2026 The Year of Conversations

Posted on by Scott McKinney in Front Page

2026 marks the 250th birthday of the United States and the 150th birthday of the state of Colorado. In recognition of these anniversaries Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, in partnership with a number of community organizations, is planning on presenting a Year of Conversations.

The Year of Conversations is designed to create spaces of community building, share civic tools to incorporate into our own lives, and explore our shared history while preserving, protecting and building our democracy and community together.

Please join us in these conversations and plan on attending as many programs as possible. Our calendar will be filling up as the year goes on so please check back frequently to see the latest opportunities to be a part of the 250/150 conversation.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:

Courtyard Open House –  Saturday, August 22nd – 11:00AM-1:00PM
Heritage Courtyard at the Center for Creativity at the Historic Carnegie Library, 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins, Colorado
Join us at the Heritage Courtyard this August for an interactive open house where you can explore some of the oldest log structures in Larimer County. This month, we’ll also be learning more about our local animal history, including information about beavers, horses, and everyone’s favorite legendary canine: Annie the Railroad Dog!

Free and open to the public – no tickets necessary, just drop in!


Women’s History Presentation @ Fort Collins Museum of Discovery August 26th – 7:00pm-8:45pm
It’s back! We’re thrilled to present our 7th year of exploring local women’s history at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.

This year, we’ll celebrate Women’s Equality Day by sharing stories and photographs of notable Fort Collins women. Join the FCMoD Archive & Collections staff as we highlight the paths of many local luminaries for an inspirational evening full of historic images, audio recordings, and fascinating information presented in the immersive OtterBox Digital Dome Theater.

We’ll also feature a virtual “walking” tour of historic sites related to Women’s Suffrage in Fort Collins, presented by our friends at the City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation Services.

All ages welcome!

  • Wednesday, August 26, 2026 in the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery – 408 Mason Court, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80524
  • Lobby opens at 6:30pm; presentation is from 7:00pm – 8:45pm
  • This is a pay-what-you-can program.  Please register for tickets since capacity is limited.

https://46395.blackbaudhosting.com/46395/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=37bde480-b47c-4679-b30d-34fc9c2cbc43

On the Move: Walking and Biking in Northern Colorado
Larimer County Knowledge Break Series @ Fort Collins Museum of Discovery August 27th – 6:30PM-7:30PM
Dive into our region’s active transportation options, trail networks, and community programming. Our speaker, a regional transportation planner from the NFRMPO, will briefly touch on planning efforts with the main focus on practical takeaways for you.

We will cover active transportation programming, trails, and regional connections to highlight everyday ways you can utilize local networks including:

  • Regional Trail Options: Discover new routes and connections for navigating NoCo without a car.
  • Bike & Pedestrian Programming: Learn about shared micromobility (like e-bikes and scooters) and programs that make active commuting easier.
  • Safe Routes to School: Explore regional initiatives helping local youth walk and roll to school safely.

Whether you are a daily commuter, a weekend trail enthusiast, or a parent looking for safer school routes, you’ll leave with plenty of practical tools to start using right away.

Learn More: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/on-the-move-walking-and-biking-in-northern-colorado-tickets-1994300986937

 

Larimer County Knowledge Break Series @ Fort Collins Museum of Discovery September 10th – 6:30PM-7:30PM

Prepared and Resilient: Creating Your Disaster Plan 

What does it take to guide a community through its worst days and help it bounce back?

Join the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) for an engaging look at how emergency managers protect life and safety during a crisis, coordinate logistics, and lead long-term community recovery.

We’re swapping standard meetings rooms for the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery! Enjoy giant slides on the 39-foot screen and interactive Kahoot trivia, all in a unique theater setting.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How OEM Works for You: The hidden safety net protecting your community before, during, and after a disaster.
  • Your Action Plan: Practical, step-by-step guidance to safeguard your home and family.
  • Future Resilience: How simple actions today prepare us all for tomorrow.

Featured Speaker: Camille Millard, Preparedness & Resiliency Specialist, Larimer OEM. Camille will share expert insights on crafting a personalized emergency plan so you feel confident and ready for whatever comes next.

Don’t wait for the next disaster to start preparing. Reserve your spot today! (Note: Bring a charged mobile device to participate in the live Kahoot game!)

Handwriting the Constitution, session 1—Monday, September 14—6:00pm-8:00pm
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Join us for the first of four sessions where you are invited to handwrite the US Constitution.

Handwriting the Constitution is a social art project begun in 2017 by artist Morgan O’Hara. It invites people from all walks of life to meet in public spaces to handwrite the US Constitution. This art practice was created so that people will know their rights, deepen their understanding of laws created to protect these rights, and to help resist negative thinking.

The goal of this art practice is to create a physical and psychological space that explores the practice of concentrated writing as an art form, and a process designed to bring people together in a quiet and calming way, all by focusing on human rights. It has been identified as a powerful and transformative form of activism for introverts.

Copies of the Constitution and pen and paper will be provided, but feel free to bring your personal favorite writing tools and notebook.

For more information about the Handwriting the Constitution project please visit: https://www.handwritingtheconstitution.org/

To register for this pay-what-you-can program please click: TICKET LINK COMING SOON

 

Courtyard Open House – Auntie Stone’s Birthday! – September 26th – 

This month we’re celebrating the 225th birthday of our favorite Fort Collins historical figure: “Auntie” Elizabeth Stone!

We’ll have treats, crafts, and more in and around her cabin, the only remaining building from the Fort Collins military post days. Auntie Stone was known for her high energy and love of dancing; celebrate with us by making your very own “Dancy” Stone paper doll!

REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON!

 

Handwriting the Constitution, session 2—Monday, September 28—6:00pm-8:00pm
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Join us for the second of four sessions where you are invited to handwrite the US Constitution. You can start from scratch or pick up where you left off in session 1.

