🎽 May the Fourth Be Fast (and Festive)

From Star Wars parties to Cinco de Mayo fiestas and the Colorado Marathon, this weekend in FoCo is STACKED.

Your May Weekend Starts in Hyperdrive

Hey FoCo,

This weekend is a triple threat of awesome. We’ve got the return of the Colorado Marathon (bring your running shoes), May the 4th Star Wars celebrations (bring your lightsaber), and Cinco de Mayo events that bring the heat (bring your appetite). Whether you’re clocking miles, channeling your inner Jedi, or loading up on nachos, there’s no wrong way to do Fort Collins this weekend.

Let’s dive in. 👇

🧠 FoCo Trivia Time

How many miles long is the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area?

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☑️ Tap to vote—we’ll reveal the answer in the outro!

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🏃‍♂️ The Colorado Marathon: Fast Feet & FoCo Views

Sunday, May 4 | Poudre Canyon & Downtown Fort Collins

The countdown is on. Whether you’re lacing up for your first 5K or going full-send on 26.2, the Colorado Marathon is one of the most scenic, runner-friendly races in the state—and it all kicks off this Sunday!

Here’s the deal:

Ready to race through one of Colorado’s most scenic canyons? The Colorado Marathon kicks off high in the Poudre Canyon, giving runners fresh mountain air, sweeping views, and a speedy downhill route that’s perfect for a Boston Qualifier (16–18% of racers earn one here!). Not up for a full 26.2? No problem—there’s a half, 10K, and 5K too. The finish line lands you right in Downtown Fort Collins, where brunch, brews, and bragging rights await. Bonus: It’s a cup-free, paperless race, so your miles come with a side of sustainability.

Bonus points if you cheer from the sidelines, bring a sign, or high-five a sweaty stranger. That’s how we do race day in Fort Collins.

🌌 May the 4th Celebrations

Stodgy Brewing’s Pirates of the Galaxy Bash

📍 1802 Laporte Ave | 🕚 11 AM – 8 PM | 🎟️ Free

  • Live Cantina Band

  • Galactic Market with Star Wars-themed vendors

  • Cosplay Contest + intergalactic brews + themed food menu

Totally 80’s Pizza & Museum’s Star Wars Bash

📍 2567 S Shields Street | 🕛 12 – 3 PM | 🎟️ Free

  • Free face painting & balloon light sabers

  • Star Wars memorabilia on display

  • Appearances by heroes & villains — no ticket needed!

🌮 Cinco de Mayo Festivities

🎉 Cinco de Mayo: Fundraiser for Mujeres de Colores

📍 The Drake Centre | 🕕 Friday, May 2 | 6 – 10 PM 🎟️ Ticket includes food + drinks

  • Live Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra

  • Ballet Folklórico Patria Mexicana

  • Dancing with Robert G

  • Silent Auction & community celebration

🎤 Selena Night: 5 de Mayo Celebration ft. Mayra Alejandra & DJ Javi

📍 Aggie Theatre | 🕕 Friday, May 2 | 🎟️ Ticketed

🍹 Cinco de Mayo Client Appreciation Social

📍 Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant | 🕕 Friday, May 2 | 🎟️ Details TBD

🍻 Cinco De Drinko

📍 Weaver Stone Company | 🕓 Monday, May 5 | 🎟️ Free

🧀 Nacho Eating Competition at Breckenridge Brewery

📍 1020 E Lincoln Ave | 🕔 Monday, May 5 | 5 – 7 PM | 🎟️ Free to enter

  • Compete in groups of five to devour nachos + margarita slushie the fastest

  • Winner eats for FREE + gets Breck swag + bragging rights

  • Non-alcoholic options available

  • Loser pays $20 for the feast

  • Limited spots — sign up ASAP!

