Along with a hefty dose of merry and bright, December in Fort Collins is filled with live music and fun events taking place all month long. Here are just some of the festivities that deserve a spot on your calendar!
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Stroll through Downtown for Holiday Lights
Downtown Fort Collins is the place to be for twinkling lights and plenty of holiday spirit. Every night through Valentine's Day, the lights will be turned on in Old Town Fort Collins. Twenty-two blocks of downtown are illuminated with thousands of strands of lights in alleyways, along sidewalks, and among tree-tops. The impressive display of low-energy and sustainable LED lights can be enjoyed anywhere along College Avenue, the northern boundary of Laporte Avenue, and continuing south to Magnolia Street. Trees are lit along Walnut Street, Linden Street, Pine Street, Old Town Square, Oak Street Plaza, and Mountain Avenue as well.
Enjoy Beautiful Holiday Light Displays
Visiting holiday light displays is a festive and fun activity for the entire family!
The Gardens on Spring Creek in their annual Garden of Lights (Dec. 12th-28th) showcase a half-mile loop of perennial flower beds, huge sculptural flowers, grapevines, butterflies, a holiday village, and other favorite garden creatures—all constructed entirely from holiday lights. Visit with Santa (onsite nightly through Dec. 23) and enjoy other live entertainers while you warm up with a hot cocoa or beverage from our full bar. New this year, don’t miss our Ice Forest, where you may catch a glimpse of the magical Ice Queen herself on select nights.
For a magical 1-mile long drive-thru experience of holiday light displays, visit the Fort Collins Winter Wonderland to see outdoor and wildlife-themed light sculptures. If you are looking for more festive light displays, check out the Northern Colorado Holiday Light Trail, which showcases all the light displays in Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Estes Park, Greeley, and Fort Collins!
Holiday Artisan Markets
Holiday artisan markets are taking place throughout the month of December in and around Fort Collins. Check out our Holiday Market blog and stay checking our event calendar for all of the hottest spots to grab locally handcrafted goods!
Foothills Mall
Whether you’re want the kids to meet Santa, sip hot chocolate on a complimentary carriage ride, show off your holiday spirit at the Ugly Sweater Hall of Fame, shop for gifts, or share memories over meals with your family, there’s something for everyone this holiday season at Foothills Mall.
Downtown Skate Rink & Santa's Workshop
Downtown Fort Collins is the place to be for the holidays! Dine, shop, and explore under the twinkling of the holiday lights. The beloved Skate Rink opened in 2016 and has been bringing families together ever since. With its modern synthetic surface and free skate rentals, it's become a cherished part of Fort Collins' holiday traditions. Santa's Workshop will be open to children of all ages, allowing them to come and share their hopes and holiday wishes. Visits with Santa are always free! Families can take their own photos, but prints will also be available for purchase on-site.
Fort Collins Trolley Holiday Open House
The Fort Collins Trolley invites the community to celebrate the season at its annual Jolly Trolley Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 13th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This beloved FREE admission event promises holiday magic for the whole family at the Mountain Avenue Trolley Barn, located at 1801 W Mountain Ave.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will welcome families aboard historic Car 25––parked inside the barn––for festive photo opportunities. While waiting to visit with Santa, guests will be greeted by the Larimer Animal People Partnership (LAPP) Therapy Animal Group, whose furry "elves" will bring extra joy to the experience.
Check our events page for more Santa sightings at Ginger & Baker, Mishawaka, The Elizabeth Hotel, Jessup Farm, and more!
THEATRE & FILM
Holiday shows at the Lincoln Center
The Lincoln Center has a long lineup of holiday-themed shows to get you in the Christmas spirit this month.
Blue Violin’s Candlelight Christmas Tour (Dec. 3rd & 4th) returns for its third spectacular year — bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever before. This one-of-a-kind holiday concert experience blends the beauty of traditional carols with high-octane rock anthems, cinematic classical reimaginings, and heartwarming favorites — all brought to life in glowing candlelight, with a dazzling stage set and immersive light show.
A beloved holiday tradition returns to the stage as The Nutcracker (Dec. 4th-7th), presented by Canyon Concert Ballet, enchants audiences of all ages with its timeless story, dazzling choreography, and sweeping music.