Handwriting the Constitution is a social art project begun in 2017 by artist Morgan O’Hara. It invites people from all walks of life to meet in public spaces to handwrite the US Constitution. This art practice was created so that people will know their rights, deepen their understanding of laws created to protect these rights, and to help resist negative thinking.

The goal of this art practice is to create a physical and psychological space that explores the practice of concentrated writing as an art form, and a process designed to bring people together in a quiet and calming way, all by focusing on human rights. It has been identified as a powerful and transformative form of activism for introverts.

Copies of the Constitution and pen and paper will be provided, but feel free to bring your personal favorite writing tools and notebook.

For more information about the Handwriting the Constitution project please visit: https://www.handwritingtheconstitution.org/

To register for this pay-what-you-can program please click: TICKET LINK COMING SOON

 

Handwriting the Constitution, session 3—Monday, October 12—6:00pm-8:00pm
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Join us for the third of four sessions where you are invited to handwrite the US Constitution. You can start from scratch or pick up where you left off in earlier sessions.

Handwriting the Constitution is a social art project begun in 2017 by artist Morgan O’Hara. It invites people from all walks of life to meet in public spaces to handwrite the US Constitution. This art practice was created so that people will know their rights, deepen their understanding of laws created to protect these rights, and to help resist negative thinking.

The goal of this art practice is to create a physical and psychological space that explores the practice of concentrated writing as an art form, and a process designed to bring people together in a quiet and calming way, all by focusing on human rights. It has been identified as a powerful and transformative form of activism for introverts.

Copies of the Constitution and pen and paper will be provided, but feel free to bring your personal favorite writing tools and notebook.

For more information about the Handwriting the Constitution project please visit: https://www.handwritingtheconstitution.org/

To register for this pay-what-you-can program please click: TICKET LINK COMING SOON

 

Handwriting the Constitution, session 4—Monday, October 26—6:00pm-8:00pm
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Join us for the last of four sessions where you are invited to handwrite the US Constitution. You can start from scratch or pick up where you left off in earlier sessions.

Handwriting the Constitution is a social art project begun in 2017 by artist Morgan O’Hara. It invites people from all walks of life to meet in public spaces to handwrite the US Constitution. This art practice was created so that people will know their rights, deepen their understanding of laws created to protect these rights, and to help resist negative thinking.

The goal of this art practice is to create a physical and psychological space that explores the practice of concentrated writing as an art form, and a process designed to bring people together in a quiet and calming way, all by focusing on human rights. It has been identified as a powerful and transformative form of activism for introverts.

Copies of the Constitution and pen and paper will be provided, but feel free to bring your personal favorite writing tools and notebook.

For more information about the Handwriting the Constitution project please visit: https://www.handwritingtheconstitution.org/

To register for this pay-what-you-can program please click: TICKET LINKS COMING SOON

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PREVIOUS YEAR OF CONVERSATION EVENTS: 

Human Library
February 22nd, 2:00-5:00pm
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 

Unjudge someone—Join us for the Human Library where human “books” have conversations with human “readers” and share their personal story and their experience living in Fort Collins. 

faith 250: The Declaration of Independence
Thursday, March 5th, 6:00-8:00pm
First Presbyterian Church

No words capture the American imagination as powerfully as Jefferson’s assertions in the opening paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration simultaneously asks us to explore who we intend to be and the resistance to achieving those aims.

Women’s Suffrage Walking and Archive Tour
Friday, March 27th, 2:00-4:00pm
Center for Creativity – 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins

Join Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and the City Historic Preservation teams to explore stories of Women’s History in Fort Collins, and women who influenced the city in their lifetimes. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’ll be touring through the neighborhood around Library Park to visit a few sites where women who helped shape our community lived and worked.

We’ll then venture inside the Center for Creativity at the Carnegie for a virtual tour of women’s history as told through the Museum of Discovery’s unique archives and collections.

Location is the Center for Creativity – 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins.

faith 250: America the Beautiful
Tuesday April 7th, 6:00-8:00pm
LoveFirst Community

Katharine Lee Bates’ anthem emerged out of her travels. Her repeated prayer that God “Crown Thy good with brotherhood” asks us to consider the role of unity, fellowship, solidarity, community, and other forms of social cohesions in our understanding of the national good.

Civic Saturday
April 11th, 1:00-3:00pm
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

We need ways to build trust, restore civic faith, and move through the challenges of feeling disappointed, scared, angry, checked out, or even hopeless and powerless to impact our communities or society. Many people lack places to connect and reflect on the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities we need to embrace in public life.
Civic Saturdays, which originated in Seattle in 2016, are an antidote that sparks inspiration, relationship-building, and meaning-making. Civic Saturdays have been hosted across the U.S. in local libraries, parks, museums, and more. They give folks a space to build community with no strings attached; come as you are, get to know your neighbors, and think through how we can build civic character together. 
Whether a civic starting point, a refueling station, a spot for sense-making or celebration, Civic Saturdays help break down a sense of separateness and connect our hearts, inviting us to consider what it truly means to “live like a citizen” — and to commit to doing so, together.
Please join us for Fort Collins’ first in-person Civic Saturday. We’ll have live music from Veronica May, poetry from local community members, and opportunities to connect with your neighbors! We hope to see you there!


Courtyard Open House
April 18 11:00-1:00
Heritage Courtyard at the Center for Creativity at the Historic Carnegie Library, 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins, Colorado

This spring, we are highlighting the 1905 Upper Boxelder Creek Schoolhouse with an interactive open house for all ages.

  • Play: Try your hand at traditional 1900s games.
  • Learn: Explore the architecture and stories of our one-room school.
  • Create: Participate in schoolhouse-themed activities and crafts.

 Free and open to the public – no tickets necessary, just drop in!

