Holiday HUB
Downtown Fort Collins is the place to be for the holidays! Dine, shop, and explore under the twinkling of the holiday lights. Enjoy a delicious meal at one of our many amazing restaurants with something everyone will love and check off that holiday shopping list at our local shops that are ready to help you find that perfect gift. Bonus, shop at Old Town Spree participating businesses for a chance to win a $100 Downtown Fort Collins Gift Card. Need some family activities? Visit with Santa or play at the skate rink in Old Town Square. Enjoy free self-guided experiences under the evening glow for Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk™ and Fort Collins Foodie Walk™. Looking for a date night? Anything you do will be 100 times more magical under the twinkling holiday lights!
Downtown Holiday Lights
Every night from the first week in November through Valentine's Day, the lights will be turned on in Old Town Fort Collins. 22 block-faces of downtown will be illuminated with thousands of strands of lights in alleyways, along sidewalks, and within tree-tops. The impressive display of low-energy and sustainable LED lights can be enjoyed anywhere along College Avenue, the northern boundary of Laporte Avenue, and continuing south to Magnolia Street. Trees will be lit along Walnut Street, Linden Street, Pine Street, Old Town Square, Oak Street Plaza, and Mountain Avenue as well.
The Downtown Holiday Lights is a partnership between the City of Fort Collins and Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
Skate Rink
Skate Rink open Wednesday, November 26 through Sunday, January 25
Following Old Town Square's renovation, the beloved Skate Rink opened in 2016 and has been bringing families together ever since. With its modern synthetic surface and free skate rentals, it's become a cherished part of Fort Collins' holiday traditions.
Please note that hours of operation are subject to change due to weather.
Updates will be posted on the DDA website and on DDA’s Facebook page.
Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk™
First Friday Art Walk 6 - 9 pm
Winter Dates: November 7, December 5, January 2, and February 6
Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk™ is a monthly self-guided walking tour that celebrates creativity, culture, and community in Downtown Fort Collins every month! From fine to funky, Art Walk showcases a spectrum of artistic styles to entertain and engage amateurs and art aficionados of all ages, interests, and backgrounds.
Fort Collins Foodie Walk™
Foodie Walk, from 5 - 8 pm
Winter Dates: November 21, December 19, January 16, and February 20
Fort Collins Foodie Walk™ is a monthly self-guided walking tour from 5 – 8 pm on the third Friday of each month and celebrates the culinary culture and thriving foodie scene in Downtown Fort Collins. Join Downtown’s finest culinary shops each month for interactive showcases, seasonal flavors, and exciting taste experiences!
Ice Carving
February 6 and 7, 2026
Winter fun isn’t over! Come see ice sculpting by Struckman Sculpture Ice starting at 5 pm on February 6 and 7 in Old Town Square in Downtown Fort Collins. Ice sculptures will be on display in Old Town Square until they melt, so come down and enjoy these temporary sculptures.
For more information, contact the Downtown Development Authority at oldtownsquare@fcdda.com or (970) 484-2020