Independence Day is almost here, and as usual, there will be displays all across metro Denver and beyond. Here’s a handy guide to both the fireworks and drone displays before and during the holiday weekend.
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 $1,000 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 the Stenger Soccer Complex (entry at West 58th Avenue and Oak Street) on Friday, 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 4th of July Spectacular; the fireworks take 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
Berthoud
Berthoud’s Third of July festival will take place from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, at the Berthoud Recreation Center. Live music, beer garden, food trucks, lawn games and more, with fireworks at 9 p.m. Waggener Farm Park, 1000 Berthoud Parkway. berthoud.org
Joe Hopkins of Denver sells toys and flags on July 3, 2020, in Berthoud, Colorado. (Photo by Valerie Mosley/Special to the Denver Post)
Brighton
The city of Brighton’s 4th 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 from Ninety2K, as well as food, free face painting for kids and more. The fireworks display will follow at the end of the live performances. brightonco.gov
Adams County’s big Stars & Stripes event is on Thursday, July 3, from 4 to 10 p.m. at Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton. Food and beer vendors will begin serving at 4 p.m., with live entertainment from Tayler Holder at 6 p.m. Parking is free. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. adcogov.org/stars-stripes
Broomfield
Broomfield’s Great American Picnic starts at 5 p.m. on July 4 in Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Blvd., and includes food, a beer garden, children’s games and entertainment, and the 18th annual all-ages bike parade (at 5:30 p.m.; 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. Note: this year includes a layout change wherein the east side of the park will be fenced to further protect formal entry and exit points. 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 Sporting Kansas City with an 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. coloradorapids.com/4thfest
Denver
Downtown residents and visitors will, for the second year in a row, see drones rather than fireworks at Civic Center’s free Indy Eve (formerly Independence Eve). The Thursday, July 3, event includes the Night Market, a performance from Circus Foundry, a family fun zone, and live music from the Colorado Symphony Brass & Percussion Ensemble. The drone show starts around 9:15. Gates open at 5 p.m. and entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m., with food trucks on-site. 101 E. 14th Ave. civiccenterpark.org/indy-eve-at-civic-center-park
Coors Field will launch fireworks on Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, following the nighttime Colorado Rockies games against the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels, respectively. The best views are inside the stadium, but you can also see them if you hang out around Lower Downtown or adjacent urban neighborhoods. 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 Saturday, 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 (5001 S. Inca Dr.) and Cornerstone parks (5150 S. Windemere St.) 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 Thursday, 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 23rd Fourth at Firestone arrives on July 4 with a 10 a.m. parade and family-friendly activities at Miners Park — including booth vendors and food trucks — starting at 11 a.m. Starting 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 Wednesday, 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. Before that, they’ll screen the 1998 movie “Armageddon” (7 p.m.). glendale.co.us
Highlands Ranch
The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. and run for a half-hour at Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St. in Highlands Ranch. Food trucks will be on site. Organizers recommend walking, biking or ride-sharing, as there will be little to no on-site parking. hightlandsranch.org
Lafayette
Lafayette’s rather early celebration on Saturday, June 28, 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 Thursday, July 3, with a 5-10 p.m. celebration that includes a kids’ 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/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 opening of 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 and drone displays 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, 9:15 p.m. drone show and 9:30 p.m. fireworks 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. Kids’ activities, food and drink will be on site. 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, as well as Coal Creek Ace Hardware, 1343 E. South Boulder Road. louisvilleco.gov
Northglenn
Northglenn’s jam-packed July 4th Festival is back with the classic cars, duck derbies, live music, military recognition and picnics and kids’ activities. Food vendors and a beer garden, too. Noon to 9:30 p.m. July 4 at E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11800 Community Center Dr. Fireworks will launch at 9:15 p.m. northglenn.org
Parker
Parker’s fireworks show at Salisbury Park returns July 4 at 9:30 p.m. with a display that can be seen “throughout the community,” even if it’s remote-only (i.e. without up-front seating). Officials have lots of ideas where to set up at parkeronline.org, but caution that parking along roadsides is not permitted.
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 city’s 4th of July Celebration begins at 4 p.m. at Westminster City Park(10455 N. Sheridan Blvd.) with fun for the whole family, including live music, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. There’s a free shuttle from various locations; see westminsterco.gov for schedule and routes.