Fort Collins is known for its fantastic summer events, but the fun here doesn’t end when the long summer days do. Fort Collins residents keep the fun coming all year round, with entertaining and enriching events to participate in during any season. Fall is no exception, filled with entertaining events for everyone to enjoy—kids, adults, and even the dogs! Here are a few of our favorites.
One of the many benefits of working at Cohere is being just blocks from Old Town. Curious to know more? Book a tour today!
Horsetooth Fest—September 7-10
The fifth annual Horsetooth Fest, a film, tech, art, and music festival of epic proportions, is right around the corner. Thousands of patrons will converge on the Elizabeth Hotel in Fort Collins to celebrate the thriving art scene in Colorado. If you want to be one of them, a limited number of tickets are available online.
Open Streets—September 24
Fort Collins Open Streets celebration is now in its 8th year, and quickly becoming a favorite of families throughout the Front Range. From 10 am to 3 pm, 1-2 miles of the roads in downtown will be blocked off to car traffic and participants will be given free rein to visit activity hubs throughout the area, including live music, health and wellness inspired activities, local food trucks, and an amazing Asphalt Art installation at Wabash and Benthaven Streets.
Tour de Corgi—October 7
If long dogs with short legs are more your style, you won’t want to miss the ninth annual Tour de Corgi on October 7th. An absolute flood of corgi dogs will meet up at Civic Center Park in Old Town Fort Collins. strut their stuff in an adorable parade that winds through Old Town in Fort Collins, CO.
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off—October 14
Fort Collin’s Nursery will be hosting this fun fall jamboree, back for its 15th year on October 14, 2023. There will be plenty for the kids and adults alike to do with an interactive instrument garden, face painting, tractor hayrides, and pumpkin bowling all going from 11 am to 2 pm. In addition, as an officially sanctioned contest site for the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth there are bound to be some truly immense pumpkins to view.
Pumpkins on Parade—October 20-23
If the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off wasn’t enough to satisfy your decorative pumpkin desires, the third annual Pumpkins on Parade at the Gardens on Spring Creek will be happening each evening the next weekend from Thursday, October 20th through Sunday, October 23rd. The highlights of the event include giant pumpkin sculptures and a community carved pumpkin contest, along with kid-friendly games and entertainment. This is a Teal Pumpkin Project candy-free event.
Treatsylvania—October 27-29
Another great kid-friendly event is hosted at the Farm at Lee Martinez Park. Participants between 0-10 years old are given a goodie bag with coupons, promotional materials, and candy which kids are able to enjoy while exploring the farm, including the specially decorated barn, and a fun-for-all hayride.
Maxline Brewing and Mythmaker Brewing Fall Markets—October 15 and 29
Get your holiday shopping done early by stopping by the Maxline Brewing taproom on the 15th of October or the Mythmaker Brewing taproom on October 29th. At the Maxline Brewing event participants can purchase fantastic handmade gifts from ten local artists, including Heritage & Bloom, Lift Leather Co., and Wildflower Rituals. Eight local artists will be featured at Mythmaker brewing, including Boho Blue Daisies, Four Sisters Candles, Hannah Miner Arts, and several others.
Tiny Tot Halloween—October 31
Kids in costumes gather in Old Town Fort Collins the morning of Halloween to partake in Tiny Tot Halloween, a fun and fright-free event. Tots can trick-or-treat in safety from 10 am to 1 pm by visiting participating local businesses in Old Town.
Downtown Holiday Lights—First week of November
Heralding the start of the winter season, 22 blocks of Old Town Fort Collins are illuminated with thousands of strands of beautiful and sustainable LED lights strung along sidewalks, down alleyways, and within the treetops. The lighting ceremony is typically held the first week in November, accompanied by a local band, and the lights stay up through Valentine’s Day of the next year.
Planning on visiting Old Town for an event soon? Book a quick tour with Cohere Coworking on the way!
Along with these delightful autumn options in Fort Collins are a plethora of Pumpkin Patches, corn mazes, and marathons. Whether it’s your first time in Fort Collins, or you’ve been here for decades, there’s something new to experience, including during the fabulous fall season.
About the Author: Cohere member Penny Leigh Sebring is an experienced freelance writer, neophyte speculative fiction author, and a gatherer of information and imaginary friends.
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash