Earlier this year, the City of Boulder announced that its annual Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast at Folsom Field, sponsored by WK Real Estate, has been permanently canceled. The nearly quarter-century-old tradition had faced challenges in recent years, including cancellations during the Covid-19 pandemic and concerns about wildfires igniting from stray fireworks in the hot, dry and windy weather. In part because of these concerns, the city replaced its fireworks show at Folsom Field with a drone light show last year, which was spoiled by bad weather.
While the city aims to bring back the event at Folsom Field in some form one day, there are still plenty of opportunities to celebrate the Fourth of July in and around Boulder this year — including fireworks in Lafayette on June 29, in Erie on July 3 and in Longmont and Louisville on July 4.
Here are 16 events worth checking out.
Boulder
Boulder Symphony: Annual July 4 Concert Celebration
Thursday, July 4, Glen Huntington Bandshell (1212 Canyon Blvd.), 7 – 9 p.m., $15 for adults, $5 for children under 16
Join the Boulder Symphony at the Boulder Bandshell on July 4 for a performance featuring Bernstein’s “Candide,” Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” Beethoven’s “Wellington’s Victory” and more. Highlights will also include the Boulder premiere of Matt Browne’s “Barnstorming Season,” John Williams’ film scores and Sousa’s patriotic tunes. Arrive early to secure a spot. Front-row seating is available for those with lawn chairs. Refreshments and food from Rang Tang Craft Barbecue will be on sale. In case of bad weather, the concert will move to Grace Commons at 1820 15th Street.
4K on the Fourth
Thursday, July 4, Avery Brewing Company (4910 Nautilus Ct. N.), race begins at 9 a.m., $25 for runners 20 and under, $35 for runners 21 and older (early pricing)
Show off your spirit in red, white and blue at the 15th Avery Brewing Company 4K on the Fourth Fun Run. After the run, Avery Brewing will offer beer and breakfast burritos. In addition to race awards, there will be awards for the best Independence Day costumes. Participants must sign up before July 3 at 11:59 p.m.
Colorado Music Festival: Opening Night
Friday, July 5, Chautauqua Auditorium (900 Baseline Rd.), 6:30 p.m., $18-$85
If Independence Day has one activity too many (or too few), move one to the day after. Attend the opening night of the Colorado Music Festival on July 5, a showcase of classical music from July to August. This first performance will feature world-renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein. For those looking for a musical family event, there will be a performance of Green Eggs and Ham on July 7.
Boulder Reservoir Recreation: Special Hours
Thursday, July 4, Boulder Reservoir (5275 Reservoir Rd.), 6 a.m.-4 p.m., $12 for adults, $7.25 for youth (3-18), $9 for seniors 60 and above, other pricing available
If you’re looking for outdoor fun, Boulder Reservoir will have special hours for Fourth of July. The reservoir will be open to the public for an array of recreation activities, such as boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing and picnicking.
Keep in mind that Open Space and Mountain Parks has a strict prohibition on any sources of ignition and open burns. This means no smoking, no campfires and no fireworks, which are also prohibited throughout the city.
Erie
July 3 Fireworks Show
Wednesday, July 3, Erie Community Park (450 Powers St.), 6-10 p.m. (fireworks begin at 9 p.m. and will last 15 minutes), free
The Town of Erie will launch fireworks on Independence Day eve, with food trucks and vendors available throughout the evening. Why July 3 and not July 4? The town says it began this tradition 20 years ago.
Lafayette
Independence Day Fun and Fireworks
Saturday, June 29, Waneka Lake Park (1600 Caria Dr.), 4-10 p.m., free
Lafayette will be the first to set off sparks this year, with a fireworks show at dusk on June 29. The event will feature food trucks, live music by 5280s Band and various activities, including free face painting. Entrance is free, with food and tickets for activities beyond face painting available for purchase.
Longmont
Concert in Roosevelt Park
Thursday, July 4, Roosevelt Park (700 Longs Peak Ave), 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free
Start the celebrations with the annual Fourth of July Concert in the Park, featuring music by the Longmont Symphony Orchestra and Longmont Chorale. Children will be invited to conduct the orchestra as the finale. Fun activities will complement the performances, and there will be a picnic contest, so bring your best Fourth of July-themed food and decorations.
