Editor’s note: Check each event’s website, listed below, for programming changes based on severe weather and fire danger.
Fourth of July celebrations are back with a bang this year, following an eerily quiet 2021 defined by canceled and scaled-back fireworks displays.
Residents of Littleton, Lafayette, Longmont and Northglenn will be able to enjoy events that skipped their traditional dates last summer, even if some are sticking solely with fireworks instead of the usual food trucks and live entertainment.
With public safety and the potential for catastrophic wildfires in mind, Englewood and Lakewood in recent days canceled their displays. The state of Colorado also continues to prohibit all personal fireworks that explode or leave the ground. Examples, according to the North Metro Fire District, include bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles, cherry bombs and M-80s.
Those who use illegal fireworks are subject to fines of more than $2,500 and possible jail time. Typically, if fire restrictions are in place or a Red Flag Day is in effect, no fireworks of any kind are allowed.
All of the following events are free, all-ages, open to the public and weather-permitting, unless otherwise noted. As a rule of thumb, be sure to leave your pets, booze, drones and weapons at home, and don’t forget to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Also keep a mask handy for free shuttles, bathrooms and other indoor areas.
Arvada
Independence Day fireworks return to Stenger Sports Complex (entry at West 58th Avenue and Oak Street) on Monday, July 4, once again minus any refreshments or performances. Gates open at 7 p.m. and West 58th Avenue will shut down to traffic beginning at 8 p.m. Handicapped parking is available in Stenger’s northeast lot. arvadafestivals.com
Aurora
The Aurora Municipal Center will host the city’s Fourth of July Spectacular display, which takes place around 9:30 p.m. from Bicentennial Park on July 4. Returning, after taking last year off, are food trucks and nearly four hours of live music. The fireworks display lasts 30 minutes. 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. auroragov.org
Valerie Mosley, Special to the Denver Post
Joe Hopkins of Denver sells toys and flags on July 3, 2020, in Berthoud. The town launched fireworks higher into the sky this year so more people could see them from home to encourage social distancing.
Berthoud
Berthoud’s Third of July festival will take place 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, at the new Berthoud Recreation Center. Live music, inflatables slides, a beer garden, face painting, lawn games and more, with fireworks at 9 p.m. 1000 Berthoud Parkway. berthoud.org
Valerie Mosley, Special to the Denver Post
Fireworks explode over Waggener Farm Park on July 3, 2020, in Berthoud.
Brighton
The city of Brighton’s Fourth of July celebration takes over Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St., starting at 5 p.m. on July 4. The evening will feature live entertainment, with DJ Tidal Wave and Sisters of Rock, as well as food, kid’s entertainment and more. The fireworks display will follow at the end of the live performances. brightonco.gov
The sprawling Stars & Stripes event also return the day before that, on Sunday, July 3, from 4-10 p.m. at Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Rd. in Brighton. Food and beer vendors will begin serving at 4 p.m., with live entertainment at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. riverdaleregionalpark.org
Broomfield
Broomfield’s Great American Picnic kicks off at 5 p.m. July 4 in Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Blvd., and includes a beer garden, children’s carnival (with separate tickets) and the 16th annual, all-ages bike parade. Kids are required to wear a helmet, so be sure to bring one if you’re riding. Live music starting at 6 p.m. will lead into 9:30 fireworks. Limited parking on-site and additional parking available at Legacy High School, with shuttles available from 5 to 11 p.m. broomfield.org/greatamericanpicnic
Castle Rock
Castle Rock’s 9:30 p.m. fireworks show is centered on the top of Santa Fe Quarry butte, above Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course, at an elevation of about 6,700 feet, which should make for great viewing nearly anywhere in town during the 15-minute show on July 4. Red Hawk Golf course will offer food and drink for purchase in its parking lot, 2156 Red Hawk Ridge Drive. crgov.com/2658/fireworks-in-castle-rock
Commerce City
This the 25th year for the Colorado Rapids’ popular 4thFest Celebration at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Billed as the state’s largest display, the free, family-friendly event on July 4 opens before that day’s game against the Austin FC with an impressive array of family-friendly activities and entertainment. The soccer game at 7:30 p.m. costs money, but fireworks can be seen all around the stadium at 6000 Victory Way.
New this year: a Block Party with a live DJ, drinks and more, as well as bike parking in the Burgundy Bike Lot, on the east side of the stadium between Gates B and C. Hours: 5-9 p.m. Parking lots are limited, and RTD bus and rail travel is encouraged. coloradorapids.com/4thfest
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Independence Eve celebration at Civic Center Park in Denver on July 3, 2018.
Denver
Downtown residents can celebrate the return of Civic Center‘s traditional Independence Eve, which has been sorely missed during its pandemic-era postponement. The Sunday, July 3, event includes live music from Colorado Symphony and other local artists, a light show on the City and Country Building, and fireworks around 9:15. Gates at 4 p.m. and music at 6 p.m., with food trucks on-site. 101 E. 14th Ave. denver.org
Get a jump on displays with the Friday, July 1, show from Denver Municipal Band, with a picnic starting at 5 p.m. and the live musical performance at 7 p.m. in Cranmer Park, followed by fireworks. 4501 E. 1st Ave. denvermunicipalband.org
John Leyba, The Denver Post
The Colorado Rockies treat fans to a fireworks spectacular July 4, 2017, in Denver.
