This year, the Fourth of July falls conveniently on a Friday–so, why not celebrate the holiday in the mountains?
These Colorado mountain towns take Independence Day to the next level—all with their own unique flair.
Vail
One of the biggest parades in Colorado takes place in Vail, kicking off at 10 a.m. Friday with a colorful and creative procession through Vail Village. This year’s theme is Local Motion, embodying the ways people love to move in and around town—bikes, hiking boots, skis, gondolas, you name. Several marching bands—including the Colorado State University marching band, the Denver Broncos band and Denver Nuggets Skyline Drumline—will provide the heart-soaring soundtrack as military planes fly overhead.
For those fascinated with flying vehicles, the High Altitude Army National Guard will offer up-close tours of a Blackhawk helicopter in Ford Park after the parade. Don’t miss the Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team, which has been enthralling Vail Fourth parade spectators with its one-of-a-kind, lawn chair-oriented choreography since 1984. It’s arguably the most entertaining—and definitely the most amusing—element of the parade.
The festive soundtrack takes a classical turn with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s patriotic concert at Gerald Ford Amphitheater at 2 p.m. Friday. To top off the day, a weather-permitting fireworks display will take place over Vail Mountain at 9:45 p.m. If you happen to be in town on July 3, head west to Avon for its family-friendly holiday extravaganza, which includes face painting, pony rides, live music and a massive fireworks show over Nottingham Park.
The fun vibes continue throughout the weekend in Vail, with live music at Solaris Plaza and the Vail Farmers Market and Art Show on Sunday.
Breckenridge
Breck’s Independence Day celebrations are centered largely around sports. Friday kicks off with a 10K trail run at 7 a.m. (If you sign up, keep in mind that you’re starting at 9,600 feet and going up from there.) Little ones doll up their rides for the Strider Bike race at 8:30 a.m. before the hardcore mountain bikers competing in the Firecracker 50 launch down Main Street to officially kick off the Fourth of July parade at 9:30 a.m. Floats, marching bands, dancers and celebrities follow, including mascots Rocky from the Denver Nuggets and Miles from the Denver Broncos.
Anyone staying on the other side of Summit County might prefer to start their holiday with a patriotic serenade from the National Repertory Orchestra, which performs a free and heart-soaring Fourth of July Spectacular concert at Rainbow Park in Silverthorne at 10 a.m. Friday. The NRO’s Alumni String Quartet continues the festive tunes on Breck’s Blue River Plaza at noon Friday, while the entire orchestra rejoins at Breck’s Riverwalk Center at 6 p.m. Friday for the grand finale Fourth of July Spectacular ticketed concert.
In the interim, head over to Breck Create’s Arts District campus for free live music, cruiser bike and chalk art contests, a dog fashion show, crafts, games, snacks and beer. At 4:30 p.m. Friday, the Cirque Mechanics perform a free “pedal punk” bike acrobatic show on Main Street.
Be aware that streets surrounding Breck’s downtown area will be closed for most of the day on July 4, so if you’re driving into town, plan to come early. Also, due to high wildfire danger, Breckenridge will not be putting on a fireworks show.
On Saturday, hit the annual Mountain Art Festival. Also, families won’t want to miss ice cream and crafts at Beaver Run. On Sunday, the hub of activity is the outdoor Breckenridge Sunday Market at Main Street Station.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte knows how to throw down for Independence Day. Festivities kick off at 4:30 p.m. on July 3 at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort with free live music from Sam Eberle, the Williams Brothers and Savannah Rae, along with food, drinks and free kids’ activities. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the fireworks display over the mountain starting at dusk.
Float-making for the Fourth of July parade is a matter of great pride for local residents and businesses. The exact time of the parade is yet to be announced, but it typically falls sometime between 9:30 and 11 a.m. on Elk Avenue. Things get truly rambunctious after the parade, which is trailed by members of the Crested Butte Fire Department. Firefighters power up their hoses for a full-on water fight (bring your high-powered squirt guns) on the south side of the street. Friday evening, the party moves back to the ski resort’s base area for free live music at 5:30 p.m. with Matt & Madeline Shugert and Floodgate Operators.
The area’s famous wildflower-strewn trails should be reaching their most vibrant colors over the weekend, so get out and hike or bike. Also, if you’re driving home Sunday, stop in Gunnison to catch Grammy-winning party band Ozomatli at the Tincup Whiskey Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m.
Aspen/Snowmass
Festivities begin early with the Snowmass Rodeo on July 2. Embrace your inner cowboy/cowgirl with mutton bustin’, mechanical bull rides and visits to the petting zoo beginning at 5 p.m., with the rodeo bucking into Snowmass Village at 7 p.m. Ozomatli plays Snowmass’s free outdoor concert series at 7:30 p.m. on July 3. Bring a camp chair and get comfortable on the slopes of Fanny Hill.
Then, Aspen likes to kick off its Independence Day as America did in the days of yore, with an Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade, complete with fire trucks gently spraying the crowd and a steam calliope pumping out tunes. And don’t forget to look up: The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. with an L-39 Albatros flyover in partnership with the No Fallen Heroes Foundation. Kids with bikes come early to decorate their rides at 10 a.m. at Paepcke Park, then pedal through the parade.
The festivities hit Koch Park at noon for a barbecue, live music, beer garden, lawn games and bouncy castle, with proceeds benefitting Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club. The Aspen High School band delivers patriotic tunes at 1 p.m. at Sister Cities Plaza.
You might notice an elaborately decorated trailer in front of Wheeler Opera House. Be sure to be front and center at 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. Friday when Cirque Kikasse performs a hypnotizing stunt show on top of it.
At 4 p.m. the Aspen Music Festival and School band performs a free patriotic concert at the Klein Music Tent and high-energy Americana five-piece FRUITION hits the stage at Wagner Park from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring a blanket, camp chair and picnic and settle in, because at 9:30 p.m., the sky will light up with a buzzing rainbow display from 800 synchronized drones.
Embrace Aspen’s penchant for outdoor recreation and join the free Aspen Parkrun community 5K race at 9 a.m. Saturday at Herron Park. Also, don’t miss the Aspen Saturday Market, which runs until 2 p.m. with local produce, paintings, a petting zoo, locally made art and food court in downtown Aspen. On Sunday, take a hike (or gondola ride) to the top of Aspen Mountain to enjoy the twangy live tunes of Bluegrass Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. on the Sundeck.
Front Range
If you are looking to celebrate our nation’s independence a little closer to home, check out the Indy Eve celebration at 5 p.m. on July 3, hosted by the City and County of Denver, in partnership with Civic Center Conservancy. Enjoy circus performances, a family fun zone, food and drinks, plus a free 8 p.m. concert by Colorado Symphony’s Brass & Percussion Ensemble followed by an LED light and drone show.
Or, support the Colorado Rockies as they take on the White Sox at Coors Field on Friday night, with fireworks after the game. Fireworks can also be found at Elitch Gardens on Saturday night.
In Boulder, get tickets early for the typically sold-out Boulder Symphony’s Fourth of July concert at the Boulder Bandshell at 7 p.m. Friday. Phish is also playing at Folsom Field July 3-5.
Longmont (July 4), Erie (July 3) and Berthoud (July 3)are all doing fireworks shows.
Wherever you end up this Fourth of July, be mindful of local fire dangers and restrictions.
