Fourth of July Festivities in Colorado
Independence Day brings a bounty of events, from parades to running and cycling races to patriotic concerts.
Whether you’ll be in the Front Range or a mountain resort town for the holiday weekend, we’ve researched family-friendly activities so you can don your red, white, and blue and enjoy the celebrations.
Avon / Beaver Creek
Just outside the gates to Beaver Creek Resort, Avon hosts the 37th Annual Salute to the USA on July 3rd from 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at Harry A. Nottingham Park. Activities will include face painting, balloon artists, stilt walkers, inflatable fun houses, and more. Food vendors will be serving up turkey legs, funnel cakes, and lemonade. Enjoy music from the Grammy Award-winning headliners Los Lonely Boys and an opening set from Jenny and the Mexicats.
Boulder
Folsom Field on the campus of the University of Colorado will be the site for the 4th of July Spectacular. Enjoy live music by School of Rock, The Custom-Shop Band, and Funkiphino as well as a drone show. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the drone show will begin at dark, around 9:35 p.m.
The Boulder Symphony presents a July 4th Concert Celebration at 7:00 p.m. at the Boulder Bandshell at 1212 Canyon Boulevard. Enjoy patriotic favorites including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and John Williams’ music fromStar WarsandIndiana Jonesas well as other cinematic classics. This event is part of the Arts in the Park series in collaboration with the City of Boulder, Create Boulder, and Visit Boulder.
Colorado Springs
The Star-Spangled Symphony & Fourth of July Fireworks event returns to Colorado Springs, with a performance by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic at the Pikes Peak Center. Over 10 fireworks displays are planned for the Colorado Springs area, dependent upon weather.
Concert tickets are complementary, but they must be reserved in advance. Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. and the performance will begin at 4:30 p.m. Songs will include the National Anthem, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, and more patriotic favorites.
Crested Butte
The Town of Crested Butte hosts a full day of activities, starting with the 49th Annual Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Crested Butte Fire Protection Station at 306 3rd Street. Proceeds from this event support the Crested Butte Fire and EMS Volunteer Squad, the High School Explorers Club, and Crested Butte Fallen Fire Fighter Fund.
Next up is the parade down Elk Avenue with over 40 local floats. The final entry in the parade is always the Crested Butte Fire Protection District, with lights and sirens on the fire trucks and ambulances. Following the parade, the town’s traditional water fight will take place led by the fire department. Bring water balloons and squirt guns and participate in the fun.
Mount Crested Butte will also host an event at the ski resort, with live music on the Red Lady Stage from 4:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. A laser show is planned for 9 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Take me out to the ballgame! If you’re in Denver for the holiday weekend, what could be more apropos than a professional baseball game? The Colorado Rockies will host the Detroit Tigers on Saturday July 1st at Coors Field. The game begins at 7:10 p.m. and attendees can enjoy postgame fireworks.
serving up snacks for purchase.
On July 4th, just west of Denver in Morrison, Red Rocks Amphitheatre hosts Blues Traveler, Railroad Earth, and North Mississippi All Stars in its stunning open-air setting.
Summit County
Breckenridge boasts a full day of activities for locals and visitors alike. The day kicks off with the Independence Day 10K, a trail running race with gorgeous views. Make sure to register early, as this event allows 500 runners and space is limited. The Kids Strider Bike Race begins at 8:30 a.m. in front of the historic Gold Pan Saloon, and ends at Blue River Plaza. Advance registration is required, and all participants must bring their own bike and helmet.
Next up is the Firecracker 50, a 50-mile mountain bike race which begins on historic Main Street and winds through backcountry trails with over 4,000 feet of elevation climb for riders. The race is limited to 750 bikers so make sure to register in advance. The race begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Main Street Parade at 10 a.m. Events continue through 3 p.m. including a chalk art contest, dog costume competition, carnival games, face painting, and more.
The evening wraps up with a concert by the National Repertory Orchestra performing patriotic tunes at Riverwalk Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6:00 p.m.
Telluride
Kick off the holiday weekend at the Historic Sheridan Opera House with a performance by Toad the Wet Sprocket on Saturday, July 1st at 9:00 p.m.
Test your legs and your lungs at the annual Rundola event! The race begins at 8 a.m. at the base of the gondola, continue up the Telluride Trail, finishing at the top of the ridge with over 1,800 feet of elevation gain. Awards and breakfast will follow at The Oak at 10 a.m. The Town of Mountain Village and Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association are planning Red, White and Blues, a complimentary Fourth of July celebration. Stay tuned for more information and full schedule of events.
Vail
Vail hosts its renowned parade on July 4th. Floats begin at 10 a.m. at Golden Peak and wind through Vail Village, across the International Bridge, and ending at the Lionshead Mall. Local floats will join the world-famous Vail Precision Lawn Chair Demonstration Team and marching bands.
Following the parade, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater hosts a patriotic concert featuring music from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. This event benefits the Vail Veterans Program and starts at 2 p.m. Details and tickets are available through The Amp | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. A fireworks show is planned at 9 p.m. on Vail Mountain, dependent on weather. Fireworks will be visible from any location with a clear view of the frontside of Vail Mountain.
Winter Park
Lace up your running shoes for the Rendezvous Run for Independence 5K in Winter Park. The run/walk begins at Gondola Plaza at 9 a.m., and the route meanders along the scenic Fraser River Trail and through Winter Park, ending at the Rendezvous Event Center. Enjoy refreshments and awards at the after party.
The festivities continue with a complimentary concert at Rendezvous Event Center from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Bring a picnic and enjoy live music, games, a photo booth and more. A laser show with music from DJ Jen G will follow then concert.