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Denver
Infinity Park Stadium, Glendale: A few days before the Fourth, head to this neighborhood stadium for a screening of Independence Day, food trucks, and, of course, fireworks. There are multiple viewing locations inside the stadium and in the adjacent Infinity Park turf field. July 2; gates open at 6:30 p.m., fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.; 4599 E. Tennessee Ave.
Civic Center Park: Denver’s hallmark Indy Eve celebration is forgoing the fireworks this year in favor of the city’s largest-ever drone show. Before 300 drones take to the skies over Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park, attendees can catch a performance by the Colorado Symphony, hear tunes spun by Youth on Record’s up-and-coming DJs, and explore the family zone and artisan market. July 3; 5–10 p.m.; 101 W. 14th Ave.
Coors Field: On Thursday and Friday, after the Colorado Rockies play the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas Royals, respectively, the stadium will erupt with fireworks. Purchase a ticket for the game or peep the lights from a vantage point in LoDo. July 4–5; after the game; 2001 Blake St.
Elitch Gardens: Purchase tickets to this Denver institution, where you can brave the Brain Drain and cool off in Castaway Creek before settling in for a fireworks show after the park closes. July 5; around 9 p.m.; 2000 Elitch Circle
Arvada
Stenger Sports Complex: Grab grub from the slew of on-site food trucks, then secure a seat on the lawn for Arvada’s dazzling annual show. July 4; 9 p.m.; 11200 W. 58th Ave.
Aurora
Aurora Municipal Center: Before the pyrotechnics, enjoy eats from Msosi Kenyan Cuisine and giant turkey legs from Smoke’n Byrdz BBQ while you watch musical performances from Quemando Salsa Orquesta and Syndicate. July 4; event begins at 6 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
Avon
Harry A. Nottingham Park: As if fireworks weren’t already a showstopper, this Independence Day celebration includes a concert by Grammy Award–winning musician Melissa Etheridge. Don’t miss the performers on stilts, balloon artists, magicians, and more. July 4; event begins at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:45 p.m.; 414 W. Beaver Creek Blvd.
Berthoud
Waggener Farm Park: This patriotic day-before-the-Fourth bash includes attractions for the whole family—from a bouncy house for little ones to a beer garden for adults. Don’t skip the food trucks and live performance by Unauthorized Absence. July 3; event begins at 5 p.m., fireworks at dusk; 1000 N. Berthoud Parkway
Boulder
Folsom Field’s fireworks are canceled this year.
Brighton
Riverdale Regional Park: On July 3, country musician Thomas Mac will provide patriotic tunes, which pair well with a cold beer, local eats from the selection of food trucks, and a sky-alighting production. The next day, the locale will host a townwide parade (visit its Facebook page for more information), races, and kids activities. July 3; event begins 4 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; 9755 Henderson Road
Carmichael Park: Wear your dancing shoes: DJ Chris and Soul School will be providing boogie-worthy beats for this Fourth fest. At 3:30 p.m., the Brighton Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau will unveil a new mural. After the entertainment concludes, look to the sky for an impressive presentation. July 4; event starts at 5 p.m., fireworks after the concert; 650 E. Southern St.
Broomfield
Broomfield County Commons Park: What sets this function apart is its Bike Parade, which consists of dozens of red-, white-, and blue-bedecked bicycles pedaling throughout the park. Also expect a beer garden, music, lots of scrumptious bites (including Taste of Texas BBQ and Fajita Junction), and kids activities (hello, Nerf gun fights!). July 4; event begins at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m.; 13200 Sheridan Blvd.
Castle Rock
Prairie Hawk Drive: This year, Castle Rock’s fireworks will be ignited from the town’s former Acme Brick factory—you’ll know they’re about to start thanks to a three-gun salute. Celebrate earlier in the day at Bison Park, where families can partake in a parade through the greenery with an Uncle Sam on stilts serving as the grand marshal, then bounce on inflatables, and chow down on food truck provisions. July 4; fireworks start around 9:30 p.m.; 401 Prairie Hawk Drive
Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak Center: During the Springs’ bash, catch a performance from the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and enjoy a free Kona Ice treat before the big show. The lights will also be visible from multiple open space areas; check here for more information. July 4; events start at 1 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m.; 190 S. Cascade Ave.
