All the Fireworks Shows and Fourth of July Festivals Around Denver

Since the Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday this year, there have already been plenty of chances to celebrate...and the fun continues today. There are festivals and concerts all along the Front Range, and the day begins with flyovers by Colorado Air National Guard F-16C Vipers above numerous Colorado communities, including Denver, Greeley, Vail, Crested Butte and Grand Lake (find details here).

But fireworks shows are always the main event, and they come in all shapes and sizes this year (and in Boulder, drones will steal the show — although the timing may change because of storms). Keep reading for fireworks shows and Fourth of July festivals today almost all are free, and to aid your planning, we've put them in chronological order. But before you go, remember to check with organizers for specific rules and possible weather updates (the fireworks shows in Estes Parks and Golden have already been canceled...and more could go).

Now, let the shows begin!

Greeley Stampede
Tuesday, July 4, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Island Grove Regional Park, 501 North 14th Avenue, Greeley
The Greeley Stampede began as a town festival celebrating local potato farmers in the late nineteenth century, then went through several name changes — from the Greeley Spud Rodeo to the Go West With Greeley Rodeo — before finally becoming the Greeley Stampede in 1972. Today the Stampede has it all: PRCA rodeo, country music concerts, a carnival, Western art, vendors and parades of both people and animals. After opening on June 22, the Stampede will go out with a bang on July 4, when the Independence Day Parade starts things off at 9 a.m. on the final day, followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. See the schedule and get tickets (starting at 5) here.

Frisco’s Fabulous Fourth of July
Tuesday, July 4, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Frisco
The mountain town of Frisco is hosting its annual Fabulous Fourth of July fest, which includes a pancake breakfast, a kids' fishing derby, a parade on Main Street featuring floats and vintage vehicles, and a free concert by Yonder Mountain String Band at 4 p.m. Admission is free; find out more here.

America's Birthday Dash
Tuesday, July 4, 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Washington Park
The Fourth is full of fun in Washington Park, which boasts that it has Denver's longest-running four-mile July 4 run/walk with a finish-line festival. There's also a kids' firecracker fun run, an all-American talent show, and more! Register for the race for $45 (group prices available); all other activities are free. Find more info here.

July 4th in Leadville
Tuesday, July 4, 8:30 a.m. until dark
Harrison Avenue, Leadville
Fourth of July festivities in Leadville start with the 5k Firecracker Fun Run at 8:30 a.m.; that's followed by an old-fashioned parade along Harrison Avenue with floats, bands and burros at 10 a.m. The annual Fourth of July Airport Cookout runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North America’s highest-elevation airport. And finally, at dusk there will be fireworks against the backdrop of Colorado’s highest peaks (weather permitting). Admission is free; find all the details here.
16th Annual Highland 4th of July Parade
Tuesday, July 4, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
MCA at The Holiday Theater to Little Man, 2620 16th Street
Head to Highland for the annual 4th of July parade and fire-truck splashdown. Those festivities end at Little Man Ice Cream, which is celebrating its fifteenth birthday with a dance performance by Ballet Folklórico: Mexico en la Piel that starts at 11:30 a.m. It's all free; find more details here.

Golden Fourth of July Festival
Tuesday, July 4, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Lions Park Ballfields, 1300 10th Street
The Golden Lions Club is hosting a free, family-friendly 4th of July community celebration in Lions Park; activities include music provided by three bands starting at 11:30 a.m. Bring a picnic or purchase food and drink from American Legion Golden Post 21, five specialty food trucks, Coors and Golden City breweries and Bonacquisti Wines. The fireworks planned for after the fest have been postponed. Find out more here.

Northglenn July 4 Festival
Tuesday, July 4, noon to 9:30 p.m.
EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11800 Community Center Drive, Northglenn
Celebrate your independence in Northglenn. Picnic in the park while enjoying a car show, duck derbies and concerts; a show by Hot Lunch at 7:30 is followed by fireworks. Admission is free; find out more here.
Park Hill Parade
Tuesday, July 4, 1:30 p.m.
Dexter to Krameria Street
This community-friendly parade will include more than fifty groups, including floats, marching bands, costumed characters, classic cars, cosplay, the Westernaires and more, all traveling through one of Denver's most historic neighborhoods. Mayor-elect Mike Johnston will be joining the parade. It's all free to watch; find out more here.

The Star-Spangled Symphony and July 4th Block Party
Tuesday, July 4, 3:30 p.m. until dark
190 South Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs
The block party begins at 3:30 with food and games; the Colorado Springs Philharmonic offers a concert of patriotic music at 4:30. Stay for the fireworks show, which will launch at 9 p.m. Admission is free; find out more here.