Speaking up for Cleaner Air
Tuesday May 5th, 6:00PM-8:00PM
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
Come listen to your neighbors share their stories of fighting for cleaner air in our community. Through personal stories and shared experiences, we’ll explore what it means to stand up for what we believe — and how to pass those lessons on to our kids.
Storytellers include:
  • Senator Mike Foote, Lawyer and former State Senator
  • Patricia Garcia-Nelson, GreenLatinos
  • Aliria Bello, Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI)
  • Matt Sura, Oil and gas attorney
  • Howard Gebhart, Retired Meteorologist and air quality professional
Ven a escuchar a tus vecinos compartir sus historias sobre la lucha por un aire más limpio en nuestra comunidad. A través de experiencias personales y viviencias compartidas, exploraremos lo que significa defender nuestras convicciones, y cómo transmitir esas lecciones a nuestros hijos.
Narradores incluyen:
  • Senador Mike Foote, abogado y ex Senador Estatal
  • Patricia Garcia-Nelson, GreenLatinos
  • Aliria Bello, Instituto de Capacitación en Liderazgo Familiar (FLTI)
  • Matt Sura, Abogado de Petróleo y Gas
  • Howard Gebhart, Meteorólogo Retirado y Profesional en Calidad del Aire

faith 250: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
Tuesday May 12th, 6:00-8:00pm
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Frederick Douglass addressed Independence Day in 1852, in the midst of slavery. To Douglas, our national rituals that are untrue to their intended meaning corrode the country’s shared identity, yet instead of turning away from America, he sets the pattern of demanding that America live up to its purpose.


Brick by Brick Historic Preservation, the Bicentennial Commission & Civic Action
May 21st, 7:00-8:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (dome)

This year is the nation’s 250th anniversary, and Colorado’s 150th. Join staff from the Museum of Discovery and the City Historic Preservation office to explore how the Fort Collins community came together to celebrate the bicentennial in 1976, and how it created important momentum for the work of historic preservation in our city.

We’ll learn how community leaders from across the city worked together to celebrate together and save some important reflections of Fort Collins’ identity, and about their foundational efforts to build what we’ve come to know as Fort Collins today.

Bring your learning hat and your sense of civic pride as we explore stories from Fort Collins past that reflect the important civic values of shared responsibility, memory, stewardship, and active citizenship of Fort Collins past, present, and future.

Courtyard Open House
May 30th, 11:00am-1:00pm
Heritage Courtyard at the Center for Creativity at the Historic Carnegie Library, 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins, Colorado

Join us at the Heritage Courtyard this May for a special interactive open house celebrating Historic Preservation Month. We’ll explore the four historic structures and learn the “behind-the-scenes” stories of their survival. Discover how and why these important buildings were physically uprooted, transported, and restored.

Free and open to the public – no tickets necessary, just drop in!

We’ve Been Here the Whole Time: Fort Collins Queer History
Sunday, June 7, 7pm-8pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (Dome)

Kick off your Pride celebration early and journey into a past before rainbows and pride flags. Since the 1800s, queer Fort Collins residents have defied gender norms, established businesses, demanded equal rights, and danced into the night surrounded by friends and allies. Discover the history and places of Fort Collins queer community on June 5th at the Museum of Discovery’s Digital Dome Theatre.

This program is FREE but donations are welcome! Tickets are required due to limited capacity.

faith 250: The New Colossus
Tuesday June 9th, 6:00-8:00pm
CSU Campus

Emma Lazarus was asked to write a poem for the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty celebrating the triumph of liberty in the Civil War. She subverted that purpose with 14 lines of text that turned one of the nation’s most recognized monuments into a symbol of welcome.

Without Apology: Black History and Civil Rights in Fort Collins – A Walking Tour and Archive Open House
Friday June 12, 2026
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Court, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80524

Join staff from the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and the City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation office to explore stories of Black/African American history in Fort Collins, and Black residents who fought for civil rights in their lifetimes. We’ll begin by touring through the neighborhood around Washington Park to visit a few sites where important Black residents lived in the city, and then visit the Local History Archive at the Museum for an open house featuring resources our community has saved to help keep these stories alive.

Please wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen. The group will meet in the main lobby of the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery at 408 Mason Court in Fort Collins. This event is free but capped at 30 people, so please register for tickets. We will provide an indoor “virtual walking tour” experience if needed due to inclement weather.

Register Here

TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures
Saturday, June 13th
9:00am – 3:30pm
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Court, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80524

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, in partnership with Poudre Libraries, we will host a livestream of TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures, a daylong symposium featuring 15+ original TED Talks focused on the future of democracy.

Learn more About the speakers:

TED Live Program | Visit Philadelphia

Streaming live from Philadelphia leading up to America’s 250th birthday celebrations, this landmark event convenes bold thinkers and civic leaders to share ideas and solutions designed to inform and inspire.

Through a collaboration with Visit Philadelphia and the American Library Association, and sponsored by The Pew Charitable Trusts, libraries across the country are hosting satellite livestream events — expanding access to these critical conversations and fostering local engagement nationwide.

We’re proud to serve as a host site and bring this important civic moment to our local community.

Event Details

Saturday, June 13, 2026

All Events Hosted at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Free and open to the public!

What to Expect

● Livestream of 15+ brand-new TED Talks from the stage in Philadelphia

● A welcoming space for shared civic engagement

● Opportunities for reflection and conversation

You must register for each of the three talks individually.

Sign up for our newsletter, to stay up to date on speaker announcements!

Courtyard Open House
June 20th, 11:00am-1:00pm
Heritage Courtyard at the Center for Creativity at the Historic Carnegie Library, 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins, Colorado

Join us at the Heritage Courtyard this June for an interactive open house where we’ll discover the trees and flowers that make their home in the courtyard! We’ll also learn more about the ponderosa pines that were used to construct some of the historic cabins. Finally, we’ll use natural inspiration to create paper flowers and botanical art to take home. 

Free and open to the public – no tickets necessary, just drop in!