Longmont Street Party
Thursday, July 4, Downtown Longmont, 5-10 p.m., free
Bring the whole family for carnival games, live music and various bites at the City of Longmont Street Party. Entry to the carnival games and street party zone is free, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. If you don’t feel like relocating, the drone and fireworks show will be visible from the party. Second Avenue between Kimbark Street and Collyer Street, and on Emery Street south of 2nd Avenue, are the anticipated best spots for fireworks.
Drone and Fireworks Shows
Thursday, July 4, drone show begins at 9:15 p.m., fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m., both free
Three hundred drones will take flight, piloted by the Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools Drone Performance Team, with imagery created specifically for Longmont. The evening’s finale is a fireworks show from the Skyline Kiwanis Club of Longmont, set to start at around 9:30 p.m.
The best viewing areas are the street party in downtown Longmont, the green space area north of the Longmont Museum and south of Left Hand Creek at the City of Longmont Recreation Center. If you happen to be at the street party when the sky lights up, there will be live musical accompaniment.
Louisville
Let Freedom Run 5K/10K
Thursday, July 4, Louisville Rec Center (900 Appia Way), 7:30 a.m., $40 for 5K, $50 for 10K
Louisville’s Let Freedom Run returns to celebrate great people doing great things. Runners are encouraged to dress up as their favorite American hero, whether it’s their parents, Albert Einstein or Superman (or Batman if you prefer). Participants can also enter the race raffle by bringing five items for Community Food Share. Same-day registration is available at 6:30 a.m. Leashed dogs and children in strollers are allowed, but fireworks must be left at home.
Louisville Fireworks and Fourth of July Celebrations
Thursday, July 4, Coal Creek Golf Course (585 West Dillon Rd.), 6-10:30 p.m., free
The City of Louisville’s fireworks celebration begins with food trucks, bounce houses, face painting and live music. The Boulder Concert Band’s performance starts at 7 p.m. The evening culminates in a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. On-site parking is exclusively for accessibility, but additional parking at the Louisville Recreation Center and Coal Creek Ace Hardware with shuttles to the event will be available throughout the evening.
Superior
Parade and Pancake Festival
Thursday, July 4, Superior Community Park (1350 Coalton Rd.), 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., free
Construction at Rock Creek Parkway won’t stop Superior from hosting its signature July 4 events. While the Superior Mile Downhill Race has been canceled, other events will return, including the community parade, a pancake festival, a local kickball championship and BBQ to keep you well fed into the afternoon. There will also be live music, games and other activities for kids and adults.
Beyond Boulder County
Coal Creek Canyon Fourth Fest
Thursday, July 4, Coal Creek Canyon Community Center (31528 HWY 72, Golden), 7 a.m.-2 p.m, free
It’s a packed morning at the Coal Creek Canyon Fourth Fest with a pancake breakfast, a parade and flag-raising. Vendor booths open at 9 a.m., and the food and beer garden opens at 11 a.m. Bean bag-throwing enthusiasts can participate in a cornhole tournament. There is no registration deadline for the tournament, but spots are limited, and same-day registration will only be available if space allows. The theme for this year’s festivities is “Canyon Roundup.”
Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tournament
July 3-7, at fields throughout Boulder County
The 27th year of the Independence Day Tournament will feature 216 competitive girls softball clubs from across the country. The Boulder IDT website promises “an extraordinary level of competition and promises to be a thrilling spectacle for softball fans.” Tournaments will be held at various fields in Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield and Louisville.
FAN EXPO Denver Fourth of July celebrations
July 4 -7, Colorado Convention Center (700 14th St, Denver), 10 a.m.-7 p.m., single day tickets from $29
FAN EXPO Denver 2024 kicks off on July 4, and attending the convention doesn’t mean missing out on celebrations. Indoor games and performances are scheduled for a “geeky backyard blast” all weekend. Other activities include movie screenings of iconic titles such as “Independence Day,” “An American Tail” and “National Treasure,” as well as dance parties, an Independence Day cosplay parade and a Captain America scavenger hunt. See the convention’s full schedule for exact screening and event times.
Downtown Denver Fireworks
July 4-5, Elitch Gardens and Coors Field, tickets required for on site viewings
For fireworks in the Mile High City, Coors Field is lighting fireworks following Colorado Rockies games against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 4 and the Kansas City Royals on July 5. Firework game tickets are available. The best views will be from inside the stadium, but the sparks will be visible around the lower downtown area.
Elitch Gardens will also be launching fireworks the evening of July 5 as the park closes at 9 p.m. The display will be visible to park visitors, as well as from the different public parks around downtown Denver.
