Dazzling Lights and Eating Al Fresco: Winter is Coming to Northern Colorado

As the weather turns colder, Northern Colorado restaurants are once again preparing to welcome diners al fresco. As many did in 2020, they are creatively adapting sidewalks, parking spaces, and lawns as well as refreshing their menus.

This month, you’ll notice temporary outdoor structures such as tents, greenhouses and geodesic domes lighting up both private property and public rights-of-way.

NoCoRecovers has worked with municipalities and organizations to provide resources to help businesses stay open, including gathering a list of modified restaurant regulations
(Friendly reminder: if you received a Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant, you only have until December 31 to incur expenses).

Many downtown communities are encouraging people to venture out and embrace the change of the seasons.  There are some restaurants banding together to create events, as Longmont did in October. From Friday, November 5 through Sunday, November 14, Downtown Fort Collins invites everyone to “come down and explore the creativity of restaurants in downtown Fort Collins to savor and sip these creative menu specials.” With over two dozen restaurants participating, it could be fun to try someplace new or revisit an old favorite. Check out the video courtesy of Downtown Fort Collins.

And if you didn’t need another reason to venture out, the Fort Collins Downtown Holiday Lights will be illuminated on Friday, November 5 with a lighting ceremony in Old Town Square from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. by the City of Fort Collins. The lights are expected to turn on after a short countdown at 6:30 p.m.

Every evening from the first week in November through Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2022, thousands of strands of white lights — stretching through the alleyways, sidewalks and tree-tops— will illuminate the night sky of historic Old Town Fort Collins.  You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see dazzling displays of low energy and sustainable LED lights throughout Northern Colorado. Loveland kicks off its annual festival of lights on November 19. Downtown Loveland invites everyone to “celebrate the holiday season with live music and entertainment, a tree lighting ceremony, holiday market, carriage rides, Santa and more!”

Many shops are starting to utilize their winter hours again, but there is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy what local businesses have to offer. Dine and shop local to support our Northern Colorado neighbors this holiday season.