There’s never a dull moment in Northern Colorado, not when you’re surrounded by active communities and plenty of jaw dropping outdoor views to soak in. This weekend, make your time off count by inviting some friends out to an arts festival or by taking the family to a fall fest brimming with pumpkin-themed festivities!
Activities, Events, Shows, and More in Northern Colorado
No plans this weekend? Well you’re about to change that! Take your pick from this updated list of weekend events, festivals, sales, fairs and more. Book your reservations, grab your tickets or simply show up for free fun and make some memories this weekend.
NoCo Swing Dance
Where? 225 West Oak Street, Fort Collins
When? October 12th
Grab those dancing shoes and get laced up for this Friday’s NoCo Swing Dancing event in Fort Collins in the Masonic Temple Event Center. Hosted on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, this beginner-friendly dance lesson and public swing dancing session is fun for all skill levels! Attendees can enter through the northwest corner door entrance, in the basement. There is a shoe policy in effect, which requires clean, non-marking shoes. Either thoroughly clean the soles of your shoes or carry them in and change in the lobby. No partner is ever needed for these bi-monthly dances, so don’t let that stop you! On Sunday, NoCo Swing Dance will also be hosting a Balboa Brunch in Fort Collins at Avogadro’s Number, with beginner lessons from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM with Heather Ballew followed by a performance by Jeremy Mohney and His Band until 2:00 PM!
Fall Fest Vendor Fair
Where? 1675 3rd Street, Eaton
When? October 11th
This Saturday marks the 5th annual Fall Fest Vendor Fair with the Eaton Area Park & Recreation District. There will be a variety of fall, winter and holiday crafts on display and more from local Northern Colorado vendors. This is a great opportunity to do some early holiday shopping or to snag some gifts for an upcoming anniversary, birthday or celebration. Admission is free and the fair is open to the public. The fair will run from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, so mark your calendar and send out an invite to friends and family! Whether you’re in the market for something specific or you’re just waiting for something to jump out at you, the Fall Fest Vendor Fair is a shopper’s dream.
Choptober Fest
Where? 4250 Byrd Drive, Loveland
When? October 11th
The Choptober Fest bike show will showcase all things bikes, burgers and burnouts this Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Entry is free and all bikes are welcome at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson in Loveland. Choptober Fest is the first ever Harley-Davidson and Oktoberfest mashup, so make sure you check it out. Whether you’re rolling in on two wheels for the show or you’re just visiting for the stunt performances, there’s something for everyone and it’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind throw down that you won’t want to miss. Live stunts will be performed by Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour featuring KingTony Stunts. Food will be onsite from the In-N-Out burger trailer, with 400 meal tickets available ($5 for a hamburger, cheeseburger or double-double)! If you plan to show off a bike, make sure to fill out the registration form found at the bottom of this page.
Fall Release Party with Winery 5280
Where? 5971 Sky Pond Drive, Loveland
When? October 11th
Celebrate the much-anticipated fall release with Winery 5280 this Saturday. Join in on the fun at Anchor Bar in Loveland from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM to sample four new red wines and enjoy some delicious bites. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Keep in mind that this is a different location from the original event announcement, so update your calendar if you already had the release party on your schedule! Winery 5280 is a family owned and operated winery out of Loveland, so show your support and enjoy the delicious fruits of their labor this weekend.
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Fall Jamboree
Where? 2121 East Mulberry, Fort Collins
When? October 11th
Nothing beats a giant pumpkin weigh-off, especially when paired with a fall jamboree! This Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Fort Collins Nursery invites you to the 17th annual Giant Pumpkin Contest, which is now officially sanctioned for the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth! Entries are sure to be staggering, with growers competing for cash prizes and awards across multiple prize categories. The event will be free and open to the public, so bring some friends and the family and cheer on your favorite growers! This year’s heaviest pumpkin first place price is set at a whopping $3,500. There will also be prizes for heaviest squash, prettiest pumpkin, longest gourd, tallest sunflower, and more. The Fall Jamboree will feature various food and drink vendors, as well as pumpkin bowling, face painting and an interactive instrument garden thoughtfully designed for people of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds.
Free Community Paint Recycling Event
Where? 2908 South Timberline Road, Fort Collins
When? October 11th
Have some old paint that’s been sitting in the garage, collecting dust? Join the City of Fort Collins Utilities department for a free paint recycling collection event this Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Timberline Church. Easy drop-off and no fees, oh my! Accepted items include latex, oil-based and acrylic paints, stain, shellac, lacquer, sealer, varnish, urethane and more. Items not accepted at the recycling event will include spray paint, paint thinner, solvents, cleaning agents, drywall mud, stucco and driveway sealer. Register here to clean out your garage and keep toxic paint out of the landfill, all while making FoCo a greener place for all!
Sidewalk Sale
Where? Various Locations, Estes Park
When? October 11th & 12th
The Sidewalk Sale in Estes Park this Saturday and Sunday is a can’t-miss if you love a good deal. Shop from a variety of Estes Park businesses that will be selling merchandise in front of their stores throughout the day as they thin out their summer inventory. Discover awesome sales, celebrate fall and most importantly, support local! This event is presented by the Estes Chamber of Commerce and will occur throughout the Estes Valley, ranging from downtown to local neighborhoods and beyond. Sidewalk sales occur twice a year, typically in May and October, and hours vary by business. You never know what you’ll find, so shop with an open mind! Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit Estes Park, so make a day of it and enjoy the glowing mountains and the Sidewalk Sale deals.
