Enjoy the charm of the holidays in Fort Collins with our ultimate guide. From Fort Collins natives to wandering souls, our guide ensures a holiday season to treasure.
Popular Events: Experience the magic of the season with Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker, a delightful performance that brings the classic tale to life amidst enchanting music and dazzling choreography. Families can enjoy immersive festivities at Winter Wanderland, where twinkling lights and seasonal activities create a winter wonderland for all ages. And the Christmas at Gaylord Rockies is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing stunning displays and a variety of festive events. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Fort Collins
- Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker (Denver)
- Cherry Creek North's Winter Wanderland (Denver)
- Christmas at Gaylord Rockies (Aurora)
- Winter Wanderland (Denver)
- Denver Center for the Performing Arts' Camp Christmas (Denver)
- Camp Christmas (Denver)
- A Christmas Carol (Denver)
- Holidays at the Colorado Symphony (Denver)
- Elitch Gardens Luminova Holidays (Denver)
- Luminova Holidays (Denver)
See these and even more events listed below!
Fort Collins Holiday Light Displays
Garden of Lights
What to Expect:
Whimsical light displays in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Explore Spring Creek Gardens' whimsical half-mile loop featuring glowing grapevines, towering flowerbeds, and vibrant displays.
Where: Fort Collins | More Info: Garden of Lights
Winter Wanderland
What to Expect:
Illuminated trees with live music and treats.
Description:
Cherry Creek North's Winter Wanderland features a million twinkling lights wrapping over 600 trees, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere with live music, complimentary treats, and various activities.
Where: Denver | More Info: Winter Wanderland
Luminova Holidays
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and festive rides.
Description:
Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens features over 4 million dazzling lights, rides, visits with Santa, and immersive light displays. Enjoy larger-than-life light displays, a 65-ft. Christmas tree, and interactive activities for all ages.
Where: Denver | More Info: Luminova Holidays
Holiday Events at The Gardens on Spring Creek
What to Expect:
Whimsical light displays along a half-mile loop.
Description:
Explore the whimsical half-mile loop at The Gardens on Spring Creek, featuring glowing colorful grapevines, towering flowerbeds, and vibrant displays.
Where: Fort Collins | More Info: Holiday Events at The Gardens on Spring Creek
Elitch Gardens Luminova Holidays
What to Expect:
Immersive light displays and interactive activities.
Description:
Elitch Gardens Luminova Holidays features over 4 million dazzling lights, rides on featured attractions, visits with Santa Claus, a 65 ft. Christmas tree, and interactive activities like light-up hopscotch. The event includes a 300 ft. candy cane tunnel, 25 ft. snowman that never melts, and ornaments and presents scaling over 16 ft. tall.
Where: Denver | More Info: Elitch Gardens Luminova Holidays
Cherry Creek North's Winter Wanderland
What to Expect:
Illuminated neighborhood with over 1 million lights and live performances.
Description:
Cherry Creek North's Winter Wanderland features over 1 million twinkling lights wrapping more than 600 trees, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere in the neighborhood. The event includes various activities such as live music, stilt walkers, and acrobats, making it a dynamic and lively celebration of the season.
Where: Denver | More Info: Cherry Creek North's Winter Wanderland
Fort Collins Holiday Markets and Shopping
Fort Collins Holiday Gift Festival
What to Expect:
Locally made holiday gifts and live holiday concert.
Description:
The Fort Collins Holiday Gift Festival is a curated marketplace featuring an enormous array of fine arts, handmade crafts, delectable food, home decor, and unique holiday gifts. Shoppers will find a vast array of amazing high-quality gifts that are locally made. Admission is free, and there is a holiday concert starting at noon.
Where: Fort Collins | More Info: Fort Collins Holiday Gift Festival
Fort Collins Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Home for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Old-school variety show with celebrity appearances and updated storyline.
