✨ FoCo’s Garden of Lights Is Back — And More Magical Than Ever
Garden of Lights: Fort Collins’ Most Magical Walk of the Season
Happy Friday, FoCo !
If you need a dose of pure holiday wonder, Garden of Lights is your golden ticket. Starting this weekend, the Gardens on Spring Creek transform into a half-mile loop of glowing blossoms, sparkling grapevines, and whimsical displays that feel straight out of a storybook. Add Santa visits, live entertainment, hot cocoa, and a brand-new Ice Forest, and you’ve got the most enchanting nightly stroll in FoCo.
🐐 Meet Rocky — Your New Official Mascot
The votes are in — and our mischievous little goat finally has a name! After a spirited showdown, Rocky walked away with the crown (probably because he head-butted the competition).
From here on out, you’ll see Rocky popping up in guides, polls, recs, and the occasional chaotic adventure. Thanks to everyone who voted — you’ve officially shaped the future of our tiny hooved troublemaker.
Rocky says hi. And also: “Where’s the snacks?” 🐐💥
👉 What should Rocky do next? Should he:
Click an option to vote
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☕ Who’s the FoCo Coffee Champ?
Fort Collins takes coffee seriously — like, lab-coat-level seriously. Whether you’re team artisan roast or team “just hit me with caffeine,” it’s time to crown the city’s true bean boss. ☕💥
🧠 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.
🥡 Cravings: Maya Cove 🌴🔥
Craving a laid-back spot with beach-bar personality and seriously satisfying comfort food? Maya Cove brings Fort Collins a quirky surfer-meets-Bama vibe with huge portions, crispy fish, killer tacos, and slow-smoked BBQ that locals rave about. It’s the kind of place where the service is friendly, the drinks are strong, and you instantly feel like a regular.
📍 West Fort Collins (2100 W Drake Rd #1) | 💰 ~$10–$20 | ⏰ Open until 9 PM
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We’re leveling up What’s Happenin’ and your voice guides everything we build. From the events we feature to the stories we cover, this newsletter is shaped by you, the people who actually read it.
We put together a quick 2-minute Reader Survey to learn what you value most, why you read, and how we can make this an even better part of your week.
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Thanks for being here ❤️
Get Your Glow On at Garden of Lights ✨
If you need a reason to bundle up and leave the couch this week, Garden of Lights at Gardens on Spring Creek is it. From Dec. 12–23 and 26–28, 5–9 p.m., the gardens turn into a glowing half-mile loop of lighted grapevines, towering “flowerbeds,” dancing blossoms, and all the whimsical, colorful displays your inner kid could ask for.
Along the way, you can visit Santa nightly through Dec. 23, catch live entertainers, and warm up with hot cocoa or a drink from the full bar. New this year: the Ice Forest, where you might bump into the magical Ice Queen on select nights.
Tickets start at $12 for adults and $8 for kids (5–11) in advance, with kids 4 and under free. This is a timed-entry event with arrivals from 5–8 p.m. and the grounds closing at 9 p.m., so snag your spot early—popular nights do sell out. Pro tip: through the Gardens for All program, guests with a SNAP card can get $1 tickets (just show your card in person or arrange by phone). 🌟
What's Happenin' in Fort Collins: Event Listings
Friday, December 12
Saturday, December 13
Sunday, December 14
Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar
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Local Happenings
Fort Collins Food Co-Op Plans Big Move to Former Beavers Market
Mountain Avenue Market (Fort Collins Food Co-Op) is gearing up to move from 250 E. Mountain Ave. into the former Beavers Market at 1100 W. Mountain Ave. in 2026.
The co-op was nearly at risk of closing — instead, it’s leveling up into a bigger, more accessible space and staying a locally owned grocery option in the neighborhood.
The building at 1100 W. Mountain was bought after a big community push to keep it a grocery store.
The co-op sold its current building and rolled the proceeds into the new $2.1M site.
One big win: more parking, which a CSU study flagged as shoppers’ No. 1 complaint.
Minor renovations are underway, including restoring the iconic Beavers marquee with help from CSU’s 3D-printing lab.
The co-op is applying to join National Co+op Grocers to get better wholesale pricing and pass savings on to shoppers.
Construction is expected to ramp up in January, with hopes of opening as early as February or March.
Fort Collins almost lost a beloved co-op — instead, it’s getting a refreshed, roomier neighborhood grocery with deeper local roots.
Stay Glowing, FoCo ❤️
If you go, tag us in your glowiest pics — we love seeing your holiday adventures shine. ✨
Forward this to a FoCo friend who needs a little sparkle tonight, and we’ll see you out on the lighted pathways!
💬 Got ideas for making What’s Happenin’ Fort Collins even better?
I’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply — I read every message and always respond when I can.
See you Monday, FoCo friends!
— Ben
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