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Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony#

holiday lights wrapped around tree

Date: Friday, November 1, 2024
Time: 5:30-7 p.m.  |  Lights are expected to turn on around 6:30 p.m.
Location: Old Town Square

The annual Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony is set to kick off the holiday season in Old Town Square on Friday, November 1 when the light display will illuminate for the first time this season. 

Live music will be performed on the stage by Space Force in Old Town Square from 5:30-7 p.m., with a short ceremony taking place at 6:30 p.m. before the lights turn on.

New! Street Closures and Business Access
From 2-8:30 p.m., Walnut St. and Linden St. will transform into a pedestrian-only zone where businesses have been invited to set up activities and retail sales along their frontage of the street.

Community members are encouraged to arrive early to shop and dine before the event. 

Starting at 4:30 p.m., Mountain Ave. closures will also take effect. Closures will include eastbound Mountain Ave. from College Ave. to Remington St, and westbound from the crosswalk near the parking garage to College Ave. Access to the Old Town Parking Garage on Mountain Ave. will remain open.

FAQs#

The Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony takes place in Old Town Square. The event brings thousands of people to Downtown Fort Collins every year, so prepare for limited parking availability and traffic congestion. Additionally, visitors can expect road closures and detours surrounding Old Town Square. 

New! Road Closures in the Area

This year, road closures will be placed on streets surrounding the Old Town Square, including Walnut St. and Linden St. "No Parking" signage will be posted 24 hours before the event, and cars parked in the event area will be towed.

Road Closure Details:

  • Walnut St. and the 200 block of Linden St. closed starting at 2:00 p.m.
    • Pedestrian-only zone for shopping, dining, and entertainment from 3-8:30 p.m.
  • Mountain Ave. between College Ave. and Remington St. closed starting at 4:30 p.m.

Please follow all posted signage to ensure safety for all attending. Cars parked in signed areas will be towed and relocated to Northside Aztlan Community Center, located at 112 E. Willow St. Fort Collins, CO 80524.

map of road closures near downtown holiday lighting ceremony event

Street parking and parking garages are available throughout Downtown Fort Collins. The Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony brings thousands of people to Downtown Fort Collins every year, so prepare for limited parking availability and traffic congestion. Additionally, visitors can expect road closures and detours surrounding Old Town Square.

Parking garages are located the following locations:

  • 209 E. Mountain Ave. (Old Town Garage)
  • 120 N. Mason St. (Civic Center)
  • 165 Chestnut St. (Firehouse Alley)

Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation (MAX), which runs until 10 p.m., or walk or bike to the event. Extra bike racks will be available on the north side of Walnut St.

  • 3-8:30 p.m. - Enjoy dining, shopping, and entertainment in the pedestrian-only zone on Walnut St. and Linden St.  Note: Walnut St. and Linden St. will be closed to all vehicles during this time.
  • 5:30-7 p.m. - Live music in Old Town Square
  • 6:30 p.m. - City representatives share a few words and lead the crowd through a short countdown to turn on the lights

Downtown Holiday Lights#

Every night from the first Friday in November through Valentine's Day, the lights will be turned on in Old Town Fort Collins. 22 block-faces of downtown will be illuminated with thousands of strands of lights in alleyways, along sidewalks, and within tree-tops. The impressive display of low-energy and sustainable LED lights can be enjoyed anywhere along College Avenue, the northern boundary of Laporte Avenue, and continuing south to Magnolia Street. Trees will be lit along Walnut Street, Linden Street, Pine Street, Old Town Square, Oak Street Plaza, and Mountain Avenue as well.

The Downtown Holiday Lights is a partnership between the City of Fort Collins and Downtown Development Authority.