Photo of downtown holiday lights and window display of doozie jewelry at the corner of Walnut and Linden. Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins
Museum of Art Fort Collins
Indigenous Voice: A Contemporary Art Exhibition (through Jan. 4)
Excerpt:
“Representation matters. Giving any community an opportunity to see work from a community they may not know much about helps not only expand that understanding, but enrich the visual language that accompanies that community.
“Indigenous Voices is meant to be an exhibition that showcases local Colorado contemporary artists, their work and their voices, giving insight into the rich tapestry of ideas that comes through modern art by living artists that are also Indigenous.
“Political, cultural, social and artistically driven, Indigenous Voices showcases artists that embody possibility through the art they create.”
Curated by Gregg Deal
Northern Lights in NoCo
Did you miss seeing the Northern Lights in early November? Here are some photos by local media and community members:
KUNC, Nov.12: PHOTOS: The northern lights appear over Northern Colorado skies
Colorado Public Radio, Nov. 12: Photos: Northern lights as seen across Colorado last night (and yes, you may be able to see them again tonight)
Nov. 28-29 Holiday Artisan Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fort Collins Senior Center. Free
Find uniquely crafted holiday gifts at this premier craft fair. More than 100 artisans and crafters gather to share handmade creations with visitors.
Read about free downtown parking and more:
Downtown Fort Collins Holiday Hub
“Downtown Fort Collins is the place to be for the holidays! Dine, shop, and explore under the twinkling of the holiday lights…
“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.
“In an effort to help support downtown businesses during the holiday season, the City of Fort Collins, Parking Services, will again offer free parking in the public parking structures on Saturdays and City holidays.
“Free Saturdays begin Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, and continues through Jan. 3, 2026.
Firehouse Alley Parking Structure
Civic Center Parking Structure
“As a reminder – parking in the parking structures is always free on Sundays and City holidays. On all other days, parking is free for the first hour and $1 each hour after; in all three parking structures. A parking session must be initiated regardless of duration of stay.
Holiday Guides
The Armstrong Hotel Holiday Guide
City of Fort Collins Recreation Department special events
Old Town Spree: “This November and December, locally owned and operated businesses in Downtown Fort Collins invite shoppers and diners to enter to win thousands of dollars in Downtown Fort Collins Gift Card* prizes!
“Participating is as simple as shopping or dining at any official Old Town Spree businesses to receive a card with your unique code to enter to win. You could win one of four $100 Downtown Gift Cards drawn weekly. You also have a shot at winning one of five $250 Downtown Gift Card Grand Prizes to be drawn on Jan. 5, 2026! Be sure to enter your codes early and often for your chance to win!”
Dec. 5 and 6 Student recitals at the University Center for the Arts, Colorado State University. Free
–Friday, Dec. 5
5 p.m., Organ Recital Hall, Bryson Hodges, Piano
7 p.m., Organ Recital Hall, Russell Wolfe, Violin
-Saturday, Dec. 6:
6 p.m., Griffin Concert Hall, Colin Ferry, Percussion
8 p.m., Griffin Concert Hall, Brian Tremper, Percussion
Dec. 5 First Friday Art Walk 6 to 9 pm. Other Winter Dates: Jan. 2, and Feb. 6
“Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk™ is a monthly self-guided walking tour that celebrates creativity, culture, and community…”
Dec. 7 Family Band Holiday Market with Goth Santa at The Lyric, Noon to 5 p.m.
Through Dec. 12 Here & Now: Recent Work by the Department of Art & Art History, Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, University Center for the Arts. Free
Colorado Gives Day
Dec. 9 Colorado Gives Day. “Join the wave of generosity. All donations made online now through Dec. 9 count toward Colorado Gives Day and the $1 million+ Incentive Fund. It’s easily the best day to give.” Support your favorite nonprofits, including museums, theater companies, radio stations, and more.
Dec. 12 For The Love of Strangers, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Visit Fort Collins (Mountain and Remington) Final date! Theme: “Love, An Artist.” “A fun and dynamic community experience workshopping unique ideas for meaningfully connecting with others. Bring a friend. Attend on your own. Explore some of my Best Worst Ideas. Experience the finale!!” Suggested donation: $10.
Dec. 13 Tuba Christmas, 2 to 3 p.m. Oak Street Plaza, 148 W. Oak St. Free
Dec. 13-17 Merrily We Roll Along. The Tony-Award winning Broadway musical comes to Cinemark Fort Collins on Timberline via Fathom Entertainment. $15
Dec. 12-28 Garden of Lights at The Gardens on Spring Creek. Nightly. Admission: 4 and under, free. Children ( 5-11) $8-10; General (14+} $12-14. Members receive a 20% discount. “This timed admission event runs nightly (except Dec. 24 & 25) with entry from 5 to 8 p.m. Grounds will be cleared at 9 p.m. Purchase tickets early for best prices and to ensure your preferred date and time!”
