residents and guests are encouraged to use the free parking structure near the Visitor Center (691 N. St. Vrain Ave.) and use the walking paths on the Riverwalk or ride the trolley to access activities in downtown Estes Park. Downtown loading zones will be closed the night of Nov. 24 in preparation for the parade. Additional parking spaces in the municipal parking lot adjacent to Elkhorn Avenue and the library will be designated Accessible Parking only for parade day.
 

The Performance Park public parking lot will be closed to public use on Nov. 24. The parking lot will remain closed through the parade duration on the evening of Nov. 24, reopening at approximately 7 p.m.

 

Trolley Service

Estes Transit will provide free “Jolly Trolley” service from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. starting at the Estes Park Visitor Center (500 Big Thompson Ave.) with the following stops along Elkhorn Avenue:

  • Bond Park's southwest corner
  • The Ore Cart Rock Shop
  • Tregent Park
  • West Park Center
  • The Maxwell Inn
  • Mrs. Walsh’s Garden
  • The Grubsteak Restaurant
  • Moosely T’s
  • Cousin Pat’s
  • Thirty Below Leather '

The trolley will be decked out in its holiday finest thanks to the creative minds of Simply Christmas and Visit Estes Park. This loop takes about 20 minutes with normal traffic. The trolley will suspend service at 5 p.m. to join the floats until the end of the parade.

A second shuttle will operate from the Events Complex Park-n-Ride at 1209 Manford Ave. to stops at the Estes Park Visitor Center and Bond Park at Virginia Drive to accommodate overflow parking. The second shuttle will operate from 3:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

For more information, contact the Estes Park Visitor Center at 970-577-9900 or visit Estes.org/shuttles.

 

Parade Route

The parade will begin in the 400-block of West Elkhorn Avenue (West Park Center) and continue east on Elkhorn Avenue. The parade will end at the US 34/US 36 intersection.