This August in Fort Collins is booming with exciting concerts, shows, and events you don’t want to miss. From nationally renowned talented musicians and comedians to the diversity of performing arts to festivals every weekend, you’ll undoubtedly find an entertaining and memorable event to attend.
It's Festival Season!
Fort Collins Art Festival - August 3-4
The Fort Collins Art Festival is an annual event that shuts down Linden Street right next to the historic Linden Hotel. It's Northern Colorado's biggest showcase of fine art, handcrafted goods, fun and live music! There will be painting, sculpture, glasswork, ceramic, and more! Be sure to mark your calendar for this event.
Poudre RiverFest - August 10
Photo by Eric Tokuyama (@eric.toke)
Hosted at New Belgium, the Poudre RiverFest is an annual event that celebrates the Poudre River and provides educational opportunities about the river and river corridor for individuals of all ages. The Poudre RiverFest is completely free and features a full day of live music, special activities like a painting class and interactive workshops, exhibitor booths, and a Kids Zone. The Poudre River is an important part of Fort Collins history and future. Celebrating it is just the right thing to do!
Fort Collins Peach Festival - August 17
We love our Colorado peaches! So much so that we need a whole day to celebrate! The Fort Collins Peach Festival is a wonderful opportunity to purchase your Palisade peaches and peach-themed drinks and snacks, all while supporting the Rotary Clubs of Northern Colorado as the festival is a fundraiser for the clubs and completely volunteer run. With your $10 entry, you have access to the vendors, peaches, and a day full of live music!
NOCO Hot Fest 2024 - August 18
Hosted by The Hot Sauce Realm, the NoCo Hot Fest is going to heat up Fort Collins! 2024 is the festival's inaugural year, but we expect it to hot...literally. Enjoy Colorado Host Sauce Vendors, DJ's, pepper eating competitions, and an Official League of Fire Belt Match. Tickets are available for the morning event and the afternoon event.
Tour de Fat - August 24
Photo by Richard Haro
It's time to shift gears and get weird! Tour de Fat is a costumed bicycle parade on Mountain Ave. followed by a family-friendly party at New Belgium Brewing with music, entertainment, a bike pit, contests and games. FREE to attend. Beer and swag sold separate. Beer sales benefit local nonprofits including Overland Mountain Bike Association, Bike Fort Collins, Send Town Bike Club, and Fort Collins Bike Co-op. The 2024 headliner is Paul Cauthen. Be sure to mark your calendar for this iconic Fort Collins event.
The Performing Arts: Theatre and Live Shows
The Lincoln Center
At the Lincoln Center this month, you'll find sketch comedy, dancers, music and storytelling. Check out their full schedule for more information and to purchase tickets.
Summertime Movies
Photo by Richard Haro
The Holiday Twin Drive-In, one of seven drive-in movie lots left in Colorado, has been lighting up Fort Collins for over 50 years. Check out their calendar to plan your movie under the stars! The Lyric also hosts summer outdoor movie throwbacks every Friday night. Be sure to get there early to grab a seat and some snacks from their concession stand!
Live Music and Concert Series
Live on the Lanes at 830 North
830 North combines bowling and music with a packed lineup for the month of August. With a combination of free and paid shows, you're sure to find something you like! Be sure to hit one of the Karaoke Nights on Sundays or NOT.GREENDAY on August 17. Check out their event calendar for their full music schedule.
Rock Out at The Aggie
The historic Aggie Theatre, a live music institution in Fort Collins for over 100 years, plays host to several great shows this month. Check out their website for more information. Highlights include Sons of the East with Ben Goldsmith, Sam Barber with Ty Myers and a Shrek Rave.
Music at Washington's and The Armory
Washington’s is a historic 900-person venue in Old Town Fort Collins and regularly hosts big names. Catch BoDeans and The 502s this month! The Armory is a more intimate 200-person capacity venue with state-of-the-art acoustics. OKAN (duo) takes the stage on August 18. Check out the full line up at the Bohemian Live Music website.
