Independence Day celebrations are back with a bang this year, so here’s a handy guide to metro Denver fireworks displays happening on or around July 4.
Note: Colorado laws prohibit all personal fireworks that explode or leave the ground. Some 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. Updated, county-by-county restrictions can be viewed at coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html
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. Most fireworks displays start between 9 and 9:30 p.m.
Arvada
Independence Day fireworks return to Stenger Soccer Complex (entry at West 58th Avenue and Oak Street) on Tuesday, July 4, with food trucks but also propane grills allowed on site. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and West 58th will shut down to traffic beginning at 8 p.m. Accessible parking is available in Stenger’s northeast lot. arvadaco.gov
Aurora
The Aurora Municipal Center hosts the city’s Fourth of July Spectacular display, which takes place around 9:30 p.m. on July 4. Food trucks and three hours of live music are planned. The fireworks display lasts 30 minutes at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. Free on-site parking. auroragov.org
Joe Hopkins of Denver sells toys and flags on July 3, 2020, in Berthoud. (Photo by Valerie Mosley/Special to the Denver Post)
Berthoud
Berthoud’s Third of July festival will take place from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, at the Berthoud Recreation Center. Live music, inflatables, a beer garden, lawn games and more, with fireworks at 9 p.m. Waggener Farm Park, 1000 Berthoud Parkway. berthoud.org
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 Those Crazy Nights, as well as food, kid’s entertainment and more. The fireworks display will follow at the end of the live performances. brightonco.gov
Adams County’s sprawling Stars & Stripes event also returns the day before that, on July 3, from 4 to 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 from Thomas Mac at 6 p.m. Parking is free. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. riverdaleregionalpark.org
Broomfield
Broomfield’s Great American Picnic kicks off at 5 p.m. on July 4 in Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Blvd., and includes food, a beer garden, children’s carnival (with separate tickets) and the 17th annual all-ages bike parade. Kids are required to wear a helmet. Live music starting at 6 p.m. will lead into 9:15 p.m. fireworks. Limited parking on-site and additional parking available at Legacy High School, with shuttles available from 5 to 11 p.m. broomfield.org/611/July-4th
Commerce City
The Colorado Rapids’ popular 4thFest Celebration at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park returns with what organizers bill as the state’s largest display. The free event on July 4 opens before that day’s game against the Portland Timbers 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, with lots opening at 7 p.m.
Returning this year: the Rapids Block Party Series, 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
Independence Eve celebration at Civic Center Park in Denver on July 3, 2018.
Denver
Downtown residents and visitors won’t see fireworks this year at Civic Center’s free Indy Eve (formerly Independence Eve) on July 3, but they will see live music from Colorado Symphony Brass & Percussion ensemble, DJs, a light show on the City and Country Building, and a 300-strong drone show around 9:15. Gates open at 5 p.m. and entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m., with food trucks on-site and the new Night Market with a kids area and local vendors. 101 E. 14th Ave. civiccenterpark.org
The Colorado Rockies treat fans to a fireworks spectacular July 4, 2017, in Denver.
Coors Field will launch fireworks on Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, following the nighttime Colorado Rockies games against the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals, respectively. The best views are inside the stadium, but hanging out around Lower Downtown or adjacent urban neighborhoods also offers good angles. 2001 Blake St. mlb.com/rockies/tickets/specials/fireworks
Paid visitors to Elitch Gardens theme park and nearby viewers will also get an up-front seat on Friday, July 5, as fireworks begin just before the park’s daily closing. 2000 Elitch Circle. elitchgardens.com/entertainment/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 along with dusk fireworks. englewoodco.gov
Erie
This year’s fireworks display takes place at Erie Community Park (450 Powers St.) on Wednesday, July 3, with the fireworks launched from the rooftop of the Erie Community Center at 9 p.m. Food trucks and vendors will be on site. Limited parking starts at 6 p.m. erieco.gov
Firestone
The 21st Fourth at Firestone is back on July 4 with a 10 a.m. parade and family-friendly activities at Miners Park — including booth vendors and food trucks — from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m. At 4 p.m., Miners adds 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 Tuesday, July 2 at Infinity Park, 4599 E. Tennessee Ave. Viewers can sit inside the stadium, in the stands, on the field, or on the turf to the south of the stadium to view fireworks around 9:40 p.m. glendale.co.us
Highlands Ranch
The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. and run for a half-hour at Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St. Organizers recommend walking, biking or ride-sharing, as there will be no on-site parking. Visit hrcaonline.org for food truck updates and more.
Lafayette
Lafayette’s rather early celebration on Saturday, June 29, will feature 4 to 10 p.m. festivities at Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive, including food, adult drinks, kids’ activities like face painting and bounce houses, live music, and the fireworks at dusk. lafayettecolorado.com/special-events
Littleton
The Red, White & You show returns to Clement Park on Wednesday, July 3 this year with a 5-10 p.m. celebration that includes a kid’s zone, live music, food, beer and wine, and the 9:30 fireworks display south of the amphitheater. The rain or shine event will take place at 7306 W. Bowles Ave. ifoothills.org/events/red-white-and-you
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 on Eventbrite). At 6 p.m., Party in the Park at Prairie Sky kicks off with live music, followed by 9:30 p.m. fireworks. 9381 Crossington Way. cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4
Longmont
Longmont’s fireworks display can be viewed best at the downtown Street Party, which runs 5-10 p.m. on July 4, along 2nd Avenue between Kimbark and Collyer streets, and Emery Street between 1st and 3rd avenues. The free, 9:30 p.m. show can also be viewed from the green space area north of the Longmont Museum, and the City of Longmont Recreation Center, south of Left Hand Creek. longmontcolorado.gov
Louisville
Coal Creek Golf Course at 585 W. Dillon Road opens at 6 p.m. on July 4 with food trucks, adult beverages, bounce houses, face painting, and patriotic music. Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m., and free shuttles are available starting at 5:30 p.m. at Louisville Recreation Center, 900 Via Appia Way, and Coal Creek Ace Hardware, 1343 E. South Boulder Road. louisvilleco.gov
Loveland
Loveland’s July 4 Festival and Fireworks will take over North Lake Park, 2750 N. Taft Ave., starting at 4 p.m. on July 4. Look for kids’ games and entertainment, a 4 p.m. bike parade, vendors and food trucks, summer-game competitions (cornhole, etc.), a beer garden, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. lovgov.org
Northglenn
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. Food vendors and a beer garden, too. Noon-9:30 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 fireworks show at Salisbury Park returns July 4, minus any daytime festivities. But there will still be a 9:30 p.m. display that can be seen “throughout the community,” even if it’s remote-only (i.e. without up-front seating). parkeronline.org
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Thornton
The party starts at noon at Carpenter Park Fields (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 “Red, White & Boom!” fireworks show. cityofthornton.net
Westminster
The Uncle Sam Splash Bash kicks things off from 1-3 p.m. at Countryside Outdoor Pool with water games, snow cones, cotton candy, and activities for the whole family. Westminster City Park (10455 N. Sheridan Blvd.) hosts this year’s main event, which begins at 4 p.m., followed by live music at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. There’s a free shuttle from various locations; see cityofwestminster.us for updates on shuttle schedules and routes.