Celebrate Grad

April 30, 2026 / Tags: Dining • Shopping • CSU

Celebrate Graduation Downtown in Fort Collins: Your Guide to Old Town

Graduation is a milestone worth celebrating in a big way. It's a moment filled with excitement, pride, and the kind of accomplishment that deserves to be recognized with the people who helped make it possible.

Planning a celebration like this can feel like a lot to take on, but Downtown Fort Collins brings everything within easy reach. With welcoming spaces, standout food, and plenty of ways to create lasting memories, you can stay focused on what matters most - celebrating your graduate.

Group dining at CooperSmith's Pub & Brewing in Downtown Fort Collins — 📸: Coldiron Photography

GRADUATION BRUNCH, CATERING & GROUP DINING IN FORT COLLINS

From early breakfast and brunch plans to late-night sweet treats, Old Town Fort Collins offers something for every kind of graduation celebration. Whether you're gathering a few close friends or hosting a full family table, there are plenty of ways to make it memorable.

For families gathering from out of town, local restaurants make it easy to bring people together around great food. Over 30 locally owned downtown spots offer catering options, giving you flexibility without the extra planning. Leave the prep work to the professionals so you can stay fully present for the celebration.

Explore these downtown restaurants offering catering:

If you prefer to gather around a table and linger a little longer, Downtown Fort Collins has plenty of restaurants ready for larger groups. It's an easy way for families to celebrate together without worrying about logistics - just arrive, settle in, and enjoy the moment.

Here's the individual list:

And with Colorado weather keeping things interesting in May, it's always nice to have options. On those warm, sunny days, patio dining is hard to beat - and Old Town has plenty of it. It's the perfect setting to slow down, soak up the sunshine, and let the celebration stretch into the evening.

Guests sampling bites during Fort Collins Foodie Walk in Old Town — 📸: PHOCO

THINGS TO DO IN FORT COLLINS WITH FAMILY THIS GRADUATION WEEKEND

Graduation weekend is more than a ceremony - it's a chance to experience everything there is to do in Fort Collins and discover what makes Old Town feel so alive.

Start with a walk through Old Town Fort Collins, where historic buildings, local storefronts, and tree-lined streets make it easy to wander without a plan. There's a reason people compare it to Disney's Main Street U.S.A. - it carries that same welcoming easygoing charm where every block invites you to slow down and take it in.

From there, the day can unfold in any direction. Grab a coffee at Mugs Old Town or Butterfly Cafe, browse locally made goods at Curiosities or Stardust, or step inside the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, where interactive exhibits, and the immersive Digital Dome Theater make it easy to lose track of time. If you’re looking to reset for a moment, the Poudre River Whitewater Park offers moving water, open air, and a quiet pause just steps from downtown.

If your timing lines up on a third Friday from 5 to 8 pm, Fort Collins Foodie Walk™ turns Old Town into a choose-your-own culinary adventure. This self-guided evening invites you to wander at your own pace, stepping into participating businesses to sample small bites, sips, and specialty treats along the way. Every stop offers something distinct, making it easy to discover new favorites or enjoy familiar ones in a fresh way.

Participating businesses include:

It's an easygoing evening shaped by curiosity rather than schedule, where each stop naturally leads to the next.

And when you’re not quite ready for things to wind down, keep the celebration going with a scoop from Walrus Ice Cream, a late-night stop at Edison’s Ice Cream, or a slice from Slyce Pizza Co. or The Corner Slice.

Whether you’ve mapped things out or you’re just going with the flow, Downtown Fort Collins makes it easy to turn the in-between moments into part of the celebration.

Friends playing mini golf at Old Town Putt in Fort Collins — 📸: PHOCO

FUN THINGS TO DO IN OLD TOWN FORT COLLINS

When the temperatures rise, Downtown Fort Collins offers plenty of things to do to stay active without slowing down.

Old Town Putt brings a relaxed round of mini golf right into the heart of Old Town, perfect for an easygoing break between stops. For something a little more immersive, South Broadway Country Club offers climate-controlled golf simulators where you can work on your short and long game in comfort.

If nostalgia is part of the plan, Pinball Jones delivers a lively mix of classic pinball and arcade games that make it easy to cool off while staying in motion.

For families who want something more collaborative, downtown escape rooms offer a shared challenge that brings out creativity and teamwork. Local favorites like Looking Glass Escape Lounge and Somewhere Secret Escape Room turn problem-solving into a fully immersive experience.

From casual games to immersive challenges, Old Town turns a hot day into something engaging, social, and unexpectedly fun.

The Armstrong Hotel in the heart of Old Town Fort Collins — 📸: Armstrong Hotel

WHERE TO STAY IN FORT COLLINS FOR GRADUATION WEEKEND

For visiting families and graduates, Downtown Fort Collins offers places to stay that keep everything close and connected. Walkability is part of the experience here - dining, shopping, entertainment, and local attractions are all within easy reach.

In the heart of Old Town, The Armstrong Hotel and The Elizabeth Hotel place you right in the middle of the celebration. These signature stays combine comfort, design, and location, making it easy to move from ceremony to dinner to nightcap without missing a beat. Both properties have also earned Michelin "One Key" recognition, highlighting their exceptional guest experience and attention to detail.

For those wanting more space and flexibility, Edwards House offers a welcoming bed-and-breakfast setting just minutes from Old Town. Mountain Time Vacation Rentals provides over 20 homes and condos, giving families room to gather, settle in, and celebrate on their own schedule.

However you choose to stay, Downtown Fort Collins keeps graduation weekend connected, walkable, and easy to enjoy from start to finish.

Graduate portrait on Pine St. in Old Town Fort Collins — 📸: Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

CAPTURE THE MOMENT IN OLD TOWN FORT COLLINS

Graduation is a day worth remembering, and Old Town Fort Collins offers no shortage of places to capture it. From candid moments to professional portraits, the perfect backdrop is always close at hand.

Local photographers who regularly capture senior and family sessions include Ben Bradley Photography, Bob Younger Images, Craig Vollmer Photography, Machmer Media, PHOCO, Pipeline Production House, and Tina Wood Photography.

For photos around town, some favorite spots include:

Green and gold pop-jet light show at Old Town Square during CSU Graduation weekend — 📸: Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

A GREEN AND GOLD FINALE IN OLD TOWN SQUARE

For those celebrating during CSU Graduation weekend, Old Town Square offers a memorable end to the day.

Each evening from 8:00 pm to midnight (weather permitting), the green and gold pop-jet light show brings movement and color to the splash pad, creating a simple but festive moment in the heart of Old Town. Green and gold lighting throughout downtown adds to the atmosphere, tying the celebration together as the day winds down.

Downtown Fort Collins Gift Card — perfect graduation gift for any Fort Collins celebration — 📸: Pipeline Production House

GIVE THE GIFT OF DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS!

Still searching for the perfect gift? Keep it simple and flexible with a Downtown Fort Collins Gift Card to give your graduate the freedom to choose their own experience - whether that’s a great meal, a shopping spree, or a day spent exploring downtown.

Gift cards are available to purchase online or in person at two downtown locations, making it an easy last-minute option that still feels thoughtful. To verify if a specific business accepts the card, visit our digital directory of over 170 participating businesses or look for the "Participating Business" window sticker when exploring downtown.

Downtown Gift Cards