From May 1 to May 9, 2026, Downtown Fort Collins will come alive with creativity, culture, and excitement as it hosts the much-anticipated fifth annual Art Week. This vibrant celebration brings nine days of immersive experiences, captivating performances, and unforgettable inspiration in historic Old Town.
Art Week is continuing to grow, with more ways to get involved and new opportunities to evolve each year. The foundation built by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is now being carried forward by the Fort Collins Mural Project (a local arts nonprofit), with the DDA still supporting through sponsorship and cross-promotion to help celebrate our local arts culture. Many of the folks who helped shape Art Week Fort Collins from the beginning are still involved, and excitement is building around bringing an even bigger, more connected Art Week to Fort Collins.
Get ready as our lively arts and culture scene comes to life all across Downtown. From vibrant, year-round public art to hands-on experiences that spark your creativity, this is your chance to explore, experience, and create something of your own.
Bring your friends and family. With fiber arts, film, murals, workshops, to live performances and everything between there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Explore. Experience. Create. Nine days. One unforgettable finale: The FCMP 10x10 Exhibition, live music, art silent auction & more! Visit the Art Week webpage here, to see the full schedule of art activities!
Explore
In perfect fashion, the Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk™ kicks off Art Week on Friday, May 1st. This free monthly self-guided walking tour celebrates creativity, culture, and community in the heart of the city. From fine art to funky and eclectic styles, Art Walk showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions designed to entertain and engage art lovers and casual participants of all ages and backgrounds.
There are a few more self-guided tours available during the week including, Sculptures in the Square, Arts in Public Places Public Art Map, Art Tour for Music Lovers, FCMP Mural Tour, and more!
For more of a structure, join these ticketed options.
May 5 | 10:30 AM | Public Art Walking Tour | ages 12+
May 6 | 10:00 AM | Super Tour! History, Murals and Public Art Downtown | age 12+
Looking for a way to interact more?! Compete in the Art Week Scavenger Hunt, which takes place over the course of Art Week! Pick up your card at the Visit Fort Collins welcome center for the journey! A completed card earns an entry to prizes at the FCMP 10x10 Exhibition on May 9.
Experience
How do you experience art? Well, the Art Week most likely has you covered! For the nine-day stretch, there are ticketed and free options of events including: plays, drag, yoga, story swaps, concerts, artist talks, comedy, film, shopping, networking, meditation, trivia, and more!
The Lyric is hosting Comedy Nite with Ryan Conner, a Top-10 finalist on the most recent season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, on May 7. Film fans should circle May 8th's Creta Alta Film Tour, also at The Lyric, on their calendar if they want to experience a climate change documentary. The author of "Travel with Intention" will talk meaningful tourism on May 7 at the Global Village Museum of Arts & Cultures. There are dozens of other options too! See the schedule below, but also be sure to visit the Art Week webpage here for more up-to-date activities.
TICKETED EXPERIENCES:
May 1-9th Showtimes | Debut Theatre Company’s production of “the Odyssey” at the Lincoln Center | all ages
May 2 | 12:00 PM | Magic Rat - Film Showcase Season 2 | Future Frames Student Showcase w/ the Boys & Girls Club | all ages
May 2 | 11:00 AM | Drag Brunch at The Lyric | all ages
May 3 | 2:00 PM | Craft N Act Community Theatre @ The Lyric | all ages
May 4 | 8:00 AM | FoCo Fringe Full Line-up ticket drop! | all age ranges
May 5 | 5:30 PM | Yoga at MoA | ages 18+
May 6 | 6:00 PM | Residency Concert w/ Jill S at Wolverine (suggested donation $15-20)
May 7 | 6:30 PM | Story Swap w/ Megan Rice | ages 18+
May 7 | 7:00 PM | Artist talk with Zanny Merullo author of “Travel with Intention” | All ages
May 7 | 8:00 PM | Comedy Nite w/ Ryan Conner | ages 18+
May 8 | 8:00 PM | Cresta Alta Film Tour | ages 3+
May 8 | 7:30 PM | Sound Journey: Rest, Receive, Renew | ages 8+
May 9 | 10:00 AM | Compass Comic Con | all ages
FREE EXPERIENCES: Check links to reserve a spot!