Commerce City
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park: A Major League Soccer match between the Colorado Rapids and the Sporting Kansas City will be bookended with a pregame festival and the state’s largest public fireworks show. Check out the rock climbing wall, bouncy house, alpine tubing slide, and mechanical bull at the fest. July 4; event starts at 5 p.m., game at 7:30 p.m., fireworks after the game; 6000 Victory Way (if not attending game, watch from parking lots)
Englewood
Cornerstone and Belleview Parks: Let freedom ring with citizens from all over the region at this massive fireworks show. Residents of Englewood, Sheridan, Littleton, and Arapahoe County are invited to participate in games, face painting, dancing, and more before the main event. July 4; event starts at 5 p.m., fireworks after dark; 5150 S. Windermere St.
Erie
Erie Community Park: This locale choreographs its light show to music. Enjoy popcorn from Old Tyme Kettle Korn or an indulgent ice cream dessert from the Snowy Churro while you watch. July 3; event starts at 6 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.; 450 Powers St.
Estes Park
Lake Estes: Opt for a viewing location in the Estes Park Events Complex or around Lake Estes for this colorful display. Check each location for its programming—attractions include a vintage car show, patriotic concert, and plenty of food, beer, and wine. July 4; fireworks around 9:30 p.m.; viewing locations vary
Firestone
Miners Park: Start the holiday peeping the parade that loops from Hart Park to Miners Park (check here for the parade route). Spend the rest of the day listening to live bands, including headliner Gasoline Lollipops, shopping at a vendor market, and observing the brilliant lights show. July 4; parade starts at 10 a.m..; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; 170 Grant Ave.
Fort Collins
Sheldon Lake at City Park: Sign up for the FireKracker 5k to kick-start your day with a dose of endorphins. If running isn’t your sport, try the golf tourney or just settle in for an afternoon of live tunes, a food truck rally, free trolley rides, and an after-dark fireworks presentation. July 4; event starts at 7:30 a.m., fireworks at 9:35 p.m.; 1500 W. Mulberry St.
Frisco
Main Street: Though Frisco has opted to forgo fireworks over the Dillon Reservoir, the day’s encompassing schedule more than makes up for the lack of pyrotechnics. Fill your belly with pancakes at a townwide breakfast, then scope out the parade down Main Street (awards will be given for “most artful” and “most whimsical” floats). In the afternoon, allow yourself to be serenaded by the melodies of Grammy-nominated North Mississippi Allstars. July 4; event starts at 8 a.m.; Main Street
Golden
Golden’s fireworks are canceled this year.
Greeley
Island Grove Regional Park: Greeley Stampede is hosting the town’s anticipated Fourth of July parade—one of the largest in the state—and fireworks display. Watch from Island Grove Regional Park or up to 10 miles around it. July 4; parade at 9 a.m., fireworks at 10 p.m.; 501 N. 14th Ave.
Highlands Ranch
Highland Heritage Regional Park: Bring your blanket and consider hailing an Uber to this freedom fete in Highlands Ranch—there isn’t much parking. Locally made food-truck fare will be available, which you can nosh on while you watch the luminous production. July 4; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; 9651 S. Quebec St.