Independence Day Community Celebration @ City Park July 4th – 7:30AM-10:00PM
Join the City of Fort Collins for a special Independence Day Community Celebration honoring 250 years of America and 150 years of Colorado — a milestone moment to reflect, connect and celebrate together as a community.

faith 250 Celebration @ Fort Collins Museum of Discovery July 11th – 4:00PM-6:00PM
faith250’s culminating event celebrating our common civic values is just around the corner. Join us for singing, poetry, food, and thoughtful discussions as we conclude the faith250 series of programs.
More Information will be posted soon!!!
Courtyard Open House – Saturday, July 25th – 11:00AM-1:00PM
Heritage Courtyard at the Center for Creativity at the Historic Carnegie Library, 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins, Colorado
Join us at the Heritage Courtyard this July for an interactive open house where you can explore four historic log cabins, complete a fun scavenger hunt, try your hand at historic games, and learn more about our local history.

Free and open to the public – no tickets necessary, just drop in!

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August 2026 Happenings at FCMoD

Posted on by Krystle in Front Page

FCMoD tip for the month: It’s back to school season and that means more field trips to the museum! School groups usually visit in the morning, so head over in the afternoon for a quieter visit.

Events are always changing, so please check the calendar for the most up-to-date information.

Click on the links provided for detailed information and to purchase event tickets.

  • Monday, August 3, Youth Open Mic
    • 6pm to 8pm (doors will open at 6pm)
    • This event is free and open to the public for youth interested in exploring music in the new Spotlight Studio exhibit in the museum!
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  • Wednesday, August 12, Meet the Executive Directors
    • Explore More Members! You are invited to Meet and Greet with our Co-Executive Directors, Shannon Quist and Cheryl Donaldson! Tour the building, ask questions, and get a behind-the-scenes look at all we do to make the museum run on a daily basis.
    • Tour takes place from 4pm to 5pm. Registration and an Explore More Membership is required.
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  • Friday, August 14, Cary Morin Duo Live Performance
  • Friday, August 21, Monthly Member Night – So Long to Summer
    • Members get all the benefits… Enjoy an evening at the museum as an FCMoD Member and say So Long to Summer! We’ll be showing off activities featured in our Museum Explorer Camps, have a dance party, create fun crafts and singing karaoke in the Dome Theater! 
    • Event starts at 5pm and goes until 8pm. Registration is encouraged.
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  • Saturday, August 22, E/MERSION 360
    • A live electronic music and visual art series transforming the Digital Dome Theater into an immersive performance space. Each event pairs top Colorado electronic artists and DJs with curated full-dome visuals, creating a one-of-a-kind 360° sensory experience that blurs the line between sound, art, and technology. This event is restricted to those 18 years or older. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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  • Thursday, August 26, Women’s History Presentation
    • Lobby opens at 6:30pm; presentation is from 7:00pm – 8:45pm.
    • All ages are welcome for our 7th year of exploring local women’s history at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, presented by our amazing FCMoD Archive & Collections staff. 
    • This is a pay-what-you-can program. Please register for tickets since capacity is limited.
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  • Friday, August 28, Dome after Dark: The Dome Monster feat: Bad Bunny – Step inside FCMoD’s OtterBox Digital Dome for an after-hours music experience that surrounds you with the songs you love – set to mesmerizing 360° projected visuals and booming theatrical surround sound. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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  • September sneak preview… 
    • More Than Physics will be performing two shows in the Digital Dome Theater on Friday, September 04! Get your tickets ahead of the crowd for 6:00pm or 8:00pm.
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Our Black-footed Ferret Feedings happen the first and third Saturday of every month starting at 9:30 am. At 10am on the second and fourth Saturday every month you can Meet the Animals in our live animal exhibits. As always, we’ve got Dome Shows six days a week in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater all month long.

  • Event dates and times are subject to change and we’re always adding new events, please check our museum calendar for the most up-to-date information.
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July 2026 Happenings at FCMoD

Posted on by Krystle in Front Page

Events are always changing, so please check the calendar for the most up-to-date information.

Click on the links provided for detailed information and to purchase event tickets.

  • Saturday, July 3, Museum OPEN normal hours, 9am – 5pm.
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  • Saturday, July 4, Museum Closed for Independence Day!
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  • Saturday, July 11, Faith250 Event – Faith 250’s culminating event celebrating our common civic values is just around the corner. Sign up and help bring to life a public celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. More information about this event will be shared soon. Register at Faith250’s Google Form by visiting this link.
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  • July 16-18, Come visit The Museum Store for great discounts on select items during the Downtown Summer Sales!D
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  • Friday, July 17, Monthly Member Night – Members! Have you ever wished you could visit the museum after 5pm? Now is your chance! Members are invited to hang out at the museum until 8pm on this special Friday night. Thank you for being a part of the museum community!
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  • Saturday, July 18, E/MERSION 360: Jasara + CD Davis – a live electronic music and visual art series transforming the Digital Dome Theater into an immersive performance space. Each event pairs top Colorado electronic artists and DJs with curated full-dome visuals, creating a one-of-a-kind 360° sensory experience that blurs the line between sound, art, and technology. This event is restricted to those 18 years or older. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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  • Saturday, July 23, Heritage Courtyard Open House – Join us offsite at the Heritage Courtyard next to the Center for Creativity as we highlight the 1905 Upper Boxelder Creek Schoolhouse with an interactive open house for all ages. 
    • Play: Try your hand at traditional 1900s games. 
    • Learn: Explore the architecture and stories of our one-room school. 
    • Create: Participate in schoolhouse-themed activities and crafts. 

    Free and open to the public – no tickets necessary, just drop in!
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  • Friday, June 31, Dome after Dark: The Dome Monster feat: Lady Gaga – Step inside FCMoD’s OtterBox Digital Dome for an after-hours music experience that surrounds you with the songs you love – set to mesmerizing 360° projected visuals and booming theatrical surround sound. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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Our Black-footed Ferret Feedings happen the first and third Saturday of every month starting at 9:30 am. At 10am on the second and fourth Saturday every month you can Meet the Animals in our live animal exhibits. As always, we’ve got Dome Shows six days a week in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater all month long.

