🍀 Fort Collins Goes Green this Weekend
🍀 Fort Collins’ St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Is Back
Happy Friday, FoCo !
Old Town is about to turn a whole lot greener. This weekend, Fort Collins rolls out one of its most festive traditions of the year, bringing together runners, families, music, and plenty of Irish spirit. If you’re looking for a reason to wear green, grab a beer, and celebrate with the community… this is it.
What color was originally associated with St. Patrick before green became the holiday’s symbol?
Click an option to vote
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🍨 Craving: Cafe de Bangkok
An unassuming Fort Collins spot serving flavorful Thai classics and regional specialties. From basil fried rice and rich curries to spicy noodle soups, the dishes come out aromatic and satisfying without breaking the bank. It’s a laid-back neighborhood favorite for comforting Thai food near CSU.
📍 1232 W Elizabeth St C-7, Fort Collins ⏰ 11 AM – 9 PM 💰 $10–20
🍀 Fort Collins’ St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Is Back
Photo from NocoUnify
🍀 The Big St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Old Town
One of Fort Collins’ most beloved traditions returns Saturday, March 14, with a full day of parades, races, music, and celebrations across Old Town.
🎉 St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Celebration
📍 Downtown Fort Collins / Old Town Square
⏰ Parade: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🎟️ FREE
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at Peterson St. & Magnolia, traveling north along College Avenue to Mountain Avenue. Expect floats, community groups, local nonprofits, and thousands of spectators lining the streets in their best green outfits.
Once the parade wraps up, the party moves to Old Town Square from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM for the Old Town Irish Celebration.
Here’s what you’ll find:
🍀 Live music throughout the afternoon
🍀 Food vendors and nearby Old Town restaurants
🍀 Bar scavenger hunt with prizes
🍀 Family-friendly games and activities
The best part? It’s completely free and open to everyone.
Bonus: The event also supports NOCO Unify, helping raise awareness and funding for youth-serving nonprofits across Larimer and Weld counties.
🏃 Sharin’ O’ The Green 5K
📍 Starts Downtown → Finishes at Odell Brewing
⏰ 9:00 AM
🎟️ $25–$45
Before the parade begins, runners and walkers will kick things off with the Sharin’ O’ The Green 5K, a festive point-to-point race that turns downtown Fort Collins into a moving St. Patrick’s Day party.
The course finishes at Odell Brewing Company, where the celebration continues with:
🍺 Beer garden
🎶 Live music
🍔 Food vendors
🎁 Giveaways and awards
Whether you’re chasing a personal best or jogging in a leprechaun costume with friends, this race is a classic FoCo tradition.
🍻 St. Paddy’s Day at Mythmaker Brewing
⏰ Starting at 12:00 PM
If your St. Patrick’s Day plans include craft beer (and let’s be honest, they probably do), Mythmaker Brewing is hosting an all-day celebration featuring:
🍀 $5 pours of Lucky Lager & Irish Coffee Imperial Stout
🍀 15% off green merch
🍀 La Piadina food truck on-site
💡 Local tip:
If you’re heading downtown for the parade, arrive early and wear green. Streets along the parade route close before the event begins, and Old Town fills up quickly.
What's Happenin' in Fort Collins
Friday, March 13
Saturday, March 14
Sunday, March 15
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💘 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. 💌
🍀 A Classic Fort Collins Weekend
Parades, costumes, running shoes, live music, and plenty of green — St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Fort Collins is all about celebrating together.
Whether you’re cheering at the parade, running the 5K, or raising a pint in Old Town, next Saturday is shaping up to be one of the most festive weekends of the month.
See you in the crowd, FoCo. Sláinte! 🍻
✅ Trivia Answer: B) Blue.
Early depictions of St. Patrick and Irish royal symbolism used “St. Patrick’s Blue.” Green later became the dominant color because of Ireland’s nickname — The Emerald Isle — and the tradition of wearing shamrocks.growers with the community for nearly 50 years.
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See you, Monday!☘️
— Ben
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