The Squirrel Nut Zippers bring their joyous, raucous Christmas Caravan Tour back again performing all of the hits from Holidays past on Dec. 18th. Check out The Lincoln Center's website for more information on events and to purchase tickets!
Other shows around town
Prepare to be spellbound as the Colorado State University Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Rachel Waddell, conjures an evening of magic and adventure with the Sorcery and Spectacle show on Dec. 4th.
Dinner With Friends will be presented through December 21st at Bas Bleu Theatre. New York Times says, “unfolds with the light grace of a fine watercolor… with a stealthy emotional undertow and subtle, smart writing.”
The last chance to see Acting Tipsy Theatre Co.'s The WASTED Wizard of Oz is December 5th at The Lyric! Come join for a night of magic and mischief. The day of each performance, one actor’s name is drawn at random. Their fate? Get absolutely shitfaced and play Dorothy. *Minutes before curtain, an audience member will be chosen to play Toto -with onstage drinking challenges during the musical numbers* The rest of the cast? Sober…hopefully and scripted. And desperately trying to keep the show from going completely off the Yellow Brick Road.
LIVE MUSIC
Live Holiday Show at Oak Street Plaza in Downtown Fort Collins
The 20th annual Tuba Christmas will be at the Oak Street Plaza on December 13th at 2 pm performing live music for all to enjoy! The concert is free and open to the public. Enjoy traditional Christmas Carols played on Tubas and Euphoniums by a band of 90 musicians. Under the direction of the Honorable Cecil Gutierrez. Bring your own chair.
Snow Dome: A Holiday Music Experience
Catch a musical medley of holiday merriment in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery this month! Through December 31st, FCMoD will present Snow Dome: A Holiday Music Experience at 2:45PM on weekdays and 3:30 pm on weekends. Snow Dome features all your favorite wintry songs from Mariah Carey to The Beach Boys (and many more) set to mesmerizing visuals and amazing 360-degree surround-sound audio.
All-Choral Holiday Concert
The CSU choral program presents the annual “All-Choral Holiday Concert”, on Dec. 9th. Get in the holiday spirit with the Chamber Choir, conducted by Dr. James Kim; Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. Nathan Payant; and the University Chorus, conducted by graduate teaching assistant Carly Neumann, for an evening filled with “good cheer” and festive favorites.
Other Ways to Tap your Toes this Month
(Magic Rat, pictured)
Magic Rat, located in Old Firehouse Alley adjacent to The Elizabeth Hotel in Old Town, offers swinging sounds on tap weekly. Join KRFC’s Monthly Happy Hour at The Magic Rat, a free event on December 3rd that offers a taste of the vibrant local music scene and a chance to mix and mingle with your favorite KRFC DJs, volunteers, staff, board members, and fellow music lovers.
At the Visit Fort Collins' Welcome Center, the Foco Unexpected series, presented by Mishawaka, aims to provide a safe environment for those around us who are unrepresented and ready to rock. On Dec. 18, Paradiseovertime, a unique modern jazz-rock sound, will be featured at 7 p.m.
The Winter Concert Series at The OBC Wine Project, presented by Mishawaka, has two shows in December. The Centennial State Millennials on Dec. 10th, and Lewis Turner on Dec. 31st.
Washington’s, a 900-person venue in Old Town Fort Collins, regularly hosts big names. Catch The Motet and That Eighties Band this month! 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 a Fleetwood Mac Tribute, three days of School of Rock, and Hardcore 4 The Holidays.
Head to The Lyric on December 18 to check out the Candlelight Concert Series featuring Queen vs. ABBA! Combine bowling and music at 830 North where they have music every Tuesdays!
Check the calendar for all shows taking place throughout the month and current updates.
COMEDY
Hosting regular open mic nights and nationally renowned comedians, The Comedy Fort is Fort Collins's only comedy club and home to events all month long that you can find here. Be sure to catch Beth Stelling, Adam Cayton-Holland, but also there are themed nights such as New Material, The Gateway Show, and Rams Improve Comedy Showcase!
ART
Put your walking shoes (or boots) on and head out on the Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art WalkTM on December 5th! 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.
Recurring on the third Thursday of each month (Dec. 18), The Speak Cheesy Lounge, below Slyce Pizza, hosts the Big Cheesy Art Show.
