How is it already the first weekend in October? Time is flying so make sure to take advantage of your time off with these curated NoCo events. Don’t miss out on a community BBQ competition in Fort Collins or the first Friday art walk events happening across the region.
Activities, Events, Shows, and More in Northern Colorado
This weekend in NoCo, enjoy comedy festivals, half marathons, book signings and more. There’s truly something for everyone, so whether you prefer to keep things low-key or you want to enjoy a weekend you won’t forget — you can do it all in Northern Colorado!
First Friday Art Walk
Where? Old Town Square
When? October 3rd
Whenever a new month rolls around, you can count on the First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Fort Collins. This self-guided walking tour showcases all things creativity, culture and community. Enjoy galleries, studios and more at your own pace while you see Old Town FoCo in an all new light in the heart of the city. From fine art pieces to all things funky and eclectic, there’s something for everyone at this first Friday tradition. Participating locations in October’s art walk will include Bas Bleu featuring Ryan Walker, Crystal Joys featuring Lisa Nevot, Hutch Home Co. featuring Lydia Tarleton, Mountain Standard Company, Tellus, The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and many more. Come on out and see what’s new this October! The event runs from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Mean Girls Movie Showing
Where? 1020 East Lincoln Avenue
When? October 3rd
Who doesn’t love to rewatch Mean Girls? You’re in luck because the film is showing at Breckenridge Brewery this Friday in Fort Collins. From 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, you’ll enjoy one of the most quotable movies of a generation while you snack on popcorn and sip on cold beer. All you need to bring is yourself and a few friends! Sample new and classic brews at Breckenridge, including the Avalanche Amber Ale and the Juice Drop Hazy IPA. Pints are priced at $8 or you can grab a half pour or a 5 ounce taster for $6 and $3.50, respectively. Other tasty brews now pouring include the Palisade Peach Wheat, the Vanilla Porter, and small batch brews that are exclusively offered at the taproom and rotate daily.
Colorado Queer Comedy Festival
Where? 1209 North College Avenue
When? October 3rd
The Colorado Queer Comedy Festival proudly highlights LGBTQ+ comics from the Centennial State and beyond, with shows in Boulder, Fort Collins and Denver this weekend. Produced by Rocky Mountain Equality, the comedy fest is coming to The Lyric in FoCo this Friday and general admission tickets are starting at $20 before fees. Grab yours now as you enjoy a hilarious lineup! Doors open at 7:00 PM, with the show set to begin a half hour later. The performer lineup includes names such as Jonny Stein, Moises Araguaney, Sami Beason, Libby Salemi and more. The show will be hosted by Britt Boyd.
First Friday! Art Groove
Where? Downtown Estes Park
When? October 3rd
Jump into the grooviest art walk around town in Estes Park this Friday. Explore craft breweries, local studios and galleries as you peruse at your own pace. Gallery socials kick off at 5:00 PM and can vary business to business, so check out up-to-date deets on each location’s individual site. Participating stops include the Art Center of Estes Park, where you’ll find various pieces of artwork for sale, Images of RMNP with a sundae bar, Inspired Artisan Market & Studio with demos and classes and more! Feeling thirsty? Check out one of the drop stops along the route for small bites and refreshing beverages.
A Canine Evening with Kathleen Donnelly
Where? 232 Walnut Street
When? October 4th
Join Old Firehouse Books for A Canine Evening with author Kathleen Donnelly this Saturday. Celebrate Donnelly’s newest release, titled “Colorado K-9 Rescue.” The author will be in store from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM to read a few excerpts from the book, followed by a Q&A and signing session. The event is in partnership with the Larimer Retired K-9 Foundation, with 10% of all proceeds from books purchased going towards the foundation. Grab a copy of the book in store or online and dive into a thrilling story about a kidnapper and a trusty K-9 to the rescue. Donnelly is an award-winning author, as well as a retired K-9 handler. Her awards include the Pencraft 2024 Book of the Year and the Best Book award from the American Book Fest. Come say hi this weekend!
Community ‘Cue BBQ Competition
Where? 500 Linden Street
When? October 4th
Craving barbecue? Well if you answered “yes,” then you’re in luck! The inaugural Community ‘Cue BBQ Competition is coming up this Saturday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at New Belgium Brewery “on da lawn.” Dive into $5 BBQ samples while you enjoy live music and an awesome vendor lineup. The vibes are sure to be impeccable so come on out and soak in the atmosphere of great friends, awesome community and delicious eats. This event is made possible through a collaboration between Friendly Nick’s Butcher and Old Town Spice Shop, together with New Belgium, to host a one-of-a-kind BBQ competition that leaves everybody raving. Watch as professional chefs work with amateur backyard grill-masters for a highly anticipated competition. Teams will battle it out this weekend to compete for honors such as the most traditional style, best side dish, and the people’s choice! Winners will be announced every half hour starting at 2:00 PM.
9th Annual Rally at the Goat
Where? 3500 South College Avenue
When? October 4th
Gilded Goat Brewing Company invites everybody to participate in the 9th Annual Rally at The Goat, with part of the event proceeds and car registration going towards The Veteran’s Plaza. The non-profit helps veterans and their families, so you can help support a great cause while you enjoy live music, delicious bites from On the Hook Fish and Chips and good times all around. Of course, you’ll also want to enjoy the bold and balanced Gilded Goat brews. The event is free to the public and there will be door prizes and awards available, including Best in Show! Rally at the Goat will be held from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and if you’re interested in registering your car, you can do so on the day of from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM or by using this link. Registration is priced at $30 and includes a free pint of beer and a souvenir glass.