🗓 What’s Happenin’ in Fort Collins: Event Listings

🎭 Friday, May 2

🆓 Free Events

🖼 First Friday Art Walk📍 Downtown Fort Collins |  6–9 PM | 💵 Free

🎲 Dungeon Master 101 Workshop📍 Old Firehouse Books | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free

🎸 Send Off A Brother’s Fountain at First Friday📍 Tellus | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 🆓 Free

💵 Ticketed Events

🎺 Poudre River Irregulars on Avo’s Patio📍 Avogadro’s Number |  4–7 PM | 💵 $15 adults / $5 students

🧘‍♀️ Happy Hour Flow w/ Maxline Brewing📍 The Movement Apothecary |  4:30 PM | 💵 Donation-based

🎶 Fourth Fridays at All Sales Vinyl (recurring Friday) 📍 All Sales Vinyl | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 🎟️ Suggested $

🎤 Cipha Sounds (also May 3)📍 Comedy Fort | Shows 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM | 🎟️ $22

🎭 Debut Theatre Company: Anne of Green Gables📍 The Lincoln Center | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎺 Foothills Symphonic Band Presents: Americana📍 CSU University Center for the Arts | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | 🎟️ $6–$8

🎶 Free Live Jazz at Global Village Museum📍 Global Village Museum | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free

🎶 Selena Night: 5 de Mayo Celebration📍 Aggie Theatre | 9:00 PM

Saturday, May 3

🆓 Free Events

🎶 Live Music Saturdays (recurring Saturday) 📍 Breckenridge Brewery | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | 🆓 Free

💵 Ticketed Events

🍺 Old Town Breweries & Distilleries Tour (recurring Saturday) 📍 Old Town Square | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 🎟️ $22

🎉 Orange Pulp at The Coast (recurring Saturday) 📍 The Coast | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 🎟️ $5 music / Vendor Village Free

🚴‍♀️ Cyclebar x AHA Donation Rides📍 CycleBar Foothills | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Cycle for a cause!

🎶 Clementine, Joe Suburb, Lofi Hohum📍 The Coast | 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM | 🎟️ $12.88

🎸 Eli Rey Live📍 Red Feather Lakes Tavern | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎶 Fort Collins Wind Symphony Concert📍 CSU University Center | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | 🆓 Free

🎶 Luttrell with Chief Ojih📍 Aggie Theatre | 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM

🎉 NBB Prom📍 New Belgium Brewing | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM | 🎟️ $15

🧘‍♂️ Old Town Square Baby Goat Yoga📍 Old Town Square | 🕙 Morning

🎻 Tales of Star-Crossed Lovers: Romeo and Juliet📍 The Lincoln Center | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | 🎟️ $12–$70

🎸 Ziggy Alberts📍 Washington’s | 7:00 PM

Sunday, May 4

🆓 Free Events

🎤 Open Mic @ The Atrium (recurring Sunday) 📍 The Atrium | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 🆓 Free

♠️ Poker Night at Peculier Ales (recurring Sunday)📍 Peculier Ales | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 🆓 Free

🛍️ Maxline Brewing Mother’s Day Market📍 Maxline Brewing | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 🆓 Free

🔮 The Soulful Exchange: Makers & Mystics Market📍 The Movement Apothecary | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 🆓 Free

💵 Ticketed Events

😂 Comedy Brewers Improv Show📍 Bas Bleu Theatre | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | 🎟️ $10–$15

🥁 CSU World Percussion Ensemble Festival Concert📍 CSU University Center | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 🎟️ $5–$15

🌸 Mother’s Day Floral Workshop📍 Bath Garden Center | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 🎟️ $75

🎶 Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes📍 The Lincoln Center | 6:00 PM | 🎟️ $25+

🌸 Spring Floral Workshop with Lace & Lilies📍 Armstrong Hotel | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

♠️ Poker Night at Peculier Ales (recurring Sunday)📍 Peculier Ales | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 🆓 Free

🧘 Sunday Sound Bowl Meditation (recurring Sunday) 📍 The Movement Apothecary | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | 🎟️ Donation-based

Your May Weekend Starts in Hyperdrive

🏁 Fort Collins is a city that always finds a reason to celebrate—this weekend, it’s giving us three. Whether you’re chasing a PR, chasing a droid, or chasing tacos, we hope it’s one to remember.

—Your What’s Happenin’ Fort Collins crew 💛

🧠 Trivia Answer: 45 miles

The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area stretches 45 scenic miles from the edge of the Roosevelt National Forest all the way to just west of the South Platte River near Greeley. That’s a lot of natural beauty packed into one historic corridor!

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