DINING
The Fort Collins Foodie WalkTM (Dec. 19th) happens 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!
Winter WonDairy-inspired farm tours at Morning Fresh Dairy, occurring Dec. 11th-27th, will take you on a wintery walk around our family-owned and operated dairy farm collecting winter-themed treats along the way!
Step back in time and celebrate the season at Larimer Choral Society's Dickens Dinner (Dec. 13th) at CSU Canvas Stadium! Enjoy a festive three-course meal paired with a complimentary glass of warm Wassail, while our renowned Dickens Carolers fill the evening with joyful song. Between courses, browse our holiday silent auction—whether you’re searching for the perfect gift or ready to treat yourself, there’s something for everyone. Ginger & Baker is also doing a Dickens Christmas Dinner on Dec. 27th.
Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar hosts Feast of the 7 Fishes, a legacy event of that happens annually and is one of Jax's favorite traditions. An iconic culinary tradition and celebration rooted in coastal and Italian-American communities. A culinary ode (if you will) to Italian and Catholic heritage that honors the long-standing Christmas Eve custom of gathering around a seafood feast before midnight mass. The number seven is symbolic as it represents the seven sacraments.
SHOPPING
Holiday artisan markets are taking place throughout the month of December in and around Fort Collins. Check out our Holiday Market blog and stay checking our event calendar for all of the hottest spots to grab locally handcrafted goods!
The annual CSU Poinsettia Sale (Dec. 6th) run by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and is a holiday tradition that both its customers and the students who run it look forward to. Students grow and care for the plants as part of the floriculture practicum, one of several practicums offered with the overall goal of giving students hands-on experience in the greenhouse. See over 90 different varieties of poinsettias, as part of the 2025 Poinsettia Cultivar Trial--and vote for your favorites!
Need gift ideas?! Click here to check out our Holiday Shopping Gift Guide!
SPORTS & OUTDOOR
Colorado State University Rams
The football and volleyball seasons have come to a close, but there are still plenty of Rams sports that deserve your attention! The women's basketball are off to a hot 7-1 start and have three home games (Utah, Dec. 4th; Southern Utah, Dec. 7th; Utah State, Dec. 20th) at Moby Arena in December. Similarly, the men's hoops team has started 6-2 and have four home games at Moby Arena, starting with a big one against in-state rival Colorado on Dec. 6th. After, they play Dartmouth (Dec. 9th), Northern New Mexico (Dec. 14th), and Nevada (Dec. 30th).
Leisure
The annual Onesie Dash and Lighting of The Village (Dec. 6th) up in Red Feather Lakes is a fun tradition in the mountains! Runners/Walkers don their cutest onesie pajamas for a quick 1 mile dash at 3:30pm, followed by hot cocoa and s'mores at The Tavern from 3:30-4:45pm, Christmas caroling to The Village for The Lighting of The Village and visits with Santa from 4:45 to 6:30pm and back to The Tavern for a fun pajama party with The Whiskey Pickles at Marr's Mountain Cabins & Tavern!
Also on Dec. 6th is The Sweaty Sweater 5K at Front Range Community College. This is an event for everyone, whether you are walking with friends, running for an award or even prancing towards the finish line for beer and hot chocolate.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
Get your dance on with NoCo Swing Dance's The Roaring Twenties New Years Eve Ball at the Agave Room at The Rio. The Bas Bleu Theatre is hosting an Opera NYE Soiree that includes an audience toast on stage!
If you want to head more into mountains then think about The Mish's Tumbledown Shack New Year's Eve Celebration along the Poudre Canyon. Just north in Red Feather Lakes, the Marr's Mountain Cabins & Tavern are putting on a 70's themed NYE Party at the Tavern!
At the Aggie Theatre, there will be Daft Disko, a French house and disco party, to finish off the year!
The Pedersen Toyota New Year’s Eve Extreme Rodeo Challenge is back and will ring in the New Year at Blue Arena on December 31! The event will return with rodeo events including Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, Bull Riding, Bull Fighting, and the fan-favorite, Mutton-Bustin’. You don't want to miss this one!
Run out the old year, and welcome the new! Now in its 42nd year, the Resolution Run is a family-friendly, neighborhood streets 5K starting & finishing at the Edora Pool Ice Center.
