Fourth of July festivities in the Denver metro will light up the night skies as the country celebrates its 250th birthday and Colorado marks its 150th year as a state.
With Denver’s annual Civic Center Park celebration canceled for construction, Denverites are sure to be wandering the metro looking for events that suit their taste – and risk tolerance for fire.
Or they’ll stay close to home, watching their neighbors burn money in brilliant – and dog-terrifying – displays of low-level criminal patriotism.
Here are the official fireworks shows and drone shows happening throughout Denver and the suburbs.
Some fireworks shows could be canceled due to fire risks. Check the event websites for the latest information.
Friday, July 3
Brighton
Stars and Stripes
Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road
4-10 p.m.
Free
Head to Riverdale Regional Park in Adams County on Friday afternoon to pregame on Independence Day eve. This free event includes live music, food and drink vendors, and a fireworks display to wrap the night.
Denver
Sunset Cinema
Sculpture Park, 1736 Speer Blvd.
6 p.m.
Free, but RSVPs are requested
Mayor Mike Johnston would usually spend Independence Day eve in Civic Center Park. But with construction happening, he’ll make his appearance at the July 3 Sunset Cinema event, where organizers are celebrating this historic year with a screening of “National Treasure,” music from DJ Walt White and a drone show sponsored by Visit Denver. If some people in your party don’t like movies and drones, they can head next door to the Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St., for a free Independence Eve concert that starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are required, though seats are not guaranteed.
Rockies vs. Giants Fireworks Night
Coors Field
2001 Blake St.
6:10 p.m.
Prices vary
The Colorado Rockies will take on the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field, followed by a fireworks display — the first of two over Independence Day weekend.
Lakewood
Big Belmar Bash
The Plaza at Belmar, 7337 W. Alaska Drive
5-10 p.m.
Free
Dance to the tunes of the Wash Park Band, peruse the offerings of local vendors and enjoy a nosh and a drink. At 9:15 p.m., Lakewood is promising a “spectacular drone show” with 250 drones lighting the skies with a variety of colors and designs. MIX 100 will deejay the spectacle, and you can tune in to your radio for the soundtrack if you’re not on site.
Littleton
Red, White and Rock
Hudson Gardens and Event Center
6115 S. Santa Fe Drive
5-9:30 p.m.
$15-$50
Hudson Gardens is going retro this Independence Day, with music from the Ninety Percent 90s, the holiday’s busiest band, and the ‘80s new wave tribute band The Spazmatics. There will be food, drinks and, of course, fireworks.
Red, White and You
Clement Park
7306 W. Bowles Ave.
5-10 p.m.
Free
Branded as “the largest free community event in South Jefferson County,” Red, White & You brings out 35,000 people to enjoy fun for the kids, live music from The Williams Brothers Band, food, drinks and fireworks.
Saturday, July 4
Arvada
Arvada Independence Day Celebration
Stenger Sports Complex
11200 W. 58th Ave.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m.; fireworks start at 9 p.m.
Free
Expect food, drinks and fireworks in Arvada – but only if there are Stage 1 fire restrictions or less. If Stage 2 or higher restrictions go into effect, the fireworks show will be postponed.
Aurora
4th of July Spectacular
Aurora Municipal Center
15151 E. Alameda Parkway
6-10 p.m.
Free
Expect music from Little Moses Jones and Ninety Percent 90s; face painting; food trucks; and a big fireworks show that opens with the Star Spangled Banner at 9:30 p.m. and ignites the sky for 30 minutes.
Brighton
Fourth of July Celebration
Carmichael Park
650 E. Southern St.
5-9 p.m.
Free
DJ Overkill will kick off the evening, followed by a performance from the dance-funk band Thumpin’ at 7 p.m. Around 9 p.m., the crowd will sing the national anthem and enjoy a fireworks show.
fireworks; fourth of july; summer; kevinjbeaty; denverite;
Broomfield
Great American Picnic
Broomfield County Commons Park
13200 Sheridan Blvd.
5 p.m.
Free
Enjoy inflatables, a euro bungee, a Nerf arena, face painting, balloon twisting, food and a beer garden that attendees can enjoy for a small price. At 5:45 p.m. there will be a bike parade, followed by music from Halle Tomlinson, The Cass Clayton Band and fireworks starting at 9:15 p.m.
Castle Rock
Fourth of July celebration
Festival Park
300 Second St.
5:30-9:30 p.m.
Free
Castle Rock will come alive with music from The Castle Rock Band and Thunder Roads, along with food trucks, face painting, a pie bake-off and a fireworks show. The town will be giving away light-up star wands, grocery bags, temporary tattoos, stickers and more to celebrate America 250 – Colorado 150.
Commerce City
4thFEST
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
6000 Victory Way
3 p.m.
Free
Families can enjoy a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, pedal carts, an alpine slide, a mechanical bull and other delights before a big fireworks show. Inside the stadium, Dick’s will be hosting World Rugby Nations Cup matches starting with Tonga vs. Zimbabwe at 4:15 p.m. and USA vs. Portugal at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin after the matches. Tickets start at $27.
Denver
Rockies vs. Giants Fireworks Night
Coors Field
2001 Blake St.
6:10 p.m.
Prices vary
The Colorado Rockies will take on the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field, followed by a fireworks display — the second of two over Independence Day weekend.
Englewood
Tri-City 4th of July Festival
Belleview Park
5001 S. Inca Drive, Englewood
Cornerstone Park
5150 S. Windermere St. Englewood
5-10 p.m.
Free
Englewood, Littleton and Sheridan residents will be coming together for this tri-city Independence Day celebration. There will be vendors, food trucks and a big fireworks display at the end of the evening.
Lone Tree
Lone Tree Independence Day Celebration
Prairie Sky Park
9381 Crossington Way
9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Free
All day long, the people of Lone Tree will be enjoying festivities at the Prairie Sky Park. In the mix: a family fun ride and stroll, inflatables, games, live music, food and more. Headliner Sophia Scott will take the stage at 8 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. They can be viewed from the park and other locations around Lone Tree.
fireworks; denver; colorado; fourth of july; 4th of july; july 4th; july fourth; kevinjbeaty; denverite; colorado;
Northglenn
Northglenn 4th of July Festival
E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park
11701 Community Center Drive
Noon-9:30 p.m.
Free
Branded as “the city’s largest picnic,” Northglenn residents will enjoy a car show from noon to 3 p.m.. There will be a duck derby, music from the Ninety Percent 90s (who seem to be playing everywhere this year), The Hot Lunch Band, and the Rick Lewis Project. Fireworks over Webster Lake start at 9:15 p.m.
Thornton
Fourth of July Celebration
Carpenter Park Fields
11000 Colorado Blvd.
Noon-9:30 p.m.
Free
There will be two music stages, parachutists, 19 food vendors and a beer garden in Thornton, at this all-day event that culminates in a fireworks show. Vinyl Nation, Soul School, Titonic, the Thornton Community Band, Christie Huff and Kory Brunson will play the event.
Westminster
4th of July Celebration
Westminster City Park
10455 Sheridan Blvd.
4-10 p.m.
Free
Westminster boasts having “the best fireworks display in the north metro area.” The city is promising live music, food, beer and wholesome family fun. Have a blast.
If we’re missing any fireworks or drone shows, let us know at [email protected]