“…Explore our beautifully transformed botanic gardens as you stroll along a whimsical half-mile loop, glowing with colorful grapevines, towering flowerbeds, dancing blossoms, and vibrant displays.
“Visit with Santa (onsite nightly through Dec. 23) and enjoy other live entertainers while you warm up with a hot cocoa or beverage from our full bar. New this year, don’t miss our Ice Forest, where you may catch a glimpse of the magical Ice Queen herself on select nights.”
CSU Source: “Temple Grandin portrait joins Smithsonian gallery”
“…The portrait of Grandin joins three others in the Portrait of a Nation program this year. The others depict Joy Harjo, the 23rd U.S. poet laureate and the first Native American to hold the role; Steven Spielberg, the Oscar-winning filmmaker; and Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase….”
“…The Grandin portrait features an atmospheric phenomenon known as a “brocken spectre and glory,” or colored rings around a shadow. According to the Smithsonian, “the viewer’s projected shadow in the center symbolizes Grandin’s belief that every person is important and can contribute to society in unique ways.”
“The portraits will be on view on the National Portrait Gallery’s first floor Nov. 14, 2025, to Oct. 25, 2026, then will become part of the museum’s permanent collections.”
Read the Town & Country article announcing the portraits of Grandin, Joy Harjo and Steven Spielberg.
Joy Harjo by Joel Daniel Phillips. Charcoal, graphite, and ink on paper, 2022. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.
Excerpts from Town & Country: “…Harjo, a poet, musician, playwright, and author of the Mvskoke/Muscogee (Creek) Nation, served as the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate. She was the first Native American to hold the role. In the portrait, which was created by contemporary artist Joel Daniel Phillips, Harjo wears a traditional native skirt and holds a saxophone as a tribute to her heritage….”
From NPR’s Today’s Listen, Oct. 24:
“The lives of Ukrainians have changed in many ways since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, including the way nighttime sounds. Since the start of the war, the country has been hit with over 50,000 drone strikes. Members of a youth orchestra outside of Kyiv know the new sounds of their country well and are working on a sonic poem about it. The sound of the piece begins as a peaceful night or an ordinary day in an ordinary city, until chaos rocks the city. The orchestra members use their instruments to mimic the sounds they hear at night, from drones flying around to the emergency vehicles that pass by their homes. Listen to this State of the World From NPR episode to hear how the orchestra is channeling their daily reality into this composition.”
Business Spotlight
The Coloradoan: Readers say The Bread Chic has the best pie in Fort Collins — and owner Christie Rich shared some big news during our visit.
Friendly Nick’s Butcher
Excerpt from About > Our Values
…We believe that the animals we consume should be treated humanely, raised using sustainable methods that has minimal impact on the environment, and generally cared about and respected for what they provide us.
We believe that everyone should have access to high quality meat and the customers should be offered an opportunity to talk one on one with an educated butcher that has their best interest in mind and can provide tips and advice that surpasses their expectations.
Our core values can best be summed up like this: We desire to provide our employees, our animals, and our customers with a higher standard of living.
Nonprofit Spotlight
Northern Colorado Intertribal Pow-wow Association, Inc. (NCIPA)
🎄Christmas Gift and Food Drive🎄
Excerpt:
“Over the years, our members received requests for holiday donations from other communities, and many did what they could in helping others. In 2006, we recognized that our local Native American community needed help too.
“If you would like to help brighten the holidays for others in need, please contact us: ncipa.pw@gmail.com
“Suggestions for donations:
- Dry goods like flour, cake mixes, rice, beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes; Canned fruit and vegetables
- Diapers and wipes, shampoo, soap, toilet tissue
- Turkeys, hams, roasts
- Gift cards; Sponsor a family or a single gift – any donation is very much appreciated!”
Foundation Music School. Changing lives one note at a time.
Excerpt:
“Everyone should have the chance to experience life changes through music. Come see how we make music a real possibility for everyone regardless of their age, ability, or income. Our scholarship program makes music affordable for all and our non-profit status means we have a sincere heart for our community.”
“Vindeket is a non-profit food rescue that partners with grocery stores, restaurants and farms to reduce wasted food.”
“We work in Northern Colorado to excite, enlighten, and educate young people through the arts.”
“You know, everything old can be made new again. Like democracy.”
– Effie Trinket, Mockingjay Part I
Volunteer and donate to Larimer County Democrats: “Democracy is not a spectator sport.”
Event Calendars
https://oldfirehousebooks.com/events/calendar/2025
https://uca.colostate.edu/events/
https://artmuseum.colostate.edu/programs/
https://moafc.org/moafc-events/
https://www.lyriccinema.com/upcoming
https://bandwagmag.com/
https://downtownfortcollins.com/
https://focoma.org/directory/media-resources
https://www.fcgov.com/events/
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month
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