September in Fort Collins is filled with fun concerts, great shows, and plenty of events and fall festivals, all of which deserve a coveted spot on your calendar. Here’s a look at the month ahead:
Festivals and Events
Sept. 7: Rist Canyon Mountain Fest
The Rist Canyon Mountain Festival is the annual fundraiser for the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. Come rain or shine, this one-day event features a full day’s lineup of entertainment and activities for the entire family. Stop by Sept. 7 between 10am - 4pm. FREE admission, parking, tractor-pulled hayride shuttle to/from the parking area (handicapped parking area available), musical entertainment, large kid’s activity area, farm animals, educational booths and demonstrations, and free ice cream.
September 21: Poudre Landmarks Foundation's 40th Annual Historic Homes Tour
Join the Poudre Landmarks Foundation for the 40th Anniversary of the Fort Collins Historic Homes Tour. As a special for their 40th year, there will be ten properties featured on this year's tour. Five private residential homes and five cherished historic properties will open their doors for tours. The event will be held Saturday, September 21 from 10am until 4pm. As an added bonus, the Fort Colins Trolley will operate with free fares courtesy of the Downtown Development Authority. Grab your tickets today!
Sept. 21-22: Zwei Brewing’s 10th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration
Slip on those lederhosen and dirndls, dust off your hats and boots, and quench your Märzen thirst! Zwei Brewing will be hosting its 10th annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 21-22, starting at 11am on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday. Catch live music and taste some delicious European cuisine provided by Pierogies Factory, Wild Brats and On Tap Pretzels. Of course - Zweri's Märzen (Oktoberfest) will be tapping on this day too! The event takes place at 4612 S Mason St #120, Fort Collins.
Sept. 28-29: Northern Colorado Mountain Bike Festival
Join Overland Mountain Bike Association for a full day of fun celebrating mountain bikes! The Northern Colorado Mountain Bike Festival takes place Sept. 28 - 29, starting at 9am both days. Attractions include a poker ride and demo bikes! All events take place at Lory State Park. Learn more here!
The Performing Arts: Theater and Live Shows
The Lincoln Center
At The Lincoln Center this month, you'll find all types of comedy! From a Night of Magic and Comedy to Mark Normand, to multiple nights of the show "Monsters, In-Laws, and Trust Exercises", make sure to get to The Lincoln Center this month. Check out their full schedule for more information and to purchase tickets.
Summertime Outdoor Movies
The Holiday Twin Drive-In, one of seven drive-in movie lots left in Colorado, hosts drive-in movies. Catch a flick at Fort Collins' classic Holiday Twin Drive-In by checking their calendar for the full lineup. The Lyric also hosts summer outdoor movies like Twilight on Sept. 13 and Everything Everywhere All At once on Sept. 20.
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 September. With a combination of free and paid shows, you're sure to find something you like! Be sure to hit Socks in the Frying Pan on Sept. 13 or the free FoCo Funk Jam on Sept. 25. 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 Shakedown Street, The Longest Johns and Mike Love & The Full Circle with Cas Haley and Sound Destroyer.
Tunes 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 The Disco Biscuits and Haley Heynderickx this month! The Armory is a more intimate 200-person capacity venue with state-of-the-art acoustics. Julian Lage takes the stage on Sept. 17 and Talisk will be playing Sept. 24. Check out the full line up at the Bohemian Live Music website.
Bohemian Nights presents Thursday Night Live
This weekly summer's series concludes Sept. 5th with local band Write Minded. Be sure to get this last taste of summer on the outdoor stage in Fort Collins' Old Town Square from 7 to 9pm.
Music at The Mish
The iconic Mishawaka Amphitheatre (called “The Mish” by locals) is a bucket-list venue in Poudre Canyon with a busy lineup this month. The Disco Biscuits take the stage on Sept. 7 and 8 and Papadosio will play Sept. 20 and 21. Find all the shows here.
Rhythms at the 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.
Other Can't Miss Events
Live Comedy at The Comedy Fort
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. Be sure to catch Chris Turner at the end of the month!
First Friday Art WalkTM
Put your walking shoes on and head out on the First Friday Art WalkTM on September 6th! 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 WalkTM 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!
Ram Talks at the Fort Collins Welcome Center
Join us at the new Fort Collins Welcome Center on Wednesday, 9/4 and Wednesday, 9/18 from 5-6:30pm for our new speaker series "Ram Talks". We are super excited to present this series that will be a mashup of Colorado State University expertise and active community conversation, unleashing the creative insights and eye-opening shakeup that comes from taking a fresh look at the world around us. Bring your curiosity and energy and spend every 1st and 3rd Wednesday evening with us! Click on the links below for the full event details.
9/4 Ram Talk with Jeni Cross: "Hidden Hurdles"
9/18 Ram Talk with George Wittemyer: "Elephant Names"