Arts, Culture, and History in Longmont

Longmont is a place where art, history, and culture all live on the same block. From colorful murals to live music and deep roots that stretch back to the 1800s, this town brings together the best parts of Colorado’s past and present—with a local twist you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you’re catching a play, wandering through a gallery, or listening to a mariachi band at a street festival, Longmont is full of surprises. It’s a place where creativity feels natural, and the stories of yesterday shape the fun of today.

The Heart of Longmont’s Arts Scene

Longmont is packed with local talent. You’ll find galleries, teaching studios, theaters, and stages all around town. It’s a place where artists, musicians, and performers come to share their craft—and you get a front-row seat.

One favorite? The Longmont Symphony Orchestra. Their concerts fill the Vance Brand Civic Auditorium with beautiful music, from classical to modern. That same stage also hosts theater, dance, and community shows year-round.

Art fans can explore Art in Public Places, Longmont’s award-winning public art program. Look for murals, sculptures, and creative displays around town that brighten sidewalks and spark conversations. Every piece tells a piece of Longmont’s story.

To dive even deeper, check out the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. With hands-on exhibits, live performances, and family-friendly fun, it’s a local favorite. Their rotating displays showcase everything from local history to international art.

The NoCo Creative Road Trip

Longmont is one of the proud stops on the NoCo Creative Road Trip—a tour through five artsy towns along the Front Range. If you love food, music, and art with personality, this trip’s for you.

From handmade crafts to live jams, every stop has something new to discover. So grab a friend, hit the road, and let your creative side lead the way. Don’t forget to save room in the car for all the goodies you’ll pick up along the way.

A Cultural Mosaic You Can Taste, Hear, and Celebrate

Longmont’s culture is shaped by the people who live here—especially the vibrant Hispanic and Latino community, which makes up nearly 25% of the population. Their influence can be seen and felt all over town, from local art to major events like Colorado’s largest and oldest Día de los Muertos celebration.

That’s just one of many festivals that bring Longmont to life. You’ll also find Cinco de Mayo parties, Chinese New Year celebrations, and a colorful Nepali Jatra festival. Every season brings another reason to get out, dance, eat, and connect.

And speaking of eating—Longmont’s food scene is like a passport to the world. Craving tacos? Thai noodles? Indian curry? Fresh Vietnamese pho or hearty Italian pasta? We’ve got it all. From Peruvian bites to island-inspired dishes, Longmont’s restaurants bring big flavor from every corner of the globe.

Check our events calendar for this year's details on these great events as the date gets closer, and browse our restaurants fror your trip around the world, right here in Longmont.

Where the Past Still Lives

Longmont’s roots run deep. Founded in 1871 by folks from Chicago, it started as the Chicago-Colorado Colony, built on hopes of farming, community, and fresh mountain air.

By the 1900s, Longmont was booming—thanks in part to the sugar beet industry, which brought families from Mexico, Germany, and Japan. That mix of cultures helped shape the town’s friendly, welcoming vibe that still shines today.

Want to step back in time? Visit the Agricultural Heritage Center to see what farm life was like back then, or take a walking tour through the Main Street Historic District and check out the preserved buildings and architecture.

The Longmont Museum also tells these stories with photos, tools, and artifacts from the early days. It’s the perfect spot to learn how this small farming town grew into a creative, thriving community with a big heart.

Longmont is full of stories, flavors, and experiences you won’t find anywhere else. So come wander, taste, celebrate, and discover what makes this place so special.

Longmont—where there’s space to enjoy it all.

Art

The NoCo creative road trip is an arts excursion along the front porch of the Rockies!

Longmont is a proud stop on the NOCO Creative Road trip. Whether you’re touring from out of state or discovering new hidden gems in your home state of Colorado, you’ll find that Northern Colorado has plenty to offer visitors looking to be inspired and entertained.

They highlight some favorite spots in five Front Range communities that celebrate arts, music, culinary creations, cultural heritage, and more. Pack your bags and start planning your road trip!

Learn more about the NOCO Creative Road Trip

NOCO Creative Road Trip

Order a Visitors Guide

Sign up here to receive a physical copy of our brand new 2024-2025 Visitor's Guide.

Request Guide

Subscribe

Keep up-to-date with Longmont area happenings, news, events, itineraries, things to do and more.

Sign Up