DENVER — Happy Independence Day weekend!
Celebrate the United States of America's 248th birthday by soaking in the best summer festivals and events Colorado has to offer. With fireworks, parades, festivals, fairs, rodeo, soccer, racing and baseball, there's so much to do, see and explore in Denver and Colorado this first weekend of July.
Remember to share your holiday weekend photos with the "Near Me" feature on the 9NEWS app. Have a fun and safe 4th of July weekend!
Fan Expo Denver
DENVER — Colorado's biggest pop culture celebration is back this weekend. Fan Expo Denver runs from Thursday to Sunday at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. Fans will be able to meet, get autographs and take photos with celebrities, animation voice actors, comic creators, authors and cosplayers.
Hundreds of figures of film, television, animation, art and literature are scheduled to appear at the convention. The festival also has hundreds of retailers in a shopping area of more than 300,000 square feet with shirts, games, toys, memorabilia, comic books and artwork.
Greeley Stampede
GREELEY — The Greeley Stampede continues through Sunday at Greeley's Island Grove Regional Park. The summer festival has been a Colorado tradition since 1922 focused on celebrating and preserving our state's Western heritage through rodeo, concerts, a carnival, vendor fair, food and more.
The Greeley Stampede features a large Independence Day celebration. The annual parade will be held Thursday morning and fireworks are planned Thursday night. 9NEWS will broadcast the 2024 Independence Day Parade at 9 a.m. Thursday on KTVD, 9NEWS+, 9NEWS.com and the 9NEWS app.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
DENVER — A Colorado tradition returns this weekend at Denver's Cherry Creek North Shopping District. The 33rd annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival will be held Friday through Sunday at Denver's Cherry Creek North. Over the Independence Day holiday weekend, more than 250 national and international artists will appear at the festival as well as more than a dozen live music performers. Free and open to the public, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival will also have food and drinks, interactive art experiences and a creation station for children. To learn more, visit CherryCreekArtsFestival.org.
Independence Day fireworks
COLORADO — Fourth of July weekend is here and many may be contemplating where to watch fireworks blast into the night sky. Luckily, there are plenty of firework shows planned throughout Colorado from which to choose. Check out our handy list and map of places to help celebrate America’s 248th birthday. There are also professional drone and laser shows in Colorado. As always, make sure to read up on the firework laws in your area.
Brewers/Royals vs. Colorado Rockies
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies' Independence Day firework displays are among the best in Colorado. The Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers play at Coors Field on Thursday night with fireworks planned after the game. There will also be a big firework show after Friday night's game between the Rockies and Kansas City Royals at Coors Field. For tickets, check out Rockies.com/Tickets.
Rocky Mountain Vibes
COLORADO SPRINGS — The Rocky Mountain Vibes and Ogden Raptors play each day through Sunday at UCHealth Park in Colorado Springs. The Vibes will have fireworks after Wednesday and Thursday's games. Grab your tickets at VibesBaseball.com.
Colorado Rapids’ 4thFest
COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids’ will host its 28th annual 4thFest at Dick's Sporting Goods Park as part of the club's match against Sporting Kansas City on Thursday. The Independence Day holiday game has been an annual tradition for the club since its inception in 1996.
This year's event will feature a family festival and block party prior to the match along with the post-game fireworks display. The festival outside the Commerce City soccer stadium will have live music, a bounce house, soccer darts, a rock-climbing wall, a mobile ropes course, an alpine tubing slide, a mechanical bull, a trackless train, pedal carts and a toddler zone among the activations. The festival is free and open to the public. Tickets to the Rapids' match and in-stadium seating for the fireworks are available at ColoradoRapids.com/Tickets.
4th of July Spectacular
AURORA — The City of Aurora will celebrate the 248th birthday of the United States of America with a celebration at the Aurora Municipal Center. The free 4th of July Spectacular runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday with food trucks and live musical performances by Syndicate, Game Wizards, and Quemando Salsa Orquesta followed by Aurora's 30-minute firework display launched from nearby Bicentennial Park.
Stars & Stripes Celebration
BRIGHTON — Adams County will enjoy the Stars & Stripes Independence Eve Celebration at Riverdale Regional Park on Wednesday. The party takes place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Riverdale Regional Park with live music from Thomas Mac, food vendors, beer and fireworks. Parking at Riverdale Regional Park is free.
Stars and Stripes Forever Concert & Fireworks
LITTLETON — Arapahoe Philharmonic will present its "Stars and Stripes Forever" show at Breckenridge Brewery Littleton at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Musicians will perform patriotic symphonic classics and music from movies and TV shows. The concert will take place in the Farmhouse Beer Garden. Purchase tickets online at Arapahoe-Phil.org.
