Your Complete Guide to Northern Colorado's Winter and Holiday Activities for 2025–2026

Why NoCo Feels So Magical This Season

When the calendar turns to November, towns all over Northern Colorado start to glow. Streetlights, holiday markets, ice rinks, and walks under sparkling alleys all come together to create a small-town charm and a sense of community. If you've lived here for a long time or are just thinking about moving here, now is a wonderful time to see what makes this area feel like home.

Thanksgiving Weekend and the Start of the Holidays

🏃‍♂️ Get Moving and Give Thanks: The Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run

The Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run is the best way to start the holiday season in a way that is unique to your area. The run/walk is 4 miles long (with a kids' fun run option) and takes place in the heart of the city. It's a fun, family-friendly event that brings the community together and is a wonderful way to burn off those holiday calories. 

🎭 Shows, fun, and nightlife in the area

Thanksgiving weekend isn't just about turkey and pie; there's something for everyone. There are many fun things to do that also follow the rules, like The WASTED Wizard of Oz at The Lyric, comedy nights at local venues, and fun events after Thanksgiving (depending on your mood). 

🎨 Markets and Shopping in Small Towns—Holiday Artisan Market and More

Fort Collins has the Holiday Artisan Market (and other holiday-season markets) over Thanksgiving weekend. It's a wonderful place to get an early start on your holiday shopping or find something one-of-a-kind and handmade. 

✨ Lights for the holidays and magic in the winter in Loveland and nearby

If you live in Loveland or don't mind a short drive, you should check out these holiday light events and displays:

1. The Festival of Lights in Downtown Loveland (on 4th Street) will have live music, a holiday market feel, a tree lighting, and (yes) Santa. It starts on November 21, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. 

2. The 12 Days of Christmas Display at Dwayne Webster Veteran's Park is a classic drive-through holiday experience. It runs every night from November 21 to January 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. It is a simple and inexpensive way for families to get into the holiday spirit. Christmas Walk in the Woods at Savage Woods is a more immersive walk through a lit forest trail (Dec. 13–31, evenings). A great place to go on a date or with the family. 

Loveland really is a center for holiday lights and charm. It's a great place to get into the spirit without having to deal with the crowds of big cities.

🎁 Shopping, eating, and getting into the holiday spirit in downtown

In Fort Collins, stores and restaurants in the downtown area get ready for the holidays. Old Town Spree is a seasonal contest that invites people to shop, eat, and enter to win gift cards all through November and December. 

Restaurants, breweries, and cozy spots in Old Town are even more appealing in the winter. This is a great way for both locals and visitors to celebrate without having to cook all day. 

Quick Guide to Ice Skating Rinks Around Northern Colorado

If it isn’t officially winter yet, it certainly starts to feel like it once the ice rinks open up. Whether you’re craving that first glide of the season or looking for a fun holiday outing, here’s a fast rundown of all the local spots to lace up near Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and beyond.

⛸️ Old Town Square Skate Rink (Fort Collins)

199 Trimble Ct., Fort Collins

Old Town’s beloved synthetic ice rink is back for the season starting Nov. 26. It’s free (yep—skating and rentals), and no reservations are needed. It’s closed on Thanksgiving Day, but otherwise open Fridays–Sundays through Jan. 25, with expanded weekday hours Dec. 22–31. Perfect for families, shoppers, or anyone who loves that cozy Old Town holiday vibe.

⛸️ Edora Pool Ice Center—EPIC (Fort Collins)

1801 Riverside Ave.

EPIC is Fort Collins’ year-round indoor rink and home to CSU hockey, figure skating, and tons of classes. If you want classic indoor skating, this is it. Public skate times rotate weekly; admission runs $6 for youth/seniors, $7 for adults, and $3 for skate rentals. Closed Nov. 26–27 for the holiday. Check their schedule before heading over since times vary.

⛸️ The Ice Rink at The Promenade Shops at Centerra (Loveland)

5971 Sky Pond Dr.

Right in the middle of Centerra’s shopping and dining, this rink is a great aThis rink is a great addition to a holiday outing, opening on Nov. 21 and running through Jan. 4, with closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tickets are $13 for ages 13+ and $11 for kids 12 and under. Seniors 65+ and kiddos 2 and under skate free. Military and BYO-skates get $3 off. Card-only payments.

⛸️ Longmont Ice Pavilion (Longmont)

725 8th Ave., Roosevelt Park

A classic outdoor rink with public skating, hockey, lessons, and rentals. It opens Nov. 21 and stays open all the way through March 3, making it one of the longest-running rinks in the area. Pricing varies by age and residency, with resident adult admission at $12 and youth at $11 (skate rental included). Always check ahead—hours can shift with the weather.

