- What's Happenin' Fort Collins
- Posts
- š Free Fest, Fresh Brews & River Vibes This Weekend!
š Free Fest, Fresh Brews & River Vibes This Weekend!
Poudre RiverFest is back this Saturday with live music, kidsā activities, local exhibitors, and craft beerāall at New Belgium and all for free.
Celebrate the Poudre: Music, Brews & River Views

Hey there, FoCo,
Looking for something fun and meaningful this weekend? Head to New Belgium Brewing this Saturday, August 9, for Poudre RiverFest, a free, family-friendly celebration of Fort Collinsā beloved Cache la Poudre River. Itās an afternoon full of live local music, hands-on river-themed activities, food trucks, craft beer, and 60+ local exhibitors working to keep Northern Colorado sustainable and thriving.

š§ Fort Collins Trivia Time
Which Colorado river was the first in the state to be designated a National Wild and Scenic River? |

The Bulletin
Have something meaningful to share with the community? Showcase your business, event, opportunity, or announcement with a growing list of 4,200+ readers.

š® Whoās Got the Best Tacos in FoCo?Weāre on a mission to crown FoCoās top taco spotāfrom OG taquerĆas to bold fusion joints. Vote for your favorite and help settle the salsa-fueled debate once and for all. š¶ļø | š§ Need a brain break?Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games arenāt just fun...theyāll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving youāre the true local legend. | š° Craving: Little Bird Bakeshop š 613 S College Ave ā° Open daily ātil 3PM Nestled between Old Town and CSU, Little Bird Bakeshop is a cozy hideaway where everything is made from scratchāpastries, pies, cakes, you name it. Enjoy buttery croissants, cinnamon rolls with orange cream cheese frosting, or a slice of quiche in one of their charming nooks. Theyāve even got an espresso bar, tea, and yesābeer and wine too. Perfect for a pastry-and-latte break or a sweet little lunch. |

Celebrate the Poudre: Music, Brews & River Views
This festival doesnāt just talk the talkāit flows with purpose. Whether youāre grooving to the bands, getting your hands messy in the Kids Zone, or painting with Pinotās Palette, youāll learn how our river supports wildlife, recreation, clean drinking water, and so much more. Come thirsty for knowledge (and beer)!
š¶ Live Music Lineup
All performances at New Belgiumās outdoor space!
12:15 PM ā Veronica May
1:30 PM ā Heart Tribe
2:45 PM ā Rosebay
4:00 PM ā Johnny & The Mongrels
š What Else Youāll Find
River Fun Zone & Poudre River Experience ā Educational exhibits and interactive activities
Painting Station ā Hosted by Pinotās Palette
Kids Zone ā Face painting, games, and fun for the littles
60+ Exhibitors ā Learn from local nonprofits, community orgs, and eco-friendly businesses
Food Trucks + New Belgium Beers ā Sip and snack your way through the afternoon
š Why the Poudre Matters
The Cache la Poudre River isnāt just prettyāitās our lifeline. This river powers recreation, provides drinking water, supports local agriculture, and sustains diverse wildlife. Events like Poudre RiverFest remind us to celebrate it, protect it, and enjoy every ripple.
šļø Saturday, August 9
ā° 12:00 PM ā 5:00 PM
šļø Free admission

š Whatās Happeninā in Fort Collins: Event Listings
š Friday, August 8šµ Drake Bell Liveš 830 North College Avenue | ā° 8:30 PM | šļø Ticketed šØ For the Love of Strangersš 7 Old Town Square, Suite 100 | ā° 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM | šļø Ticketed š Ren Fest at The Atrium with Funscreenš 120 1/2 W Laurel St, Suite B, 120 1/2 W Laurel St | ā° 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM | šļø Ticketed | Saturday, August 9 šµ CHYL Pretty Race Girl Tourš 204 S. College Ave | ā° 7:00 PM to 11:55 PM | šļø Ticketed šØ CarHop's Pit Stop Party: Free BBQ + Raffle!š 1437 E Mulberry St, | ā° 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM | š Free šµ RonjoV / Something Slight / Jacob Russoš 120 1/2 W Laurel St, Suite B, 120 1/2 W Laurel St | ā° 7PM | šļø Ticketed | Sunday, August 10 šØ Scam Likely Improv Showš 120 S. Mason St. | ā° 7:00 PM | šļø Ticketed šļø The Soulful Exchange: A Market for Makers & Mysticsš 2721 S. College Ave., Unit 3 | ā° 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | šļø Ticketed š Scratch & Ride Horseback Experienceš 108 eiger road | ā° 8:30am | šļø Ticketed |
Want more? See the full calendar ā Fort Collins Event Calendar

Come for the tunes, stay for the river love
Bring your crew, your kiddos, or just your curiosityāand letās raise a pint to the Poudre! šš»
Answer: ā C) Cache la Poudre River
In 1986, the upper stretch of the Cache la Poudre River earned the honor of becoming Coloradoās first National Wild and Scenic River, recognized for its outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values. š
āYour Whatās Happeninā Fort Collins crew š
Did you enjoy this post? |

Interested in other Whatās Happeninā newsletters?