Totally Tubular Festival
GREENWOOD VILLAGE — You can dance if you want to this weekend at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre because the Totally Tubular Festival is making a stop. Artists that helped define the New Wave era of the early-to-mid 1980s will be at Fiddler's Green on Saturday. The lineup is Thomas Dolby, Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey, Modern English, Men Without Hats, The Romantics, Bow Wow Wow, Tommy Tutone, and The Plimsouls. Tickets are sold at AXS.com.
Meeker Range Call
MEEKER — The 139th annual Range Call will be held this weekend in Meeker. The rodeo, which began in 1885, is the "oldest annual rodeo in Colorado." A CPRA rodeo is scheduled for Friday at the RBC Fairgrounds. This year's headliner is Clay Walker with opening act William Michael Morgan on Saturday. For tickets and a complete Range Call schedule, visit MeekerRangeCall.com.
Paonia Cherry Days Festival
PAONIA — The annual Paonia Cherry Days Festival returns Thursday through Saturday at Paonia Town Park. The festival includes a parade that ends at the park where there is live music, food and vendors all day long. See the complete schedule at PaoniaCherryDays.com.
Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo
PAGOSA SPRINGS — The 75th annual Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo takes place Thursday through Saturday. The event features a grand entry, 4-H truck raffle, mutton bustin’, Red Ryder BB gun drawing and sanctioned rodeo events each day. Tickets are available at the gate of the Western Heritage Event Center Rodeo Grounds at Highway 160 and 84 or online.
High Country Stampede Rodeo
FRASER — The High Country Stampede Rodeo begins its 41st rodeo season this Saturday night. This week's rodeo theme is "Celebrate the 4th of July," so be sure to wear red, white and blue. The rodeo also features delicious food options from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The 2024 High Country Stampede Rodeo continues Saturday nights through Aug. 17.
4th of July Parade & Rodeo
GRANBY — Granby will have three days of Independence Day festivities. Granby will host a rodeo at Flying Heels Arena featuring the Westernaires on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Fireworks will be launched after the rodeo on Friday and Saturday. Granby’s 79th annual 4th of July Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Big Belmar Bash
LAKEWOOD — Lakewood has ditched Independence Day fireworks for a drone show. The City of Lakewood's plans for the Big Belmar Bash include a drone light show at dusk instead of fireworks. The Independence Eve celebration will be held Wednesday around Belmar Plaza. Festivities, which also include food and drink vendors, live music and kids’ activities, begin at 5 p.m. with the drone show at dusk or around 9:15 p.m.
Independence Eve
DENVER — Downtown Denver will light up on Independence Eve once again. The City and County of Denver will host its Indy Eve event on Wednesday at Civic Center Park. The celebration will feature a drone show instead of fireworks. The event will also have a night market with local businesses, food trucks and DJs. Attendees will also see a live performance from the Colorado Symphony Brass & Percussion Ensemble, and two different light shows projected on Civic Center Park’s structures.
4th of July Parade
GRAND JUNCTION — Downtown Grand Junction’s annual 4th of July Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Thursday on Main Street. The parade if free to the public.
4th of July Celebration
WELLINGTON — Get ready for a day full of community fun at the annual Town of Wellington Fourth of July celebration. Wellington’s Independence Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Tuesday on Cleveland Avenue. The festival begins at 11 a.m. at Wellington Community Park. Fireworks are planned to launch at 9:30 p.m.
Fire Up the Cliffs
KREMMLING — Town of Kremmling will host its Fire Up the Cliffs block party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday. The free party will have live music, beer garden and family activities leading up to Kremmling’s fireworks display.
Art in the Park
LA VETA — Celebrate summer with La Veta’s beautiful Art in the Park event this weekend. Featuring handmade arts, crafts, jewelry, apparel, paintings, ceramics, glass, wood and more, Art in the Park will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday with free admission.
Colorado National Speedway
DACONO — Colorado’s fastest three-eighths-mile NASCAR-sanctioned racetrack, Colorado National Speedway, will host two big nights of racing and fireworks this Independence Day weekend. Sprint Cars, Bandolero and Legends will headline Saturday and Sunday night’s extravaganzas. Gates open at 4 p.m. each night with tickets at the gate or ColoradoSpeedway.com.
Colorado Music Festival
BOULDER —The Colorado Music Festival is back. The summer concert series offers performances of orchestral and chamber music by the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra and guest artists. Concerts begin this Friday and continue through Sunday, Aug. 4, at Chautauqua Auditorium. For a full list of performances, visit ColoradoMusicFestival.org.
Saturday Night BAZAAR: Platte Street
DENVER — Saturday Night BAZAAR: Platte Street is a monthly Shop & Sip market hosted by Denver BAZAAR. On Saturday the market pops up on Platte Street Plaza, featuring 50+ local makers and craft vendors, street food and food trucks, fashion trucks, live DJs, and pop-up bar featuring craft brews and cocktails.
