FoCo’s Holiday Pop-Ups Are Popping Off This Weekend 🎁
🎄 Fort Collins, Let’s Go Holiday Market Hopping!
Happy Friday, FoCo !
Ben here, and Happy Thanksgiving weekend! If you’re already in that “spirit of giving” headspace (or just ready to treat yourself after all the cooking), this is your moment. Our local makers are out in full force, and Fort Collins is absolutely buzzing with holiday pop-ups, handmade treasures, and small-business magic.
Fort Collins is home to one of Colorado’s most iconic holiday markets. Which local venue hosted FoCo’s very first city-run holiday craft fair back in the 1970s?
Click an option to vote
The Bulletin
Have something meaningful to share with the community? Showcase your business, event, opportunity, or announcement with a growing list of 4,900+ readers.
🍔 Who’s Got the Best Burger in Fort Collins?
From classic roadside burgers to chef-crafted patties piled high with local flair, FoCo’s burger scene is sizzling. We’re rounding up the juiciest contenders in town—now it’s your turn to crown the one that rules them all. 🍟🔥
🧠 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: Chili House
Craving sushi, noodles, or a plate of spicy Thai rice that actually delivers heat? Chili House is a FoCo favorite for big portions of Asian comfort food — from curries to sushi rolls to that legendary Tangerine Shrimp reviewers rave about. It’s dimly lit, cozy, and the kind of hidden spot you almost want to keep secret.
📍 4200 S College Ave #110 | 💰 $10–$20 | ⏰ Open until 9:30 PM
🎄 Fort Collins, Let’s Go Holiday Market Hopping!
Here are three can’t-miss markets where you can shop local, meet the makers, and snag a few gifts that don’t come from the algorithm.
🎨 Holiday Artisan Market — The Big One
📍 Fort Collins Senior Center
🕒 Nov. 28–29 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Over 100 (!!) artisans pack into the Senior Center for this two-day handmade extravaganza. Quilts, jewelry, honey, clothing, home goods — basically, if your Pinterest board came to life, this would be it. It’s free, it’s festive, and it’s one of the best ways to support FoCo creatives all at once.
👗 Maker Pop-Up at Dandelions & Rust — Vintage + Holiday Vibes
📍 119 W. Oak St.
🕒 Nov. 28 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
If you want something truly one-of-a-kind, head to this cozy Black Friday pop-up. Dandelions & Rust is bringing out vintage clothing from Cee Cee’s Closet, holiday décor, glassware, and Cheap Frills is joining the party with a vintage clothing pop-up of their own. Great gifts… or great excuses to gift yourself.
🛍️ Colorado Makers Holiday Market — 130+ Vendors, Zero Stress
📍 Northside Aztlan Center
🕒 Nov. 29–30 | Noon–5 p.m.
More than 130 Colorado makers? Yes, please. This two-day event is massive — ceramics, prints, spices, jewelry, textiles, the works. Free to enter and full of holiday spirit. Stroll, shop, meet cool people, and maybe grab a snack on the way out. Your gift list won’t know what hit it.
What's Happenin' in Fort Collins: Event Listings
Friday, November 28
Saturday, November 29
Sunday, November 30
Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar
Local Happenings
CSU Men’s Basketball Hits 15 Straight Shots in Win Over Wichita State
Colorado State went nuclear in the first half, draining 15 consecutive field goals to power a 76–70 win over Wichita State in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
CSU is the only college team this season to hit 15 straight shots — a blistering offensive stretch that carried them past a tough, physical opponent.
Rams shot 76% in the first half; led 47–30 at the break.
Wichita State grabbed 20 offensive rebounds to claw back late.
Rechsteiner bounced back with 21 points and 7 threes.
CSU played without key big man Rashaan Mbemba (lower-body injury).
The Rams never trailed and improved to 5–2.
CSU plays South Florida in the fifth-place game on Nov. 28 (2:30 PM MT on ESPNU).
Until Next Time ❤️
Thanks for supporting local this weekend — every pop-up, every maker, every booth truly matters. Forward this to a FoCo friend who needs holiday plans, and hey… if you find an amazing local vendor, reply and tell me. I love adding new makers to the list.
B) The Lincoln Center!
Fort Collins’ earliest city-organized holiday craft fairs were held at The Lincoln Center in the late 1970s, setting the stage for the bustling maker scene we enjoy today.
💬 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
Keep Reading with a Free Subscription
Get unlimited access to all newsletters, local guides, and exclusive content. Join our community!
Already a subscriber?