  • Event dates and times are subject to change and we’re always adding new events, please check our museum calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Continue Reading
kids

June 2026 Happenings at FCMoD

Posted on by Krystle in Front Page

Come enjoy your summer break at the museum this June!
Events are always changing, so please check the calendar for the most up-to-date information.

Click on the links provided for detailed information and to purchase event tickets.

  • Sunday, June 7, We’ve Been Here the Whole Time: Fort Collins Queer History – Kick off your Pride celebration early and journey into a past before rainbows and pride flags. Since the 1800s, queer Fort Collins residents have defied gender norms, established businesses, demanded equal rights, and danced into the night surrounded by friends and allies. This event is free, but donations are welcome. Reserve your tickets now, capacity is limited in the Dome Theater.
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  • Friday, June 12, Without Apology: Black History and Civil Rights in Fort Collins – Join staff from the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and the City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation office to explore stories of Black/African American history in Fort Collins, and Black residents who fought for civil rights in their lifetimes. We will have a walking tour that starts at the museum. This event is free, but registration is required due to limited capacity. D
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  • Friday, June 12, Member Appreciation Party – Members! At FCMoD, we are always very grateful for our members, so please join us for a night of music-themed fun to thank you for your support.  We invite you and your loved ones to enjoy food, beverages, and lots of family-friendly activities. Plus, experience live music in our revamped area made to explore all aspects of music creation: Spotlight Studio! We can’t wait to celebrate with you! RSVP is requested for this event.
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  • Saturday, June 13, TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures – In partnership with Poudre Libraries, we will host a livestream of TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures, a daylong symposium featuring 15+ original TED Talks focused on the future of democracy. We will have a total of three viewings at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. This event is free to attend, but registration is required due to limited space.
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  • Saturday June 13, The Passion of Joan of Arc With Live Soundtrack – Join us in the Digital Dome Theater to watch the iconic 1929 silent film by Carl Theodore Dreyer, “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” accompanied by a live musical score by Logan Farmer, Zachary Visconti, Maddy Erskine, and Gail McDonald-Crook. Tickets can be purchased here.
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  • Saturday, June 20, Heritage Courtyard Open House – Join us offsite at the Heritage Courtyard next to the Center for Creativity as we highlight the 1905 Upper Boxelder Creek Schoolhouse with an interactive open house for all ages. 
    • Play: Try your hand at traditional 1900s games. 
    • Learn: Explore the architecture and stories of our one-room school. 
    • Create: Participate in schoolhouse-themed activities and crafts. 

    Free and open to the public – no tickets necessary, just drop in!
    ¬

  • Saturday, June 20, E/MERSION 360: Moogy + Viaza – a live electronic music and visual art series transforming the Digital Dome Theater into an immersive performance space. Each event pairs top Colorado electronic artists and DJs with curated full-dome visuals, creating a one-of-a-kind 360° sensory experience that blurs the line between sound, art, and technology. This event is restricted to those 18 years or older. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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  • Friday, June 26, Dome after Dark: Harry’s House feat: Harry Styles – Step inside FCMoD’s OtterBox Digital Dome for an after-hours music experience that surrounds you with the songs you love – set to mesmerizing 360° projected visuals and booming theatrical surround sound. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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Our Black-footed Ferret Feedings happen the first and third Saturday of every month starting at 9:30 am. At 10am on the second and fourth Saturday every month you can Meet the Animals in our live animal exhibits. As always, we’ve got Dome Shows six days a week in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater all month long.

  • Event dates and times are subject to change and we’re always adding new events, please check our museum calendar for the most up-to-date information.
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May 2026 Happenings at FCMoD

Posted on by Krystle in Front Page

Looking forward to a May full of music, animals, and community!
Events are always changing, so please check the calendar for the most up-to-date information.

Click on the links provided for detailed information and to purchase event tickets.

  • Saturday, May 2, City Nature Challenge ID Party – You’re invited! Meet up with other City Nature Challenge Participants, learn how to ID observations in iNaturalist, and do your part for ongoing biodiversity research. No wildlife knowledge or expertise required. This is a pay what you can event and registration is encouraged.¢
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  • Sunday, May 3, Autism Resource Fair – The Fort Collins Autism Resource Fair is a FREE, annual event hosted by Fort Collins Museum of Discovery that provides information and support for the autism community in and around Fort Collins. Special Guests: Dr. Temple Grandin (talk is sold out but Dr. Grandin will be signing books afterward) and Drawings by Trent. For full information, please check the link here.¢
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  • Tuesday, May 5, Speaking up for Cleaner Air program with Environmental Services – Listen to your neighbors share their stories of fighting for cleaner air in our community during an evening of storytelling, connection, and community. Free snacks, kids’ activities, and community resources. This is a pay what you can event and registration is encouraged.
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  • Saturday, May 9, Amphibian Week Event – Close out Amphibian Week at the Museum with activities and guided tours along the Poudre River throughout the evening! Museum activities are drop-in, while guided tours require pay what you can registration.¢
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  • Tuesday, May 12, Tour with Executive Directors – Have you ever wanted to meet the Executive Directors at the museum? If you’re an Explore More member, you can take advantage of this benefit May 12th! Registration is required. Not an Explore More member yet? Purchase or upgrade now!
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  • Tuesday, May 12, faith 250: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? – An evening bringing multi-faith communities together to share in song, spoken word, and meaningful conversations around intrinsic American values. This event is being put on by faith 250, please register using their google form here (this link will take you to an external registration page).
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  • Friday, May 15, School Day Out (SOLD OUT) – All day camp for kids who need something to do while school is not in session. This camp is music themed and full of fun! This event is currently sold out. To be added to the waitlist for any cancellations, please email camps@fcmod.org.
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  • Friday, May 15, Monthly Member Night – Members get all the benefits! Enjoy an evening at the museum as an FCMoD Member. Registration is encouraged. More details to come.
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  • Thursday, May 21, Historic Preservation, the Bicentennial Commission, & Civic Action – Staff from the Museum of Discovery and the City Historic Preservation office will explore how the Fort Collins community came together to celebrate the bicentennial in 1976, and how it created important momentum for the work of historic preservation in our city. Registration is required due to limited seating.
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  • Saturday, May 23, E/MERSION 360: Chief Ojih + DanDan – a live electronic music and visual art series transforming the Digital Dome Theater into an immersive performance space. Each event pairs top Colorado electronic artists and DJs with curated full-dome visuals, creating a one-of-a-kind 360° sensory experience that blurs the line between sound, art, and technology. This event is restricted to those 18 years or older. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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  • Friday, May 29, Dome After Dark Music Show: Chappell Roan – Step inside FCMoD’s OtterBox Digital Dome for an after-hours music experience that surrounds you with the songs you love – set to mesmerizing 360° projected visuals and booming theatrical surround sound. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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  • Saturday, May 30, Heritage Courtyard Open House – Join us offsite at the Heritage Courtyard next to the Center for Creativity as we highlight the 1905 Upper Boxelder Creek Schoolhouse with an interactive open house for all ages. 
    • Play: Try your hand at traditional 1900s games. 
    • Learn: Explore the architecture and stories of our one-room school. 
    • Create: Participate in schoolhouse-themed activities and crafts. 