Colorado Renaissance Festival
LARKSPUR — Take a magical tour through time and legend at the annual Colorado Renaissance Festival. The village streets of the festival are full of artisans selling original art, fresh baked goods, roasted turkey legs, steak on a stake and much more. There will be jousting, comedy shows and a cast of hundreds walking and performing throughout the faire. The Renaissance Festival runs on weekends through the first weekend of August. Tickets are available at ColoradoRenaissance.com.
Discovering Teen Rex
DENVER — A rare dinosaur fossil is now on display at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. A juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex fossil that was discovered in the North Dakota badlands will be featured at the museum's new temporary exhibit "Discovering Teen Rex." The fossil is one of only a handful of juvenile T. rex skeletons that has ever been found.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science said the T. rex fossil was discovered by a family on a hike in 2022. The family contacted the museum who returned to the site to excavate the fossil in 2023. The public will be able to see the fossil being prepped in real time at the museum exhibit, as well as an array of dinosaur fossils, including Triceratops and Edmontosaurus.
City Park Jazz
DENVER — City Park Jazz is back in Denver. Afro fusion band JoFoKe & Same Cloth headlines the fifth week of the festival at Denver's pavilion City Park at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The 2024 season will continue each Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. through early August.
City Park Farmers Market
DENVER — The City Park Farmers Market is celebrating its fourth season. The market has more than 100 vendors offering a variety of local Colorado produce and products from area farmers, food producers and agriculture-based brands. The market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October. Other activations include a run club at 8 a.m., donation-based yoga at 9 a.m. and live music from local acts.
Red Rocks
DENVER — There is no better venue for live music in the country than Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The Red Rocks 2024 concert schedule (announced so far) is still growing and this spring and summer looks to be one for the record books.
It wouldn't be summer without a Fourth of July Blues Traveler show at Red Rocks. Blues Traveler will headline a concert at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Thursday. The band will be joined by JJ Grey & Mofro and Eggy.
- Wednesday, July 1 - Dirty Heads
- Tuesday, July 2 - Zeds Dead
- Wednesday, July 3 - Zeds Dead
- Thursday, July 4 - Blues Traveler
- Friday, July 5 - The Avett Brothers with Little Feat
- Saturday, July 6 - The Avett Brothers with Melissa Etheridge
- Sunday, July 7 - The Avett Brothers with Dawes
The North Pole: Santa's Workshop
CASCADE — Colorado's favorite Christmas-themed amusement park is open for the season. Home to Santa's village and the jolly old elf himself, The North Pole: Santa’s Workshop, located at 7,500 feet at the foot of Pikes Peak west of Colorado Springs, traditionally opens the weekend before Memorial Day and remains open through Christmas. With vintage rides and sweet treats, the park as been spreading Christmas cheer since 1956.
Denver Trolley
DENVER — The last operating trolley in Denver has begun summer operations. The Denver Trolley has run along the South Platte River for more than 30 years. This summer, the trolley will operate Thursdays through Mondays beginning at 10 a.m. with the last departure at 5 p.m. The Denver Trolley departs from the home platform at REI/Confluence Park every 30 minutes. Roundtrip rides last about 25 minutes and include a narration about the surrounding area.
88 Drive-In Theatre
COMMERCE CITY — The only drive-in movie theater in the Denver metro area reopened for a 48th summer season. Tickets are $10 per person, and children under 12 are free. Tickets are sold only at the box office starting at 7 p.m. for that evening's program. This weekend the outdoor theater has a double feature of "A Quiet Place: Day One" and "Bad Boys: Ride or Die."
Movies this weekend
“Inside Out 2” continues to be a box office phenomenon, the likes of which the industry hasn’t seen since “Barbie” almost a year ago. “Inside Out 2” crossed the billion dollar mark in 19 days, a record for an animated film.
Opening this weekend
- Despicable Me 4
- MaXXXine
Last weekend's box office
- “Inside Out 2,” $57.4 million.
- “A Quiet Place: Day One,” $53 million.
- “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1,” $11 million.
- “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” $10.3 million.
- “Kalki 2898 AD,” $5.4 million.
- “The Bikeriders,” $3.3 million.
- “The Garfield Movie,” $2 million.
- “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” $168.1 million.
- “Jatt & Juliet 3,” $1.5 million.
- “Kinds of Kindness,” $1.5 million.
Do you know of a cool, fun Colorado festival, fair, expo, concert, or event you think we ought to mention in this week's 9Things or the future? Send it to alexander.kirk@9news.com.
Have a patriotic weekend!
PHOTOS | Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver
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