On April 25, Estes Park will treat Bigfoot fans to a free weekend of mountain lore in the woods he’s rumored to wander.
Maddie Hodge, the special events coordinator for the Town of Estes Park, said this legend-centered occasion has taken place in Estes Park for 12 years. She added that it draws an international audience, bringing in attendees from as far as Scotland.
Hodge said Robert Hinkle brought this event to Colorado from the East Coast, recognizing its sightseeing opportunities with the gates of Rocky Mountain National Park nearby and the town’s history of mountain sightings.
This year’s festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with one of the event’s free film premieres to follow at 7 p.m.
The Sasquatch celebration schedule
Photos provided by Town of Estes Park Events & Visitor Services Department
The evening before the festival, the Estes Park Events Complex will host an immersive, private Bigfoot BBQ from 6 to 9 p.m.
Hodge said the menu features Bigfoot-themed beverages and Western barbecue, all of which can accommodate many dietary needs.
“We’re going to have a full, catered-in-house BBQ. We have a private caterer hosting the event, as well as the tailored cocktail menu and mocktails,” she said.
The event is capped at 200 tickets, with 60 left as of April 15. Tickets cost $100 for adults and $50 for youth; they can be purchased here.
Many of the event’s celebrity guests will also make appearances at the BBQ. “Expedition Bigfoot’s” Mireya Mayor, Bryce Johnson and Biko Wright will be there, as well as “The Cryptid Crew” podcast.
Bigfoot and Jeff, a Sasquatch-ranger YouTube comedy duo, will emcee this event. Hodge spoke highly of their crowd-pleasing work.
“They really know how to make people laugh and get all the believers hyped and psyched,” she said.
Photos provided by Town of Estes Park Events & Visitor Services Department
Hodge said he and sponsor Mint Mobile’s “Mintfoot” will become cheerleaders and contestant chasers for a series of themed races.
At 7:30 a.m., Bigfoot-loving racers can run a Running Wild Events-hosted half-marathon with a 1,050-foot gain for a wool sock finisher’s medal.
Then, at 9:30 a.m., a flat 5K full of scenic views will take place, with prizes awarded for best costume.
Children can also enter their own 5K; the event’s website notes it is free for runners under age 5 and $30 for ages 6 to 14.
More information on packet pickup times and locations, as well as other racing information and registration links, can be found here.
The day may begin with mad mountain dashes from “danger”, but it will end with two Hollywood-style film premieres.
Photo provided by Town of Estes Park Events & Visitor Services Department
Throughout the festival day, attendees can explore Colorado community groups’ booths and engage in off-schedule activities.
Hodge said Bond Park will feature vendors and celebrity booths. Most of them are Colorado-based groups mixed with a select number of neighboring state vendors.
“We really do try to pour into the local economy, and vendors and artisans, but a lot of folks come from all across Colorado. And we are open to vendors, sponsors, people who are in neighboring states like Wyoming or Utah, places like that, but we really try to keep our vendor pool local and within our state economy,” she said.
Those looking for a bit of competition can enter the Bigfoot Calling Contest. Hodge said first through third place callers will be determined in youth and adult groups by the celebrities, staff and diehard fans in attendance.
Photo provided by Town of Estes Park Events & Visitor Services Department
She noted that the youth group is for contestants aged 12 and under. According to the event schedule, it begins at 12:30 p.m. Signups will take place at the Merch/Information Tent.
The festival will also offer a range of smaller, spontaneous activity opportunities for all ages, including opportunities to dine.
Hodge said attendees can enjoy a kids’ zone, inflatables, bull riding, henna, food trucks and more.
All of these happenings will be soundtracked by local bands. Tumbledown Shack will take the main stage at 10 a.m., and Stepmother Nature will begin playing in the same location at 1:30 p.m.
Her department estimates an attendance of approximately 9,000 people throughout the festival day and to hit the 200-person cap for the Bigfoot BBQ.
She shared that Estes Park’s festival is one of the U.S.’s biggest sasquatch-themed events, but more importantly, it is an accessible community staple with something for everyone to enjoy and feel like they are part of.
“In the world we live in, I think giving people the opportunity to be listened to, and heard, and collaborative and community-based is so big, and that’s what people love about this festival. It’s like a hodgepodge, but a good one of so many different things,” she said.
Estes Park will provide lodging options to make attending more accessible.
Quality Inn and Suites will have a $100 rate for those who book over the phone and say they are the Bigfoot Days Sponsor.
Estes Park Condos also has a booking code, BFD26, which Hodge noted is good for groups.
More information, maps and updates on the 2026 Bigfoot Days Festival, and other Estes Park events, are available on the Events in Estes website.
The Estes Park Events Complex has accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
Cover photo provided by Town of Estes Park Events & Visitor Services Department
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