🎶 September in Fort Collins: Where Summer Meets Fall

September in Fort Collins is that magical mix of late-summer sunshine and cozy hints of fall. The city is buzzing with concerts, festivals, art walks, and community events that make it one of the most fun months to get out and explore. Whether you’re into biking, live music, history, food, or just soaking up that crisp FoCo air, this month has something for you.

Let’s dive in!

🍻Fort Collins Trivia

How many acres does the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee Grassland cover in total?

A) 500,000 acres

B) 1.5 million acres

C) 2.2 million acres

D) 3 million acres

Click an option to vote

🌟 Can’t-Miss September Events

Sept. 6: Rist Canyon Mountain Fest – Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the volunteer fire department with live music, bake sales, a firefighter dunk tank, and the legendary used book sale. Free and family-friendly!
Sept. 6–13: Fort Collins Mural Project – Fourteen artists will add 13 new murals to town as this project hits its 10-year milestone. Don’t miss the live painting, bike tours, and community art talks.
Sept. 13: Historic Homes Tour – Step back in time as the Poudre Landmarks Foundation opens private residences and landmarks like the Avery House and 1883 Water Works. A dream day for history buffs!
Sept. 13: The Farm at Lee Martinez Park Turns 40 – Food trucks, animals, live music, and farm games—an easy win for the kids.
Sept. 27–28: Northern Colorado Mountain Bike Festival – Two full days of trail rides, music, and advocacy at Lory State Park.

🎤 Live Music & Shows

The Mish – Jam-packed lineup with The Disco Biscuits (Sept. 5–7), Umphrey’s McGee (Sept. 13–14), and Emancipator (Sept. 26–27). Don’t skip their intimate Campfire Sessions either.
Washington’s – Intimate Old Town venue hosting The Dandy Warhols, Ruthie Foster, Bonnie Prince Billy, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS, and the Colorado Sound Music Awards.
Aggie Theatre – From Samantha Fish to Sabrina Carpenter parties and even a Shrek Rave (yes, really).
Comedy Fort – Forts Funniest competition kicks off, alongside big names like Pete Lee and Audrey Stewart.

🎭 Arts, Culture & More

First Friday Art Walk (Sept. 5) – Downtown’s art scene in full swing.
Theatre – From Cirque on a bus (yes, an actual bus!) to Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, this month is packed with creativity.
Museums – Check out the new Thanks! It Has Pockets exhibit at CSU’s Avenir Museum or interactive fun at the Museum of Discovery.

🚴‍♂️ Outdoors & Sports

CSU Football is back with home games on Sept. 6, 20, and 27—so don your Aggie Orange or State Pride gear!
Yoga in City Park runs through Sept. 27.
Biking takes the spotlight with the annual Tour de Farms on Sept. 21 and a Senior Center Try-Cycle event on Sept. 25.

🍑 Food, Drink & Local Flavor

Sept. 16: Fort Collins Peach Festival – Stock up on Palisade peaches and peach-themed treats, all while supporting local Rotary clubs.
Sept. 19: Fort Collins Foodie Walk™ – A monthly tasting tour of Downtown’s culinary gems.
Plus: Cooking classes at Ginger & Baker, wine tastings at Cafe Vino, and the always quirky Old Town Food Tour.

What's Happenin' in Fort Collins: Event Listings

Monday, September 1

New Material Night! - The Comedy Fort, Fort Collins | 7:00 PM | Recurring weekly on Monday | Ticketed

Open Mic at The Lyric - The Lyric, Fort Collins | 5:30pm | 6:00pm | Ticketed

Beer & Bingo - Maxline Brewing, Fort Collins | Every Monday night | Ticketed

There Will Be Gore - The Lyric, Fort Collins | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM | Recurring weekly on Monday | Ticketed

King Yellowman coming to Aggie Theatre - Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins | 08:00PM | 07:00PM | Ticketed

Tuesday, September 2

Open Mic Night - Horsetooth Tavern, Fort Collins | 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM | Recurring weekly on Tuesday | Ticketed

Trivia Tuesdays - Venue TBD, Fort Collins | 6-8pm | 6-8pm | 8pm | 8pm | Ticketed

Tour Vortic Watch Company - Vortic Watch Co., Fort Collins | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Recurring weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday | Ticketed

SMOK - Karaoke - Foothills Shopping Center, Fort Collins | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Recurring weekly on Tuesday | Ticketed

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

🍽 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.

🌮 Who’s Got the Best Tacos in FoCo?

We’re on a mission to crown FoCo’s top taco spot—from OG taquerías to bold fusion joints. Vote for your favorite and help settle the salsa-fueled debate once and for all. 🌶️

Cast your vote now →

🌄 Hello, September!

September in FoCo is all about balance—long sunny days, cool evenings, and endless things to do. Whether you’re pedaling through murals, swaying at The Mish, or snagging peaches at the festival, there’s no shortage of fun. Have a fantastic start to the season, and we’ll see you back here Wednesday with more local happenings! 🍂✨

Trivia 👉 Answer: 1.5 million acres

Have a wonderful week out there, and we’ll see you Wednesday with more FoCo happenings!

—Your What’s Happenin’ Crew ⛰️