Most festivals celebrate something alive. Frozen Dead Guy Days throws a party for a Norwegian grandfather whose body has been kept frozen since his death in 1989. The peculiar saga of Grandpa Bredo inspired a Colorado tradition that turns mortality into a cheerful excuse for costumes, music and coffin races.
Teams race carrying a teammate in a coffin, making the signature event a collision of homemade engineering, theatrical costumes and gloriously strange competition. The celebration originated in Nederland and now takes place in Estes Park, with its main festival at the Estes Park Events Complex.
Timing has changed over the years. The next announced festival is in April 2027, rather than its former March slot. This listing therefore uses April, but visitors should always confirm the current dates. Admission is ticketed, and 2027 prices were not yet announced when checked.