To find 2019 holiday events, check out our updated event guide here.
In Northern Colorado, the holiday season is made festive with picturesque blankets of snow, strings of lights through our charming downtowns and plenty of community events to ring in the season. From handmade shopping festivals to sing-along concert experiences and even a few snowy run/walk events — there is something for everyone in Fort Collins and Loveland.
This year, we’re celebrating the 25 days of Christmas with 27 holiday events for the whole family. Some are free, some are ticketed, but they’re all filled with merriment and holiday cheer. Enjoy!
Winter Wonderlights | Loveland
November 18 – January 7, 5 – 9 p.m. at the Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra
Throughout the entire holiday season, Loveland’s annual celebration of music, lights and entertainment will be available nightly with special weekend programming on Saturdays and Sundays. Amongst the holiday string lights, twinkling bulbs, LED mappable snowflakes, illuminated African stone sculptures and the only 20’ LED mappable Christmas Tree in the state, you can explore the inflatable igloo, shop weekend food and retail vendors and watch exceptional performances. The event is free, just bring a canned food donation for Larimer County Food Bank! For full details, click here.
Winter Makers Market | Fort Collins
November 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at New Belgium Brewing
New Belgium is ringing in the holiday season with the perfect gift buying opportunity! Join as family and friends in the community shop handmade goods from local Colorado makers. There will be over 35 vendors in the Liquid Center & Brewhouse with live music by Chris Dismuke from 1 – 3 p.m.!
Holiday Artisan Market | Fort Collins
November 24 + 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Fort Collins Senior Center
In the days after Thanksgiving, the Holiday Artisan Market returns to Fort Collins. Free and open to the public, the whole family can join thousands of shoppers and more than 100 artisans selling handmade creations — from sweet treats to scarves and everything in between!
FACE Holiday Concert | Fort Collins
November 24, 7 p.m. at The Lincoln Center
We always look forward to the days FACE Vocal Band returns to Fort Collins with their unique all-vocal rock. On Black Friday, they’ll be rocking the Lincoln Center with holiday-themed sounds for the whole family. Tickets are between $26 and $36 and we recommend purchasing in advance here.
A Christmas Show with Vi Wickam and Friends | Loveland
November 25, 7 p.m. at The Rialto Theater Center
From classical to blues, and jazz to old-time fiddle, Vi and his band of merry music makers will fill the Rialto with merriment on November 25. With special guest Paul Chet alongside Northern Colorado’s finest musicians, you won’t be able to stop yourself from singing along and tapping your foot to holiday favorites! Buy tickets here.
Loveland’s Annual Holiday Sing-Along | Loveland
November 26, 2 p.m. at The Rialto Theater Center
Loveland’s own Sharon Sheets is leading this audience participation event at The Rialto on November 26. Tickets are free, so come by to enjoy hot drinks and sweet treats as you celebrate the season with classic and contemporary holiday tunes!
2017 Festival of Lights | Loveland
November 29, 5 – 8 p.m. in Downtown Loveland
With the streets awash in lights and color (and likely snow as well), this is the perfect way to kick off your holiday cheer! The tree lighting ceremony will take place in the Rialto Theater Square at 6 p.m. followed by Santa’s countdown, Father Time, free carriage rides and a tree decorating competition. Then, head inside the Rialto to warm up and watch their Three Holiday Animated Shorts!
Parade of Lights Preview | Fort Collins
November 30, 6 p.m. at University Center for the Arts
Photo courtesy of CSU Marching Band
On Friday, December 1, the CSU Marching Band is returning to the 9NEWS Parade of Lights in Downtown Denver. But on November 30, we get a hometown preview around the University Center for the Arts! This is a free event so just bring your family, your warm clothes and your cheer!
Christmas Magic: A Holiday Concert | Loveland
November 30, 7 p.m. at The Rialto Theater Center
Presented by Dave Villano Music and special guest Dave Beegle, the 7th annual Christmas Magic concert is returning to Loveland this holiday season! Join as Dave Villano and 10 of Colorado’s top musicians fill the theater with traditional, Celtic and contemporary holiday music. Tickets range in price from $10 – $25 and you can get yours here.
Holiday Spectacular | Fort Collins
November 30, 7 p.m. + December 3, 4 p.m. at Griffin Concert Hall
This annual musical celebration is coming to Griffin Concert Hall two nights this season! On November 30 and December 3, you can come for performances by CSU ensembles and other special guests as they play traditional and modern holiday music for all ages. Proceeds benefit students in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance in the form of scholarships and other support so buy your tickets ($10 – $22) for November’s or December’s show.
First Friday Gallery Walk | Fort Collins
December 1, 6 – 9 p.m. in Old Town Fort Collins
The First Friday Gallery Walk happens once a month throughout the year, but the festive December event is a great opportunity for holiday shoppers to support local galleries and artists! Featuring 15 galleries and art-minded shops displaying new exhibits, you can stop in for refreshments or simply bask in the works of our talented local creators while the lights shine in Old Town.
Garden of Lights | Fort Collins
December 1 – January 7, 5 – 9 p.m. at The Gardens on Spring Creek
Open every evening December 1 through January 7 — including Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s — this local holiday attraction has become a favorite in the NoCo community. The gardens, flower beds, sculptures, ponds and cornfields will be lit by hundreds of thousands of LED lights. And during the weekends, you can visit with Santa, listen to holiday music, make seasonal crafts and enjoy warm drinks!