Description:
Home for the Holidays is a holiday spectacular featuring dancers, singers, holiday songs, and celebrity appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. With an updated storyline for 2023 and a few spectacular surprises, this event is sure to delight and put you in the holiday spirit. After 10 years, it will be going on a break, making it a last chance to see this beloved holiday tradition.
Where: Lone Tree | More Info: Home for the Holidays
Holidays at the Colorado Symphony
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performances of holiday classics and iconic film scores.
Description:
The Colorado Symphony presents a variety of holiday-themed concerts featuring classical music and beloved film scores, ensuring a rich and diverse musical experience.
Where: Denver | More Info: Holidays at the Colorado Symphony
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Celebrating 30 years of a splendidly festive tradition.
Description:
A joyous and opulent musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, tracing Ebenezer Scrooge's transformative journey to redemption.
Where: Denver | More Info: A Christmas Carol
Camp Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with interactive installations and Santa visits.
Description:
Camp Christmas is an immersive holiday experience at Stanley Marketplace, featuring a 15,000 square-foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer. Handcrafted by Denver-based magic makers, it includes surreal mashups of nostalgic scenes, playful pun trees, and opportunities to visit Santa and savor craft cocktails. This event is a whacky, warm, and sophisticated celebration of the holiday season.
Where: Denver | More Info: Camp Christmas
Sound of The Rockies
What to Expect:
Award-winning ensemble with a passion for making beautiful music.
Description:
Sound of the Rockies is Colorado's premier nonprofit men's a cappella group and barbershop chorus, featuring over 100 singers who share captivating music through community outreach and performances.
Where: Denver | More Info: Sound of The Rockies
Christmas at Gaylord Rockies
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
Christmas at Gaylord Rockies features elaborate ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and immersive scenes from A Christmas Story, set amidst a dazzling display of over 3 million Christmas lights.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Christmas at Gaylord Rockies
Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Elaborate sets and costumes in a classic ballet performance.
Description:
Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker is a timeless ballet performance featuring mischievous dancing mice, sweet Sugar Plums, and a symphony of swirling snowflakes, set to Tchaikovsky's enchanting score.
Where: Denver | More Info: Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker
Lone Tree Arts Center's Home for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Old-school variety show with celebrity appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Home for the Holidays at Lone Tree Arts Center is an old-school variety show featuring dancers, singers, holiday songs, and celebrity appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. With an updated storyline and spectacular surprises, this event is sure to delight and put you in the holiday spirit.
Where: Lone Tree | More Info: Lone Tree Arts Center's Home for the Holidays
Brown Palace Hotel's Sound of The Rockies
What to Expect:
World-class a cappella performance at the historic Brown Palace Hotel.
Description:
The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa presents Sound of The Rockies, featuring two live holiday music events with the renowned a cappella group, adding a touch of sophistication and harmony to the festive season.
Where: Denver | More Info: Brown Palace Hotel's Sound of The Rockies
Denver Center for the Performing Arts' Camp Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with Santa visits and craft cocktails.
Description:
Camp Christmas is a 15,000 square-foot, 360-degree immersive holiday experience featuring handcrafted installations by Denver-based magic makers. It includes visits with Santa, craft cocktails, and a surreal mashup of nostalgic scenes. The event is designed to help you reconnect with the joy of the season in a quirky and eclectic way.
Where: Denver | More Info: Denver Center for the Performing Arts' Camp Christmas
Fort Collins Other Holiday Activities
Downtown Denver Rink
What to Expect:
Free ice skating with affordable rental options.
Description:
The Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park offers free ice skating from November to February, with various rental options available. It hosts special events like junior lessons, yoga, and music parties, making it a popular winter activity in Denver.
Where: Denver | More Info: Downtown Denver Rink
Sing it to me Santa - Holiday Lights Mini Golf
What to Expect:
Themed mini golf with specialty cocktails and catering.
Description:
Dive into a round of mini golf like never before at Holey Moley, where each hole is inspired by pop culture and nostalgia. Enjoy specialty cocktails and mouthwatering catering options in a vibrant atmosphere.