Sunday, Funday: The Free 2026 Open Streets in Fort Collins

For five hours on a Sunday, Fort Collins celebrates living in Colorado and in The Choice City with a 'block party' that begins with a great little bike parade.

Where/When is the 2026 'Open Streets' in Fort Collins?

The 2026 Open Streets will take place on Sunday, October 18, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. along Laurel between Mason and Shields. That's about a mile and a half of activities on a car-free street.

What Bands Are Playing at the 2026 'Open Streets' Event?

10:00 a.m. - Noon: Debr4h Forever.

Noon - 2:00 p.m. - The Fort Collins African Drum and Dance Collective.

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Natalie Sterling.

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lryrl Vaecairn (Bagpiper).

Why Does Fort Collins Hold 'Open Streets' Every Year?

'Open Streets' began in the summer of 2014 as a way to show the community how the streets can be safely shared and redesigned to put pedestrians, bikes, and scooters over motor vehicles. They clear the streets of parked cars so that there's plenty of space for walking, bike riding, and "scooting".

By slowing down and taking cars/trucks out of the picture, attendees to the free event can get a closer/better look at things along the route, including the food trucks, the activities that are hosted by local businesses, the live music, and the overall enjoyment ot it all.

The day begins, as it has for years, with the annual Ollie's Bike Parade, dedicated to the life of a young Fort Collins boy who loved riding his bike but was critically injured while riding his bike home from a friend's house. The 2026 parade theme is "Movies."