    Free and open to the public – no tickets necessary, just drop in!
    ¬

Our Black-footed Ferret Feedings happen the first and third Saturday of every month starting at 9:30 am. At 10am on the second and fourth Saturday every month you can Meet the Animals in our live animal exhibits. As always, we’ve got Dome Shows six days a week in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater all month long.

  • Event dates and times are subject to change and we’re always adding new events, please check our museum calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Continue Reading

City Nature Challenge and FoCoMX

Posted on by Finn Smith in Adults, Ages 3-5, Ages 6-8, Ages 9-12, Any Age, FoCoMX, Front Page, Life Science, Music, News, Programs, Teens, Uncategorized

I know a lot of us are trying to decide how to spend our time this weekend. Do we get out in nature to capture observations for the City Nature Challenge (learn more about City Nature Challenge here)? Or do we engage in the time-honored tradition of wandering around Old Town Fort Collins catching random shows and discovering new local music (learn more about FoCoMX here)?

Good news: you don’t have to choose!

While meandering old town taking in shows, just keep an eye out for any bugs, critters, or wild plants that you could snap a picture of on your way to the next venue.

Some tips for urban nature observing:

  • Wild nature can be found anywhere, even in the middle of a city. Look for weeds pushing up through the cracks in a sidewalk, mosses growing on brick buildings, birds perching in landscaping trees, or pollinators visiting flower pots.
  • You may have heard that “Captive and cultivated” organisms (in other words, anything placed or being maintained by humans) don’t count for the City Nature Challenge, and that is true! However, they can still be useful.
    • “Captive and cultivated” organisms like landscaping plants can be uploaded to iNaturalist even though they won’t count toward the City Nature Challenge. In fact, it can be useful information for scientists. It can tell them what kinds of plants are attracting pollinators to an area, what kinds of planted trees may be propagating, etc. Just make sure you mark your observation as “Captive/Cultivated” so as not to confuse the data!
    • While “Captive and Cultivated” organisms don’t count toward the City Nature Challenge,
      organisms that they host do! Look for birds in branches, bugs on leaves, mushrooms or moss
      growing on bark — anything not intentionally placed or maintained by humans is considered
      wild.
  • Remember: the pictures you take for your observations don’t have to be pretty or perfect, they just have to be evidence of the presence of an organism.
    • While there are some incredible photographers on iNaturalist, it’s not a photography platform. The main purpose is to document wild nature where we live!
    • If you are running from one venue to another to catch the start of a set and can’t stop to do a full photoshoot for that grasshopper you spotted, that’s okay! Grab the best photo you can and keep running to make it to that show!

Get inspired for your FoCoMX City Nature Challenge adventure by checking out other observations that have been made in Old Town

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April 2026 Happenings at FCMoD

Posted on by Krystle in Front Page

Find many of the upcoming events for the month of April below!
Events are always changing, so please check out the calendar for the most up-to-date information.

Click on the links provided for detailed information and to purchase event tickets.

  • Monday, April 6 – For You By You: Youth Open Mic from 6PM to 8PM in the Digital Dome Theater. For You By You is an Open Mic Night for emerging music artists 22 and under. FCMoD invites participants to practice their songs, meet new band mates, and get involved in the local music scene with professional head shots and industry resources provided by FocoMA. Entry is free and instruments are provided. Find your voice, Find your people, and Find your stage.
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  • Saturday, April 11 – Help build community at Civic Saturdays where we’ll discuss the opportunities and responsibilities of contemporary life. We will explore ways to build trust, restore civic engagement, and move through the challenges of feeling disappointed, scared, angry or even powerless to impact our communities or society. This event is pay-what-you-can.
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  • Friday, April 17 – Members! Want to see the museum after normal hours? Come to Monthly Member Night from 5PM-8PM  to Spring into Discovery! We’ll have a nature themed night and the gallery will be open for exclusive Member play.
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  • Saturday, April 18 – Join us offsite at the Heritage Courtyard next to the Center for Creativity from 11AM-1PM as we highlight the 1905 Upper Boxelder Creek Schoolhouse with an interactive open house for all ages. 
    • Play: Try your hand at traditional 1900s games. 
    • Learn: Explore the architecture and stories of our one-room school. 
    • Create: Participate in schoolhouse-themed activities and crafts. 

