Although we can’t gather in large crowds at events and festivals this May due to COVID-19, there are several ways to stay connected to our communities during this time. We scoured the Internet to find a variety of virtual Northern Colorado events happening throughout the month, from concerts to auctions and tours to storytime.
Some are one-time events you’ll need to set a reminder for and others are ongoing opportunities to stay active and entertained (and many have play-back capabilities, which means you can watch or rewatch it at your convenience!).
Put on your fanciest loungewear and mark your calendar for these virtual events this May in Fort Collins, Loveland and beyond!
Museum of Art Fort Collins 16th Annual Masks Exhibition + Online Auction
May 6–June 28, 2020
In 2020, we need masks more than ever before. The annual Masks auction at the Museum of Art Fort Collins will take place online this year. The annual exhibition is a crowd favorite that over the years has raised more than $1.6 million dollars to support the museum’s mission. During that time, Masks artists, most of whom live in Northern Colorado, have designed and donated over 2,750 masks. You can register, bid on and see all Masks here. And you can make a donation to the Museum of Art Fort Collins to help them bridge the gap between when the last visitor came through their doors to the day they welcome their first visitors back.
Michael Kirkpatrick Virtual Concerts
May 7, 14, 21 + 28, 2020
Fort Collins artist Michael Kirkpatrick is known for his theatrical presentation and unique combination of original Americana, rock and folk. Every Thursday at 8 p.m. MST, he hosts a virtual concert on Facebook live, sometimes accompanied by a musical guest. The performances are free but his virtual tip jar is always open (Venmo: @kirkpatrick-music).
Night on the Town
May 8, 2020
Loveland’s beloved Night on the Town event is going virtual! This is a wonderful opportunity to have some fun and continue to support the small businesses in downtown Loveland. Hop on to the Downtown Loveland Facebook Page on Friday, May 8 as artists go live in their studios, breweries host virtual happy hours, and band videos are posted for some at-home entertainment. Take it the next level by ordering takeout or delivery from your favorite downtown restaurant and shopping online at downtown retailer websites.
Teaching Tree’s 50th Birthday Gala + Auction
May 8–15, 2020
Teaching Tree is a nonprofit organization providing hundreds of working families in Larimer County with affordable, high-quality child care. Each year, Teaching Tree hosts one of the largest nonprofit silent auctions in Northern Colorado. They’re continuing this tradition with a virtual event in celebration of the organization’s 50th birthday! The virtual auction will take place May 8-15. Community members can support Teaching Tree’s school readiness program, staff, families, and kids by getting in on the bidding fun! See the Virtual Auction here.
Common Grounds: A Lot Can Happen Over a Cup of Coffee
May 12 + 26, 2020
The Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a chat over coffee with elected officials every other Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. on Facebook. Join in on this great opportunity to interact with community leaders in Greeley and stay connected on the most current issues and positive solutions impacting our community. Keep up with this repeating event on the Facebook event page.
Ope-RUN-ational Virtual Half Marathon
May 15, 2020
If your race got cancelled or postponed — sign up for the 2020 Ope-RUN-ation Virtual Half Marathon to keep moving! Starting on May 15, participants can register for the race, which can be completed at any time, and either in increments or the 13.1 miles all at once. You will receive a race packet with a finisher’s medal, five distance incremental pins, and an official Tyvek race bib. The benefiting organization for the 2020 Ope-RUN-ation Virtual Half Marathon is Direct Relief, an organization that focuses on providing PPE to healthcare workers.
Fort Collins Virtual Foodie Tour
May 15, 2020
Downtown Fort Collins is hosting a virtual edition of the Fort Collins Foodie Walk, which usually takes place on the third Friday of each month. That means you can “educate your tastebuds” right from the comfort of your home whenever you want, with ideas for quarantine cocktails from Rocky Mountain Olive Oil to cranberry oat bars from The Cupboard — and so much more. Click here to take a virtual tour of Fort Collins’ tastiest businesses!
Canine Companion Consulting Nail It Webinar
May 15, 2020
Did you adopt a dog during this time? Now’s the perfect time to start training, and you can do it from the comfort of your home! Canine Companion Consulting is a dog training company in Fort Collins “training dogs, one human at a time.” They are offering a variety of online training courses, plus a webinar on the 15th to teach you how to help your dog to not fear nail trims. It will also teach you how to trim your dog’s nails with a partner or help your dog to not be fearful when going to a pet professional for a nail trim. You will understand more about how canines think, ultimately improving the relationship between you and your canine companion!
ONGOING EVENTS
High Plains Environmental Center Native Plant Sale
Ongoing (Pickup: May 2, 16 + 30)
Photo Courtesy of High Plains Environmental Center
High Plains Environmental Center is hosting their Native Plant Sale online this year! That means you can shop from more than 100 species in 3.5-inch pots that are native to Colorado and are grown in their onsite nursery — all from the comfort of your home throughout the month. Schedule a time for curbside pickup on May 2, 16 or 30 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Browse the selection of native plants here!
Windsor Parks & Recreation Virtual Classes
Ongoing
Windsor Parks & Recreation has been hosting virtual workout classes, including Zumba, yoga, cardio, bootcamp and more, on Zoom. Follow them on Facebook to keep up with the latest offerings and stay moving with the help of Windsor residents and fitness instructors!
Loveland Public Library Events
Ongoing
Loveland Public Library is hosting a number of virtual events, including knitting and crocheting classes, plus virtual book clubs and other literary happenings. Follow along on Facebook to mark your calendars for the next virtual event!
Clearview Library District Events
Ongoing
The Clearview Library District is making sure kids in Windsor and Severance stay connected and entertained through virtual storytimes, crafts, classes and other activities! Follow the library on Facebook for a full list of upcoming events.
High Plains Library District Events
Ongoing
High Plains Library District is keeping our kids reading and learning with classes and storytime, including Virtual Storytime With Tim, delivered on Facebook live six days a week! Follow the library on Facebook to see all the offerings in May.
Estes Valley Library Storytime
Ongoing
Estes Valley Library is hosting regular live videos on their Facebook page, sharing storytime for kids and classes for adults, and is keeping everyone entertained and educated with various photo challenges and other resources.
Fort Collins Recreator Workout Classes
Ongoing
From virtual fitness classes to activities for kids, and virtual markets to Coffee With Bob, Fort Collins Recreator is an excellent source for staying active and informed during this time. Follow them on Facebook for the latest!
Virtual Storytime With Poudre River Public Library District
Ongoing
The Poudre River Public Library District Facebook page is filled with activity, including virtual storytimes, like Read Along with a Community Helper, in which a helper from the community reads a story on YouTube. You can also help them reach their goal of 100,000+ monthly digital downloads!
Fort Collins Symphony Tiny Concerts
Ongoing
The Fort Collins Symphony has created a series of “Tiny Concerts” in an effort to keep them playing through their campaign, Keep Us Playing. Watch tiny concerts from their collection of performances and donate to KUP here.
Celebrate From Your Couch!
Sure, event-going may look different during a pandemic. But we hope these virtual events brighten your day!
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