FoCo Turns the Volume All the Way Up

This city is about to get very loud in the best possible way. There’s a certain kind of weekend that takes over downtown, pulls people out of hibernation, and makes every block feel a little more alive. Keep reading to see why this one might be Fort Collins at its most Fort Collins.

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The Biggest Little Festival in America Is Back

If your ideal weekend includes hopping between venues, catching a band you’ve never heard of, and suddenly acting like you’ve been their biggest fan for years — FoCoMX is your moment.

Fort Collins Music eXperiment returns April 24–25 with a truly wild setup: 450+ bands playing across two packed days of music all over town. It’s one of those events that reminds you just how deep Fort Collins’ music scene really goes — and how fun it is when the whole city leans in.

Presented by FoCoMA, Fort Collins Connexion, and Odell Brewing Co., FoCoMX has grown into a local institution over the years, pulling in music lovers for everything from intimate sets to full-on crowd energy. The beauty of it is that it’s not built around one genre or one vibe. You can bounce from indie to funk to punk to folk to something totally unexpected, all in the same night.

And honestly, that’s the magic of FoCoMX: it turns Fort Collins into one giant live music crawl.

Here’s the quick rundown:
📍 Starts at: Odell Brewing Company, 346 E. Mountain Ave
📅 Dates: Friday, April 24 + Saturday, April 25
⏰ Time: 3:30 PM–1:30 AM
🎟️ Passes: $60 in advance, $75 day-of for a two-day pass

This is the kind of weekend where you probably shouldn’t over-plan. Pick a few must-sees, leave room to wander, and let the city surprise you a little. Some of the best FoCoMX moments usually happen when you duck into a venue on a whim and end up finding your new favorite band.

Whether you’re going all in for both days or just soaking up the atmosphere downtown, FoCoMX is one of those reminder events: Fort Collins doesn’t just have a music scene — it has a music personality.

Poll: What’s your FoCoMX strategy?

🎸 Full send — as many sets as possible

🍻 A few shows and plenty of wandering

🎤 I’m going for specific bands only

😅 I love the idea, but I need a nap by 9

Click an option to vote

What's Happenin' in Fort Collins

Wednesday, April 22

2025 Contemporary Art Survey - The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins | 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Recurring weekly on Wednesday, Friday | Ticketed

Handmade Pasta & Pairings - Farm Fusion, Fort Collins | 5:00 PM | Ticketed

Ram Talks: Preserving Colorado’s Agricultural History One Story at a Time - Fort Collins Welcome Center, Fort Collins | 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM | Ticketed

Thursday, April 23

Plant-Based Thai Cooking Class - Ginger and Baker, Fort Collins | 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM | Ticketed

Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar

Real Talk ☕

What’s Happenin’ is 100% free and independently run (yep, it’s just us). If this newsletter helps you discover cool things around town, your support helps keep it going and growing. We truly appreciate any and all love. Thank you for being part of the community.

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💼 Local Jobs Worth Checking Out

You asked for it — we delivered. In our recent poll, a bunch of you said you’d love a tiny job board in the newsletter, so here it is. We believe great communities connect people to great opportunities.

Full-time

Image Quality Test Technician at Insight Global | Fort Collins

Veterinary District Sales Manager – Fort Collins, CO (Royal Canin) at Mars | Fort Collins

Director of Creative Video at Colorado State University | Fort Collins

👉 More Jobs Here →

💘 Date Spot in Fort Collins

Fort Collins dates hit that sweet spot between charming and adventurous. Wander Old Town Fort Collins for coffee, shops, and easy people-watching, or keep it classic with a picnic at City Park. Craft beer lovers can settle in at New Belgium Brewing, while outdoorsy pairs can chase sunset views at Horsetooth Reservoir.

👉 Vote and we’ll share the top picks—chosen by locals—in an upcoming issue. 💌

👉 Vote for your favorite Fort Collins date spot.

🍽 Not sure where to eat tonight?

Our Restaurant Finder takes the guesswork out of dining by showing you the best local restaurants based on real reviews and vibes, not just ratings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a date-night spot, we’ve got you. No endless scrolling, no decision fatigue...just solid recs.

🧠 Need a brain break?

Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend.

🗳 Now Voting: FoCo’s Best Brunch 🍳

Beer had its moment. Now it’s brunch time.

We’re opening voting for Best Brunch in Fort Collins, celebrating the spots that turn late mornings into a full-on ritual. Breakfast burritos, patio hangs, strong coffee, and menus worth showing up early for — you know the deal.

If there’s a brunch you always recommend, vote here.

One More Song Before You Go

FoCoMX weekends always feel a little bigger, louder, and more electric than your average spring weekend — and that’s exactly why people love it. Forward this to your go-to concert buddy, and if you’ve got an event to share with FoCo, submit it here. See you next week.

Keep the recs coming, keep voting, and if you’ve got a park, trail, or tiny green space you think belongs on the shortlist, just hit reply. I read every single one.

See you Friday for more FoCo goodness 💚

— Ben

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450+ Bands. 2 Days. FoCo, Are You Ready?

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