Rhythms at The Magic Rat
Magic Rat, located in Old Firehouse Alley adjacent to The Elizabeth Hotel in Old Town, offers swinging sounds on tap weekly, from big-name artists to local late-night jam sessions. All of these fun concert events are free to enjoy. Check the calendar for all shows taking place throughout the month and current updates.
Bohemian Nights Presents: Thursday Night Live
This summer's series showcases a diverse lineup of music from Colorado and beyond. All are invited to enjoy this incredible display of artist discovery, with musical offerings that span many genres and styles. The series will take place on the outdoor stage in Fort Collins' Old Town Square each Thursday from 7-9pm through September 5th. You can find the Thursday Night Live lineup here.
Live Music, Food and Fun at The FoCo Food Truck Rally
You can enjoy live music presented by The Mishawaka and delicious food at the FoCo Food Truck Rally that takes place every Tuesday all summer long! The event is held from 5:30pm to dusk.
Music on the Lawn at Foothills
Music on the Lawn at Foothills is a free summer concert series featuring the best local live music, a beer garden, vendor markets and more! Now through September 6th, catch amazing music and good times at this iconic local event series. For their full lineup and more information, click here.
Arts and Culture Events
International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A. (IKOF)
The International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A., is back in Fort Collins again for a multi-day summer piano competition and festival. This festival, held at the University Center for the Arts, brings internationally renowned pianists to Fort Collins for evening performances and daytime competition rounds. The event is designed for pianists of all ages and nationalities, teachers, and the general public who love the piano and its repertoire. To learn more about this festival, check out our detailed blog for even dates, times and prices.
Live Comedy
Hosting regular open mic nights, nationally renowned comedians, and burlesque shows, The Comedy Fort is Fort Collins's only comedy club and home to events all month long that you can find here. This month's highlights include The Forts Funniest comedy tournament throughout the month, Daniel van kirk on August 16-17, and Jordan Jensen from August 22-24.
First Friday Art Walk
Put your walking shoes on and head out on the First Friday Art Walk on August 2nd! The First Friday Art Walk is a free monthly, self-guided tour that celebrates creativity, culture, and community in Downtown Fort Collins. With 30 participating businesses all over the downtown area, art walk showcases a spectrum of artistic styles to entertain and engage amateurs and art aficionados of all ages, interests and backgrounds.
Fort Collins Foodie WalkTM
The Fort Collins Foodie Walk is one of our favorites days of the month! Held on the 3rd Friday of every month, the Foodie Walk gets you into businesses that provide food or food related products, like spices, cooking supplies, cheese, and olive oil! It's a great way to discover new recipes, products you can't live without, and new places to patronize. This free event runs from 5pm to 8pm and features interactive opportunities and seasonal flavors all in an exciting tasting experience!
Evening of Swing
Every Saturday from 5:30pm to 8pm, enjoy music and dancing at The Exchange! From 5:30-6pm, learn the basics of swing dance, and then spend 6-8pm dancing the night away! Evening of Swing features a rotation of swing bands. If you get hungry or tired while you're dancing, visit one of the many businesses that call The Exchange home like Old Town Putt, CopperMuse Distillery, La Piadina or Vatos Tacos and Tequila! Take advantage of this event this month because August 31st is the last Evening of Swing!
Larimer County Fair
Photo courtesy of Blue Arena and The Ranch Events Complex
Make Fort Collins your basecamp as you adventure out to the Larimer County Fair! The fair, which runs from August 2-6, is a free, family-friendly event. If you want to elevate your experience, plan on purchasing PRCA Rodeo tickets or get your carnival armband for unlimited rides on the day you visit. Enjoy 4-H and Open Class exhibits, shopping and food vendors, and free entertainment including concerts, vaulting, Canine Stars, and the Globe of Death! Plan your visit to the County Fair today!