4th Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
Where? 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland
When? October 11th & 12th
The Fall Festival by Applewood Arts Festivals is kicking off this Saturday at The Ranch Events Complex from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, followed by Sunday’s event until 3:00 PM. Admission is $7 at the door and will be good for both days. Kids ages 12 and under are free, as are vets and active military members. The arts festival celebrates artisans who create high-quality, original handmade products. Come on out and get started on some holiday shopping. Parking will be free at the festival and attendees can expect 90+ artisans displaying their fine art, handmade treasures, clothing and more this weekend. Strollers are permitted after 1:00 PM on Saturday and all day on Sunday. There will be food trucks for lunch, coffee and gelato all weekend!
Blissfall Music & Arts Festival
Where? 13714 Poudre Canyon Highway, Bellvue
When? October 12th
The Blissfall Music & Arts Festival is making a triumphant return to Mishawaka this Sunday. Build on the unforgettable memories from 2019 and 2024 and enjoy a day filled with spectacular live music, stunning local artwork, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Attendees can admire stunning views of the Poudre Canyon while they enjoy great vibes and a friendly atmosphere. While the event is free to ensure accessibility for everyone, there are suggested donation prices if you want to help sustain this beloved event. Shuttle pass reservations are $20 and the shuttle will leave from the University Tennis Complex at CSU at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM and won’t leave Mishawaka until the show is over. Extremely limited parking will be available, so consider the shuttle for a stress-free, green way to safely get to and from the festival.
Ginger and Baker Fall Market
Where? 359 Linden Street, Fort Collins
When? October 12th
Sunday’s Handmade Market will be held at Ginger and Baker in Fort Collins from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, so be sure to swing by! Featured vendors at this weekend’s event will include Around FoCo, Beldamia, Prim’s Pottery, Erin Joy Art and more. Whether you’re looking to get a head start on holiday shopping or if you have a birthday celebration or anniversary coming up that you want to purchase something handmade and personal for, this is a great opportunity to do so! The beauty of Handmade Market NoCo is that no two markets are the same, so there’s always something new to discover. Additional upcoming fall markets in October include Salt Road Brewing on October 18th and Maxline Brewing on October 26th.
Family-Friendly Activities in NoCo This Weekend
Nothing beats family-friendly fun during the fall like the Downtown Loveland Pumpkin Festival or the FoCo Fall Fest! Both of these NoCo community events have been around for years, so they know a thing or two about planning a good time for families with eager little ones in tow. Enjoy pumpkin painting or try your hand at pumpkin bowling!
Downtown Loveland Pumpkin Festival
Where? 5th Street, Loveland
When? October 11th
Whether you call NoCo home or you’re just visiting for the weekend, the Downtown Loveland Pumpkin Festival is a can’t-miss signature event. This Saturday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, enjoy the fall-themed festivities on 5th Street in front of the Loveland Museum at the 6th annual Downtown Pumpkin Festival. The event will feature local farmer’s market pumpkins, Loveland artists, pumpkin sculptures, food vendors and much more. Breathe in the crisp fall air as you enjoy delicious eats from local food trucks, participate in the pumpkin ring toss and enjoy live music all day as DJ Howe spins tunes. If you feel like getting competitive, you can even flaunt your best costume at the costume contest at 1:00 PM or eat as much pie as you can at the pumpkin pie eating contest at 3:00 PM! The festival is free to attend.
Trunk or Treat
Where? 810 East 10th Street, Loveland
When? October 11th
Alternatives to Violence and the Loveland Police Department are excited to host their 2nd annual Trunk or Treat event this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Dress in costume and bring a trick-or-treating bag to collect candy and other goodies. Vehicles from the EMS, fire and police departments will be onsite for kiddos to explore. Participating businesses at this year’s Trunk or Treat include Find Your Light, Artisan You, Fly High Trampoline, Caliber Collision, KidsPak and many more. After you’ve finished trick or treating, make sure to head to downtown Loveland for the Pumpkin Festival!
FoCo Fall Fest
Where? 199 Trimble Court, Fort Collins
When? October 11th & 12th
The FoCo Fall Fest is an annual event held in Old Town Square, with an exciting lineup of activities on the docket. The free festival will be held this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM both days. Check out the full schedule of events here so you don’t miss a moment! Whether you’re into shopping, scavenger hunts, yoga, pumpkin painting or just chilling while you enjoy live music, this autumnal festival has a little bit of everything for everyone. Food will be available to purchase, with a range of flavors that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. There will also be inflatables available all day to work off that excess energy!
Enjoy Your Weekend in Northern Colorado
We hope you have a blast in Northern Colorado on this beautiful fall weekend. Enjoy all that October has to offer, such as family-friendly community festivals, autumn-themed markets, red wine release parties, sidewalk sales and so much more! Whether you’re looking to entertain little ones this weekend or you want to enjoy an adults-only evening in town, Northern Colorado offers a range of experiences, events, and performances for all itineraries. Visit us again next week for an updated weekend list!