May 1-9th and beyond | Inside Out Art Takeover at Foothills Mall w/ Artist Talk 5/9 @ 2:00 PM | all ages
May 1 | 5:00 PM | Petrichor Collective Art Storm on Old Town Square | All ages
May 1 | 5:00 PM | Smokestack Pottery Sale | Kid-friendly - guardian required
May 1 | 7:00 PM | Launch party & reading for the 2026 edition of SpeakOut! | all ages
May 2 | 10:00 AM | Weekend Toons @ The Lyric | all ages
May 2 | 11:00 AM | Smokestack Pottery Sale | Kid-friendly - guardian required
May 2 | 3:00 PM | Method to the Madness Artist Talk w/ Gina Blickenstaff | Kid-friendly - guardian required
May 3 | 10:00 AM | Weekend Toons @ The Lyric | all ages
May 3 | 11:00 AM | MoD Free Day & Autism Resource Fair | all ages
May 3 | 4:00 PM | FoCo Artists Happy Hour Social @ Wolverine | Kid-friendly - guardian required
May 4 | 12:00 PM | Mural in Progress: Rocky Mountain Equality Mural @ Equinox by Shiv Tuck | all ages
May 4 | 6:00 PM | Meditation Circle at Petrichor Collective | ages 18+
May 4 | 6:00 PM | Open Mic at The Lyric | Kid friendly - guardian required
May 4 | 9:00 PM | There Will be Gore at The Lyric | ages 18+
May 5 | 7:00 PM | Karaoke Club @ The Lyric | All ages - guardian required
May 6 | 12:00 PM | Shine On by Sound Affects @ The Lyric | all ages, ADA Accessible, & Dementia Friendly
May 6 | 6:00 PM | Art Night & Community Food Swap at Petrichor Collective | ages 18+
May 6 | 6:00 PM | FoCoMA Music Trivia @ The Lyric | all ages
May 6 | 8:00 PM | Wild Card Wednesdays @ The Lyric | ages 18+
May 7 | 4:00 PM | Creative Foundations workshop "Art Works Better Together!" | ages 18+
May 8 | 5:30 PM | Bright Side Artist’s Reception | all ages
May 8 | 6:00 PM | Art in the Age of Unrest: Panel Discussion & Mixer | all ages
May 8 | 6:00 PM | Community, Cumbia and Cinco de Mayo Workshop & Fundraiser! | all ages & levels welcome
May 8 | 8:00 PM | Crescent City at Magic Rat | ages 18+
May 9 | 2:30 PM | Treats for Two: A Mother’s Day Chocolate Tasting| all ages
May 9 | 3:30 PM | Circus on the Square w/ Live Beyond Limit | Kid friendly - waiver required
May 9 | Janet J Else Center Open House | all ages
Create
Time to give art a try yourself! Throughout the week, there will be plenty of free and ticketed workshops to tap into your creative side! From watercolor to painting to mending to writing to more! See the schedule below, but also be sure to check the Art Week webpage here.
TICKETED WORKSHOPS:
May 2 | 1:00 PM | FCMP Wheat Paste Workshop sponsored by the City of Fort Collins | ages 10+
May 2 | 1:00 PM | Printmaking Open Studio with Dara Weyna @ Radish | ages 18+
May 3 | 1:00 PM | Botanical Watercolor with Shannon Mack | ages 18+
FREE WORKSHOPS: Check links to reserve a spot!
May 2 *| 10:00 AM | Make & Mend w/ the Avenir Museum | all ages
May 2 | 11:00 AM | Paint your own Flower Frog w/ Macey Boren | Kid-friendly with guardian required
May 3 | 11:00 AM | Join the Arty Party! Watercolor Bookmarks with Jenn Snow | Kid-friendly with guardian required
May 4 | 6:00 PM | Dead Pen Drawing Club at Wolverine | all ages
May 4 | 6:00 PM | Tight Knit Fiber Club at Wolverine | all ages
May 5 | 6:00 PM | ARTE AMATE: Celebrate the Rich Tradition of Mexican Folk Art | Kid-friendly with guardian required
May 5 | 6:00 PM | Gulo Gulo Writing at Wolverine | ages 18+
May 7 | ALL DAY | Plein Air Art-making Marathon! | ages 12+
May 7 | 6:00 PM | Let Your Voice be Seen: Protest Sign Workshop with Colby Beutel | Kid-friendly with guardian required
May 8 | 4:00 PM | Silver Grain Society (Film, Photography Guild) at Petrichor Collective | ages 18+
May 9 | 10:00 AM | Comaking/Open Studio w Niki Hale @ Radish | ages 18+
May 9 | 3:30 PM | Paint with your Pup w/ Top Dog | Kid friendly - dog friendlier
Celebrate
End Art Week in style with the FC Mural Project 10x10 Exhibition on Saturday, May 9th from 6:30 pm-10 pm at the Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center! The event includes a silent auction of 10x10 wooden board art pieces crafted from local artists along with live music, a photo booth, refreshments, and more!
Art Week Fort Collins is led by the Fort Collins Mural Project and sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority. This event wouldn’t be possible without the incredible partners who have stepped up to help bring the arts to the community. For more information, go to the Art Week webpage here.
