Let’s all heave a collective sigh as we realize August has officially arrived. Hopefully your summer has already been jam packed with festivals and food trucks, but we’re not giving up on our long summer days just yet.
To finish strong, we’ve found 24 events happening in Northern Colorado this month. That leaves a week’s worth of days open for camping, cruising through a few more bike trails, and sneaking in those last brewery tours before everyone goes back to school and our days get shorter.
Get your hiking boots and beer tasters ready as we jump into August.
The Week of August 1-7
Al-Andalus: An Evening of Spanish Food, Wine and Dance
Friday, August 5 & 6, 7 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Ruminate Barn
Price: $25 for children / $35 for adults
Choreographer, Alicia Laumann, along with seven other dancers from Colorado Mesa University and Canyon Concert Ballet will premiere their new contemporary dance piece, “Al-Andalus” at Ruminate Barn in Fort Collins. The dance traces the roots of Flamenco dance in Spain. Spanish cheeses and homemade bread from The Welsh Rabbit, locally grown organic fruits and vegetables from Dudley Creek Farm, and Spanish sangria will all be provided with purchase of a ticket.
Larimer County Fair and Rodeo
Friday, August 5 – Tuesday, August 9
Location: Loveland, Budweiser Events Center
Price: $17 each day
Stocked full with cows, rabbits, alpacas, dog shows and more, The Larimer County Fair and Rodeo is always a must-see! Most of the entertainment, including Cinema Under the Stars and a pancake breakfast, is complimentary with purchase of a ticket. However, additional tickets for the Dog & Pony Show, Carnival Americana and the Gnarly Barley Brew Festival are available for added fun. Tickets for all events can be purchased in advance here.
Gnarly Barley Brew Festival
Saturday August 6, 1 p.m.
Location: Loveland, Budweiser Events Center
Price: $21
Photo courtesy of Gnarly Barley Brew Festival
Tickets to the Gnarly Barley Brew Festival include a sampling mug and ten sampling tokens, with additional price options for groups and for the designated driver. Entertainment includes live music, samplings from 32 different craft breweries, and a home brew competition. Last year’s People’s Choice Winner was Loveland Aleworks! Make sure you get to the festival and cast your vote! Tickets are more expensive at the gate so buy them in advance here.
Pets ‘N’ Popsicles
Friday, August 5 – Sunday August 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Greeley, Centennial Village Museum
Price: $2 per person
Pets ‘N’ Popsicles is returning to Greeley for the third year in a row with a lower admission price. Admission includes pony rides Friday through Saturday and a popsicle every day of the week. Bring the whole family along and picnic amongst the ducks, rabbits, goats, sheep and turkeys!
Beers, Bacon and Bicycles Festival
Saturday August 6, 12 – 6 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, William Oliver’s Publick House
Price: $25 for ages 21+
Photo courtesy of William Oliver’s Publick House
William Oliver’s Publick House is hosting Fort Collins’ first annual Beers, Bacon and Bicycles Festival. Bacon themed food will be provided by William Oliver’s and a few other vendors. Tickets include beer and food tokens with more tokens available for purchase and anyone under 21 is admitted for free, so bike down to the pub on Saturday and celebrate beers, bacon and bicycles!
We Knit Colorado
Saturday, August 6, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Club Tico
Price: $65
We Knit Colorado is hosting a full day knitting retreat with lunch and a goodie bag included. The day will be packed with yarn and knitting activities: a knit-a-long, tutorials, prizes and a market with local artists creations. Get all your yarn-loving friends together, register and start knitting!
Garden a’Fare Wine Tour with Blue Skies Winery
Saturday, August 6, 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Gardens on Spring Creek
Price: $75
Photos courtesy of Friends of Gardens on Spring Creek
The Garden a’Fare Wine Tour is a culinary pairing event set in the middle of the botanic gardens. The event features a modern dinner prepared by local chefs and is made with produce grown on site in the Garden of Eatin’. The evening will also include local music and a silent auction, and guests will leave with a complimentary tasting glass. This wine dinner is the first in a pair of culinary events; a similar beer dinner will be held on August 27 (more info below). Purchase tickets here.
Art in the Square
Saturday, August 6 & 7, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Old Town Square
Price: Free
Photos courtesy of City of Fort Collins / Grant Smith
Old Town will be packed with fine art, showcasing local talent and handcrafted goods with everything from photography to glasswork. There will also be free live music and family events so bring the whole crew along!
Comedy Brewers Improv
Sunday, August 7, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Bas Bleu Theatre Company
Price: $10 in advance / $15 at the door
The first of five shows playing through the end of the year, Comedy Brewers is a group of six improvisation performers putting on the most versatile show in Fort Collins. The shows are family friendly and group tickets are discounted, so bring everyone along for a night of laughter.
Caffeine Crawl
Sunday, August 7
Location: Fort Collins, varying routes
Price: $28
Photo courtesy of Bindle Coffee
This year’s Caffeine Crawl includes 17 local coffee shops, teahouses, chocolatiers and juiceries, many of whom were included in our Best Coffee Shops list. There are four overlapping routes to choose from, two walking and two driving or biking. Each stop includes a demonstration and samples. You can even end the day with a complimentary cocktail or beer because each ticket comes with a free Fort Collins Passport! Buy tickets and choose your route here.
The Week of August 8 – 14
DDA Movie Night
Tuesday, August 9, 8:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Old Town Square
Price: Free
The last DDA Movie Night of the summer is set for August 9. Happy Feet will be projected from the plaza stage in the heart of Old Town. This event is free—just bring blankets, snacks and a few friends!
