Winter Warmth and Wonder at Estes Park

Make YMCA of the Rockies – Estes Park Center part of your Rocky Mountain holiday celebration! Enjoy festive activities including Santa visits, cookie decorating,  gingerbread house making, ice skating on the frozen pond and much more, happening November 24 – Janurary 3, 2024!  There is plenty of fun for all ages to experience as we soak in the season! For more information about activities, call 970-586-3341 x1104.

Book Your Winter Getaway Soon! Reservations go fast, so plan early by making a reservation online or calling our reservation department at 888- 613- 9622.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AT THE ESTES PARK CENTER

VISIT WITH SANTA AT THE MUSEUM

Be sure to bring your wish list for a special visit with Santa at the beautifully-decorated Lula Dorsey Museum. Don’t forget your camera to take special photos of your visit with Santa! Santa will be stopping by the YMCA on Saturdays, November 25 – December 23, 9am – 12pm.

COOKIE DECORATING

Offered Daily
Pick up a holiday cookie decorating kit from Sweet Memorial and take it back to your cabin or lodge room for sugary fun. The cookie kit has a small fee and includes, cookies, icing, sprinkles and plastic knives.

SANTA’S WORKSHOP

Visit the elves at Santa’s workshop at the Mootz Family Craft and Design Center! Make meaningful homemade gifts for your loved ones including glass fusion and wood burned ornaments, holiday cards, jewelry, ceramics, mosaics and more! Choose from a variety of fun holiday-themed crafts that can be personalized to remember your holiday getaway or create a special gift. Don’t forget to stop by the gift wrapping station! Cost varies – Craft Shop is open to the public. YMCA of the Rockies members recieve 10% off all crafts!

GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST

Offered Daily
Pick up a festive and unique gingerbread house kit from the Sweet Memorial Building for a small fee. Create at Sweet Memorial or take back to your cabin or lodge room to decorate. Once your masterpiece is created, enter it into our Gingerbread House Village contest for the chance to win prizes!

SNOWFLAKE MAKING

Create your own winter wonderland and learn how to create an ornate paper snowflake with the help of one of our trained snowflake experts! Learn how to make this traditional holiday decoration at the Sweet Memorial Program Building.

POLAR EXPRESS PAJAMA PARTY AT THE LIBRARY

November 24 – December 23

Fridays at 5:30pm, Saturdays at 5:30pm and 7pm at the Maude Jellison Library

CHRISTMAS EVE SPECIAL EVENTS – DECEMBER 24

SANTA VISITS & PRESENT DELIVERY

Christmas Eve, ​December 24
If you are staying in lodging at YMCA of the Rockies, pre-arrange for Santa to personally deliver your presents to your door on Christmas Eve. This is a long-standing and guest favorite YMCA of the Rockies holiday tradition! Call 970-586-3341 x1104 for more information. Advanced reservations required.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES IN HYDE CHAPEL – ALL ARE WELCOME!

5pm – Family Chrismas Eve Service

11pm – Traditional Candlelight Communion Service

See more Holiday in Hyde Chapel programs here

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION

NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY DANCE – DECEMBER 31

Get ready to twist and shout into the new year as we host the annual New Year’s Eve Family Dance on December 31st, 2023 from 8pm – 10pm at the Estes Park Center in the Assembly Hall. Dance to family-friendly music by DJ Alsum and get your glow on – this year’s theme is neon and blacklight! Guests of YMCA of the Rockies are free. Guests not staying in YMCA of the Rockies lodging, $5.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS

Enjoy additional activities through the holiday season including, guided snowshoe hikes, ice skating on frozen Dorsey Pond, sledding,  nature programs, indoor climbing, s’mores around the campfire, roller skating and much more!   *Sledding, ice skating and snowshoeing are weather/snow dependant.

Catch the Glow with even more festive fun at the town of Estes Park’s holiday events.