Pumpkins & Pilsners Festival
Where? 170 MacGregor Avenue
When? October 4th
Don’t miss out on the Pumpkins & Pilsners Festival in Estes Park this Saturday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This free festival will have it all, including live music, craft beer, food trucks, pumpkin picking and even kid’s games and pony rides. Hosted in Bond Park, there will be a wide array of vendors to satisfy any craving. Enjoy adult beverages from Avant Garde Aleworks, Estes Park Brewery, Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co, and Rock Cut Brewing Co and grab a bite from Crepes on Wheels, Mangia Mangia Pizzeria, Mexico Al Norte, Southern Soul and many more. The live music lineup will feature Ten Cent Prophet, Rhett Haney, and Equally Challenged. Additional activities throughout the festival include face painting, airbrush tattoos, bounce houses, a slackline, a mini putting green and a variety of lawn games to keep everyone entertained!
2025 New Belgium Half Marathon & 5K
Where? 500 Linden Street
When? October 5th
The New Belgium Half Marathon is this Sunday! Join the Colorado Brewery Running Series on a half marathon and 5K Fun Run that you don’t want to miss. The best news? The route ends at the New Belgium Brewing Co in FoCo, meaning you’re only steps away from a refreshingly cold brew to celebrate. The half marathon has staggered start times at 7:30 AM and 7:45 AM, with the 5K starting from 9:00 AM and running every 15 minutes until 9:30 AM. The out and back course will take participants along the scenic Poudre Trail, where they can soak in magnificent views of the Poudre River. The trail will be mostly flat as it winds south before heading back north and there will be aid stations every 2-2.5 miles to keep you hydrated. All participants ages 21 and up will receive a free beer at the finish line.
Banned Books Week Movie Night
Where? 201 Peterson Street
When? October 5th
Old Town Library is hosting a Banned Books Movie Night this Sunday from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Join this community screening of the documentary ‘Banned Together.’ The film follows three students and their adult allies as they fight to reinstate 97 books that were suddenly pulled from their school libraries. These local residents evolve into national activists as they meet with authors, politicians and even Constitutional experts as they fight for a cause they believe in. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session, with library staff on hand to answer questions and discuss how Poudre Libraries is dedicated to handling these issues within the community. Doors for the film will open at 6:15 PM, with last entry at 6:45 PM.
Family-Friendly Activities in NoCo This Weekend
Don’t let the kids hit you with complaints of being bored this weekend. Instead, enjoy a family outing to the local garden center or to Old Town FoCo for the annual Tour de Corgi. Cute pups not your thing? Well then catch Casper in Estes Park to celebrate the classic film’s 30th anniversary!
Oktoberfest at Bath Garden Center
Where? 2000 East Prospect Road
When? October 4th
Join in on the Oktoberfest celebrations in Fort Collins this Saturday at 11:00 AM! Bath Garden Center & Nursery invites you to enjoy games, crafts, brats and delicious craft sodas from Rocky Mountain Soda Company. Build your own soda flight from a tantalizing selection that includes root beer, cream soda, elderberry, orange and blackberry flavors! There will also be pumpkin bowling, a bean bag toss, pretzel necklaces and more for the whole family to enjoy. This is a free event aside from the sodas and food that will be available for purchase. There will be veggie dogs available as well, so vegetarians are also invited to celebrate Oktoberfest and enjoy this unique spin on the tradition with a family-friendly focus!
11th Annual Tour de Corgi
Where? 225 Laporte Avenue
When? October 4th
Fort Collins is welcoming back the 11th Annual Tour de Corgi this Saturday! This is a meet up and carnival parade of precious corgis through Old Town, with proceeds benefitting 4 Paws Pet Pantry, Colorado Corgis and Friends Rescue and other great local dog rescues dedicated to finding forever homes for canine friends. On Saturday, registration and vendor booths will open at 9:00 AM, followed by the costume contest at 10:00 AM and the parade beginning in Civic Center Park at noon. Everyone is invited to attend, even if you don’t have a corgi to call your own! All adult attendees must have a wrist band to participate in either the parade or the costume contest and there will be a limited number of stickers and unisex t-shirts available on the day of the event.
Casper: 30th Anniversary
Where? 130 Moraine Avenue
When? Through October 9th
Can you believe it’s already time to celebrate three decades of everybody’s favorite friendly ghost? The film features a cast of Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman and Cathy Moriarty and there will be screenings beginning this Friday and running through Thursday, October 9th. Check the Historic Park Theatre’s website here for an updated list of movie times. Bring the kids out to enjoy this classic movie, whether it’s their first time watching it or it’s an annual family tradition around Halloween. Tickets are free but go ahead and reserve yours now so you don’t miss out on ghostly giggles, mischievous uncles and a love story that you’ll have to see to believe!
Enjoy Your Weekend in Northern Colorado
We hope your first weekend in October is one for the books. Whether you’re staying in, going out or doing a little bit of both — these are the best events happening around the NoCo region this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Swing back around next week for an updated collection of can’t-miss events.