Coors Field will launch fireworks on Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2, following the nighttime Colorado Rockies games against the Arizona Diamondbacks (they’ll be fighting the Dodgers in L.A. on July 4). Best-view seats are obviously inside the stadium, but hanging out around Lower Downtown or adjacent urban neighborhoods never hurts. 2001 Blake St. mlb.com/rockies/tickets/specials/fireworks
Englewood
Englewood’s family-friendly July 4 event, starting at 5 p.m., spans Belleview and Cornerstone parks in conjunction with the cities of Littleton and Sheridan, Arapahoe County and South Suburban Parks & Recreation. It will feature kids’ activities and food trucks, although this week organizers said they were pulling the planned fireworks for safety reasons. englewoodco.gov/fourthofjuly
Erie
This year’s fireworks display takes place at Erie Community Park (450 Powers St.) on Sunday, July 3, with the fireworks launched from the rooftop of the Erie Community Center at 9:30 p.m. Limited parking is also available there starting at 7 p.m. Food trucks and vendors will be on site. erieco.gov
Firestone
The 20th annual Fourth at Firestone is back on July 4 with another parade and family friendly activities at Miners Park — including booth vendors and food trucks — through 3 p.m. At 5 p.m., Miners reopens with live music, a beer garden, and more food trucks, followed by the 9:30 p.m. fireworks display. firestoneco.gov
Glendale
This early Independence Day celebration takes place on July 1 at Infinity Park, having jumped locations due to Creekside Park’s closure. Viewers can sit inside the stadium, in the stands or on the field, or on the turf field to the south of the stadium to view fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Movie shorts and videos will preface the display on the big screen and food trucks will be on site. glendale.co.us
Golden
Lions Park Ballfields are the site of Golden’s 9:30 p.m. fireworks display on July 4, with the best viewing at the park or along the creek. The Golden Lions Club festival, starting at noon, leads up to the display with live music, food trucks, beer (Coors, naturally) and wine, 1300 10th St. visitgolden.com
Highlands Ranch
The celebration begins with a 8:45 a.m. family bike-and-pet parade, followed by a 9 a.m. community parade. See the city website for street closures and the parade route, which begins at 9285 Hepburn St. The 9:30 p.m.-10 fireworks display is back in Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St, after a pandemic-era break. hrcaonline.org
Lafayette
After a year off, Lafayette’s celebration will feature 4-10 p.m. festivities at Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive, including food, adult drinks, kid’s activities like face painting and bounce houses, live music, and the fireworks at dusk. business.lafayettecolorado.com
Lakewood
Big Boom Bash and its fireworks-only programming was this week canceled, having been initially planned as a display over Jeffco Stadium on Saturday. lakewood.org/bigboombash
Littleton
Will Red, White & You finally return to Clement Park this year? Foothills Parks & Recreation says yes, but details have yet to arrive for the Friday, July 1, fireworks display and/or programming. The rain or shine event is scheduled to run 5-10 p.m. at 7306 W. Bowles Ave. Check ifoothills.org/events/red-white-and-you for updates.
Lone Tree
Lone Tree Elementary and Prairie Sky Park will host a full slate of activities on July 4, starting with the 9 a.m. Family Fun Ride and Stroll, followed by the Family Fun Park through 1 p.m. (free, but reservations are required). At 5 p.m., Party in the Park kicks off with DJs, live brass-funk and “roaming entertainment.” 9381 Crossington Way. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4
Matthew Jonas, Times-Call
Fireworks explode over Longmont on Sunday, July 4, 2021. The Fox Hill Country Club and Skyline Kiwanis Club hosted the fireworks display.
Longmont
Longmont’s display is back at Fox Hill Country Club, 1400 CO-19 in Longmont, with food trucks opening at 5:30 p.m., Hazel Miller performing at 7 p.m., and the Skyline Kiwanis fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Organizers also suggest nearby viewing areas such as Sandstone Ranch, Clark Centennial Park, Stephen Day Park and Jim Hamm Nature Area. longmontcolorado.gov
Louisville
Coal Creek Golf Course at 585 W. Dillon Road is open again for 2022’s July 4 display with free hot dogs and sausages beginning at 6 p.m. (while supplies last), bounce houses, face painting, and patriotic music from the Boulder Concert Band. Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m., and free shuttles are available at the King Soopers at 1375 E. South Boulder Road. louisvilleco.gov
Loveland
Loveland’s July 4 Festival and Fireworks will take over North Lake Park, 2750 N. Taft Ave., from 2-10 p.m. July 4. Look for kids games and entertainment, vendors and food trucks, summer-game competitions (cornhole, etc.), a beer garden, and fireworks at 9:17 p.m. lovgov.org
Northglenn
After a pause, Northglenn’s jam-packed July 4th Festival is back with the classic cars, duck derbies, live music, military recognition and picnics and kid’s activities galore. Food vendors and a beer garden, too. Noon-10 p.m. July 4 at E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11800 Community Center Drive. Fireworks will launch between 9 and 9:30 p.m. northglenn.org
Parker
Parker’s Stars and Stripes Celebration is back after taking a year off, returning July 4 to Salisbury Park (11920 Motsenbocker Road). Free live music, walk-around entertainers and a carnival, with low-cost kid’s activities and tasty food vendors. In lieu of fireworks organizers will feature a coordinated drone light show. parkeronline.org
Thornton
Family activities begin at 4 p.m. on July 4 at Carpenter Park (11000 Colorado Blvd.) with food and drinks, live music, a presentation of colors and more. Paved and unpaved parking is available in the lots south of the Carpenter Park Fields and west of 108th Avenue. And don’t miss the annual tradition of the nighttime parachutists, who will herald the dusk fireworks. cityofthornton.net
Westminster
Organizers have not yet announced fine details for this 4-10 p.m. celebration on July 4, with fireworks at 9:15 p.m., but it’s one of the area’s best. It takes place at Westminster City Park, 10455 N. Sheridan Blvd., with fireworks scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Check cityofwestminster.us for updates on shuttle schedules and routes.
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