⛸️ Greeley Ice Haus (Greeley)

900 8th Ave.

Greeley’s year-round rink is perfect if you want simple, affordable public skate times every day. Admission is $6, and skate rental is $4. Public skating runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. daily and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. They also offer sled hockey, figure skating, and tons of lessons if you want to level up your skills this winter.

Quick Guide to the Best Holiday Lights & Displays in Northern Colorado

🎄 Top Residential Holiday Displays

(Most go live by Dec. 1.)

Fort Collins

• 432 West St.

• 1112 Woodford Ave.

• 3435 Kenwood Dr.—Light show nightly, 4:30–10 p.m., Dec. 1–31

• 2985 Southmoor Dr.

• 2412 Crabtree Dr. (Bishop Blinkenhaus)—Synchronized lights, 5:30–9:30 p.m., Dec. 1–Jan. 1

• 2318 & 2319 Ryeland Ct.

• 2212 Three Oaks Ct.

• 2635 Geranium Ln.

• 5841 Mars Dr.

• 2156 Scenic Estates Dr.

Windsor & Severance

• “Severance Griswalds”—1107 & 1109 Tur St., Severance

• 2106 Grain Bin Dr., Windsor

• 1979 Blossom Grove Ct., Windsor

Loveland

• 2767 Yew Dr.

• 2355 Arikaree Dr.

🎆 Community Holiday Light Displays

Downtown Fort Collins Holiday Lights

• When: Nightly through Feb. 14

• Where: Old Town
  22 blocks of trees, alleys, and buildings lit up all season long — a must-see winter tradition.

NoCo Winter Wonderland (Drive-Thru)

• When: Thu–Sun, Nov. 27–Dec. 14 & nightly Dec. 18–31, 5:15–8:30 p.m.

• Where: Colorado Youth Outdoors, 4927 CR 36, Fort Collins
  A 15-minute drive-thru show with 500,000+ lights and moving displays. $25 per vehicle, supporting local youth programs.

Downtown Fort Collins Menorah Lighting

• When: Dec. 21, 4:30 or 5 p.m.

• Where: Old Town Square
  A warm, community Chanukah celebration on the last night of the holiday.

“Big Blue Tree” – Realities for Children NightLights

• When: Dec. 1, 5:30–7 p.m.

• Where: First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave.
  Fort Collins’ iconic 50-foot blue tree lights up for a great cause. Expect cocoa, cookies, live music, reindeer, and Santa.

Garden of Lights

• When: Dec. 12–28, 5–9 p.m. (timed entry 5–7:30)

• Where: The Gardens on Spring Creek
  A half-mile light walk with lit flowerbeds, an “ice forest,” Santa visits (through Dec. 23), and special nightly guests.
  Tickets: $12 advance / $14 at the door, kids 5–11 $8–10, under 4 free.

🌟 Loveland, Windsor & Wellington Community Displays

All is Bright Tour at Centerra (Loveland)

• When: Nightly through Jan. 1

• Where: Chapungu Sculpture Park & Centerra district
  A massive multi-location light route covering parks, shopping areas, and neighborhoods.

12 Days of Christmas Display (Loveland)

• When: Nightly through Jan. 1, 5–9 p.m.

• Where: Dwayne Webster Veterans Park
  Larger-than-life scenes from the classic carol—totally free.

Wellington Holiday Lights & Festivities

• Lights On: Nov. 29

• Where: Downtown Wellington
  The event includes a petting zoo from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., lighting at 5 p.m., and a visit from Santa, along with additional activities.

  • Parade of Lights: Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m.

  • Mingle on Main: Dec. 19

Windsor Wonderland

• When: Dec. 6, starting 4 p.m.

• Where: Boardwalk Park
  Carriage rides, face painting, food trucks, live music, s’mores, and the annual tree lighting—plus the Deck the Streets Parade at 7 p.m.

What's Going on in Each Town? 

🎄 Fort Collins, Colorado: Lights, Skates, and Downtown Cheer

- The Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in Old Town Square. Downtown has live music, a countdown to the lights coming on, and the start of the holiday sparkle. 

- NoCo Winter Wonderland (Drive-Thru Light Show) is at Colorado Youth Outdoors, which is on CR 36 in east Fort Collins. From November 28 to December 31, 2025, the event runs on Thursday through Sunday nights. It runs every night during the final week, from December 19 to December 31. This festival is a light show that you can drive through, covering a distance of one mile. 

