Downtown Fort Collins images by Colorado State University Photography.
Lively, lovely downtown
Those of us who stay in Fort Collins over the holidays are fortunate to have one of the ten best downtowns in the country (Livability.com) with 80 restaurants, 70 shops, 26 art galleries, as well as numerous microbreweries, parks, and plazas.
LEDs save 90 percent
Colorado State University has joined other official holiday lights sponsors in ensuring that the downtown is being lighted this year.
Thousands of strands of holiday lights illuminate historic downtown Fort Collins this season along Walnut Avenue, Linden Street, Pine Street, Old Town Square, Oak Street Plaza, and Mountain Ave.
The LEDs (which save 90 percent over standard lights) are twinkling in historic downtown now through February 14, 2015 (approximately).
Winter Farmer’s Market
This year the market is celebrating its 9th season in Fort Collins. Come by the Opera Galleria at 123 North College Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 20 for items like fresh produce, beef, poultry, pork, and salmon, prepared foods, baked goods, confections, and pastries, mushrooms, wine and cider, and handmade gifts. The Bohemian Foundation is sponsoring live music at each market!
Lego Master Builders
Join an awesome new LEGO building club and mini-figure swap for ages 4-10! We meet every month on the 3rd Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toys, 111 North College Ave. The next event is on Thursday, Dec. 18!
Story time with Santa
The Downtown Business Association is offering holiday activities for kids to do with Santa this year, including “Story time with Santa,” where Santa reads stories every Thursday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Clothes Pony and Dandelion toys, 111 North College Ave. Upcoming dates are Dec. 11 and 12 and Dec. 18 and 19.
TUBAChristmas
The 7th annual TUBAChristmas will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1-3: p.m. on the Oak Street Plaza located at Oak and College Ave. This is a community brass band of TUBA proportions, directed by Cecil Gutierrez.
First Night Fort Collins
Bundle up and plan to be in downtown Fort Collins on Wednesday, Dec. 31 for First Night Fort Collins. This family-oriented New Year’s Eve celebration is a non-alcoholic, arts-based evening of entertainment that attracts all ages.
This year’s theme, “Follow the Magic,” will showcase international dance, live theater and magic shows, comedy, music and singing, movies in the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater, family-friendly ghost tours, circus performers, puppet choirs, and fireworks (at 10 p.m.).
Downtown walks
First Friday featuring Gallery Walk
(next date is Friday, Jan. 2, 2015)
Downtown Fort Collins Foodie Walk (next date is Friday, Dec. 19)
Free weekend parking
Free Weekend Parking provided by the City of Fort Collins in downtown parking structures on Saturday and Sunday from November 30 until December 29. Structures are located at Mountain Avenue just east of Remington and Laporte Avenue just west of College Avenue.
[blockquote style=”1″]In 2014 Livability.com called Fort Collins a best place to live in 2015. “At the center of Fort Collins’ academic and cultural atmosphere is Colorado State University, which Forbes magazine recognized as one of ‘America’s Most Entrepreneurial Universities’ in 2014.” [/blockquote]