Nutcracker with a Twist | Fort Collins
December 1 – 3, various times at Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre
Featuring Mountain Dance Company, Peak Dance Company, Elevation Dance Company and Tip Top performance groups as well as students from all levels and styles of dance classes, Nutcracker with a Twist is a show for all ages. Join as Clara and her sister’s Francine and Marie travel to the magical land of Inspiration showcasing classic ballet dances, hip-hop jams and more. Buy tickets here.
Christmas Chaos: Getting Scrooged | Fort Collins
December 1 – 23, various times at ArtLab 239 Linden Street
Based on A Christmas Carol and A Christmas Story, this holiday story features yuletide pandemonium everyone can enjoy. Interspersed with holiday songs and festive cheer, Christmas Chaos has eight shows between December 1 and 23. Choose your show and buy your tickets here.
Mission to Hope Community Walk | Fort Collins
December 2, 8 a.m. at Catholic Charities Mission
Join as the community comes together on December 2 in support of homelessness awareness at the Fort Collins Murphy Center. Participation options include walking by yourself or with a group, sponsoring the event, making a cash or goods donation and bringing outdoor gear to the walk on Saturday morning. Get full details and buy your tickets here.
A Dickens Dinner | Fort Collins
December 2, 6:30 p.m. at Fort Collins Country Club
The Larimer Chorale is hosting this traditional holiday event complete with a four-course Victorian feast and a full evening of music by the costumed Dickens Carolers. The menu includes a turkey dinner, prime rib with Yorkshire pudding and Flaming Figgy Pudding for dessert. Tickets go quickly so get yours today!
2017 Jingle Bell Run | Loveland
December 3, 9 a.m. at The Ranch Event Complex
The Arthritis Foundation’s original Jingle Bell Run invites runners to get decked out in their holiday best, tie on the jingle bells and jog or walk through Loveland. One hundred percent of proceeds from the event go to charity so register yourself or your team (or just donate!) today.
Big Band Holiday | Loveland
December 3, 3 p.m. at The Rialto Theater Center
Photo courtesy of Rialto Theater Center
After a sellout last year, the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra is returning to the Rialto to swing in the holidays — literally! This show will feature the vocals of Heidi Schmidt, and jazzy songs like Let It Snow and Winter Wonderland, along with Duke Ellington’s Suite from the Nutcracker. Buy tickets today before they sell out.
The Nutcracker with the Fort Collins Symphony | Fort Collins
December 8 – 10, various times at Lincoln Center Performance Hall
For the 2017 holiday season, Canyon Concert Ballet and the Fort Collins Symphony are putting on the 36th annual production of The Nutcracker Ballet. It’s a story you may have heard a dozen times, but in this intimate Lincoln Center setting, it’s a must this Christmas. There are five shows between December 8 and 10, so pick yours and buy tickets online.
A Candlelight Christmas | Fort Collins
December 15 + 16, 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church
The Larimer Chorale is filling FoCo’s First United Methodist Church with surround sound cheer for two nights in a row this season. Along with the signature candle lighting vignette, inspirational readings and poetry you can tap your foot and sing along with the classic holiday songs we’ve come to know and love.
The Many Moods of Christmas | Loveland
December 15 – 17, various times at The Rialto Theater Center
With four shows over three days, The Many Moods of Christmas is a concert presented by Loveland Choral Society and filled with both lighthearted and spiritual songs. At just $18 each, you can buy your tickets online here.
Fort Collins Foodie Walk | Fort Collins
December 15, 5 – 8 p.m. in Old Town Fort Collins
Photo courtesy of Downtown Business Association
A culinary tour of tasty proportions, this foodie event in Downtown Fort Collins goes festive in December. Hop on the self-led walking tour through the neighborhood’s most merry shops where you can get samples and specials and plenty of holiday shopping marked off your list!
The Colorado Makers Market | Fort Collins
December 17, 12 – 5 p.m. at Northside Aztlan Community Center
Founded in 2016, the Colorado Makers Market serves as a space for local vendors and creatives to sell their goods directly to the community. And it’s an excellent place for you to buy holiday gifts while shopping locally! The 2017 event features more than 60 artisan makers and vintage collectors who are all ready to share their passions and their products with you. Follow the market on Facebook to preview some of the local businesses.
Classic Holiday Film Series at the Rialto Theater | Loveland
December 19 – 21, 7 p.m. at The Rialto Theater Center
Three nights in a row, the Rialto Theater is showing White Christmas, Scrooged and It’s a Wonderful Life so you can watch holiday classics with the whole family on the big screen. Buy tickets for one, two or all three and get ready to laugh and cry and cheer!
Seó na Nollag: A Celtic Christmas Celebration | Fort Collins
December 20, 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln Center Performance Hall
Riverdance alumni Martin Percival and Ciara Sexton are performing their annual winter production for the first time in Fort Collins this year. Featuring world-class Irish dancers from around the world, the magical show is coming to the Lincoln Center for one night only. Get your tickets today!
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Fort Collins
December 22, 2 p.m. + 7 p.m. at Lincoln Center Performance Hall
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic Christmas tale that first aired on television over fifty years ago. Now, it comes to life with the whole Peanuts gang right here in Fort Collins for two back-to-back shows on December 22. Buy tickets for the whole family online.
Bells of the Rockies | Loveland
December 22, 7 p.m. at The Rialto Theater Center
In Loveland, this highly skilled handbell ensemble will be ringing in the holidays quite literally. Performing music from sacred to secular, baroque to rock and contemporary to classical, this festive show is the perfect way to celebrate the season. You buy tickets in advance here.
Happy holidays!
If we missed your favorite NoCo holiday event, let us know in the comments below.
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