Idaho Springs
Charlie Tayler Waterwheel: Up in the mountains, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the stars and stripes, including a hot dog eating contest at Guanella Pass Brewery and fireworks over the famed Charlie Tayler Waterwheel in Idaho Springs, viewable from Miner Street. July 4; fireworks at dark; Miner Street
Lafayette
Waneka Lake Park: Sneak in an extra Fourth bash with this pre-holiday celebration. Nurse a chilled beer or cider from Odd13 and Stem Ciders while you soak in the melodies of ’80s cover group 5280s Band. June 29; event starts at 4 p.m., fireworks at dusk; 1600 Caria Drive
Lakewood
Belmar Square Park: The nighttime drone show was so popular last year that officials have organized an even longer light display for 2024. Make sure to grab an optimal viewing spot (see the map here) and tune your phone to the soundtrack provided by MIX 100. Also make sure to stop by the vendor village, kids activities, and live performances from HomeSlice and the Elegant Plums. July 3; event starts at 5 p.m., drone show around 9:15 p.m.; 7337 W. Alaska Drive
Leadville
Harrison Avenue: Enjoy some all-American fare—including hot dogs, burgers, and root beer floats—before you settle in for fireworks set against some of Colorado’s most famous peaks. July 4; events start at 8:30 a.m., fireworks at dusk; Harrison Avenue
Littleton
Clement Park: Early in the night, little ones can expend their energy inside the bouncy houses in the kids zone. Afterward, families should claim seats in the amphitheater for ’80s tribute ensemble That Eighties Band, then turn their attention to the sky for the explosive show. July 3; event starts at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; 7306 W. Bowles Ave.
Lone Tree
Prairie Sky Park: From a family-friendly bike ride, to a varied selection of inflatables, games, and activities, to a soul music concert celebrating Prince, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder, there is no excuse for boredom at this bash. Check out the town’s website for optimal fireworks-spectating locations. July 4; event starts at 9 a.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; 9381 Crossington Way
Longmont
Downtown Longmont: This city’s fireworks have a new launching spot this year: the Longmont Fire Training Center. The pyrotechnics—plus a drone show—will be visible from the “street party” area, where visitors can also enjoy sounds from the Longmont Symphony, carnival attractions, and food and drink vendors. (See here for other optimal fireworks viewing spots.) July 4; fireworks around 9:30 p.m.; 2nd Avenue between Kimbark and Collyer streets
Louisville
Coal Creek Golf Course: Sweet Cow, the Snowy Churro, and Kona Ice will dish out cold treats to help you beat the heat while you party like a patriot. Round out the day with face painting, bouncy houses, festive music from the Boulder Concert Band, and the hallmark lights arrangement. July 4; event starts at 6 p.m., fireworks around 9:30 p.m.; 585 W. Dillon Road
Loveland
North Lake Park: There won’t be a dull moment at this neighborhood Independence Day event, thanks to a bevy of food purveyors (including the local Lions Club, which is hosting a barbecue), kids activities (hello, interactive DJ and bike parade), and live music courtesy of the Loveland Concert Band. July 4; barbecue starts at 11 a.m., event starts at 4 p.m., fireworks around 9:15 p.m.; 2750 N. Taft Ave.
Northglenn
EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park: We’d venture to guess that this is the only Front Range Fourth of July celebration to have a duck derby, in which participants bet on which racing rubber duck crosses the finish line first. Gambling-averse partygoers can peruse the car show, concerts, military recognition ceremony, and beer garden. July 4; event starts at 4 p.m., fireworks around 9 p.m.; 11800 Community Center Drive
Parker
Salisbury Park: Parker is opting for a “remote viewing” event again this year, so host an at-home gathering, claim a spot at Salisbury Park, or head to one of the city’s other suggested viewing spots. At dusk, turn your attention toward the sky for the fireworks. July 4; fireworks around 9:30 p.m.; 11920 N. Motsenbocker Road
Thornton
Carpenter Park: Fireworks are only part of Thornton’s Independence Day extravaganza. Before the sky is illuminated, see trained parachutists jump from the sky, groove to a half-dozen bands on two stages, and sip a chilled beverage in the beer garden. July 4; event starts at noon, fireworks around 9:30 p.m.; 11000 Colorado Blvd.
Westminster
Westminster City Park: You won’t have to fight for a parking spot at this citywide celebration. Instead, take advantage of one of the city’s free shuttles, which stops at six different locations on its way to the event. Once there, grab a beer and catch Kentucky Straight and That Eighties Band before the lights show. July 4; event starts at 4 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.; 10455 N. Sheridan Blvd.
