The long weekend · Nov 27–29
Thanksgiving weekend, by daylight
Four days off and a town full of people home for the holiday. Friday starts in Old Town, where Santa arrives by firetruck before lunch. Saturday is markets and a second Santa out at the nursery. Sunday the makers set up at Foothills. The lights in Old Town are on for the walk home.
FridayNovember 27
Our pick · 10 AM–4 PM
Holiday Artisan MarketMore than 100 artisans at the Senior Center, free to get in, Friday and Saturday 10 to 4.
Fort Collins Senior Center · Around town
Our pick · 11:30 AM
Santa's arrival at Old Town SquareSanta rolls into the square on a firetruck at 11:30 with Comet the reindeer. Come early for a view; workshop visits are always free.
Old Town Square · Around town
SaturdayNovember 28
Our pick · 10 AM–3 PM
Santa's visit at Fort Collins NurserySanta at the nursery from 10 to 3. The kids hand over their lists while you look at holiday plants. Bring a camera.
Fort Collins Nursery · Around town
Our pick · 10 AM–2 PM
Wildcraft Farmers Market at FoothillsThe Saturday market, 10 to 2, for whatever the Thanksgiving fridge is missing.
Foothills Mall · Around town
10 AM–4 PM
Holiday Artisan MarketFort Collins Senior Center · Around town
SundayNovember 29
Our pick · 12 PM–5 PM
Makers Hive Market at FoothillsLocal makers at Foothills, noon to 5, to close out the long weekend.
Foothills Mall · Around town
After dark
The trees in Old Town are lit from Nov 6 to Feb 14.
Walk the square once it's dark. Where to go after that is The Fort List's department.
Tonight on The Fort List ↗Between stops
Cold out, still worth a scoop.
Our rankings of the town's ice cream, with a map.
Our ice cream rankings →