South African Wine Tasting
Thursday, August 11, 5:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Downtown Artery
Price: $40
Photos courtesy of Uhambo
This fun event includes dancers, drummers, arts, crafts, South African wine and food. A trained sommelier will give a presentation on wine pairing. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations go to local non-profit Uhambo, which helps disabled children and adults in South Africa.
Artists’ Day in the Field
Friday, August 12, 9 a.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
Price: Free
Artists of all levels 12 years and older are welcome to hike the Towhee Trail, about an hour outside Fort Collins, and sketch or paint the surrounding wildlife and scenery. This easy hike takes approximately three hours and artists are encouraged to bring their own art supplies. This event is free, but registration is required. Find more events and registration information here.
Skygazing
Friday, August 12, 8:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Fossil Creek Reservoir
Price: Free
On the night of the Perseid Meteor Shower, join the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society for a night of stargazing. Telescopes will be provided as well as education on planets, stars and galaxies, all of which you’ll be able to see! Find more events and a registration link here.
Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest
Friday, August 12 – Sunday, August 14
Location: Downtown Fort Collins
Price: Free
This year’s Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest features an all-Colorado line-up with various local bands and well-known headliners like DeVotchKa and The Fray. The annual music festival covers nearly all genres for all age groups and interests, including a kids’ centered Kids’ Music Adventure stage. With six different stages and more than 80 different bands, the entire weekend will be filled with entertainment and music! Click here for the complete line-up, show times and stage locations.
Sculpture in the Park
Saturday, August 13 – Sunday, August 14
Location: Loveland, Benson Sculpture Garden
Price: $7
Loveland’s Sculpture in the Park is the largest outdoor juried show and sale in the United States—and this year is no exception! Take a walk through the park and admire the artwork on display from more than 150 artists. Not only will there be finished pieces available for purchase, but many artists work on unfinished pieces on site, allowing you to watch how their creations unfold. Children under 14 are admitted for free, so bring the entire family and walk away feeling inspired!
Photo courtesy of Sculpture in the Park
The Week of August 15 – 21
Adult Night Walk
Wednesday, August 17, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Reservoir Ridge Natural Area
Price: Free
Explore Reservoir Ridge after dark with a Master Naturalist in a quieter, adult only atmosphere. No flashlights are needed as it is the night just before a full moon. This event is followed up by a Family Night Walk the next evening, Thursday, August 18. More nature events and registration for the Adult Night Walk can be found here.
Old Fashioned Corn Roast Festival
Friday, August 19 – Saturday, August 20
Location: Loveland
Price: Free
This free annual event includes a parade, corn shucking and corn eating contests, as well as live music and all the corn you can eat. Roasted and boiled corn and items from various vendors will be available for purchase throughout the whole festival.
Three Forks Progressive Farm Dinner
Sunday, August 21, 5 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins
Price: $60
Photos courtesy of Fortified Collaborations
On Sunday night, join Fortified Collaborations on a three mile bike ride through Wooly Goat and Hope farms. Each location will have farm fresh food, local beer and activities. Proceeds benefit The Growing Project. Get more information and buy tickets in advance here.
The Week of August 22 – 28
Native Plant Gardening
Monday, August 23, 6 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Nix Farm
Price: Free
Looking for garden inspiration? Take a free guided tour through Nix Farm Native Plant Garden on Monday evening to learn best practices and growing needs for Colorado native plants. You’ll even leave with seeds to plant your own garden! Registration is required and more information can be found here.
Awesome Toss’Em Cornhole Festival
Friday, August 27, 1 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Civic Center Park
Price: $80 for a two person team
Admission to this cornhole championship event includes two beers per person and lunch. The winning team gets free beer for a year! There will be live music, craft beer and food available all day, as well as a costume contest. Proceeds benefit Turning Point. Get your tickets here! Additional donations and various pricing options are available.
Garden a’Fare Beer Tour with Odell Brewing
Friday, August 27, 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Gardens on Spring Creek
Price: $55
Photos courtesy of Friends of Gardens on Spring Creek
The second of two Garden a’Fare August events, this beer pairing dinner will include music, silent auction, tapas and a free tasting glass. Eat a chef prepared meal made with produce grown on site in the Garden of Eatin’ in the middle of botanic gardens. Get tickets here.
Fort Collins Comic Con
Friday, August 27 – Sunday, August 28
Location: Fort Collins, Northside Aztlan Center
Price: $10-20
This year’s annual Fort Collins Comic Con will be packed with vendors and panels as usual, but will also include a Nerd Prom–as well as a separate Teen Nerd Prom and Introvert Nerd Prom–and a Cosplay Costume Contest. Proceeds benefit the Poudre River Public Library District. Tickets can be purchased online here, but they will need to be picked up in person. Children five years old and younger will be admitted for free!
Front Range Rally at the Farmers’ Market
Sunday, August 28, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Loveland, Fairgrounds Park
Price: Free
Photos courtesy of City Star Brewing, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, Farmer Girl and Bedrock BBQ
Front Range Rally, the craft beer and food truck festival, will be at the Loveland Farmers’ Market for the third time this summer. This session will feature City Star Brewing, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, Farmer Girl and Bedrock BBQ, and all proceeds will benefit Food Bank for Larimer County.
Week of August 29-31
Campfire at Nix Farm: Folklore by the Fire
Wednesday, August 31, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Collins, Nix Farm
Price: Free
Spend an educational evening around a campfire listening to centuries old tales suitable for all ages. Bring your own chairs and blankets, but s’mores will be provided for free. A list of more nature events as well as registration for the campfire can be found here.
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