- The Garden of Lights The Gardens on Spring Creek is hosting the Winter Holiday Lights Festival. Open every night from December 12 to 28, 2025, from 5 to 9 PM (closed on December 24 and 25). TTake a half-mile walk through the beautifully lit gardens, visit Santa until December 23, warm up with hot cocoa or a drink, and possibly see the "Ice Queen" or enjoy some holiday music performances. 

- Skating and Santa in Old Town: The downtown ice rink and "Santa's Workshop" are back. The synthetic ice rink has free rentals, and families can visit Santa and take pictures. TThe downtown holiday guide contains all the necessary information. 

- Shopping and eating during the holidays: Downtown turns into a cozy center of restaurants, boutiques, gift shops, and seasonal deals like "Old Town Spree" gift-card drawings. This is an excellent opportunity to support local businesses or enjoy a festive night out. 

- Community-Fun Nights are monthly events that happen all year long, even during the holidays. The next one is the First Friday Art Walk on December 5, and the Fort Collins Foodie Walk™ is also seasonal. These are excellent ways to enjoy downtown during the holidays. 

🎄 Loveland, CO—Lights, forest walks, and seasonal magic

The Festival of Lights will take place on 4th Street in downtown Loveland on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5 to 8 PM. There will be a full downtown holiday kickoff, featuring tree lighting, live music, carriage rides, holiday market stalls, open shops and restaurants, and a visit from Santa. 

- The 12 Days of Christmas Display will be at Dwayne Webster Veteran's Park (W 13th St) every night from November 21, 2025, to January 1, 2026, from 5 to 9 PM. Drive by or walk through huge light displays based on the Christmas carol. IIt is free and enjoyable for the entire family. 

- Christmas Walk in the Woods at Savage Woods (1750 Savage Rd). The event runs daily from December 13 to 31, 2025, between 5 PM and 8 PM, but it will be closed on December 24 and 25. This is a ticketed walk through a forest path that is illuminated for the holidays, featuring festive backdrops, lights, Santa's House, and an Elf Workshop atmosphere. It is the perfect way to enjoy a cozy night out. 

- Holiday Events at Centerra and Nearby Areas—Loveland has more holiday activities than just the lights. There are also seasonal light-display tours, local markets, and family-friendly events in shopping areas (according to the regional holiday-lights map). 

- Loveland is also a great "home base" for exploring lights, events, or quick road trips to nearby towns during the holidays because it is in the middle of Northern Colorado.

🎄 Windsor, Greeley, and nearby areas

- Windsor Wonderland Holiday Lighting will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:30 PM at Boardwalk Community Park (100 N 5th St). A free community event with lights, fun, local food, and holiday cheer for the whole family. 

- Holiday Events—Downtown Greeley—includes a "Holiday Open House & Lighting Ceremony" in Lincoln Park on Saturday, November 29, 2025. There will be carolers, treats, crafts, and visits with Santa.

How to Enjoy the Holidays in NoCo

1. Mix and Match Towns: A lot of these events are only a short drive away from each other, so you can turn your holiday outings into a mini road trip series. For example, you could see lights in Loveland one night, go ice skating in Fort Collins the next, and then watch a cozy community parade in Windsor or Greeley.

2. Dress for winter, but keep the holiday spirit alive. Layers, warm drinks, good blankets, or winter coats are all great things to have for evening events, drive-thru lights, and walks under the stars.

3. Every year, do something new: first, go to a traditional walk-through lights show. Then, go to a "Walk in the Woods" in the woods, and finally, have hot chocolate and live music downtown. It's a fun way to start a new holiday tradition.

4. Use Downtown as a Base: The downtown areas of Fort Collins and Loveland are great places to shop, eat out, and combine small events with big displays without having to travel far.

5. Keep in mind that tickets and timing are important. For events that require tickets, like the "Christmas Walk in the Woods" or the "Garden of Lights," make sure to book ahead or look for dates that are not available (holidays, limited slots, or crowds on the weekend).

What Makes This Season Great

This season shows off everything that makes NoCo special for people who live here or are thinking about moving here: walkable downtowns, a sense of community, local businesses, family-friendly fun, and a festive spirit that doesn't require a big city rush.

For people who are new to the area, holiday lights, local markets, ice skating rinks, cozy small-town festivals, and easy-to-reach weekend events are all great ways to get to know the area, meet people, and feel at home.