    Free and open to the public – no tickets necessary, just drop in!
    ¢

  • Friday, April 24 – City Nature Challenge is a friendly competition between cities all over the world to see who can rally their population to log the most observations in iNaturalist in a set period of time. This year, City Nature Challenge is happening from April 24-27. Click the link to find out more! (Please note that the Archive will be closed to the public on this day.)
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  • Saturday, April 25 - The museum will once again be an all-ages venue for FoCoMX (no wristband required). Come see up and coming youth artists perform all around the museum for this all-day event. It will be a fun and noisy day, so ear plugs or headphones are recommended for those with heightened sensitivity.
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Our Black-footed Ferret Feedings happen the first and third Saturday of every month starting at 9:30 am. At 10am on the second and fourth Saturday every month you can Meet the Animals in our live animal exhibits. As always, we’ve got Dome Shows six days a week in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater all month long.

  • Event dates and times are subject to change and we’re always adding new events, please check our museum calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Continue Reading

City Nature Challenge: How to Play!

Posted on by Finn Smith in Adults, Ages 3-5, Ages 6-8, Ages 9-12, Any Age, Front Page, Life Science, Programs

Become a Larimer County Naturalist!

The City Nature Challenge returns this April! Join a worldwide movement to document nature and help fight biodiversity loss! Every observation you make of WILD nature in Larimer County is a data point that helps scientists and researchers understand and protect nature for all.  

This post will tell you everything you need to know – from how-to-play to local City Nature Challenge events.

In short:

City Nature Challenge is a four-day event from April 24-27. Part friendly competition and part collaborative effort, cities all over the world vie to see who can get the most observations uploaded to iNaturalist in just one weekend. Anyone can participate by uploading observations of wild animals, bugs, fungus, or plants found in Larimer County!

See the bottom of this post for a list of local City Nature Challenge events.

In long:

What is City Nature Challenge?
The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is an annual four-day nature census in which participants
around the world use document nature in their neighborhoods. This data help scientists understand
and protect nature worldwide. Started in 2016 as a friendly competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco,
the CNC has grown into an international event. The goal is for cities to collaborate to find species, collect observations,
and connect communities to nature. The Community Science teams at the California Academy of
Sciences (CAS) and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) make up the
Global Organizing Team.

What is iNaturalist?
iNaturalist is a platform that anyone can use. You can upload pictures or sound clips of species you’ve observed, then the iNaturalist community helps identify those species. Once an observation has been identified, it’s uploaded into databases that scientists use for biodiversity and other ecological studies. It’s a way we can all help contribute to better understanding our local ecosystem!

iNaturalist is the platform Larimer County will be using for our City Nature Challenge observations — any observations made to iNaturalist from within Larimer County during the challenge will automatically count toward Larimer County’s score! You can download the app for free or visit inaturalist.org to use the browser version.

How to Play

Participating in City Nature Challenge is as easy as 1-2-3!

  1. Observe
    From April 24 – 27, 2026, get outside and take photos or record sounds of nature where you live. Look for WILD plants, animals, fungi, etc. (“wild” means it was not put there by people and is not being taken care of by people.) Take a close look at the plants around you. Are there any insects or spiders on them? How many different types of birds can you find in your local park? Put on your nature eyes and see Larimer County in a whole new way!
  2. Upload
    Download the iNaturalist app or create an account on inaturalist.org, and upload your observations. Be sure to include a rough location and time of day.
  3. Identify
    From April 28-May 10 help identify observations that have been uploaded in the Larimer County City Nature Challenge project! Even if the best you can tell is whether it’s an animal or plant, everyone can help narrow IDs down and get us closer to a species ID!

Two Ways To Play:

  • Observer — Get outside anywhere within Larimer County from April 24-27 and make observations in nature. Upload your observations to iNaturalist to have them contribute toward the Larimer County City Nature Challenge AND contribute to ongoing biodiversity research!
  • Identifier — Keep an eye on the Larimer County City Nature Challenge project page on iNaturalist and help identify observations that are uploaded. You don’t need any prior knowledge or expertise to be an identifier; even narrowing an observation down to “animal” or “plant” helps!

Local City Nature Challenge Events

City Nature Challenge can be enjoyed on your own or with others. Here’s how you can participate:

City Nature Challenge Orientation Sessions – Hosted by Loveland Public Library and Loveland Open Lands and Trails 4/11 and 4/21
11:30-1:00 at the Gertrude Scott Meeting Room in Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave, Loveland
The City Nature Challenge, April 24-27, is a friendly, global quest to see which city can document the most species in support of scientific research and biodiversity conservation. This is your chance to become a citizen scientist, let’s see what we can find!  

Come to this orientation session in advance of the event to learn more. Open Lands & Trails staff will first discuss how to use the iNaturalist app and make quality observations in the Gertrude Scott Room. Then we’ll head outdoors to the Civic Center Park to practice.
Registration Link

How to Use iNaturalist – Hosted by Larimer County Natural Resources 4/24
9-11am at the Larimer County Natural Resources Admin Offices, 1800 S County Rd 31, Loveland.
Using iNaturalist, participants will learn key features of plants and animals and contribute to the body of crowd-sourced scientific knowledge that is iNaturalist. All observations made in Larimer County will contribute towards the annual City Nature Challenge.
Registration Link

Bio Blitz — Hosted by Loveland Open Lands and Trails 4/24-4/27
From April 24-27, document as many wild species as possible using iNaturalist. Participate on your own or join OL&T staff and volunteers for assistance at selected Natural Areas. Check the Open Lands Calendar for details coming soon, on dates and locations to join Open Lands & Trails on-site. 

Pineridge Banding Station — Hosted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 4/25
7:30-8:30 or 8:30-9:30 at the Pineridge Natural Area Banding Station, 3502 CR 42C, Fort Collins
Migration is a magical time of year! Join us for a unique opportunity to experience science in action and observe a wildlife biologist banding and collecting important scientific data on live, migrating birds. The data collected gives us insight to many aspects of avian life history and can be used to inform conservation decisions. 