Rollin' on the Riverwalk
Tuesday, July 4, 4 to 10 p.m.
Main Street and Alan Hamel Avenue, Pueblo
This free event starts with a community bash with food and live entertainment along the Riverwalk, including a 5 p.m. performance by Jacob Christopher and a performance at 7:50 p.m. by Rhett Haney. Weather permitting, it all ends with the biggest fireworks show in southern Colorado. Find our more here.

Snowmass July 4th Celebration
Tuesday, July 4, 5 to 8 p.m.
49 Wood Road, Snowmass Village
Snowmass Village will host an evening of free live music on the Fanny Hill stage, along with sweet treats and glow-in-the-dark goodies. Find more information here.

4thFEST and Block Party
Tuesday, July 4, 5 to 10 p.m.
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City
The 25th annual 4thFEST includes a free, family-friendly pre-game festival before the Colorado Rapids v. Portland Timbers match, followed by what's billed as the largest public fireworks show in the state. The pre-game fest, hosted by the Rapids and Commerce City, includes live music, a bounce house, a rock-climbing wall, a mobile ropes course, an alpine tubing slide, a mechanical bull, pedal carts and a toddler zone.On the south side of the stadium, the Rapids Block Party includes a live DJ, drinks, food trucks and an LED wall that will stream the Rapids’ game and other MLS games live. (Of course, you can also buy tickets to the game.) Fireworks follow the game, which paying customers can view from inside Dick's while the party continues outside. Get more information here.

The Great American Picnic and Fireworks
Tuesday, July 4, 5  to 10 p.m.
Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Boulevard, Broomfield
Spend your Fourth of July with family, friends and Broomfield neighbors at the 2023 Great American Picnic and Fireworks. Starting at 5 p.m., the picnic will include family-friendly activities, concessions, food vendors and a beer garden for those 21+. The action kicks off with a bike parade, then live music starting at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:15. Admission is free; find out more here.

Fourth of July Festival
Tuesday, July 4, 5 p.m. until dark
Carmichael Park, 650 East Southern Street, Brighton
The City of Brighton’s Fourth of July festival returns to Carmichael Park, with live music from DJ Tidal Wave starting at 5 p.m., followed by headliner Those Crazy Nights at 7 p.m. After the music, Brighton will host one of the region's largest fireworks displays. Admission is free; find out more here.

Green Mountain Falls Fourth of July
Tuesday, July 4, 5 to 9 p.m.
Green Mountain Falls, Highway 24 between Manitou Springs and Woodland Park
Water Lantern Launch, 9 to 9:30 p.m.
If you want to get acquainted with the Green Box Arts Festival and Green Mountain Falls, a town that takes you back 100 years in time, the free Fourth of July Block Party is a good place to start. The evening includes two women who compose instant poems by typewriter, a Western Swing dance class and music to dance to with Carlos Washington’s Steel Horse Swing and the Lilli Lewis Trio. Then stay a little longer for a twinkling Water Lantern Launch on the lake at 9 p.m. It’s free (BBQ dinner and $10 lantern kit are not); RSVP here.

Aurora 4th of July Spectacular
Tuesday, July 4, 6 to 10 p.m.
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora
Get ready for four hours of fun, with food trucks and live music including Conjunto Colores and The Syndicates, before the fireworks, which should start about 9:30 p.m. Admission is free; find out more here.

4th of July Spectacular: a Night Sky Drone Show
Tuesday, July 4, 7 p.m., show begins around 9:35
Folsom Field, Boulder
Boulder's 4th of July celebration, traditionally known as Ralphie's Independence Day Blast, dates back to 1941, but this year, there's a twist: The city will be offering its first night sky drone show in place of traditional fireworks, in keeping with Boulder's Sustainability, Equity and Resilience Framework. The gates open at 7 p.m., and the drone show will begin around 9:35 p.m. or whenever it's dark; in the meantime, there will be live music by School of Rock, Funkiphino and the Custom Shop-Band. A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase from food trucks and CU concessions. Otherwise, admission is free; find out more here.

Arvada Fourth of July Fireworks
Tuesday, July 4, 7 to 10 p.m.
Stenger Soccer Complex, 11200 West 58th Avenue, Arvada
Since 1979, the City of Arvada has celebrated Independence Day with a fireworks display at the Stenger Sports Complex. Admission is free; get all the details here.

What did we miss? Send information on any shows open to the public (whether free or paid admission) to [email protected].