10 Best Things to Do In Fort Collins in the Winter
Winter might just be one of our favorite times of the year in Fort Collins, and for good reason! When the air is chilly and the snow is falling, there’s no better place to be than right here in Downtown FoCo. From ice skating to holiday shopping, Fort Collins has something for everyone in the winter season. To help you find the best things to experience when the town’s covered in white, here’s a list of the top 10 best things to do in Fort Collins in the winter!
Downtown Square Ice Skating
Who doesn’t love twirling around with your best buds on the ice? The Downtown Square Ice Skating Rink is a one-of-a-kind holiday experience, with skate rentals for adults and kids alike. Come enjoy some time outside on the rink. Admission and rentals are FREE!
Downtown Holiday Lights
Fort Collins sure knows how to get dressed up for winter! Enjoy a stroll through Old Town and take in the beauty of thousands of twinkling lights that span over 7 blocks. Pop into our myriad boutiques and get your holiday shopping done, then visit us at Ace’s for a beverage to warm up. Come see the lights this year – it’ll definitely put you in the holiday mood!
Pies At Ginger & Baker
Maybe it’s just the chill in the air, but as soon as winter hits, we’re in the mood for warm fall pies! And we know the perfect spot. Ginger & Baker is just a short jaunt from the hotel, and has everything your tastebuds are after. On the Café menu, you’ll find everything from chicken pot pies to whoopie pies. There are homestyle pies in the Bakery and innovative pies in The Cache. They believe pie is the fastest way to memories, family, comfort and pure satisfaction. Whether it’s a savory pot pie on a winter day or a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert, they believe wrapping a little crust around a few good ingredients brings out the best in them, and in us.
Snow Sledding at EPIC
Just a short car ride away, there’s a spot only the locals know about…Time to grab your sled, snowboard, or tubes and get to the sledding hill at EPIC Center! Hundreds of residents flock to this hill from around the city each year. It’s the perfect sledding hill, complete with small snow jumps and short tracks for the kids.
Meet Santa in the Square
Have you been good this year? Schedule some time with Santa to be sure he has your list in order! Visiting with Santa is wonderful way to start the holidays. Santa Claus and his workshop will return Downtown to make the holidays magical. Santa will be ready to hear the kids wishlists starting November 25.
Visit The Reindeer!
Every year, some special little reindeer make their way to The Bath Nursery Garden Center! This year, since Santa isn’t able to visit, the reindeer are stopping by to pick up letters and wish lists to bring to Santa for you. Don’t miss out!
All guests will be required to sign up for a designated time slot prior to arrival at the event. They can only allow a certain number of people on the property at a time, so signing up for a time slot will guarantee your entry to see the reindeer and leave letters for Santa!
Reserve your time slot on their website:
Art Walk & Foodie Walk
Celebrate Old Town’s vibrant arts community as 20+ galleries and art minded businesses stay open late to feature new exhibits during this self-guided walking tour!
Date: First Friday of every month
Time: 6 – 9 pm (please check with businesses for updated hours)
Location: Downtown Fort Collins, CO
Educate your taste buds and bring out your inner foodie during this self-guided walking tour featuring Old Town’s top culinary shops.
Date: Third Friday of every month
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Downtown Fort Collins, CO
Check out the Winter Farmers Market
Snow on the ground doesn’t just mean outdoor fun…check out the Fort Collins Winter Farmer’s market for delicious fruits, vegetables and handmade goods from around the city! Located in the Foothills Mall (215 E Foothills Pkwy, Fort Collins, CO 80525), the market takes place on select Saturdays from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Finish Your Holiday Shopping & Old Town Spree!
Downtown businesses are here for you this holiday season to find the best our unique boutiques and special shops have to offer! Downtown Fort Collins has compiled a guide to check off your holiday to-do list, all while supporting local Downtown businesses. Whether you are shopping, dining or exploring downtown, Old Town is the place to be.
New in 2020, Downtown Fort Collins and 60 locally owned and operated businesses are inviting shoppers and diners to enter to win thousands of dollars in Downtown Gift Cards with our Old Town Spree! Participating is as simple as shopping or dining at any of the participating Old Town Spree businesses and spending as little as $10. Each time you spend at least $10 at a participating location, you will receive a card with a unique code to enter to win. Hundreds of dollars in Downtown Gift Cards will be drawn weekly, as well as a Grand Prize to be drawn on January 4, 2021! Be sure to enter your codes early for your chance to win!
When: November 1 – December 31
Hours: Regular Business Hours of Participating Businesses
Location: Participating Businesses in Downtown Fort Collins
Price: No sign-up or advance registration needed! Simply shop at any participating business to receive your entry codes
Visit a Museum
Sometimes, it’s just too cold to be outside…and that’s perfect because Fort Collins has some of the best (and coolest) museums for you to enjoy! Take a trip to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery for a day of fascination, discovery and fun. This museum has some awesome exhibits, with things for both kids and adults to enjoy. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10AM-6PM (Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Holidays).
Looking for even more things to do? Check out our guide to the 6 Best FREE Things to Do in Fort Collins, then book your stay with us! We can’t wait to share the holidays with you.