This program is provided at no cost to participants due to generous support from donors, but registration is required for all individuals and groups. Groups are limited to 15 people per one hour time slot.
Registration Link

City Nature Challenge ID Party! — Hosted by Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 5/2
2:00-4:00 at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Ct, Fort Collins
Now that City Nature Challenge is over, the real work begins. All of our amazing observations of local nature can only assist with biodiversity research once they’ve been identified! Join us at the museum to meet up with other City Nature Challenge Participants. You’ll learn a bit about how to ID observations in iNaturalist and do your part for ongoing biodiversity research!
No wildlife knowledge or expertise required.
Registration Link

City Nature Challenge ID Party! — Hosted by Loveland Public Library and Loveland Open Lands and Trails 5/2
12:00-2:00 at the Gertrude Scott Meeting Room in the Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave, Loveland
Join other nature lovers for a fun ID Party to help correctly identify as many observations as possible. Instructions and snacks will be provided.  See the Library Calendar for details. 

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March 2026 Happenings at FCMoD

Posted on by Krystle in Front Page

Find many of the upcoming events for the month of March below!
Events are always changing, so please check out the calendar for the most up-to-date information.

Click on the links provided for detailed information and to purchase event tickets.

  • March 8, 2026 – The Blessing Chimanga: Light and Hope Album Tour will take place in the Digital Dome Theater with 2 showings! Tickets are available here (please note: this is a third party ticket service).
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  • March 13, 2026 –  There is still space in our Friday School Day Out Camp! Camps are filled with fun and museum exploration including a full day of STEAM activities.
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  • March 16, 2026 – The museum will be open on Monday 9 am to 5 pm (and the rest of the week!) for Spring Break.
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  • March 20, 2026 – We’re open late just for our Members on Monthly Member Nights! This month we’ll dive into an astronomy and equinox theme with a guest appearance by the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society and a special showing of our new dome show, Oasis in Space.
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  • March 24, 2026 – Come discover the new sounds of NoCo at the 6th annual Sonic Spotlight Showcase at The Armory! Sonic Spotlight is a wonderful chance to check out young up and coming musical acts from all around the Northern Colorado area. Tickets are available here. (Please note: this is a third party ticket service)
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  • March 27, 2026 – Join staff from Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and City Historic Preservation office to explore stories of Women’s History in Fort Collins at Self-Evident: Women, Suffrage, and Fort Collins History. This event takes place offsite and includes an outdoor walking tour with an indoor resource showcase at the Center for Creativity at Carnegie Library. Attendance is capped at 30 people so reserve your tickets today!
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  • March 27, 2026 – Party like it’s 1999 again at our Dome After Dark: Prince Music Show. Wear your best costume for our photo booth, compete against fellow fans during trivia, and listen to Prince in full surround sound with amazing visuals! This event is open to all ages, but songs will be presented with uncensored lyrics.
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  • March 28, 2026 -Don’t miss Chelsmosis and Badbwoy BMC x WADADA performing with amazing visuals on our 360° dome! Please note that this is an 18 years+ event.
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Our Black-footed Ferret Feedings happen the first and third Saturday of every month starting at 9:30 am. At 10am on the second and fourth Saturday every month you can Meet the Animals in our live animal exhibits. As always, we’ve got Dome Shows six days a week in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater all month long.

  • Event dates and times are subject to change, please check our museum calendar for the most up-to-date information.
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February 2026 Happenings at FCMoD

Posted on by Krystle in Front Page

Find many of the upcoming events for the month of February below!
Click on the links provided for detailed information and to purchase event tickets.

  • February 13, 2026 – Join us for Winter Bike to Work Day on Friday, February 13th. Grab a snack and spin-the-wheel for fun prizes including a chance to win a museum Membership! We’ll be set up on the corner of Cherry and Mason with our partner Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.
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  • February 14, 2026 – We love our Members! Get an extra 10% off on select merchandise in the store for this Valentine’s Day. 💕
    ¢¢
  • SOLD OUT February 20, 2026 – Without Apology: Black History and Civil Rights Tour– join staff from the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and the City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation office on a tour through the neighborhood around Washington Park to visit a few sites where important Black residents lived in the city. Spots are limited so pre-registration is required. This popular tour has sold out, but we are tentatively scheduling a second walk in June. We do not have a wait list for this program.
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  • February 20, 2026 – The February after hours Monthly Member Night will focus on STEAM learning with visiting guests from Colorado State University’s Engineering Program.
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  • February 21, 2026 – On the second night of our E/Mersion:360 series come listen to electronic musical artist Beyel with support from BRILL set to expansive visuals by our very own Scott Mckinney. Please note that this is an 18 years+ event.
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  • February 22, 2026 –Early Closure: We will be closing early at 12PM for the Human Library event.
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  • SOLD OUT February 22, 2026 – Human Library is back for another year! Human Library is a safe and non-judgmental forum for people to engage in difficult conversations and gain a deeper understanding of diverse human experiences. Humans stand in for books as they tell a story about their unique life experience. Note: Due to subject matter under 18 Readers need to be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required, but the event is free. Due to popular demand this event has sold out. Please call the front desk at 970-221-6738 to be added to the wait list.
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  • February 25, 2026 (Please note this is a rescheduled from the 18th)– Explore More Members! Are you curious to learn more about how the museum is run? Join our co- Executive Directors, Shannon Quist and Cheryl Donaldson, for a Quarterly Meet and Greet starting at 4PM. Pre-registration is required.
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  • February 27th, 2026 – Truck on over for a new Dome After Dark show – Grateful Dead Gathering: Featuring the Music of The Grateful Dead. This fully immersive experience features amazing visuals, booming surround sound and a cash bar for those over 21. It’s like having a mini-sphere at your favorite museum!  

Our Black-footed Ferret Feedings happen the first and third Saturday of every month starting at 9:30 am. At 10am on the second and fourth Saturday every month you can Meet the Animals in our live animal exhibits. As always, we’ve got Dome Shows six days a week in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater all month long.

  • Event dates and times are subject to change, please check our museum calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Continue Reading